I have a replacement front outrigger and it has rubbish black paint which is bubbling and scratched etc.

I dont want to get it shot blasted as my local place has become so expensive its not worth it.

The pics I have seen of people doing the job have left the paint on, is that really a good idea, the paint is so thin .

I have some proper paint remover, thinking I might try and get it off with that and zinc/etch prime it then cover in some stone chip.

Any one have some advice please!

It's not meant to be a finished paint job. You'll need to weld the outrigger on anyway. If I was you I'd strip it, weld it, etch prime and paint it with stonechip or similar. Have you taken the floor out?

Yes, the paint you get on chassis and body spares when they arrive is just meant to keep them fresh in storage. Once they're on and you've finished welding and grinding give them a drop of something more suitable for outdoor use!

I put a replacement rear x member on a 90 a few years back, the paint was crap and started flaking off in no time. Not sure what best to do other than wire brush it as it came off and patch it with a spray can of dinitrol protector.

As it would be difficult to get inside of the outrigger when welded on I stripped it using some original Nitromors I found in the shed (in a well ventilated, forced extraction garage) and pressure washed it then re-applied the paint stripper more pressure washing worked a treat!

Obviously Nitromors has been changed for the worse but you still buy the good stuff under another name 'Paramose' paint stripper, I think I saw Fun Rover chap got hold of some.

I then etched and put some Jotun Jotamastic 87 on it with a brush and on the chassis as well.

Stuff is very sticky, went and had a look today see if had dried as I used standard hardener but was rock hard so can weld it on tomorrow, if I can figure out where it should go as I dont have any bulkhead, floor, doors, body panels etc on:-(

Yep total disaster!

Loads of fire and nasty fumes don't do what I did!

Paint all came off anyway, just weld through primer then weld and hope you can get some paint inside afterwards.