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Super CHEAP, ridiculously FAST! Paint remover

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  • Member since
    January 2007
Super CHEAP, ridiculously FAST! Paint remover
Posted by the doog on Monday, September 26, 2011 2:18 PM

Hey guys, I want to tell you about an amazing product that I found that does what Simple Green does--but better, and at about a quarter of the price!

While working on a tank model, I went out to buy some "Simple Green", which I've learned about in Auto Modeling--it works wonders in stripping paint.  It works for both Tamiya acrylics and spray paints. The only downside is that the stuff ain't cheap--like, $8.00 for 20 oz! And you need about 30 ounces to really make a good sized "bath". I found some in a hardware store for $7.49/bottle, but since I was on my way to Walmart, I decided to see what they had.

They didn't have any "Simple Green", but they did have "Mean Green". It looked like a similar product to me. On the back it had that warning "Do not use on painted surfaces". HMMM? Could it work the same? Geez. for $1.79 a bottle for 40 ounces, how could I go wrong?!

I got home and put the model in the bin, and started pouring--holy cow!--as soon as I started to pour the stuff on the model (which had been airbrushed with Tamiya acrylics) the paint literally started to wash right off! In the photo, I had Jenn grab the camera and shoot as I was still pouring out the liquid--the hull there has already been taken down to the gray Duplicote primer, and the Coelian turret has already lost most of its green topcoat, exposing the Dark Yellow underneath! The Dark Yellow came off a few minutes later--I easily just brushed it off with a soft brush, no problem! This stuff is AMAZING!--and CHEAP!

 

I haven't tried it yet on enamels or other paints, but if you use Simple Green, I'm betting this will do what you need it to do--at a quarter of the price!! AND it's biodegradable, just like Simple Green! Take it away, spokesdoog! Big Smile


  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Tornado Alley
Posted by Echo139er on Monday, September 26, 2011 2:24 PM

Excellent!  I am running low on SG!  I think I'will try this out BEFORE i buy more SG.  Thanks for the tip!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Far Northern CA
Posted by mrmike on Monday, September 26, 2011 2:40 PM

Great tip...looks alot more friendly than brake fluid. Thanx!

Mike

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Fort Worth, TX
Posted by RESlusher on Monday, September 26, 2011 3:00 PM

I've been using Windex...both name brand and store brand equivalent! 

I think I might have to give this stuff a try!

Thanks for the info!  Toast

 

Richard S.

On the bench:  AFV Club M730A1 Chaparral

On deck:  Tamiya Marder 1A2

In the hole:  Who knows what's next!

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation
Posted by DUSTER on Monday, September 26, 2011 3:30 PM

Thanks the dog & spokesdoog Yes

As a "simple" modeler have been using Simple Green for a while now, but your results do give me cause to consider changing. 

 Anyone have a report on Mean Green and how it works on Alclad II and/or enamels?

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet  Confused

itz
  • Member since
    August 2011
Posted by itz on Saturday, October 1, 2011 7:40 PM

Hi,

I'm new here and have just started modeling againn after a 25 year break. My Hasegawa !:48 spitfire came out great except that i would like to strip the paint off one wing as it sprayed on too thick and detail was lost. What can I use for Enamel paint And layers of gloss and dull caot?

Thanx so much in advance.

 

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by GreenThumb on Saturday, October 1, 2011 8:50 PM

itz

Hi,

I'm new here and have just started modeling againn after a 25 year break. My Hasegawa !:48 spitfire came out great except that i would like to strip the paint off one wing as it sprayed on too thick and detail was lost. What can I use for Enamel paint And layers of gloss and dull caot?

Thanx so much in advance.

 

Two of the best products to remove enamels is Super Clean degreaser and Easy Off oven cleaner in the yellow can. With the Super Clean the part needs to be submerged to work best and Easy-Off works best when sprayed and left in an airtight bag or container so that the fumes can work on the paint. Both contain Lye which is caustic but safe if used according to instructions.

Mike

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation
Posted by DUSTER on Monday, October 3, 2011 11:40 PM

itz

Hi,

I'm new here and have just started modeling againn after a 25 year break. My Hasegawa !:48 spitfire came out great except that i would like to strip the paint off one wing as it sprayed on too thick and detail was lost. What can I use for Enamel paint And layers of gloss and dull caot?

