Pepsi Cooler - How to remove paint?

[bredfern]

I picked up an old Pepsi double dot ice cooler today. Not sure who made it, but I am sure that someone took a paint brush and painted the entire thing white.

Here's my question/dilemma - how would you get the paint off without ruining the painted art underneath? I've tested a little mineral spirits, laquer thinner and 91% alcohol, but they all seem a little harsh. I feel like wet sanding would be just as harsh.

Any ideas?

[Creighton]

You need to figure out what kind of paint is on there. Try soaking an area with a very hot damp towel. If it starts to loosen you are in luck just latex house paint. Another product worth a try is Graffiti Remover. It works well on Krylon type enamels. You have tried the next three options. Citra strip might work, Acetone and Aircraft stripper will get the white off but unless using great care everything else as well. DD Pepsi's are cool go slow ask any questions.
Creighton
   

[coinopgullwing]

Maybe a fine rubbing compound and alot elbow grease. Have you tried Flitz. The cooler is called the Utility cooler made in 1941-1942. The manufacturer is unknown. There was an optional metal stand available. In feb. 4th of 1942 cost 6.95 for the cooler and stand cost 1.95. On that date there were 2107 coolers and 706 stands available for purchase.

[bredfern]

Thank you both for the suggestions.

I tried some small areas and it's not looking good. Any small attempt to remove the top layer wants to take the bottom layer of paint with it.

Now I've got to figure out if I just have a paperweight or the proper way to restore this since the graphics were screened on. Any ideas on the best route to take?

[Eric]

masking it and painting the graphics back on or vinyl decals... Or finding a screen shop to see if it could be rescreened...  I have a Cooler
with the same double dot logo but I don't have the 5 cent.... do you have a image of what it looked like?

[bredfern]

This is what it should look like:

[Larry]

Nice bottles.

[Ltransam]

I have the same cooler .the problem is that it's a silk screened cooler .if you try Any rubbing compound or a wax cleaner it will cause the graphic.s to come off I started a small area on mine and quit  quickly because the paint started to come off fast

[bredfern]

I think I've decided to recreate the graphics and strip the box. Other than being vinyl, they'll look exactly like what used to be on there. Any ideas about what it's worth?

[Ltransam]

Hi . Bredfern

  Heres a frount & back picture of mine .Notice the condition of the Paint on the back side veris the front. Id be intersted in a set of the decal incase i ever restore mine .But I like it Original .


Leonard