Easy Off : Very Disappointing Results

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

I purchased some 19 inch by 15 inch styrene signs for 65 cents each with the intention of using them for scratchbuilding 1/25 scale armor due to cost of 6 inch by 12 inch Evergreen styrene sheets,

Posts on the FSM website have recommended using the lye based Easy Off for removing chrome and paint from plastic.

So far, Easy Off has been a big disappointment.

The signs must be either coated with a very tough, UV cure clear polymer or Easy Off isn’t as potent as it is supposed to be.

Easy Off has been unable to remove the paint.

Best results have been faded red lettering while black paint is unaffected- after 2 days exposure.

My last resort is to sand 13 signs so I can use the plastic.

The question I have is this:

Has Easy Off reduced the chemical strength recently to conform to some new EPA standard?

2

Goose, I’m with ya. I bought 1 of those for the same reason.

Here’s what I did. Rub down the sign with thinner or mineral spirits-didn’t try laquer thinner. The lettering etc. faded pretty good but didn’t disappear.

I fabbed my part/painted it. No bleed!!! I didn’t prime it just to see what would happen when sprayed with enamel. Worked like styrene for me.

I’ve never used Easy Off & don’t plan on it. Other things work for me.

Hope this helps.

3

Result after a light sanding, 2 days under Easy Off , wiping with Acetone and scraping with a razor blade.

01JeepXJ

Whatever is used on 'em, it is a tough coating.

I’m mostly concerned with glue bonding problems on painted areas, though your comment about a lack of paint bleed through is encouraging.

4

I have had good luck with using Fantastic spray cleaner. It works very well on chrome and the paint just takes a longer soak.

Thad

5

I have some Fantasik Spray Cleaner at home.

Worth a try.[H]

6

There are 2 types of Easy-Off oven cleaner. One is heat activated, the other isn’t. Make sure you are using the one that does not require the oven to be heated up to work.

7

Good point.
The one I’ve been using is labeled " Heavy Duty " containing Sodium hydroxide (lye) and claims it is supposed to clean " warm or cold ovens in as little as 5 minutes".
Bar code 0-62338-00138-8

8

I use this stuff:

Before:

Soaking:

After:

9

I initially looked for that brand after reading favorable comments about it in another model magazine.

Couldn’t find it locally, only this:

which proved less effective than Easy Off.

One problem with liquid is the quantity needed ; a container’s contents just barely covers a 19 x 15 inch sign

10

If Easy Off isn’t getting it done, what about brake fluid? I’ve read on the boards that some use it to strip paint… I doubt that Simple Green would be strong enough for this job, although it might clean off the brake fluid.

11

I’ve used Brake Cleaner to remove grease from machines; never considered Brake Fluid.

Thanks for the suggestion, Dre.
I will check the local stores this weekend.[Y]

12

I might have gotten them confused, let’s see if anyone else endorses the idea before you spend more money… hope something works for you.

13

Thanks.

No worries.

I will be checking on line at other forums for Brake Fluid info.

At worst, I’ll use the

Drywall & Plaster Sanding Screens I also purchased on sale the day I bought the signs.

I did a light sanding with a sanding screen and the screen seemed to do a more effective job than sandpaper.

I’ll post further results when I have info.

14

I heard that Easy Off is great stuff for ovens though…

15

Yes and no…

…so far the quickest method has been removing the outer clear protective covering by sanding with Drywall & Plaster Sanding Screens, then scrubbing with Acetone.

16

IMO the use of rent signs is a bit of an urban legend. Before investing any more time into cleaning them off, try cutting nag gluing them. A little research of the msds sheets pm these shows that they are usually polyethylene, not styrene, and good luck gluing that.

Also they are digital prints these days, not painted. Seems like that stuff runs when you don’t want it to and sticks when you try to remove it.

I design signs for a living. The one product that consistently ruins my signs, unless they are clear coated, is Simple Green.

Another negative I have found using sign plastic is that it is pebbly in order to reduce glare.

Styrene is available in large sheets and thicknesses from places like TAP plastic.

As far as the EPA is involved, It ought to be considered that flushing brake fluid down the drain isn’t so great. Brake shops dispose of it properly and charge for that as well.

17

If you mean cutting and gluing:
As for gluing, I will be trying Tenax as a bonding agent after I finish cleaning the current sign.

Thanks for the info on signs being polyethylene. I’ll see how well Tenax works.
As for a pebbly finish, as I may end up sanding, the manufactured finish won’t matter.

Will try cutting when I finish removing the lettering.

This is really more of an experiment as I obtained the signs and Tenax for a minimal cost of 65 cents per sign and $5 for a gallon of Tenax.

Easy Off and Super Cleaner can be used elsewhere, such as on kit parts.

If the signs are unsuitable, I’m sure I can find other uses for such a polymer.
Most likely, I would use them as splash shields for metalworking.

And, yes, I understand your concern about brake fluid dumped down the drain.

18

I am sure what is killing you is the UV coating they put on the signs, that stuff can be tough since they know the signs are going to be beaten by the sun.

19

I’m certain of that.
It is very tough.

20

I’ve used Easy Off for years with little problem, but not for what you’re using it for. Much like the purple power photos, I’ll liberally spray a chromed sprue inside a ziplock bag and leave it overnight. A little scubbing with a toothbrush in the sink is usually all it takes.

I do like the looks of that purple power stuff. I have some in the garage that I will try to experiment with.