Phase Five
July 30th, 2010
Stage Five: Paint Strip
At this point, the car needed a proper paint change. Stripped to its shell, a new color was decided upon, and the team set about removing all windows and trim. To do so without cracking or damaging the original pieces is a nerve-wracking process, requiring a steady hand and incredible care. To put it into perspective, during consultation, we were told by glass experts that it was around 90% likely that the tempered and curved glass would crack or shatter upon removal. With a lot of patience and a little piano wire, our team managed to remove every bit of glass without incident. A sigh of relief washed over the team as we moved forward.
Because the 550 is built with an aluminum body, the paint had to be removed with extreme care, as to not damage the delicate aluminum skin.
Through research and consultation, we determined the optimal solutions to this problem were a chemical peel of the main surfaces, and soda blasting into the tighter, more troublesome crevices. When all was said and done, the frame revealed a beautiful aluminum skin, exposing evidence of the hard work that went into the original build. Hammer marks, rivets, and hand-welds adorned the naked frame; a testament to the classic techniques used in the design.