Removing paint from 70 Challenger grille

[EV2RTSE]

I have a nice argent 70 Challenger grille that I'd like to use on my R/T, just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on the easiest way to remove the original argent so that I can repaint it black. Something that won't damage the aluminum. Aircraft stripper maybe?

[EV2RTSE]

Well, today I tried Klean Strip which is what Home Depot carries for a paint stripper, and it took the black paint right off of the original grill and bezels from my R/T but didn't do much on the argent grill. That argent paint is tough stuff and the texture in it seems to be the culprit. I guess I should have tried the Aircraft stripper from the getgo.

[Gross Polluter]

I'm interested in this topic.  I have a 1970 grille that a previous owner painted all black, but I'm not sure what's under it. 

I'd like to make at least close to the correct finish, would the products mentioned here be what I need to strip the black from where it's not supposed to be? 

[tparker]

I have no idea if it will work, but maybe acetone? Of course try it in inconspicuous place. I used it on my freshly painted driver side door to horrific results. It ate right through the clear and paint al the way to the primer almost immediately. Not sure if it will work on 50+ year old Argent Paint, but maybe.

[EV2RTSE]

So a couple of weeks ago a black 70 grill popped up on marketplace about 45 mins away from me, I went to take a look at it and noticed the black paint had a texture to it. I didn't quite know what to make of it but the grill was in nice shape so I bought it. I guess I thinking maybe someone painted it with organosol or something over the years.

I decided to try some lacquer thinner mixed with the paint stripper for the second attempt on the argent grill that I had started previously, along with this extra grill that I bought. As I worked on the black grill once again the black paint went away quickly but then I realized that the texture was because it was originally an argent grill painted black   

Overall the lacquer thinner seemed to help and I got through removing the argent from both grills in an afternoon, it was tedious, far from fun but it worked well enough. The instructions for the paint stripper say to leave it on for about 15 minutes but I found the argent seemed easier to remove if I started working on it sooner. It seems the paint goes into solution but then back to a solid once things fume off, I actually had a big ball of argent paint on the work surface at the end of the day.

Using a scotchbrite pad soaked in lacquer thinner helped in the corners and areas where the plastic drywall scraper I used for the flat surfaces wouldn't get to.

One other thing I found that worked really well on the eggcrates and the underside of the grill - this pontoon boat cleaner. Just spray it on and hose it off. Strong stuff, don't use it on a windy day. I'll still need to do a few rounds of this as one grill in particular had really smoked up eggcrates but it seems to be really good stuff.

[EV2RTSE]

Today I did a few more spray & rinse cycles with the pontoon boat cleaner and at this point I think I'll call them good, and ready for paint. Not sure but I'll probably still fog the eggcrates with something like Eastwoods' reflective silver or something like that.

[Brads70]

Nice job, looks great. Here is what I did, might give you some options for paint suppliers etc...

https://forum.e-bodies.org/body-shop/5/-cleaning-up-a-argent-1970-challenger-grill/69/msg457#msg457

[Lunchbox]

Looking fantastic. Subbing for finished project.