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Stripping paint from clear parts-HELP!

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  • Member since
    June 2009
Stripping paint from clear parts-HELP!
Posted by jimbot58 on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 3:38 AM

As some of you know, I am working on stripping the paint off my F-4G Hasegawa Phantom II for the upcoming GB. The kit sat idle for over a decade and a half, and time had taken it's toll. Decals never finished had flaked off, tape left in place had permanently adhered to the surface and sub-standard finish work made this necessary. I have been using Testors/Pollyscale Easy Lift Off on the plane and have nearly finished the main body.

I also need to clean up the clear canopy pieces and have removed them from the fuselage. I did a test on an old spare canopy, applying the ELO, allowing it to sit for 30 minutes or so, then washing it in warm soapy water as a usual procedure. I was a little disappointed but not surprised that the plastic had fogged. I haven't tried to polish it in someway or to see if a Future dip will "clear" the problem, but wondered if there is another safer method?

Thanks

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by Jon_a_its on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 5:16 AM

If acrylic paint was used, then Windex may work, but how long has it been sitting?

last resort WD40? can't guarantee it won't fog.

I don't know of anything else that can remove paint without damage.

Other than that, then AM canopy will have to be found

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 7:54 AM

Lighter Fluid (Naptha) will safely remove enamels from clear parts but I've never tried it with acrylics.

Regards,  Rick

RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 8:42 AM

Paint used was MM enamels.

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2005
Posted by Schnord05 on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 8:50 AM

Rub paint off with plastic polish.

Dre
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: here, not over there
Posted by Dre on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:44 AM

I've had some small luck with using SimpleGreen to remove enamel paints from stuff- it may or may not work. 

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Cave City, KY
Posted by Watchmann on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 10:49 AM

Schnord05

Rub paint off with plastic polish.

I second Schnord's suggestion.  Not only will it remove the paint, but it will also shine that canopy up like a dream!  You can also use toothpaste (paste, not gel) or Brasso brass polish.

m@

  • Member since
    April 2010
Posted by Theuns on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 11:31 AM

I agree with the pollish or tooth paste, it cleared my F-86's canopy up nicely.But it is allot of work!

I have also dunked a canopy in a container with automotive brakefluid for a hour or so, takes the enamel off no problem.

Theuns

dmk
  • Member since
    September 2008
  • From: North Carolina, USA
Posted by dmk on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 4:08 PM

I use Purple Power (get it in Walmart or Lowes). Soak it completely submerged a couple days then rinse off with tap water. Scrub any stubborn spots with an old toothbrush. I've never had it damage anything plastic, clear or not. It will remove all the paint though. You can strain it and reuse it too.

Just make sure you wear some rubber dishwashing gloves. It really isn't very good for your skin.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Australia
Posted by MiG-29 on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 4:30 PM

Use Simple Green!!

i had a similar problem with my canopy. just dip it in some and let it sit for a day or so, then it will come off very easily. trust me it works!

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  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Saturday, December 25, 2010 2:41 AM

I went for the Simple Green (went to Walmart on Christmas Eve to get it! I must have been insane!) Parts soaked for most of the day and a check shows much of the paint had pretty much floated off! A quick rub with a tooth brush took care of the rest with a few spots being a bit stubborn. I put them back into the SG for overnight and will let you know if anything is damaged or fogged. I'm not too worried about that though, as the Future Polish dip I did with my test canopy left it very clear! (Except for the part where some big lug stuck his finger in it to see if it was dry!)

Thanks for your responses, all!

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Sunday, December 26, 2010 5:57 AM

Just a "endorsement" for Simple Green"... Although it doesn't work everywhere on everything, everytime, it works in many cases where nothing else will...

  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Sunday, December 26, 2010 9:56 PM

Hans von Hammer

Just a "endorsement" for Simple Green"... Although it doesn't work everywhere on everything, everytime, it works in many cases where nothing else will...

It seemed to work very well, no fogging of the clear parts at all. The only place it didn't work as well was the couple of places where I had to sand a bit to remove those "nubs" left over from the sprue attachment points. The business end of a toothpick took care of that.

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Virginia
Posted by Wingman_kz on Monday, December 27, 2010 1:30 AM

Yeh, I generally use Castrol Super Clean and neither it, Purple Power or Simple Green has ever harmed any clear plastic I put in it.

Tony

            

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Monday, December 27, 2010 2:02 AM

The only thing that Simple Green didn't take off was some wierd shade of gloss interior green someone used on a 1/32 Revell Corsair I bought off Ebay (it had been started, but was complete, and the price was 2.00, so I figured, WTH)...

 

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