Removing paint from moldings

[boostfrk]

The PO of my 1990 LX 5.0 had the lower half of the car painted silver/grey, including the moldings. So the moldings on the doors, quarters, and front/rear bumpers is all painted instead of black. The paint is chipping off in numerous places and I'd assume just remove the paint all together as I'll be painting the whole car at some point and leaving the moldings black.

What's the best way to remove the paint without damaging the moldings? Some of the paint is still on well (and has clear coat on top), so I'm not sure that rubbing a bit of thinner or acetone on it will just melt the paint off.

Ideas or tips are appeciated.

 

[Rage91GT]

Thinner can and more than likely will damage your plastic / rubber moldings.. Honestly I work in a body shop and I currently don't know of any good way to "Strip" that type of material. I would suggest sanding them down really well with some 320 grit sand paper. Follow that with a nice coat of primer. Sand it smooth with 600 and start over again.. Now I realize everyone is going to have an opinion on this one so that is just my two copper.. Hope it helps!!

 

[91TwighlightGT]

I just used a Dual Action sander and was very careful. 240 by hand in the corners of the indention. High build epoxy primer. Done.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Blast it with walnut shell media, clean, prime, sand, repaint.