removing filler

[trabbimadman]

 has anyone got any tips for removing great big globs of filler?  basically my prefect resto mod project has massive amounts of the stuff, particularly on the seams between inner and outer front wings.

 obviously i'd rather do this the easiest way but with minimal damage to (whats left of) the steel underneath!

 any ideas welcomed.. cheers

[ChrisT]

My weapon of choice would be a wire brush attachment on a grinder, there's various sizes and shapes to get into most areas.....

[trabbimadman]

sounds like a plan. i will give it a go - thanks
cue the whole place looking like its been struck with a snow storm..lol

[ChrisT]

Yeah that's the only problem with it
Don't forget you'll need a decent dust mask too.

[droopsnoot]

I've used those sponge discs as well. Can't remember the proper name for them, but it's basically an abrasive sponge disc for either a drill or a grinder.

Eye protection as well, though you'll know that, whichever one you use. I've found bits of wire from those twisted-knot wire cups embedded in my overalls after a paint stripping session.

[LowStandards]

Heat the panel and use a scraper, you can normally get under it if it's a fair amount and just 'pop' it off

Any, spinney and shouty mechanical means will just end up in a snow storm

[Deleted]

You can as above heat the area of filler with a hot air gun but you need to be careful that you don't add any further distortion to the panel with the heat - especially on thin panels - another dustless method though that has yet to be mentioned is a good paint stripper will soften up filler to the point that it can be scraped off in reasonable layers - I find an old wood chisel that is pretty sharp tends to work especially if you score into the filler with a hatched pattern to allow the stripper to eat into it - obviously a messy process but nothing like the dust fallout from the mechanical removal of filler

[dusky]

As above, paint stripper! Works wonders, and is afaik the most sure way of not damaging anything