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Removing Silicone Fluid before Painting

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Don Elliott

Don Elliott

Obi Wan
Offline
I have used silicone brake and clutch fluid for 16 years and I have removed everything from my engine compartment for a re-spray. When I was removing the master cylinders and pipes, some silicone fluid ran onto the paintwork. Before I have it re-sprayed, I have to remove the silicone for the new paint to bond properly - or so I was always told.

What is the best way to get the silicone residues off or to prepare the paintwork so the new paint spray will adhere properly ?
 
Don,

I used PPG Acryliclean DX330 wax and grease remover and then a light sanding with 1000 to 1500 grit to dull. Then use the DX330 again to wipe off any residues. Allow to dry and shoot. Never had any silicone induced starbursts after that. The light sanding allows the paint to adhere properly to the old.
 
Just remembered some other important info regarding the use of this product. One quart will be more than enough for an entire TR3 paint job. If you can find a pint bottle that should suffice. When applying use a known clean cloth and soak the cloth with sufficient material to leave a shiny even wet looking streak. The wet shiny residue will also allow you to see any imperfections in the too be painted surface after sanding. Do not apply in a circular motion like applying wax. The theory is to start at a high point and pull the material straight down and off the painted surface and and any wax, silicone, oil, or grease with it. Almost like a squeegee on a windshield.
 
I just went to a local body shop supply house and asked them for a prep for cleaning before paint, and they gave me some stuff called Antisil. They also explained the technique of using it, and it is the same as Harry mentioned. Any auto body supply place should have something that will work to get rid of silicon. That stuff is impossible to paint over. It must be removed entirely.
 
Thanks all for your input. It's been most helpful. I will be checking with the paint suppliers around here and will need to do this in the next 4 weeks as that's when the painter will start to re-spray the car. It's been 17 years since it was last done and it still looks great, but 94,000 miles of stone chips in the front and dings on the door sills show more than I like. Hope it'll still look this good in another 17 years. Hope I will still be looking and feeling this good too.

BTW, "TRusty" turned 49 on Feb. 14th. It was "born" in Canley near Coventry on Valentines Day, 1958.

Don Elliott, Original Owner
 
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