How do I remove paint without damaging the plastic model? [?][?]
Somebody recommended me to use Brake Fluid. Is that true??
I think brake fluid can soften the plastic after a while, but I’ve never tried it. Only rumours… I use sprays of oven cleaner stuff. But as far as I know, this only works on enamels and oils.
Also check UPNORTH’s comment in the ‘How to dissasemble a built Model’ question in this part of the forum. Good one, Upnorth!
Hey Guys,
Her eis waht I use for removing paint and it will not harm the model. I use engine degreaser. All i od is lay the model in a small plastic tub I have and let it set over night to be on the safe side. Wear some rubber gloves, to protect your hands. When removed give the model a good bath, let dry .
HTH
There was an article or two in FSM sometime back about using Bleche-Wite whitewall tire cleaner to remove chrome plating on car models. It might work on paint and decals, too. Polly S used to have a paint removing and decal removing product, but I don’t know if it is still available. A strong degreaser, lye or ammonia base, would probably work, too. Castrol makes a degreaser in gallon jugs and spray bottles, but I don’t know if it will affect plastic.
Easy Off oven cleaner and a toothbrush works well
I use Simple Green to remove paint, works like a charm, and doesn’t harm the plastic.
Lee
What kind of time frames are we talking about with these various materials to remove paints and glues from our projects? Have all these products readily available but am having a hard time choosing what would be the safest for myself and the plastic of the model to be using?
Depending onhow old and what type of paint, the Simple Green method should start removing the paint within 24 hours. It may take a day or two more, and scrubbing with a toothbrush to get it out of door panels, etc. Plus it is safe and bio friendly too. Give it a try, I think You will like it. It is also a great chrome stripper.
Lee
i just paint over it. if needed, i use rubbing alcohol.
i am a new member and want to thank everyone. found the answer to my problem right away. so thanks to fsm for setting this up,
rpine
Many years ago, I had to strip some ‘n’ gauge rolling stock, so I put some Castrol Girling brake fluid into an empty coffee jar, dropped the bodies in, shook the jar then left it for a couple of days.
After a quick wash down, the bodies were ready for re-painting.
These days, I use a product called Modelstrip which, as far as I can gather, consists of Plaster of Paris mixes with Sodium Hydroxide into a thick paste. Application is simple; using a suitable instrument (and wearing rubber gloves!!!), cover the area to be stripped with the paste, then place it into a polythene bag for 24 hours, so that the paste doesn’t dry out. After the allotted time, remove the model from the bag and wash it under a tap. Use an old toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies. The paint should come away with the slurry. Any paint remaining can be removed by a repeat performance.
Hope this helps
Colin
I have used Easy Off oven cleaner on virtually all types of plastic models and have never had a problem with damaging plastic or harming details. Simply place the offending part in a plastic tupperware, coffee can, or other suitable container that has a lid, load it up with the oven cleaner, let it sit overnight and you’re in fat city! Any remaining film can easily be scubbed off with an old toothbrush, so be sure to have one handy. One last point too, work in a well ventilated area as the oven cleaner fumes are somewhat noxious. Hope this helps-BT
Just read an article tonight that said that brake fluid works without harming the plastic. if you try this use rubber gloves and do it out side.
I did use braking fluid it works fine.
No harm done to the plastic, it even works with acrylics.
But use plastic gloves when using braking fluid, and clean the parts with hot water.
Be aware braking fluid is a chamical so don’t throw it away.
Whatever you do, DON’T do what my buddy Dan did. (Name not changed in order to further incriminate the silly)
Long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Dan the man decided that he put the wrong blue on his Hasegawa 1/32 Blue Angels A-4. How to get it off? (Bright Idea Alert, Bright Idea Alert!) He took it in to work and had some of the guys sandblast it. Nuff said…
Fade to Black…
ouch
I have also used brake fluid, it worked well apart from the smell!!
I would suggest you try Chameleon Paint Stripper. I use this all the time, it comes in a gel form and can be used on most paint, obviously the time differ as to how old the paint is and what type of paint is on the model. but is does work like a charm. it can also be used to remove lettering of a pre painted body!!!