I've got my engine out, HVAC box, wiring, wiper assembly, fenders, nose, etc. removed from my engine bay. Only thing left are brakes and the steering (which I just need to remove yet.)

Stripping the engine bay down to bare metal is the only thing that will give me the show finish engine bay that I am looking for. I started with Duplicolor aerosol paint stripper. It did a very nice job removing the top coat of spray paint, however it did very little to loosen the factory coat. If I get more of this stuff, is it going to be the same story? Any other products that would work better?

I then moved onto my grinder with a wire wheel cup. It's doing a decent job, very slow going however. I think part of my problem lies in the harbor freight wire cup I'm using, but I'm afraid if I use a more expensive one the coarse wire will score the metal of my engine bay.

After about 3 hours, I did the outside and top of the header panel, as well as most of one frame rail and wheel well. It's a decent chunk, but I still have A LOT to do.

Short of sand or soda blasting (I've been told the cheap sand blasting guns are a waste of my money), anyone have any other techniques that will help me get this paint off? Here's a couple phone pictures of my progress:

 

It should look good when completed. Any estimates when the project will be completed??

 

Thanks. I was planning on working hard and getting it done within the next few weeks, but I lost my job last week. I've got money saved, but it's going to go quick if I do all the things I had planned. I'm still moving forward with the project (this is my daily driver), it's just going to be at a slower pace.

 

Looks good so far. I'd love to do this to mine someday, but that'll be the weekend after hell freezes over.