removing enamel paint

Use Simple Green. It will remove enamel paint in a couple of days, and doesn't harm the plastic. It is also good for removing plating. I've accidently left parts soaking for a couple of weeks with no damage.
Lee

along the same line...

i've used Castrol SuperClean with no damage to the plastic. submerse the part and after two to three hours the paint can be scrubbed off with an old toothbrush. that way not much of the paint is left in the cleaner and you can reuse it. i stripped the whole body on a Revell kit twice and a Monogram kit with no damage (i'm not very good at painting yet...hehe) with the same bottle. when i was done i strained the last bit of cleaner through a coffee filter. it did leave a little of the paint pigment on the plastic but that scuffed off easily enough.

Tony

Castrol motor oil?

no...it's a degreaser/cleaner. You can get it at an auto parts store or WalMart or maybe even a grocery store. It comes in spray bottles or refill bottles. Basically the same uses as Simple Green or Greased Lightning. A little stronger than 409. I've also read that Westley's BlecheWhite (sp) will work but SuperClean is the only one I've tried so far. It comes in a purple jug or bottle.

One tip, you may want to use rubber gloves when using any of the high strength cleaners, they're kind of hard on the skin.

The local hobby shop owner told me that brake fluid works well too but I haven't tried it. And I think the cleaners would be a little less toxic...

Tony

I use CSC often and it works well. Keep gloves on because I think it's a very strong 'base' solution. If the paint is relatively 'fresh', I often just use regular old varsol or paint thinner and it seems to rinse the paint off fine.

M.

I've used Easy Lift Off with really good success....especailly on "fresh" paint......brush it on, wait a few minutes, and wipe it off......if it's thick, scratch the surface of the paint a little with some medium sandpaper first. If the paint has been on a while...........it takes a bit longer and I've experienced it making the plastic a little brittle because it needs to set on the plastic longer. I've been meening to try the Castrol stuff for a while....on the to-do list!!!
Oh......Wear gloves......ELO is pretty nasty stuff!! But it works!!!