It's brighter. I wasn't trying to be a negative nellie about the stripper. It works ok, my only qualm with it is that you have to be extremely careful and get it out of every nook and crannie. It doesn't mix well with fresh paint. lol
Truth!
Get a pressure washer... Only way to really ensure the surface is super clean prior to anything else.
I also like to do a very thorough wipe down with lots of alcohol (on a rag, or just spray it on) or acetone prior to applying anything. Alcohol tends to be cheaper and less toxic though. I use a Chem bottle and hose nooks and crannies to really flush gunk away, then dry with compressed air for the final clean. That way you get the lint and stuff too, and ensure no trapped moisture.
The thing I like about paint stripper is that it doesn't tend to take away any galvanize or other steel coatings. Doesn't really apply to our cars, but in general it won't take away protective coatings the way blasting or acid etching will.
