what is good for doing the job? rambo1.
I usually use Scalecoat’s paint stripper for plastics. There has been the odd time when this just won’t cut it … that’s when I bring out the brake fluid - works every time !
Mark.
Mark r. brake fluid is very strong what do you wahs it with?rambo1
I usually use 91% alcohol. Other times I use acetone free nail polish remover with a bit of elbow grease. Works good on many of the old Athearn’s.
After soaking for a few hours totally immersed in brake fluid, I simply use water to wash it clean.
mark r is it new or old brake fluid or dos’nt matter rambo1…
WHOA!..
Not all plastics are created equal. The first question that needs to be asked is which shell? Telling someone to use acetone is a very bad idea as most shells will turn to mush with acetone.
David B
Jeffrey didn’t say to use acetone, he said “acetone free” nail polish remover.
Original poster, as David says, depends on shell. Most I’ve stripped with 91% alcohol. Seems that some Walthers cars need something a bit stonger, I use Chameleon, only soak for 10-15 minutes then scrub with a toothbrush. Repeat as needed and each subsiquent immersion only needs a couple of minutes.
Rick
- 91% isopropyl alcohol
- Castrol Super Clean
…both available at Wal-Mart.
Neither one will damage plastic shells, even with prolonged soaking. Brake fluid can do that. So can Pine-Sol. Also a lot cheaper than Chameleon and with CSC, the paint just comes off in sheets.
Midnight Railroader
Can CSC be reused? One of the reason I like both 91% alcohol and Chameleon is that I get multiple uses from the same bottle.
Rick
Yes, I have reused it many times.
MIdnight Railroader
Thanks for that info on CSC.
On the lighter side, who thinks up this stuff? Things like stripping plastic models with brake fluid, or products designed to clean metal on cars or even thigs like using Future floor wax as a gloss coat and decal sealer? I know its probably somebody reading labels in some cases, or witnessing something that makes them go…hmmmmm.
JUst always amazes me what can be done. On the other hand, how many models have ended up as scapyard scenes because soemthing was a bit stronger than expected!
Rick
Not to ‘hijack’ this thread, but will pine sol work on Kato shells? I’ve heard it’s more of an ink than a paint, and that pine sol is the only thing that will strip the paint without melting the shell (from a buddy of mine).
If your “buddy” says Pine-Sol is the only thing that will strip the paint off Kato shells without melting them, doesn’t that imply that it works?
Besides, 91% iso alcohol has worked on Kato shells for me in the past. I no longer use Pine-Sol. I don’t like how it permeates the plastic, no matter how much you rinse it.