Stripping paint & decals

I try to avoid put any solvent based chemicals on my clear parts...I even avoid touching them...Certain solvent based stuff has crazed and fogged many of my clear pieces, but you can try. For stripping a whole model, I buy a gallon jug of laquer thinner from the hardware store since it's stronger than the hobby-grade thinners. Stick the model in and let it sit over night...Put on gloves and a mask, pull it out, and wipe all the paint off. Finally, i let the whole thing soak in soapy water to remove any more thinner and other stuff. If you do manage to strip your clear parts of paint successfully, coat them in future afterwards for protection...btw, I've never used scale-coat.

What kind of paints did you use?  If you used Tamiya Acrylics, Windex will work great for that.  The amonia in the windex works will dissolve Acrylics like there is no tomorrow.

For enamels, try nonsynthetic DOT 3 brake fluid. Just soak them in it. Clean up with soap and water.

Be aware that this will attack "tube glue" as well. 

Brake fluid, huh? I might try that, as I would like the glue to be dissolved as well, so I can start over on these old kits. Thanks for the advice.

Update - "Scale-coat" worked great. A 15 minute soak lifted off most of the paint & decals - some stubborn areas are going to get another soak tonight. No damage to the plastic, the canopy remained clear after the soak.

 I use oven cleaner in a can. works great on paint decals and softens up the glue a little to make taking things apart a little easier.

the only thing you have to remember with all these wonderful things is to wear the proper safety gear when using it. You may look like an idiot but get the stuff in your eyes and you are going to be sorry! Cheers Jim

Check this:

http://www.bonediggers.com/1-3/strip/strip.html