Removing overspray from plastic window?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello All,

I just acquired a Rivarosi Krauss-Maffei Hydro for restoration.

The previous owner painted the shell black without masking/removing the cab window unit.

The overspray is not heavy but I’d like to clean the OEM window unit rather than fabricating a replica.

Any suggestions?

Thank you all

2

Try some 91% alcohol and a q-tip.

3

I wonder if toothpaste and a soft toothbrush would work? Might be the right abrasiveness without being too aggressive.

Just an idea, Ed

4

Ed’s suggestion of using toothpaste made me think of something like Pearl Drops. Another thing that would be very gentle on the plastic would be either Brasso or Chrome Polish.

Dave

5

IIRC, the Rivarossi models have the windows back set from the shell? Why not take this oppertunity to see if someone makes laser cut windows, or better yet, fit your own? If you are going to put some effort into this unit, why not make a purse?

David B

6

Denatured Alcohol and a Q-TIP, will not harm plastic, not Isopropyl Alcohol. I would though follow David B’s advice.

Take Care! [:D]

Frank

7

Whatever method you use to remove the overspray, finish with a coat of ‘Future’ and it will leave the surface clear and glossy.

-Bob

8

Good tip - However, the “Future” Floor Wax brand name has been phased out. Replaced by “Pledge”:

http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

It or similer products have different names depending on where in the world they are sold.

One method I have seen discused is to dip the clear part instead of spraying.

9

I use Pine Sol to strip shells of their factory paint, I don’t think it would fog the clear plastic…not sure if the alcohol would (91% strips paint too). Test first in a hidden place to be safe.

I agree with the Future treatment…it’s another useful thing with several uses (do an Internet search…I think there’s a page by Swanny or something like that that has a ton of info). I recently used it as a gloss coat before decaling and it worked great (and smelled nice too).

10

Pledge, Hmmmmm, If you make it lemon pledge it would give a whole new diminsion to the citrus train [bow]

11

Hello All,

Whom ever had this loco before me did a real hack job on the paint! Not only was there over spray on the cab windows they also painted over the number boards and headlights.

Taking the advice posted on another thread I ended up using Pine Sol.

I began with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol immersing the shell using a 1-gallon zip top freezer bag. I let it soak for 2-hours. That didn’t even soften the paint and scrubbing with a tooth brush did nothing.

Next I tried Denatured Alcohol, after cleaning the shell with soap and warm water. Again immersing it in a zip top bag. Again, nothing.

Finally I tried the Pine Sol. I got the Lemon Scented with “4X CLEANING ACTION”!!!

Compared to other solvents I’ve used I thought it had a pleasant fragrance. However my wife complained of the “smell.” Sometimes I think if I excreted gold she’d find fault with the carats. “She who must be obayed.”

Within a few minutes in the Pine Sol I could see the paint being effected. After about an hour I began scrubbing the shell with a toothbrush and the layers of paint began to come off.

One note of caution: USE GLOVES! The full strength Pine Sol immediately dried out my skin to the point I needed to use Bag Balm.

I put the window piece in along with the number board/headlight assembly and viola! Clean with no clouding of the clear plastic parts!

To get the shell down to the plastic it took some scrubbing and three changes of Pine Sol. The unfortunate part of this process was as the “new” paint was being removed it revealed the factory applied Rio Grande paint scheme. This unit was numbered 4001! Unfortunately the Pine Sol didn’t differentiate between the new paint and the original so with much regret I scrubbed it down to the plastic.

Now it’s ready for the restoration to it’s former glory as Rio Grande 4001.

Thank you for all your advice.

12

I use the 91% iso and leave it overnight. In the morning everything comes off the plastic shell. Very effective, but it takes time and only once. I strain and reuse the alcohol for additional paint stripping.

-Bob