What did you use to strip the factory paint/decals?
90% Alcohol. Off and on for about a total of 7 days submerged.
Nice job! You will get more views if you learn how to post the photos in your messages.
Simon
Looks good. As suggested, it would be better to have the pictures in your posts.
It is easy from Imgur, which is what you are using anyway.
-Kevin
Isopropyl?
Yes Isopropyl. It is an Athearn Shell with factory paint.
Kevin,
Should I be using the insert link button or the insert picture button? Or something else.
I thought I was putting the pictures in the message until they weren’t there.
It is easy from Imgur. Just open your images, and click the one you want to share. You should see a screen like this one.
Just click the “BB Code” copy button, and paste the text into the forum.
-Kevin
Psychic pictures?
How about a real pic 
In the mobile APP I don’t get the BB code option will try and update when I get home. Thanks for the help.
You could use Everclear (which is about 91% ethanol) but it would cost more; it might be interesting to see how the range of 80% hand sanitizers, most of which appear to use ethanol rather than isopropanol, do at stripping various finishes, but these likewise are at higher cost.
Thanks Kevin. I finally got it.
Awesome! I am glad I helped.
-Kevin
Added safety tread to the model. Its the first part of this I am not really thrilled with the results. Using medium CA I thought I would have a little working time. The front deck and side walkways it was like using contact adhesive once it touched it stuck. The rest of the pieces were better. It was a learning curve. But that is what this project was about anyway.
Contact cement might have been a better choice, as I’ve found bonds made with ca to often be tenuous if a mechanical connection (such as soldered-on mounting pins or an interference fit) are not included.
I’ve seen lots of stuff put together with improper use of contact cement, too, either resulting in damage to the materials or simply poor joints.
Contact cement, used properly, can allow proper positioning of the items to be joined: coat both mating surfaces with contact cement (some styrene plastic benefits from a prep with lacquer thinner before applying the contact cement), then allow both surfaces to dry for the reccommended time. Next, place a piece of waxed paper over one surface, then place the part to be joined atop the waxed paper, and jockey it into position. While holding that piece in place, carefully move the waxed paper slightly so that a small portion of the other mating surface is revealed. If the alignment is still correct, press down at that point, then carefully slip the waxed paper from between the two surfaces, following along with your free hand to press down to complete the bond as the paper is removed.
Glad to hear that you had a good outcome.
If you’re using a camera for the pictures, you might want to opt for a different setting which will allow closer views - as they say, “the devil is in the details”, and we all want to see those details.
In addition to different camera settings, I’ve shot some close-ups through my Optivisor (put the camera’s lense ri
Wayne,
Thanks for the tips and encouragement. I took those pictures in a not well lit basement with my cellphone. Will use you advice in the future and try and get better details.
I think the “medium” in medium CA refers to viscosity and not to "set up " time. In my experience CA of all consistencies seems to set up awfully quickly. I don’t like the stuff much, to be frank.
I’ve had good results with Microscale’s clear glue used for fabricating windows. It sets up slowly and dries clear. Kristal Klear?
There is a tendency in this hobby to use overstrength stuff. Most of the loads our models are subject to are quite low and high strength adhesive is not often required. Also, if you use lower strength glue and something does fall off it may be undamaged if the glue fails first.
Thanks Wayne! I don’t have a loupe, but who knew? [:O]
Optivisor, contact cement/wax paper method, great info!
Nice work DRGWGJCO !
Mike.
What? Who would do such a thing.
I could look at your pictures all day.
I have a bigger problem with the people that don’t post any pictures.
-Kevin