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Acrylic paint strip?

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  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Cambridge. United Kingdom.
Acrylic paint strip?
Posted by Daytripper on Monday, October 10, 2005 3:20 AM
Question [?] Hi,

Has anyone got any tips on removing acrylic paint ( Vallejo ) as i have made a
bit of a hash of a paint job on a 1/72 gnat , (didn't thin the paint properly, ah well all experience i suppose) and would like to strip it and start again

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thx DT
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Monday, October 10, 2005 4:10 AM
Don't know about Vallejo, but Tamiya acrylics come off with Methylated Spirits (aka denatured alcohol). Doesn't affect the plastic in any way . Smile [:)]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 10, 2005 7:42 AM
i've recently experimented with this one and engine degreasers do a good job. Easy-off oven cleaner works well too. the engine degreaser does make a white haze stain on the plastic but nothing to get worried about.Cool [8D] knd of whitens..
  • Member since
    February 2003
Posted by mass tactical on Monday, October 10, 2005 8:11 AM
Try Castrol Super Clean, available at auto parts stores and Wal Mart. This stuff will strip most paints without harming the plastic. Be careful when using this stuff as it will burn unprotected skin.

Mike
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 10, 2005 2:07 PM
Easy Off is an oven cleaner that can be used to remove paint. Stripping paint and stipping chrome are pretty much the same thing. Here are my comments from a paint stripping topic.

True engine degreasers contain Petroluem Distillates(Paint Thinner) which will melt right through plastic. Cleaner/Degreasers like Simple Green and Castrol Super Clean won't melt plastic no matter how long it sits. Castrol Super Clean use to be available in an aerosol can, but was recalled a couple of years ago and never reissued. I haven't been able to find any since. I believe that Castrol Super Wheel Cleaner is just a diluted from of CSC, but I'm not positive.

Brake cleaner is mildly effective, but highly toxic. Same with Easy Off.

My recommendation for stripping paint is Wesleys White Wall Cleaner can be found at all NAPA Auto Stores. My uncle told me this will strip paint very well without hurting the plastic and isn't as toxic as other options.

My other recommendations for stripping paint are items like Pollyscale ELO and Hangar's Strip-A-Kit. These are similar to paint thinner and are effective in stripping paint. They will not harm plastic.

Windex can also be used to strip paint, but ammonia fumes are more than I can handle. It doesn't work that well either.

Simple Green is great for stripping chrome and acrylic paint. It doesn't take long or much effort, and its non toxic and biodegradable and can be poured down the drain when done.

No matter what you use, make sure to use solvent resistant gloves, only do it outside or in a barn, and don't inhale the fumes. I recommend a respirator for the more toxic and votalie ones. You can use a 3M ScothBrite plastic pad to scrub stubborn paint off. They are green and come in a 2-pack. They will not damage plastic no matter how hard you scrub.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Monday, October 10, 2005 7:28 PM
I agree with Ryan there, I use Vallejo almost exclusively and I think 90% ETOH or Simple Green would be plenty strong enough to remove acrylics... if not the Castrol Super Clean should be available in the spray pump bottle unless you live in California... just put it in a zip lock , spray and let it sit for awhile... at least an hour...

oh and to re-echo what Ryan and goldenretriever said... wear gloves!!!!!
---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Cambridge. United Kingdom.
Posted by Daytripper on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 12:01 PM
Hi,

Thx for the info much appreciated.

I ended up using an acetone free nail polish remover (Cutex in the uk)
which took the paint right off, it did not distort the styrene underneath and also
did not affect the liquid mask that i had used.

Thx again DT Smile [:)]
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 8:15 PM
glad to hear it! I may have to check that stuff out...
---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Hayward, CA
Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 11:31 PM
QUOTE: if not the Castrol Super Clean should be available in the spray pump bottle unless you live in California... just put it in a zip lock , spray and let it sit for awhile... at least an hour...


I bought it in a spray bottle and I am in California.
Did they change the law?
Also, you don't have to put the part in a zip lock bag with Castrol as the cleaner itself is what strips the paint. A zip lock is used with Easy-Off because it is the fumes from the product that strip the paint. Wink [;)]

Mike

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon
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