Hi,
I’m getting back into modeling after about a 15 year hiatus (long and boring story). I used to use Westley’s Bleche-Wite to strip enamel paint off of plastic models. I went to try to find some the other day and apparently it is now marketed under the trade name Black Magic Bleche-Wite and the formula has been altered to make it more envionmentally friendly. Does anyone have any experience with the newer stuff?
I have a Lindberg Jolly Roger that I am building as the HMS Flora and I tried brush painting it and was not happy with my results. I want to strip the hull and repaint it using my airbrush. I have it soaking in Fumeless Eazy-Off oven cleaner and it’s slowly removing the paint. The WBW used to just suck the paint right off the plastic with no harm to the plastic. Any help, advice or constructive criticism greatly appreciated
Charles
I haven’t used the newer Bleche White. Have used the old version. Also used Purple Power, Castrol Super Clean(it may have a new name now) and Iso Alcohol (90% and above) to remove lacquers and enamels. The first two are pretty strong undiluted so if you use them be sure to wear rubber or nitrile gloves and don’t get it on bare skin. Or in your eyes.
I’ve also used a Testors product called Easy Lift Off or ELO that works well. It’s a little on the expensive side but is reuseable and does the job. Not nearly as caustic as the others. You don’t soak your parts in it, just brush it on and let it work. May take more than one application. Maybe more than that.
Tony
Thanks, Tony,
I soaked the hull in Purple Power for a couple of hours, it worked better than the Eazy-Off but still not as well as the older Bleche Wite. I was able to get enough of the badly applied paint off that I can start over with the air-brush (which is what I should have done to start with). I have to keep reminding myself “Patience, Grasshopper.”
I just used Super Clean to strip Tamiya acrylics and Model Master and Testor’s enamels off of an old Me-262 I’m rebuilding. Took everything off, but it needed to soak a little bit longer for the enamels.
Charles;
I am sorry to say this old man has reverted .Yup ! I now use Brake Fluid exclusively .Why ? Well , so many paint formulas have changed too . Brake Fluid still removes them all ! T.B.