Git your mind out of the gutter. I’m simply not that kind of guy. [:-,]
I’ve got this:
And while it might be good for a parade like it is, I’m sending it to work in the mines. I need to get the paint and decals off so I can play.
My goal is to have something for Photo Fun.
Put some aircraft paint thinner on it, and see how much of it its left behind. hehe.
I’ve got an old trolling motor battery that doesn’t hold much of a charge. Maybe I could just pour some of the juice out of that.
Chip;
I’ve always had success using denatured alchohol, (shellac thinner) on plastic models from MDC, Athearn etc. Let the model soak for about ten minutes and then scrub with an old toothbrush.
Others have had success with plain 91% rubbing alchohol the local drug store. For commercial strippers,
Poly-S makes a solution called E-L-O (Easy Lift Off) that I use for more stubborn paints. Scalecoat also makes a paint remover that I’ve had some success with.
I’ve seen several comments about Chameleon paint remover as being the best on the market for stripping plastic but I haven’t used it. Some folks swear by brake fluid but I’ve had the plastic turn brittle and then crack in it and I don’t recommend it at all.
ELO is the best that thing that I have come across. Just let it soak for awhile and the paint runs right off. I does seem to bring out any blemishes or defects in the plastic.
Smitty
E-L-O sounds like a good investment. Is this a hobby shop item (in which case I’m doomed) or will someplace like Lowes have it?
I havr used brake fluid for tears with no problems I stripped a LL N scale 38 just the other day. Best part its cheap and easy to get, make sure to test it first on the inside of the shell. Cox 47
You should be able to find ELO at the LHS. If not they should be able to order it for you.
I called my LHS. No got. Last order I placed with them to a month to get and then it was wrong. I have some alcohol, isopropyl though, not denatured.
I’ve been warned off of brake fluid. do I have that wrong?
The problem with brake fluid is that it reacts with some plastics but not others and not always immediately. I used BF in the past, and I’ve had plastic bodies/parts either turn extremely brittle, swell and then crack like a mosaic or eventually get so soft they actually sag from their own weight, and the process may not be evident for months. I don’t trust BF because as I said the damage MAY not show for months, and since I do not what went in to a particular batch of plastic to make the body, I won’t take the chance.
Try this, go to your local pharmacy or Wal-Mart and look for the isopropyl alchohol that is 90% or greater. I think regular 70% comes with a blue label and 90% comes with a red label. Soak the model in this for a while testing frequently with a toothbrush and see if the paint comes off.
If not, order the ELO over the net from one of the IHS, (Internet Hobby Shops).
Whatever you try Chip, do not use any of the commercial strippers made for furniture/home/wood stripping. That stuff, like lacquer thinner will dissolve the plastic.
Brake fluid is good in one respect. It’s completely water soluable. It will wash right off with just a fresh stream of water. I still wouldn’t recommend it for plastic, though.
I have stripped a lot with bf and never have had any problems The stuff is in rubber lines in your car for years with no problems but hey it could mess up the next thing I strip. Like I said ittscheap and that works for me every time Cox 47
That rubber ain’t rubber. it’s noeprene. Brake fluid even breaks that down over time. That’s the sirts thing you always have to repair on an old car that’s sat up awhile. The brakes.
Brake fluid is hazardous material and harmful to your health. Also it is illegal to dump or flush it down the drain Time to use appropriate products for doing this.
I couldn’t have said it better.
Mouse: No open flames while you are using the alcohol, the blue flame is almost invisble, and not good for you!! Work cautiously and with care!
Will
Any disavantage to soaking it over night in the denatured alcohol?
Chip;
I’ve found there has been no need to soak overnight.
If its not stripped inside of 30 minutes, alchohol generally won’t strip it.
OK I’m Not trying to sell BF But JSODERQ Is anything you use to strip paint legal to put down the drain? Maybe it would depend on what type of paint you are stripping? Do any of the Shells have lead based paint ? Again I’m not trying to fuss about this but your post set me to thinking, Cox 47