_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
Paint removal
keenan
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
Armorama: 2,844 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 10:15 AM UTC
I have an Israeli M60 that I built and spray painted about 7 years ago with Model Master enamel out a spray can. Is there an easy way to strip this paint or should I just buy another kit and put the correct color on it this time? I heard something about oven cleaner once… Thanks in advance. Crap, I shoulda put this in the Paint forum...
Delbert
#073
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 05, 2002
KitMaker: 2,659 posts
Armorama: 1,512 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 10:45 AM UTC
I've heard great things about using Castrol Super Clean.. the car cleaner you find in auto parts stores and Wal-mart for Stripping enamals.. Some friends of mine in our local model club say to just soak the model in the stuff overnight and the paint will just come right off with no scrubbing or sanding. and it doesn't hurt the plastic.

PorkChop
Visit this Community
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: September 11, 2002
KitMaker: 3,179 posts
Armorama: 1 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 10:57 AM UTC
Take a look for Floquil Easy Lift Off (ELO) Great stuff. I usually use it within a few minutes or days of botching a paint job. It'll take paint right off.
However, I have never used it on 7-year-old spray paint, or any spray paint for that matter. But I suspect it may work.
Whatever you use, cleaning out all the small groves and crevices is going to be a lot of fun....

Nate
Wisc. USA
MrRoo
Visit this Community
Queensland, Australia
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 3,856 posts
Armorama: 2,984 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 04:23 PM UTC
spray with oven cleaner as per the directions on the can. wash 30 to 40 mins later with clean cold water and if nessessary repeat the process. You will not have any problem with the paint not coming out of the cracks etc with this metod. If need be you can also use a soft toothbrush on the larger flat areas although I suggest you don't use your partners one. :-)
chip250
Visit this Community
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: September 01, 2002
KitMaker: 1,864 posts
Armorama: 727 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 06:06 PM UTC
Set it in a container filled with plain household bleach. Let it sit for a couple of days , and then scrub off with an old toothbrush, or scouring pad.

Thats what I used on my planes that were painted a couple of years ago and it worked.

~Chip


Jacques
Visit this Community
Minnesota, United States
Joined: March 04, 2003
KitMaker: 4,630 posts
Armorama: 4,498 posts
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 06:08 PM UTC
If you are worried about using caustic oven cleaners ( or the environment), you could also use Simple Green, as found in Target or other such places. Leave the model completely submerged in it for at least 24 hrs, longer may be required. Works like a charm. Safe for your own use without special protective gear, and safer on the environment. It can also be reused without problem.

i have used it to remove both enamels and acrylics, on resin, plastic, and metals...no problems.
shonen_red
Visit this Community
Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: February 20, 2003
KitMaker: 5,762 posts
Armorama: 2,283 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 01:38 AM UTC
How about leaving the model the way it is and buy another one? You could compare your skills with the previous one to see how well you have improved. Anyway, it's up to you
keenan
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
Armorama: 2,844 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 01:47 AM UTC
Thanks for all of the suggestions, guys. I'll pick one and try it out. I'll let ya know how it worked out. Thanks again...
keenan
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
Armorama: 2,844 posts
Posted: Monday, April 21, 2003 - 09:12 AM UTC
Delbert, I have had the model soaking in the Super Clean for a week and it has done a number on the paint. It also did a number on my hands, but that was my fault. Fishing around for the model really dried my hands out. (The label said something about chemical burns?) It hasn't effected the plastic at all. Thanks for the tip. If anyone else wants to go this route, which I would say is a great idea, wear some gloves. I wanted to take some before and after pics and maybe write an article for the site but I guess now I'll just have the after pictures. By the way, I have it soaking in an old cooler. Thanks again, Delbert, Love the Super Clean...
Delbert
#073
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: October 05, 2002
KitMaker: 2,659 posts
Armorama: 1,512 posts
Posted: Monday, April 21, 2003 - 09:36 AM UTC
just glad to help. thats what these forums are all about..

and remember to read those warning lables..

some of the modeling stuff has strange labels such as

"this product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer"

good thing I live in PA.
Mojo
Visit this Community
Ontario, Canada
Joined: January 11, 2003
KitMaker: 1,339 posts
Armorama: 637 posts
Posted: Monday, April 21, 2003 - 10:46 AM UTC
Super clean is a great product.. I use it to degrease forklifts.. It cleans layers of paint off the counter weights if left long enough... And in just a few minutes you can see the difference in paint colour.. But like keenan said, its hard on the hands and the nose.. Use latex gloves and a mask... Ive heard a few people using brake fluid.. It will take paint off but Im not sure how it will affect the plastic.. You guys all know what it does to paint on the car... And I've been told that once you get brake fluid on metal, it's quite a job to get the paint to stick again...Just a thought...

Dave
 _GOTOTOP