Removing Tamiya Primer

Oh, I didn't even look how old post was and ya don't need to apologize. If I don't proof read my texts or messages, people would think i was off my rocker! Lol  I just happen to see the post and i was wondering if i missed something.  We all make mistakes. lol

Eaglecash867

I'm thinking he might have made a mistake. He probably meant to say "plastic" instead of "paint".

I was wondering the same.

Nathan hasn't been around for a while, but his advice was always very helpful.

capntucker

That's interesting.  Ok, I'm lost on this statement. Those   lacquers will remove the primer but not damage paint.  You have to remove paint to get to primer.  Am I missing something? I'm kinda new to the paints these days. I'm old school rattle can enamels and testors enamel brush on.

I'm thinking he might have made a mistake.  He probably meant to say "plastic" instead of "paint".

Just use a bath of isopropyl alcohol and a cheap electric toothbrush.  That will safely remove any paint, and Tamiya primer, right down to the bare plastic in less than 20 minutes...no matter how long the paint/primer has been on there.  No damage of any kind to the plastic using that and its the least toxic.

SuperClean will remove Tamiya primer, too.  I use SuperClean to strip paint, and I have used it when I had to remove Tamiya primer on a piece and start over.

But yeah, I would not use lacquer thinner of any kind, nor mineral spirits, nor acetone.  Unless I were to use the "dab" technique, of putting the solvent on a rag and dabbing or wiping away at a specific area.  But those are all too hot, generally, and the risk of damaging the piece is too great.

capntucker

Ok, I'm lost on this statement. Those lacquers will remove the primer but not damage paint. You have to remove paint to get to primer. Am I missing something? I'm kinda new to the paints these days. I'm old school rattle can enamels and testors enamel brush on.

On re-reading this old thread, I'm confused, too, so don't feel alone!

I have no idea why I would have recommended lacquer thinner and was confused for the same reasons as you as I re-read Nathan's reply (6 yrs later), and don't even understand my own "that's interesting" reply to Nathan.

There is probably some good advice in this old thread, but mine is not among them, I think.

Though I have no specific memory of stripping Tamiya primer (as I said in my initial post), I have since used a product called Purple Power (diluted and poured in a plastic tub) to strip chromed sprued and parts, so Modelmaker66's advice would likey be among the advice to consider since I think Purple Power is similar to Simple Green.

My apologies for my poorly thought out, and most likely bad advice.

[quote user="Greg"]

Nathan T

......... These are the only lacquers that will take off the primer but not damage the paint. 

 

 

That's interesting.

Don't beat yourself up too bad. Mistakes happen and you will be able to get around this.

I second the Simple Green but against Tamiya primer it may not be too satisfactory,if the primer is really, really dry.   But give it a try 1st as it is not going to attack the plastic and more severe methods can follow

Good luck.

The main ingredient in lacquer thinner is acetone. It will melt the plastic.  Don't use any lacquer thinner!!! You can spray it with Simple Green degeaser and let it sit for a while. Put the kit in a tub and after about 30 min try removing the simple green with a green plastic scouring pad. It may take a couple tries. You can get it at wal mart, hardware stores, some groceries. Its a couple bucks. Strips paint well. wash you hands. Wash the kit when you are done. Anything else will do worse than your mistake. Let us know what happens. Good luck

Squadron makes a pretty good remover called I think Chameleon. Or try auto brake fluid.

EnzoA

Hi Everyone! I seem to have screwed up REALLY BAD  I sprayed my 1/144th EF-2000 with Tamiya Primer (the rattle can one), ended up messing up the whole model. I'm really frustrated with what just happened and what I just did to the model and my wallet. I tried acetone and it partly melted the plastic (only visible through the primer), now i'm looking for a way to dispose of the ugly mess I made. P.S, i'm still fairly new to the hobby, hence all this stupid experimentation, so please go easy on me.

 

Thanks! 

 

Sounds like you laid the primer on pretty thick and heavy... Spray in several light coats to get the best results.

Nathan T

......... These are the only lacquers that will take off the primer but not damage the paint. 

 

That's interesting.

Tamiya's own lacquer thinner in with the yellow cap, or Gunze Mr. Color lacquer thinner. These are the only lacquers that will take off the primer but not damage the paint. 

Lacquer thinner? I seem to remember doing this once, but I'm not 100% sure.