Stripping paint from Lionel #628 shell

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I purchased a used Lionel 44-tonner, #628, with the intent to repaint it in the scheme of a local shortline. What is a suitable method to strip the paint? I don’t want to crack or fatigue the plastic, but I am not familiar with Lionel trains enough to know what is safe to use.

Thanks.

2

Has the shell already been re-painted ? A lot of people use brake fluid by soaking the shell in it overnight . I’ve only restored/repainted tinplate and diecast shells. Maybe someone else has some suggestions ?

3

Here are a couple of links dealing with your issue. The links are to a different forum since it does not seem the search engine on this forum works any longer.

https://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=90761&highlight=castrol

https://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=180004&highlight=paint+removal

https://www.modeltrainforum.com/showthread.php?t=90761&highlight=castrol

I personally have used Castrol Super Clean as described in post 5 in the first link.

swede

4

I’ve used the Castrol Super Clean as well and it does a great job without damage to the plastic. A two liter pop bottle with the top cut off works for a soak tank. Two or three days in the solution and the paint pretty much washes off. If there is much left, just put it back into the solution. Detail areas a tooth brush removes the paint in crevasses. Also, the solution can be used several times over. Just pour the used solution into a sealable container.

Jim

5

Thank you all for the help! [:)]

6

Just out of curiousity, will that Castrol Super Clean work on metal surfaces as well. I don’t need to strip any engines but in the future, you never know, do you?

7

Yes

8

Thanks!