This is VERY confusing..............

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Allright here is my problem, I hope you can help. I have one of the BLI Blue Line AC6000’s and I have tried to strip the paint with no luck. So far I have tried 91% Alcohol,Pine Sol, and Easy Off Oven cleaner. Nothing has touched the paint. I have got some of the paint off by using the back of the toothbrush. I was contemplating using brake fluid. Is there any thing that I should be aware of when using brake fluid??? Or does anybody have any other ideas???

Thanks for all the help that all ya’ll can provide,

Smoke

2

Wear gloves…

David B

3

Smoke,

A few years ago, I read somewhere that Castrol SuperClean will strip paint from plastic.

A haven’t tried it myself, but it’s supposed to take the paint off without adverse effect to the plastic. I recollect, that the person submerged the plastic shell in the SuperClean for a period of time to disolve the paint. SuperClean is available at most auto parts stores.

Brake fluid might just melt the whole shell.

4

I think there is a risk of melting the shell.

I would just blast it with primer and keep going with the new paint job and good riddiance to the old one.

5

Given the risks, I’d contact the manufacturer, BLI, and ask what their recommendations are.

6

As mentioned previously Castrol Super Clean.

I have used it on Atlas and Kato units (N Scale) with NO issues, works fast too.

7

I’ve had good results w/ brake fluid (as per above, wear gloves) w/ one exception. An old Varney F-3 shell was SEVERLY attacked by it. Try a little bit on an interior surface and see that it doesn’t affect it before going whole hog on the exterior. I’ve also had good results using Scalecoat’s stripper, but it’s a tad pricey.

8

NEVER use brake fluid on Kato’s - they are made of a type of plastic that turns very porous and brittle if immersed in it [:O].

No, really - I’m not making this up: http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=37801

9

I’ve used brake fluid with no issues on a LL but I tested it first. Afterward I immersed it, pulled it out after an hour, and scrubbed it with a cloth then reimmersed it for another hour etc until it was stripped down to bare plastic. I would try the Castrol SuperClean, first then go with the brake fluid.

10

There are hobby paint removers that you could try. ELO - Easy Lift Off by Polly S.

11

Why strip a bulletproof paintjob?

Are you likely to achieve a better coat of primer?

Why can’t you just paint over it?

12

Another vote for Castrol Super Clean. I have never had it attack a plastic shell.

13

BLI paint tends to be applied very thick from the factory. I stripped a RSD15 and was amazed how much detail they managed to cover up.

David B

14

I use Chameleon Gel stripper with great success.

http://www.chameleonproductsonline.com/

So far I haven’t found a paint it wouldn’t strip. Some of the tougher paints may require a second application. According to their website Chameleon is safe to use on any type of plastic, and I’ve never had it attack any of the models I’ve stripped.

Nick

15

Athearn does the same thing…

16

Did you soak it 15 to 30 minutes in PineSol? THAT was the only thing I found that would touch old Rivarossi paint, and I tried EVERYTHING else I have seen listed on these forums. I did have to soak those old Rivs about 4 hours + to really get all the paint off.

17

They were in there overnight…

So where do you buy your CSC? I am going to get some.

18

I hate it when that happens…

19

Wal-Mart, in purple gallon plastic jugs.

20

I recall there was a product made specifically for model railroader types and to deal kindly with the plastic used in the Proto-2000 models. I think it was simply called “strip-it”.