HELP! The paint job (base coat) on my Tiger I is so awful that I just want to strip it off and start from scratch (I ended up with random dark patches of coarse granular surface…don’t ask me how…). Anyway, based on tips in FSM I’m about to soak the whole thing in brake fluid to strip the paint. I’m told it will remove all the paint but not damage the plastic. Having no experience with this, I’m hoping that it’s a soak and rinse sort of process— in my case, it would have to be since most of the parts are assembled and a lot of follow-up scrubbing, sanding, etc. would be impractical, especially in really tight areas. Will this stuff work as I imagine (hope)? It sounds too good to be true. Any advice on how to rescue this project would be appreciated.
Not too sure about using brake fluid as it can be quiet aggressive on certain plastics and usually turns anything like vinyl tracks into mush.
I’v always used oven cleaner,just apply a good coat all over the model then let it soak over night in a plastic bag.Next day it’s just a case of wash and rinse,any awkward little bit’s can be picked out of recesses etc with a dental probe.
Get yourself a bottle of Floquil,Easy Lift Off at your local Hobby Shop. The consistency is just right that it can be applied with a soft hair bristle brush to the area or areas you want to get the paint off of. Just let it set till you see the paint start to lift. Depending on how heavy the paint is, it may lift real quick or take a few applications. When the paint is lifted just scrub with a soft toothbrush and warm water with a little liquid dish soap. The paint will easily come off and the plastic is not harmed. When all the paint is removed to your satisfaction you can wash again and then wipe it down with Floquil Plastic Prep to be sure you have a squeeky clean surface. It might be a little pricey but it is the only thing I use. It works great and it is safe.
Easy-Off oven cleaner in the can ($3.99) is the best way I have found to do this. I know many other moselers that do it when neccesary this way. IT WORKS and will not harm the styrene.
Use an old touthbrush and wear gloves and eye protection and do it outdoors. Leave on ten minutes then scrub tough parts with old tooth brush…then rinse with hose.
You may need to do it twice depending on the model and the paint used.
Thanks everyone. Of course I took none of your good advice and went ahead and used the brake fluid. Actually, it worked quite well in softening all the paint so it could be removed relatively easitly (if not quickly) with an old toothbrush. Unfortunately, the brake fluid attacked most of the liquid cement glue bonds, so I now have clean fresh plastic parts which have to be reassembled— had no effect on any CA bonds, however. At least it was just the main body and not tracks and wheels too. This hobby has humbled me once again, but I thought I’d pass on the results of this experiment FYI.