Removing old decals

Future is clear acrylic.  Amonia (its what makes the Windex work on the Future) by itself will do at removing Future.  Should not harm your model or its paint unless the paint used is an acrylic too.  If you really mean that you would like to re-do the model then the best bet for getting rid of the decals and "all" paint is to purchase "Purple Power" from the automotive department of Walmart (comes in gallon jug) and make a container that will allow you to completely submerge the model in the Purple Power liquid.  Castrol Super Clean is the same stuff from automotive stores.  A couple days max submerged in this stuff will have it cleaned up in no time.  Wash it with dish soap and water, rinse good, and re-do your build the way you want.  WEAR RUBBER GLOVES WHEN HANDLING THE FLUID AND WEAR EYE PROTECTION SHOULD YOU SPLASH.  gregg

ruddratt wrote:

CaptainHawk1 wrote: I mean, seriously, if the stuff was that permanent, why would you have to keep applying to your floors?  Factually speaking, my floors get a lot more foot traffic than my models do (which is why we switched to Laminate). Patrick, the windex will work for removing decals....I've tried it, and it's easy. Try any method here (seems like they'll all work) and use the one that works best for you.

Well of course they do, but my point is is that Future is not a lacquer or enamel and I suggest hot water because it's a non-chemical solution to the problem and it's very effective.

And yes, the Windex will work.

 

-Shawn

CaptainHawk1 wrote:

I mean, seriously, if the stuff was that permanent, why would you have to keep applying to your floors?

Factually speaking, my floors get a lot more foot traffic than my models do (which is why we switched to Laminate).

Patrick, the windex will work for removing decals....I've tried it, and it's easy. Try any method here (seems like they'll all work) and use the one that works best for you.

T_Terrific wrote:

CaptainHawk1 wrote: Whoa!!! Holy crap! Not that the Windex won't work (because it probably will) but this only Future we're talking about here! We're making this way too complicated. Hot water, and wash cloth that's it!  Future is liquid acrylic for goodness sake, it's not enamel or lacquer!  I mean, seriously, if the stuff was that permanent, why would you have to keep applying to your floors?   And that's also the basic solution for removing old decals, Futured or not.  Just use a hot, wet wash cloth and press and hold, then rub.  Repeat.  Nothing more complicated. Worst case scenario, you could use a toothbrush and some liquid dish washing soap to really get under the decals and get them off. Now if you're looking to complete strip the model future, paint, decals and all, Easy Lift Off (ELO) if you can find it.  From what I understand, it's been discontinued.  My I think that the Windex solution idea sounds best, since it has the ammonia that Future also has in it as well as the soap and water. Tom

Here's the thing, I'm not giving my 2 cents, an opinion or some suggestion that "sounds good."  I'm giving facts.  I'm telling what I know from experience, and that's it.

CaptainHawk1 wrote:

Whoa!!! Holy crap! Not that the Windex won't work (because it probably will) but this only Future we're talking about here! We're making this way too complicated. Hot water, and wash cloth that's it!  Future is liquid acrylic for goodness sake, it's not enamel or lacquer!  I mean, seriously, if the stuff was that permanent, why would you have to keep applying to your floors?   And that's also the basic solution for removing old decals, Futured or not.  Just use a hot, wet wash cloth and press and hold, then rub.  Repeat.  Nothing more complicated. Worst case scenario, you could use a toothbrush and some liquid dish washing soap to really get under the decals and get them off. Now if you're looking to complete strip the model future, paint, decals and all, Easy Lift Off (ELO) if you can find it.  From what I understand, it's been discontinued.

My

I think that the Windex solution idea sounds best, since it has the ammonia that Future also has in it as well as the soap and water.

Tom

vortmax1 wrote:

I have found that regular rubbing alcohol is a good thinner for Future.  Perhaps a little at at time applied by Q-tip would remove the Futuer before attacking the decal.

Not for nothing, but think about this:  Alcohol thins (and acts like a solvent) with Future.  What do you think it does to acrylic paints?  Same thing.  I found this out the hard way.

 

Whoa!!! Holy crap!

Not that the Windex won't work (because it probably will) but this only Future we're talking about here! We're making this way too complicated.

Hot water, and wash cloth that's it!  Future is liquid acrylic for goodness sake, it's not enamel or lacquer!  I mean, seriously, if the stuff was that permanent, why would you have to keep applying to your floors?   And that's also the basic solution for removing old decals, Futured or not.  Just use a hot, wet wash cloth and press and hold, then rub.  Repeat.  Nothing more complicated.

Worst case scenario, you could use a toothbrush and some liquid dish washing soap to really get under the decals and get them off.

Now if you're looking to complete strip the model future, paint, decals and all, Easy Lift Off (ELO) if you can find it.  From what I understand, it's been discontinued. 

Thank you all for your suggestions. All great ideas! I am going to have to create a special notebook to keep all these great tips and ideas from this vast store of knowledge that exists on this forum. What a great group!!

 Patrick Callahan

Hi,

   Good ol' Windex, an ammonia solution, cuts Future.  Spay it on....let it set.....do it again if it needs it.  Wash with soapy water and rinse after.  Should work fine with no effect on plastic or glue.

Mike

use scotch tape. it works well. not so sure with future though.

Then after stripping the Future you can try rubbing some regular Scotch tape to the decals and they should peel off with the tape.

I have found that regular rubbing alcohol is a good thinner for Future.  Perhaps a little at at time applied by Q-tip would remove the Futuer before attacking the decal.

Patrick:

Since the decals have been coated with Future, you will probably have to use some

sort of stripper.  Go to http://modelingmadness.com and read the review of Strip-A-Kit.

It may be just what you are looking for. 

I think you can use micro set it says decal remover on the front. But what I use is really sticky masking tape that usaully does the trick with me.