stripping paint

RonP · 04-03-2008, 05:40 PM

I have a scale transport truck that I want to start painting from scratch. What can i use to break the paint down with to be able to prime it.

csiguy · 04-03-2008, 06:33 PM

common brake fluid always seemed to work good for me, but im sure there are other things out there that may work as well or better.

Russ Bellinis · 04-04-2008, 03:07 AM

What is the truck made of? With plastic, I've used Scale Coat Rinse Away (not recommended for Kato or Atlas), Pine Sol, Brake Fluid is fine, but it is denatured alcohol mixed with a lubricant, I prefer denatured alcohol found in gallon containers at your local home improvement store in the paint dept. If the truck is die cast metal, you could use lacquer thinner, but if there is any plastic on it, don't use lacquer thinner since it will dissolve most plastics. Whatever you try if the truck is plastic, use a little bit on the inside of the body or underside of the truck first to make sure the chemical of choice does not harm the plastic the truck is made with.

IandOFan71 · 04-04-2008, 04:34 AM

Get yourself some Castrol Super Clean. It comes in a big purple gallon container and can be found at most auto parts stores. My dad paints model cars and he recommended this stuff and it really works good. I can leave a locomotive shell completely submerged in it for 3 days and it never even thought about damaging the plastic. The paint will either float off the piece or brushing with an old toothbrush will do the trick. Just make sure you wear gloves because it also does a fine job of removing a few layers of skin.

railBuilderdhd · 04-04-2008, 10:23 PM

I use rubbing alcohol.

shaygetz · 04-05-2008, 12:43 AM

I use original Pine-Sol cleaner, works like a champ and I haven't had a problem with it attacking plastics yet. Just rinse it off well and let it air dry. I do a lot of modifying of diecast vehicles and it works especially well on the chrome parts.

RonP · 04-05-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ Bellinis

What is the truck made of? With plastic, I've used Scale Coat Rinse Away (not recommended for Kato or Atlas), Pine Sol, Brake Fluid is fine, but it is denatured alcohol mixed with a lubricant, I prefer denatured alcohol found in gallon containers at your local home improvement store in the paint dept. If the truck is die cast metal, you could use lacquer thinner, but if there is any plastic on it, don't use lacquer thinner since it will dissolve most plastics. Whatever you try if the truck is plastic, use a little bit on the inside of the body or underside of the truck first to make sure the chemical of choice does not harm the plastic the truck is made with.

I have a gallon of methyl ethyl alcohol, I'll try that.

Russ Bellinis · 04-05-2008, 01:06 PM

I have never heard of methyl ethyl alcohol. That does not mean it does not exist, but I have heard of methyl ethyl ketone, commonly called mek. I think that stuff will dissolve most plastics.

**doctorwayne** · 04-05-2008, 01:15 PM

Just a guess, but it may be methyl hydrate. I've used this stuff for years to strip paint, but some of the newer paints seem impervious to it. Like many chemicals, the fumes aren't very good for you (and it is very volatile

), and it is also readily absorbed through the skin. It's also an excellent gas line anti-freeze and useful for thinning many paints.

Wayne

bitlerisvj · 04-14-2008, 12:47 PM

Hi, does anyone know what is safe to remove paint from Kato locos? I have an NW-2 that looks like it was painted, but not by the factory. It is a custom paint scheme with custom lettering.....I think? Anyway, I have used brake fluid to safely remove paint from many plastics, but heard one should not use it for Kato. Does anyone have a recommended product that will remove paint from Kato super structures without hurting the plastic. Is the Kato some special plastic that is not styrene?
Thanks and regards, Vic Bitleris

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ Bellinis

What is the truck made of? With plastic, I've used Scale Coat Rinse Away (not recommended for Kato or Atlas), Pine Sol, Brake Fluid is fine, but it is denatured alcohol mixed with a lubricant, I prefer denatured alcohol found in gallon containers at your local home improvement store in the paint dept. If the truck is die cast metal, you could use lacquer thinner, but if there is any plastic on it, don't use lacquer thinner since it will dissolve most plastics. Whatever you try if the truck is plastic, use a little bit on the inside of the body or underside of the truck first to make sure the chemical of choice does not harm the plastic the truck is made with.

