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Best agent for stripping a mix of enamel and acrylics?

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  • Member since
    March 2014
Best agent for stripping a mix of enamel and acrylics?
Posted by Tarasdad on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 8:35 PM

My attempts to paint the hull of my USS Arizona model have been nothing short of disastrous. The only way I can see to repair the damage is to strip the hull down to bare plastic again and start over. I've used Tamiya white primer, Model Master Acryl and enamel to paint it. Is there something that will strip them all without damaging the plastic or the glue?

Getting very, very frustrated with my lack of painting skills. Something I used to be GOOD at, dang it! Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head Bang Head

Tarasdad

On the Bench:

  • Revell 1/48 F-15 Strike Eagle
  • Revell 1/48 A-10 Warthog
  • Revell 1/426 USS Arizona
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by Jon_a_its on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 6:20 AM

There are specialist paint strippers for hobby paint use, but...

Simple green your side of the pond, or Fairy Power Spray here in the UK, but will sometimes loosen PE & CA

Otherwise, Windex/Old Windowlene, or something with 5% ammonia for acrylics,  

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

 http://www.eastmidsmodelclub.co.uk/

Don't feed the CM!

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 8:56 AM

I see Testors has just announced a new paint remover for models. Haven't tried it yet, but will pick up a bottle next time I go to hobby shop.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 1:21 PM

Ammonia (like Windex) will strip acrylics fast.  Brake fluid will remove enamels.  ELO (Easy Lift-Off) by Floquil I think, also strips paint safely from plastic.  ELO also works on the clear undercoat that chrome plated parts are treated with.  A buddy claimed that ELO is just brake fluid, but I have not been able to confirm.  You might need to try a combination of cleaners to get all the paint off.  Remember to test on an inconspicuous area first, like the inside of the hull, to avoid potential grief.  HTH.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    March 2014
Posted by Tarasdad on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 4:38 PM

I found an article on the IPMS website that said oven cleaner will do the trick on all the paints. We just happen to have a can of the brand mentioned so I'll give that a try. Need to find a container I can put the hull in while the stuff works first. And a pair of rubber gloves that fit my paws.

Tarasdad

On the Bench:

  • Revell 1/48 F-15 Strike Eagle
  • Revell 1/48 A-10 Warthog
  • Revell 1/426 USS Arizona
  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 7:08 PM

Anyone tried Drano?

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

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 10:20 PM

I think both Drano and Easy-Off contain sodium hydroxide (aka lye), so it should work.  Again, test before committing to the model.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Friday, August 8, 2014 7:54 PM

Tamiya's primers are lacquer based and aren't the same animal as the acrylic paints.

The bottled primers (Liquid Surface Primer) can be cleaned up with denatured alcohol. I haven't used the canned primers so I don't know what would move those.

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