Does anyone know how to take paint off a factory painted ho engine, so i can repaint it?
The engine is a Amtrak F-40.
91% alcohol does a pretty good job. Just put the alcohol in a container that can be covered (to keep the alcohol from evaporating away), emerse the model shell (just the body) in the alcohol and cover the container. Check back in a couple of hours. You’ll probably have to apply some elbow grease with a toothbrush.
Which locomotive specifically…they all have different approaches for stripping.
David B
Who makes it? BAchmann?, Athearn?, Atlas?
I read somewhere a while back that Automotive Brake fluid can be used as a stripper, just be sure to give it a good wash with dish detergent afterwards.
Depending on who makes the model the brake fluid could be the end of it. I lost a Proto 2000 shell and an Athearn SD40 cab using brake fluid. They became very brittle and broke apart like egg shells.
Thanks for the headsup jeff. I’ve never tried the trick myself, just read about it.
Oven cleaner. Just the cheap stuff ,spray then seal in a plastic bag for about an hour, then rinse with an old toothbrush…
I used the 91% alcohol method on 4 Bachmann MU railcar shells in a container. The paint started to float off of the shells within minutes. I scrubbed each shell with a toothbrush while still immersed in the alcohol. Excellent results [:D]
Be aware though that model shells from various maufacturers may or may not yield the same results. Athearn Blue Box shells may require longer soaking times. Kato shells (from what I’ve read) may warp in alcohol.