removing paint from porcelian

[scalebowler]

Will just any paint stripper work for taking paint off porcelain or are there some that are too strong? My gas pump has porcelain coated side pannels that I need to remove some paint from but I don't know what chemical to use.

[johnieG]

As porcelain is basically melted glass applied to the steel of the pump, any basic paint stripper will work, but it will also remove any decals, silk-screened logo's too. just dont sand it off as you will scratch the porcelain & that would be bad.

[RetroMe]

I have removed the paint from several old porcelian gumball machines using Soda blasting. I have acess to an industrial dry soda blaster and it works very well to remove paint without being to abrasive. Comes out very nice.

Craig

[scalebowler]

Thats good. I just wanted to make sure nothing would happen it it. Going to get some paint stripper so that I can get the frame painted up before it gets too cold. Do you guys have any suggestions on a good paint stripper? I just don't want to end up getting something that does not do a good job at taking the paint off.

[aspbear]

If this is truly porcelain,  just use water and 000 steel wool.  I have cleaned several signs with this simple process,  I would be afraid the stripper might dull the color of the porcelain...

[MoonDawg]

      Regular laquer thinner will remove most cheap paint.

[johnieG]

If this is truly porcelain,  just use water and 000 steel wool.  I have cleaned several signs with this simple process,  I would be afraid the stripper might dull the color of the porcelain...

The color of true porcelain enamel is part of the glass beads/powder itself, & the paint stripper & solvents wont harm it at all , ( think of a colored/stain-glass window pane, you can scratch it, break it, but the color is part of the glass itself, not only a surface coating)  steel wool will work with some elbow grease too as you've stated.

[scalebowler]

How do I tell if it is truly porcelain? I did do some experiments with stripping the paint using PVC pipe cleaner which I think is mostly acetone and the finish is still shiney and red. (I origionally thought it was paint and was not too concerned with what happened to it) Is that a good test or not?

[aspbear]

If you did not get any color transfer to the rag you were using with the PVC cleaner then it is porcelain.  The paint would give you some color transfer....