Removing Con-Cor paint

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I know that 91% isopropanol (IPA) will remove many paints used on model trains. I also recall hearing it damages KATO locomotive shells. Has any tried IPA on Con-Cor. I am guessing it will not damage the cars, however I want to make sure before I use it rather than learn the hard way, if it will damage Con-Cor.

I searched the forum and only found this regarding removing paint from Con-Cor products (http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=6181&REPLY_ID=50962#50962).

2

Since Concor stuff has been made all over the world by different companies it is impossible to say unless you have actuaslly done it. Even Concor does not know what the plastics are.

3

Eric,

This is how I test:

Pour the 91% alcohol into a small container, like a spray can lid. Take the car, hold it vertically, and dip “one end only” into the alcohol for 5 minutes. Lift out after 30 seconds, scrub quickly with a toothbrush and at the same time look at the plastic to make sure it’s not warping. If it’s o.k, dip back in immedietly and continue to check once every minute.

I understand your concern. As always a big part of this hobby is experimenting. If you’re comfortable with the results, give that puppy the bath treatement.

Let us know what do decide to do.

Peace

4

From another topic, it sounds like you used to work for Con-Cor. The cars arrived today. They are the HO scale mechanical reefers. The box has “Contents Made in U.S.A.” printed on it, so I would guess that Con-Cor would know what plastic it is made from.

5

Thanks, if I cannot find out the type of plastic used, I will try this. Since the car was made in the USA, I am assuming it was made by Con-Cor, so hopefully they can tell me what type of plastic it is made from.

6

I sent an e-mail to Con-Cor, they replied so I do not need to test, fortunately.

7

I used 91% IPA and that worked extremely well, just about perfect. It has been a week and so far nothing has happened to the car. All of the paint came off without any scrubbing except a couple of spots underneath lettering. A second soak and some scrubbing took those off. Other than that all I have to do has clean the car with soap and water. I did use a tooth brush during the cleaning to make sure I clean out all crevices.