Removing paint from a model.

Is the kit already assembled? If not, paint over it.

Old standbys include hydraulic (brake) fluid, oven cleaner, and certain cleaners like purple stuff (Castrol brand).

What type of paint was it?

It is Testors enamel paint. I realize what ever method is going to be labor intensive, I am just hoping to find a method that won't melt or destroy the kit. Has anyone ever tried the Simple Green method? I live in an apartment so I also have to be mindful not to have a potential fire bomb or chemical spill on my patio, especially in the Las Vegas weather.

Hello!

What Don said - I'd go brake fluid first, then try drain cleaner (caustic soda) if the brake fluid won't cut it for you. You have to be more careful with the drain cleaner, so as not to chamically burn your hands. But the plastic is safe. Just por some of the stuff in a plastic container, then put your model in and let it work for like a half an hour. Then take the model out, rinse with water and scrub with stiff brush. Hope it helps, good luck with your projects and have a nice day

Paweł

I'd heard from searching the Google, that some folks recommend soaking the item in Pine-Sol. I tried that once. It did a crummy job removing the paint and softened the plastic, to boot. Still looking for the right paint remover, but I'm also a LOT more careful with my painting the first time around.

Absolutely try Simple Green. Literally the easiest, cleanest paint remover I've ever used. And when you're done with it, just wash it down the drain or rebottle it. Better than brake fluid in that regard, or harsh chemicals.

I'd start with one of the Purple Power, Simple Green type cleaners. These are relatively cheap and can be used for other things around the house if they don't work for paint removal. They can be poured down the drain when finished. Caution, use surgical type gloves. It actually begins to dissolve the fat in your skin making your hands feel oily and look like prunes! The active ingredient in this stuff is found in anti-freezes and............."Solvaset"!

Others:

Brake fluid- Very nasty, messy, oily. You will then probably have to use one of the above cleaners to remove the oil.  Has to be disposed of properly. Not the drain!!

Drain cleaners- Very caustic. Its a strong "base" the opposite of an "acid" but can be just as nasty. Aka "lye" potassium or sodium hydroxide.

Oven cleaners- see drain cleaners. Comes in an aerosol spray can. Comes out as a foam. Use in a well ventilated area. The mist from this stuff will get into your eyes and nose/mouth.

Definitely go with Simple green. It won't harm the plastic like most of the other methods. Tried some sort of purple cleaner once and had the plastic ruined because I failed to remove it soon enough. Amonia will remove paint to a certain extent but will also destroy the plastic over time. Never had that problem with the Simple green. Soaked parts in it for weeks with no [problem.

I recently sprayed a 1/48 F-5 with some bad Humbrol enamel paint. It flowed and sprayed great but once it dried it became chalky and dusty. I took a soft med sized brush and poured some thinner from Home Depot in to a small plastic tray and carefully stripped the paint off. It took me about 10 minutes. I then wiped it dry with paper towels and let it air dry for some of the hard to reach corners. Worked fine.

If you used  acrylic you can do the same technique but with Windex.