Thanx so much in advance.

 

I have had good results with Simple Green, (soaking the part or model in the product as long a necessary (over night in many cases , brush with an old tooth brush  and rinse) it has a lower toxicity rating compaired to the oven cleaner, brake fluid,etc, types. However as the topic of this post suggests-  Mean Green may do the job as well.  The good part is you get to experiment and we get the results Angel Whistling

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet  Confused

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by Jon_a_its on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 4:02 AM

So who makes Mean Green?

over this side of the pond we can't even get Simple Green!

East Mids Model Club 32nd Annual Show 2nd April 2023

 http://www.eastmidsmodelclub.co.uk/

Don't feed the CM!

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation
Posted by DUSTER on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 10:32 PM

Jon_a_its

So who makes Mean Green?

over this side of the pond we can't even get Simple Green!

2 cents

http://www.simplegreen.com/about_us_global_partners.php

http://www.meangreencleaner.net/Home.html

 Geeked

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet  Confused

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 11:52 AM

Wow, that's great information, thanks very much for sharing it,

  • Member since
    July 2011
Posted by prush on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 12:07 PM

Will it remove paint bleed from clear parts without fogging/melting the clear parts?

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Adelaide, Australia
Posted by zapme on Thursday, October 6, 2011 4:30 AM

Hi doog,

Are the Simple Green and Mean Green just standard detergents as i can quite read the label on the pics.

Thanks

Leo

 

My Blog - leoslatestbuilds.blogspot.com

On the workbench: 1/72 Airfix De Havilland DH88 Comet , 1/35 Trumpeter M1A1, 1/35 Tamiya Tyrannosaurus Rex, 1/8 (?) vinyl C3PO brand unknown

 

  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: Panama City Beach, Fl
Posted by BBAT222 on Thursday, October 6, 2011 12:14 PM

Thanks for the tip Karl.  I'll give it a try.   I use the Simple Green in with the Future to help level and shine.  I will give the Mean Green a go here also.  The pic's are impressive.    Thanks again   Buddy B.  

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5648056204_9a52bddd15.jpg

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by GreenThumb on Thursday, October 6, 2011 6:52 PM

zapme

Hi doog,

Are the Simple Green and Mean Green just standard detergents as i can quite read the label on the pics.

Thanks

Leo

Yes they pretty much are. They are biodegradable though which is a good thing.

Especially for those of us who work in very "green" cities. Wink

Mike

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Thursday, October 6, 2011 7:16 PM

Glad to pass on the info, guys--I"m sorry I couldn't answer all the questions, but I just don't know...uey....

If anyone garners anymore info or experience with this stuff, please post it here!

Thanks, guys!

  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: Panama City Beach, Fl
Posted by BBAT222 on Saturday, October 8, 2011 11:11 PM

Well Karl I'm going to get to try mean green sooner than I had hoped to.  I used Testors flat enamel for the bottom of the p-51 and then  (to much pain killer) after some filler touch-ups sprayed the bottom with auto primer! Aaaa!   I'll let you and the rest know how it did with the enamel.   GB   Buddy B.  

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5648056204_9a52bddd15.jpg

  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: Panama City Beach, Fl
Posted by BBAT222 on Sunday, October 9, 2011 9:02 PM

Ok Karl.  I tried the Mean Green on the auto primer over Testors flat enamel, and it didn't do a thing.  So back to the rough stuff for this project.  I did use paint thinner which removed the auto primer, but not the flat enamel.  See ya latter mate.    Buddy B. 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5648056204_9a52bddd15.jpg

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Sunday, October 9, 2011 9:08 PM

BBAT222

Ok Karl.  I tried the Mean Green on the auto primer over Testors flat enamel, and it didn't do a thing.  So back to the rough stuff for this project.  I did use paint thinner which removed the auto primer, but not the flat enamel.  See ya latter mate.    Buddy B. 

Hey Bud,

Thanks for posting your results here. Enamel and lacquer is a tough call. Once they harden, they're tough as nails.

Thanks too, everyone weighing in. Well, at least we know it removes acrylics with lightening speed!

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by GreenThumb on Sunday, October 9, 2011 9:54 PM

Bud,

Both Super Clean degreaser and Easy-Off oven cleaner will remove enamels.

You may need to soak it for several hours and scrub with an old toothbrush but it will strip it eventually.

