I have the Hasegawa Sea King 1/48. Painted it some time ago but … lousy job. Now I would like to remove the paint ( grey below, white top). How can I remove the paint enamel paint). Which product is best to do the job without damaging this beautiful model … Thks for helping me.
There are several ways to strip enamels from plastic without damaging the plastic. There are a couple of chemicals designed specifically for stripping paints from models - check your LHS, they may have it or can get it for you. I know some people who like to use oven cleaner although I myself prefer to use automotive brake fluid. I get a container big enough to hold the model and fill it with brake fluid. Then I submerge the model in it for at least 24 hrs. Most of the paint will literally float off the model. Any that doesn’t come off (around the occasional rivet etc) gets removed by using a toothbrush. When I’m finished, I wash the model in warm water with dish detergent added and then rinse with warm water and let dry. I then strain the brake fluid as I put it back into its bottle. What remains is eventually disposed of at the local HazMat center.
Thanks for your tip. Will try with brake fluid on another model. I really would like to have the SH3D model . So I will practise before.
Castrol Super CLean works well too, One gal. was 6 bucks from walmart. I have filterd it and reused it too. Check out the tread in techniques.
Although I’ve never tried to remove paint from a model with brake fluid,I know it will strip the paint off a car like nothing else.The problem is that after it has stripped the paint off,it’s a real bear to get paint to stick afterwards.Whenever I paint a car,all brake fluid is banned from the shop.I personally hate the stuff.I have however used oven cleaner.I just take it out of the house(the smell).I place the kit on a tray or old baking pan and spray on lots.I use an old tooth brush to scrub the paint after the oven cleaner has worked it a bit.I try not to let the cleaner dry on the kit.If the cleaner starts to dry,I just spray on some more and it also helps to flush the old paint off.When your done,just wash the cleaner off with soap and water.Make sure you wear gloves and maybe glasses.If you get some on you,just wash it off asap as it will burn you.
Be careful and good luck.