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Paint Removal

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  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Chicago area
Paint Removal
Posted by maxxum on Monday, June 30, 2014 2:38 PM

I just goofed up a paint job on a 1/25th scale car body and need to remove it.  'haven't done that in years!!

The paint is Model Master enamel (dark blue).  

I could sand/polish it away, but that will take for ever and will not necessarily leave a good surface to re-paint . I remember, from the old days, one choice for paint removal is soaking the parts in brake fluid, but that is nasty.  I also kind of remember actually soaking parts in liquid oven cleaner a long time ago.  Is there a more modern (aka less nasty) way to do this?  In the mean time I will continue with the chassis assembly/detailing.  Thanks for your comments.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Monday, June 30, 2014 7:56 PM

If it's just the body of the car, plain paint thinner and a soft brush will remove all of it in just a couple of minutes. Use a plastic container, some rubber gloves and good ventilation, preferably outside. A med size can from Home Depot is like $7 or $8 and you will not use the entire can.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    December 2013
Posted by CodyJ on Monday, June 30, 2014 8:57 PM

Hey Maxxum.  I do autos too.  I use Brake Fluid or Castrol Super Clean (Purple degreaser) which is less nasty (However it is strong so gloves are a good idea).  I tend to avoid oven cleaner due to the burning fumes.  You may want to ask this in the paint section as you may get more responses there.  Hope your projects get back on track! :)

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by maxxum on Monday, June 30, 2014 9:22 PM

Feed Back:  

My fear with commercial thinners was that it might craze the plastic.   I sometimes use Tirpolene thinner for model paint thinner but, mostly, I use it for brush cleaner.  I need to clean the body, hood and firewall.  It did a fairly good job on the firewall, my trial attempt.  Getting the paint out of sharp inner corners took a pin.  As soon as the paint was gone, I washed the part with soap and water.  The plastic seems to be unaffected other than being dulled somewhat.   Obviously, if some paint is left in the cracks, it's no problem.  I will be using the same color, but more carefully.

  • Member since
    December 2013
Posted by CodyJ on Monday, June 30, 2014 11:45 PM

Sounds like you got it solved.  Castrol Super Clean isn't a thinner though.  Just Water with a grease-eating detergent.  It wont craze or harm plastic.  Its strong enough for acrylics and enamels but not Lacquer paints.  

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 6:31 AM

The Home Depot thinner will not craze the plastic. There is no need for soaking and the brush will remove everything. It only takes a couple of minutes on fresh paint.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 11:43 AM

I'll second SuperClean.  I use it, too.  I switched from oven cleaner a couple of years ago.  SuperClean i s not nearly as caustic as the lye that is the active ingredient in oven cleaners.  Yes, you should use gloves, anyway, but I will pick pieces up out of a jar or dish of SuperClean, with my bare hands, when I'm rinsing the pieces.

It works quickly.  I first used it to remove chrome from chromed parts, which tool two minutes.  You could see the chrome lifting off into the solution.  For paint, it takes a little longer.  I generally let pieces soak for about 5 to 10 minutes, before gently scrubbing the softened paint from the piece with an old toothbrush.

The best thing about SC is that you can fill a container and use a batch over and over, unlike oven cleaner, which is once-and-done.  I use glass jars of various sizes, plus an old glass baking dish, for larger pieces.

I also use SC to clean paint brushes, especially the ones I use with acrylics, and to clean my airbrush.

And I use it to remove grease and to unclog drains.  SC really makes my Dutchy senses tingle.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 11:45 AM

Oh,and SC is about $8 and change for a gallon container at Walmart.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2013
Posted by CodyJ on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 11:37 PM

True Baron!  Brake fluid gets spendy!  While I dont usually care about smell, brake fluid is a bit rank for me.  Reminds me of puke and fish.  Sorry for that image...

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Chicago area
Posted by maxxum on Thursday, July 3, 2014 2:18 PM

Yep, that's why I was looking for something else to use.  The Home Depot thinner is Mineral Spirits (I checked).  I know that will work as well as the Tirpolene , but will probably not leave the surface dull.  I thought I would try the Super Clean.  With some soaking, it worked very well.  Again, thanks everyone.

As this is a suggestion section, here's one.  I decided to go back to my normal light gray primer this time.  I was ready to go when I realized the paint is the exact color of the raw plastic.  All went well, but here is my suggestion  DON'T DO THAT !!  Judging coverage becomes a challenge !!!???

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