[R-390] Front Panel Paint Removal

[Jerry Kincade]

Looks like I've got the world's toughest paint on this Imperial/Teledyne
front panel. Three different types/brands of paint stripper, the last
(marine epoxy stripper) left on for 36 hours with the final result only a
mild discoloration of the original grey. Didn't even soften it. I've done
several others without this problem, don't know what they used for paint but
it is *good* stuff. Thought of chemical dip-stripping, but would like to
preserve the original paint/lettering on the rear of the panel.

At this point I'm leaning toward possibly some type of bead or soda
blasting. Does anyone know if this has been successfully done without
rounding off the edges of the lettering? If so, is there a small job shop I
should know about that I can ship this thing to? Local sandblast shops
around here just shrug their shoulders and want to know if I have a bridge I
need done. Last resort, I'll take it down to the local powder coat shop, and
I'm sure they would do a beautiful job, but that would of course wipe out
the lettering on the rear of the panel.

Sage advice, please.

Thanks, Jerry W5KP