paint stripping QUESTION

[Lou Connatser]

I have looked around on the boards, but can't seem to find a thread about stripping paint off of plastic models. I bought a Dog Catcher model off of ebay, and it looked pretty good in the pix, but when I got it there were hairline cracks in the paint. I want to strip it, and repaint it, but my last paint stripping escapade didn't end too good. I used PineSol cleaner (as advised by a fellow modeler), and it left the plastic soft, and textured. does anyone have a proven method that will not harm the plastic?

[donculley]

I know theres a few choices, but I have always used Easy Off oven cleaner. You need to be in a well ventilated area as the fumes are terrible,and you should wear gloves, but it generally will remove or soften the paint so that you can remove it with a toothbrush and running water . Only use Easy Off original, the scented and no name brands don't work as well. It will remove all the chrome too, so be careful on the stuff you want to keep plated.

[Lou Connatser]

thanks donculley, I will have to try that....... out in the garage. LOL. the car is totally disassembled now, so I'm only stripping painted parts anyway. thanks again, Lou

[oldcarrestorer72]

Like the man said,EASY OFF!!! Works every time!!

[chiefsspeedshop]

Lou, I have tried the EASY OFF method and YES it does work ,but I se PURPLE POWER degreaser from WAL MART in a gallon jug for $5.00,put it in a container and drop the body in for a day or two and it comes right off with a toothbrush and a little wiping,does not hurt the plastic at all, this is what around here is known as THE PURPLE POND you might hear about,give it a try ALOT of uUS KLOWNS here use this method and works well on OLD PAINT.I used thisd method several times in the past month with the Silever and RedStriped Corvair I showed earleir. ....................................Chief

[Starry Eyes]

Purple Power is my choice.. but on occasion I've used ELO (Easy Lift Off) made by Polly"S" .. some of the best stuff I've ever used when Purple Power or Castrol Super Degreaser doesn't work ...

[old school modeler]

Another option is Westley's Bleach White tire cleaner, pretty economical and you can get it in large quantities. Contains the same solvent as those hobby shop versions and it is a big bargain in comparison. Once you smell that solvent you will recognize it. You can find the same stuff in certain kinds of degreasers and industrial cleaners, white board cleaner for example also has it. I noticed some stuff at a warehouse food store a while back and it had it as well.

As for using it, you need to soak the model in it, I use a tupperware container that was made to store celery in, has a grate on the bottom for lifting the model out. You might have to put some weight on it to make sure it is submerged. Put the top on and let it work. Generally this stuff will lift the paint and allow removal with a brushing. Use rubber gloves as this stuff will take all the oil out of your skin at a minimum. Also wear eye protection so you dont get splattered!
A denture brush has good stiffness for this job.

After the soak do your brushing to loosen the paint and then finish with warm water to wash it off and clean it. Sometimes it also comes of in layers so if it needs another soak, dry the model off and then repeat.

Paints react differently, enamels and lots of hobby paints will come off easily, lacquers and paints that have crazed the plastic can be more difficult or impossible. Many paints also leave a color tint imbedded in the surface that you can't get out especially red on white plastic.

The other concern is changes to the plastic, I have seen some plastics get brittle after too long an exposure, I also had an old item from the late 50's that turned all rubbery and then rehardened over time. Try 4-6 hour soaks to check. Usually overnight will produce whatever it is going to do.

Given your picture, and this model which doesn't have a lot of trim or details, you might actually have an easier time sanding that body down and getting a good primer surfacer on that will make a good base to paint over. If your strip job is problematic you will be sanding anyway to get the surface even and prepped.

Good luck!

[Lou Connatser]

thanks everybody, at least I have some options to try out. I honestly do appreciate it

[djway3474]

The active ingredient in most of the products mentioned above is Sodium Hydroxide. you can purchase it from botique soap making suppliers on the net. make it as strong as you want i have a plastic tub with a cover that I keep mine in out in the garage every couple of years i make a new batch and I strip a lot of cars for stuff that wont strip I have another tub of brake fluid mainly for urethanes

[baddgass]

PURPLE POWER is the way to go. ;D

[BronxRumble5]

I've used Simple Green cleaning solution with great results. You can get it concentrated in a gallon jug, you're supposed to dilute it with water for household cleaning. It doesn't do any damage to the plastic at all, even at full strength (I've left parts in there for weeks when I couldn't get around to dealing with it, with zero problem). I pick it up at my local Home Depot.

[baddgass]

;D

Sept 25, 2010 13:17:08 GMT -6 baddgass said:

PURPLE POWER is the way to go. ;D

;D

[stevielewis]

I read through all the replies here and all are for plastic models. I recently got a resin funny car body that was painted and decaled that I want to strip the paint off to clean the body up better. My question is will any of the items mentioned in the preceding replies above harm a resin model? I have used Eazy Off in the past on plastic with no problems but have never tried it on resin. Any feedback on this would be appreciated. Thanks.

[gearbuster]

Don't know about resin paint stripping.
Plastic is PURPLE Power for sure. I have left a body sit in it for a week to see what it did. No harm No foul to the plastic.
Lots of crystals from the cleaner . Looked like barnacles on a ship..lol
I only found that the cleaner will not touch some of the clear coats made.

[Dennis M]

Purple power works good on resin' I just redid my Batmobile. Dennis

[stevielewis]

Thanks Dennis. I'll give it a try.

[ShowRodFreak Don V.]

Feb 15, 2011 4:51:22 GMT -6 Dennis M said:

Purple power works good on resin' I just redid my Batmobile. Dennis

Depends on the resin being Used. That pruple stuff will eat it up.

[stevielewis]

No worry guys...I haven't had time to try the Purple Power yet on the resin funny car body. Working so much overtime of late...no time to do anything but work, eat and sleep. I'm not complaining...but I sure would like to work on my models sometime.

[BronxRumble5]

I've used the Simple Green on resin with zero problem

[exterminator]

I use brake fluid (dot 4)Get it from Walmart, its cheap & works well on all types of paint & urethane clears so far. Now before the caution police start read all precaution labels & follow there directions. ;D,If you are not sure ask a adult.

[jondutch46]

I've used Purple Power on resin, too... no trouble. Seems to me the Simple Green worked alright, too.

[Starry Eyes]

I'm not sue about ALL resins but when I spoke to Don Holthaus I was told brake fluid would turn his products into a glob .. He told me if I ever had to strip one of HIS bodies to use good old lacquer thinner..

[francis]

okay guys this the best stuff l have ever used
since l tend to strip a lot (since l am fairly crap at painting)
this stuff will strip anything and decals included
and will not harm plastic and resin and is reusable
but is a bit expensive
try it out you will not be disappointed
www.micromark.com/Easy-Lift-Off-Paint-and-Decal-Remover,7270.html

[stevielewis]

Thanks guys. All of these are great suggestions. I'll try some of them on some scrap resin first before I go any further with the FC resin body.