How to remove paint/filler prep tailgate

[Skrilla]

Wanting to fix the tailgate on my 81 C10 as it has a little spot of rust on the lower corner. But I noticed it looks like the PO who painted the truck either filled the tailgate to give it a "smooth" finish, or used plate (not sure yet) but you can see the line on the paint where the filler is and the paint ran. How much of a PITA is it to remove all the old paint, filler, rust and prep for someone to paint it. I can get a new tailgate for $250 delivered to my door, but I would imagine it can't be that bad to fix the one I have now.

What materials would I need? Should I get the tailgate sandblasted and see how bad it actually is?

thanks!

[firebane]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Wanting to fix the tailgate on my 81 C10 as it has a little spot of rust on the lower corner. But I noticed it looks like the PO who painted the truck either filled the tailgate to give it a "smooth" finish, or used plate (not sure yet) but you can see the line on the paint where the filler is and the paint ran. How much of a PITA is it to remove all the old paint, filler, rust and prep for someone to paint it. I can get a new tailgate for $250 delivered to my door, but I would imagine it can't be that bad to fix the one I have now.

What materials would I need? Should I get the tailgate sandblasted and see how bad it actually is?

thanks!

Without pics hard to say, but generally it shouldn't be too much work and a easy DIY.

[ExtraSlow]

Is the $250 a NOS tailgate, or replica? I've heard horror stores of the replica ones needing extensive filler and prep before paint.

[lee88]

Chemical paint stripper from Napa

[Skrilla]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Without pics hard to say, but generally it shouldn't be too much work and a easy DIY.

Yea I'll take a close up one this afternoon, it is hard to get a good angle with the camera, but in person it looks pretty bad.

[Skrilla]

I talked to a blaster and he didn't think it would look good after. If I go the angle grinder way and remove the paint, what style disc should I use?

[firebane]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I talked to a blaster and he didn't think it would look good after. If I go the angle grinder way and remove the paint, what style disc should I use?

Fiber. It will strip the paint and everything else but not damage or hurt the metal. Could also use a brass cup wheel and take it off faster.

[Skrilla]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Fiber. It will strip the paint and everything else but not damage or hurt the metal. Could also use a brass cup wheel and take it off faster.

What grit should I start with, end with? Sorry for the 100 questions, I am trying this for the first time. I just have an electric grinder at home

[firebane]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

What grit should I start with, end with? Sorry for the 100 questions, I am trying this for the first time. I just have an electric grinder at home

I don't recall if they come in grits but if they do I think I used 80 the last time I did some work.

[Skrilla]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I don't recall if they come in grits but if they do I think I used 80 the last time I did some work.

Perfect! thank you