Russ Bellinis · 04-15-2008, 03:20 PM

Kato is styrene, I think; but it is more delicate than other brands of models. I think Pine Sol might be a good choice for Kato, but I would recommend testing with some Pine Sol on a "Q-tip" on an inside surface before you take a chance with it.

04-03-2008, 05:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
RonP Member of the WMRC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Windsor, Ontario. Canada Posts: 598	stripping paint I have a scale transport truck that I want to start painting from scratch. What can i use to break the paint down with to be able to prime it. __________________ Model Railroad, how to E-mag come and visit us @ Scratchbuilders Guild

04-04-2008, 10:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
railBuilderdhd Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 139	I use rubbing alcohol. __________________ My Railroad Modeling and Weathering site: http://rbdhd.t35.com Railbuilder DHD

04-05-2008, 12:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
shaygetz Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,787	I use original Pine-Sol cleaner, works like a champ and I haven't had a problem with it attacking plastics yet. Just rinse it off well and let it air dry. I do a lot of modifying of diecast vehicles and it works especially well on the chrome parts. __________________ "He's a Christian, Jim, but he's unlike any we've ever seen before..." My website>>> www.freewebs.com/shaygetz My blog>>> http://misterbobsmodelworksemporium.blogspot.com/

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04-03-2008, 06:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
csiguy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: leechburg,pa. Posts: 54	common brake fluid always seemed to work good for me, but im sure there are other things out there that may work as well or better.

04-04-2008, 03:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
Russ Bellinis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lakewood, Ca. Posts: 4,353	What is the truck made of? With plastic, I've used Scale Coat Rinse Away (not recommended for Kato or Atlas), Pine Sol, Brake Fluid is fine, but it is denatured alcohol mixed with a lubricant, I prefer denatured alcohol found in gallon containers at your local home improvement store in the paint dept. If the truck is die cast metal, you could use lacquer thinner, but if there is any plastic on it, don't use lacquer thinner since it will dissolve most plastics. Whatever you try if the truck is plastic, use a little bit on the inside of the body or underside of the truck first to make sure the chemical of choice does not harm the plastic the truck is made with.

04-04-2008, 04:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
IandOFan71 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Groveport, Ohio Posts: 60	Get yourself some Castrol Super Clean. It comes in a big purple gallon container and can be found at most auto parts stores. My dad paints model cars and he recommended this stuff and it really works good. I can leave a locomotive shell completely submerged in it for 3 days and it never even thought about damaging the plastic. The paint will either float off the piece or brushing with an old toothbrush will do the trick. Just make sure you wear gloves because it also does a fine job of removing a few layers of skin.

04-05-2008, 01:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Russ Bellinis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lakewood, Ca. Posts: 4,353	I have never heard of methyl ethyl alcohol. That does not mean it does not exist, but I have heard of methyl ethyl ketone, commonly called mek. I think that stuff will dissolve most plastics.

04-05-2008, 01:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
doctorwayne The Gauge Moderator The Gauge Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Niagara Peninsula Posts: 4,769	Just a guess, but it may be methyl hydrate. I've used this stuff for years to strip paint, but some of the newer paints seem impervious to it. Like many chemicals, the fumes aren't very good for you (and it is very volatile ), and it is also readily absorbed through the skin. It's also an excellent gas line anti-freeze and useful for thinning many paints. Wayne

04-15-2008, 03:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Russ Bellinis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lakewood, Ca. Posts: 4,353	Kato is styrene, I think; but it is more delicate than other brands of models. I think Pine Sol might be a good choice for Kato, but I would recommend testing with some Pine Sol on a "Q-tip" on an inside surface before you take a chance with it.