Easy Off : Very Disappointing Results

Goose, I'm with ya. I bought 1 of those for the same reason.

Here's what I did. Rub down the sign with thinner or mineral spirits-didn't try laquer thinner. The lettering etc. faded pretty good but didn't disappear.

I fabbed my part/painted it. No bleed!!! I didn't prime it just to see what  would happen when sprayed with enamel. Worked like styrene for me.

I've never used Easy Off & don't plan on it. Other things work for me.

Hope this helps.

Result after a light sanding, 2 days under Easy Off , wiping with Acetone and scraping with a razor blade.

01JeepXJ

Whatever is used on 'em, it is a tough coating.

I'm mostly concerned with glue bonding problems on painted areas, though your comment about a lack of paint bleed through is encouraging.

I have had good luck with using Fantastic spray cleaner. It works very well on chrome and the paint just takes a longer soak.

Thad

I have some Fantasik Spray Cleaner at home.

Worth a try.

There are 2 types of Easy-Off oven cleaner.  One is heat activated, the other isn't.  Make sure you are using the one that does not require the oven to be heated up to work.

Bronto

There are 2 types of Easy-Off oven cleaner.  One is heat activated, the other isn't.  Make sure you are using the one that does not require the oven to be heated up to work.

I use this stuff:

Before:

Soaking:

After:

dmk

I use this stuff:

Before:

I initially looked for that brand after reading favorable comments about it in another model magazine.

Couldn't find it locally, only this:

which proved less effective than Easy Off.

One problem with liquid is the quantity needed ; a container's contents just barely covers a 19 x 15 inch sign

If Easy Off isn't getting it done, what about brake fluid?  I've read on the boards that some use it to strip paint...  I doubt that Simple Green would be strong enough for this job, although it might clean off the brake fluid.

Dre

If Easy Off isn't getting it done, what about brake fluid?  I've read on the boards that some use it to strip paint...  I doubt that Simple Green would be strong enough for this job, although it might clean off the brake fluid.

I will check the local stores this weekend.

I might have gotten them confused, let's see if anyone else endorses the idea before you spend more money...  hope something works for you.

Dre

I might have gotten them confused, let's see if anyone else endorses the idea before you spend more money...  hope something works for you.

I heard that Easy Off is great stuff for ovens though...

Yes and no........

.........so far  the quickest method has been removing the outer clear protective covering by sanding with Drywall & Plaster Sanding Screens, then scrubbing with Acetone.

IMO the use of rent signs is a bit of an urban legend. Before investing any more time into cleaning them off, try cutting nag gluing them. A little research of the msds sheets pm these shows that they are usually polyethylene, not styrene, and good luck gluing that.

Also they are digital prints these days, not painted. Seems like that stuff runs when you don't want it to and sticks when you try to remove it.

I design signs for a living. The one product that consistently ruins my signs, unless they are clear coated, is Simple Green.

Another negative I have found using sign plastic is that it is pebbly in order to reduce glare.

Styrene is available in large sheets and thicknesses from places like TAP plastic.

As far as the EPA is involved, It ought to be considered that flushing brake fluid down the drain isn't so great. Brake shops dispose of it properly and charge for that as well.

bondoman

IMO the use of rent signs is a bit of an urban legend. Before investing any more time into cleaning them off, try cutting nag gluing them. A little research of the msds sheets pm these shows that they are usually polyethylene, not styrene, and good luck gluing that.

Also they are digital prints these days, not painted. Seems like that stuff runs when you don't want it to and sticks when you try to remove it.

I design signs for a living. The one product that consistently ruins my signs, unless they are clear coated, is Simple Green.

Another negative I have found using sign plastic is that it is pebbly in order to reduce glare.

Styrene is available in large sheets and thicknesses from places like TAP plastic.

As far as the EPA is involved, It ought to be considered that flushing brake fluid down the drain isn't so great. Brake shops dispose of it properly and charge for that as well.

I am sure what is killing you is the UV coating they put on the signs, that stuff can be tough since they know the signs are going to be beaten by the sun.

BlakeyB

I am sure what is killing you is the UV coating they put on the signs, that stuff can be tough since they know the signs are going to be beaten by the sun.

I've used Easy Off for years with little problem, but not for what you're using it for. Much like the purple power photos, I'll liberally spray a chromed sprue inside a ziplock bag and leave it overnight. A little scubbing with a toothbrush in the sink is usually all it takes.

I do like the looks of that purple power stuff. I have some in the garage that I will try to experiment with.

I initially looked for that brand after reading favorable comments about it in another model magazine.

Couldn't find it locally

 I used to be able to get it in Walmart, but I got the jug I just used at my local Advance Auto Parts.

Much like the purple power photos, I'll liberally spray a chromed sprue inside a ziplock bag and leave it overnight. A little scubbing with a toothbrush in the sink is usually all it takes.

A while back I dunked an entire Revell A-6 in the stuff. It took off all the Testors Enamel paint (along with the decals sitting on top of it), didn't harm the glue at all.

dmk

 I used to be able to get it in Walmart, but I got the jug I just used at my local Advance Auto Parts.

I'll check Advanced Auto in my area.

Don't recall if i visited them.

So, goose with all the money and time you are spending on this, why not use the OTHER side of the signs?

LOL... just messing with ya? Anyway, still looking forward to seeing the progress of the bigger project.

Don't give up bud!!

Echo139er

So, goose with all the money and time you are spending on this, why not use the OTHER side of the signs?

LOL... just messing with ya? Anyway, still looking forward to seeing the progress of the bigger project.

Don't give up bud!!

Aw, you're just jealous because I didn't get around to updating my thread at the Lounge.

Everything else can be used on "normal "  plastic kits.

.

I could use 'em to make decorative "armor" similar to the Star Trek TOS Costume Designer Bill Theiss's      Elasian Royal Guard Tunic & Armor from the episode "Elaan of Troyius"