Mike

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation
Posted by DUSTER on Sunday, October 9, 2011 11:35 PM

GreenThumb

Bud,

Both Super Clean degreaser and Easy-Off oven cleaner will remove enamels.

You may need to soak it for several hours and scrub with an old toothbrush but it will strip it eventually.

Time is your friend with any of these simple/mean green products. The older/dryer the paint the longer it needs to soak.  Have waited for up to 48 hours on one stubborn @$%$  uh- difficult little monster; each try, "some" paint came off- layer by layer. Eventually , though, it all came off.

 

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet  Confused

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Earth (usually)
Posted by Centhot on Monday, October 10, 2011 11:35 AM

Nail polish remover.  Large bottle, costs peanuts, lasts ages, and is instant.  Takes off all paint, and leaves the plastic perfect.  Brilliant.  The last bottle I bought was about $1.50 some months back.  Usually use tissue soaked in it, then rub down the model.  When tough, I use an old toothbrush, and 2-3 applications.

It has another application.  It removes excess filler.  On a recent build, where there's excess filler where the fuselage meets the fin, I used a cotton ear-bud, soaked in nail polish remover, and rubbed it along the seam.  Took quite a while, to be honest, but the finish was better than sanding alone (I did some sanding).

In my view, along with Future/Klear/Pledge everyone needs a bottle of nail polish remover!

2012 A/B/C: 10/3/0 (Acquired/Binned/Completed)

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by GreenThumb on Monday, October 10, 2011 1:20 PM

Centhot

Nail polish remover.  Large bottle, costs peanuts, lasts ages, and is instant.  Takes off all paint, and leaves the plastic perfect.  Brilliant.  The last bottle I bought was about $1.50 some months back.  Usually use tissue soaked in it, then rub down the model.  When tough, I use an old toothbrush, and 2-3 applications.

It has another application.  It removes excess filler.  On a recent build, where there's excess filler where the fuselage meets the fin, I used a cotton ear-bud, soaked in nail polish remover, and rubbed it along the seam.  Took quite a while, to be honest, but the finish was better than sanding alone (I did some sanding).

In my view, along with Future/Klear/Pledge everyone needs a bottle of nail polish remover!

I would be real cautious with nail polish remover as it contains acetone which is pretty harsh stuff especially on clear plastic. Super Clean is much less toxic smelling and does a great job.

Mike

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Earth (usually)
Posted by Centhot on Monday, October 10, 2011 1:48 PM

Never tried it on clear parts.  It does stink a bit though!  However, for non-clear parts, it's a dream (if you don't mind a smell whilst working).  Girls use it to clear their fingernails though, so, not too bad.

2012 A/B/C: 10/3/0 (Acquired/Binned/Completed)

  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: Panama City Beach, Fl
Posted by BBAT222 on Monday, October 10, 2011 5:21 PM

Well Mike where the auto primer caused the enamel to crack and split it also scared the plastic.  Am I dead in the water or is there some kind of hope?  Buddy B.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5648056204_9a52bddd15.jpg

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by GreenThumb on Monday, October 10, 2011 5:56 PM

There is nothing that can't be fixed. Wink

What is scarred and where?

Mike

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: Panama City Beach, Fl
Posted by BBAT222 on Monday, October 10, 2011 9:11 PM

The bottom of the wings and the fuselage.  I've got the paints off, but where the enamel shrank and split, it left spider web like scares on the surface of the bottom.  A lot of sanding, but I'm afraid I'll lose a lot of detail. Really smooth.     Buddy B.  

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5648056204_9a52bddd15.jpg

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by GreenThumb on Monday, October 10, 2011 9:42 PM

Can you prime over it and cover the damage?

Mike

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: Panama City Beach, Fl
Posted by BBAT222 on Monday, October 10, 2011 10:33 PM

Well Mike the mention of primer gives me the hives, but I think your right.  I think I'll pencil back in the details with some scribing. Beer Here is to no finger hash!Tongue Tied  G-night and thanks to all.  Buddy B.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5648056204_9a52bddd15.jpg

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Monday, October 10, 2011 10:43 PM

You can buy NON-ACETONE nail polish remover.  Cheap!  While I haven't tried removing paint with it, I find it works well for thinning and removing Squadron putty, before it dries.  And it won't attack the plastic.

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

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