Removing paint off bumpers - dry ice blasting? carby cleaner?

[Jonny Rochester]

On one set of bumpers I removed a thin layer of cheap paint using carby cleaner and a rag (and maybe petrol and paint stripper at times). I got them back to bare plastic which is what I wanted, but was told the chemicals would not be good if I ever wanted to paint the same bumpers in the future.

I have now got some other stock bumpers and need to remove a few layers of paint, and I will probably paint the bumpers again properly. How is the best way to remove all the paint. Getting them dry ice blasted was surgested to me, as it would leave the plastic "chemically neutral" to accept paint later.

[Jonny Rochester]

I also read that some paint strippers are plastic safe... Has anyone tried these and sucessfully repainted?

[Slimer86]

Semi successful on stripping the original panda paint from a bar using the plastic paint stripper. The can was in the $30 region.
It wasn't evenly effective on the paint and was patchy.
No damage to the plastic,very effective on the overcoat paint,just not so good on oem.
But could have been my technique.

[shift_rook]

I've used accent paint stripper pressure pack. It's about $15 from memory. I used it to remove white factory paint off a chrome trim is it worked very well,applying, then removing with pressure cleaner. Just make sure you use a wax and grease remover first otherwise it may affect the paint coat.

[dove grey 64]

as chris said if you use wax and grease remover and then possibly use plastic primer you shouldnt have an issue with painting later on.

[haveaparty]

The easiest way is with an orby sander and 180 grit paper. Finishing off with 320 grit. Then prime the bumpers. 320 grit again and finish with 400 grit wet and dry paper. go 800 grit if u want super smooth.

[haveaparty]

Oh yeah. Plastic primer helps too as said before

[ae86]

i can say paint strippers are safe, people said it would warp the bumper but it was fine, i even used it to get stone guard off which is really hard stuff, dont remember the name of what i used but i remember getting it from bunnings small tin can bit expensive but 1-1/2 lasted a whole bumper

[meadan]

brake fluid?

It used to work ace on plastic model cars, just dip them in a tub and all the old paint peels off.
I cant imaghine it being fun to wash down a whole bumper for repainting though

[Jonny Rochester]

Modern brake fluid does not take paint off like it used to. The last time I saw a brake fluid spill take paint right off was in the 90s.

I have no problem using paint stripper and other things to take paint off. I'm just told that the chemicals would stay in the plastic forever and I wouldn't be able to paint the bumpers again.