I HAVE A COUPLE OF MODELS THAT NEED THEIR PAINT STRIPPED. WHAT CAN I USE? My second issue is my aztec paint gun. It seems to work great some times. Other times i just want to junk it. I clean it each time iam complete with it. I also use the correct air preasure. It spits the paint out alot, creating globs of paint. hopefully someone can offer some advice. Thank you.

Welcome to Armorama, cach7!

Simple Green works pretty good - get a gallon and a sealable plastic container, and immerse your models in the stuff. Come back in about a week or so, and brush off the paint with a stiff toothbrush... Takes some time but it works for me, especially on acrylic paint.

Enamels are a bit tougher to take off - the simple green just softens the stuff, and it's a bit tougher to brush off without breaking something.... But I find Tamiya enamel thinner, rubbed on the model, takes the stuff off easily.

Since you seem to be in the US, you can try using Castrol Super Clean degreasant - I hear it works wonders, even better than Simple Green!

Hope this helps!

Which Aztek airbrush do you have? I might be able to offer some solutions as I have the A470(9). Usually poor performance is due to a dirty nozzle and not the airbrush body. How do you clean the equipment? How about the air supply, do you use a compressor or a can?

Hello m8 i use mr muscle oven cleaner i dont no if they use this in the states but its great strips the paint right of with in 24hours just spray it on then put it in a plastic bag and leave it for 24 hours then start brushing it of with an old toothbrush i use the foam type but remember to wear a mask and rubber gloves.
As for your spray gun question i use an aztec A4709 with a ripmax compressor and untill 4 weeks ago i was ready to bin my airbrush untill i asked on here I had the same problem as you,found out i wasnt thinning the paint enough now i thin it from 50/50 to even 25/75 or even more and it works great,I use tamiya acrylics and tamiya thinner hope this helps.

I use oven cleaner. Spray on and leave overnight then gently wash off using a soft toothbrush. Works on enamel and acrylic.

Oven cleaner in a sealed container over night. Make sure to wear some type of rubber gloves when you handle the model as you scrub the parts under warm water. Works great.

I was in Krogers, and my Sister told me the kroger brand had the same thing easy off had, so rather then argue with her I bought it, and wouldn't you know it took the paint right off over night, and at half the price as easy off with the kroger card, now oven cleaner with enamels and acrylics, and use brake fluid with laquers, but seal them up in a container over night should do it. hope this helps

Here is a little "tutorial" for paint stripping... click

I once had a problem with my Badger 200 sputtering and ruining paint jobs once in a while. I put a moisture trap in line after my air tank and have not had a problem since.

A word of caution on Break Fluid..... it will also strip Nickle Plating!!!!!! like on Paasche AB's

Hi all,
Will the oven cleaner method strip the zimmerit coating? I used the Tamiya Epoxy putty to do the zimmerit.
Cheers
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Now I don't know how you guys have been applying this stuff, but the safe sure way I found is get a paper towel and soak it full of either the oven cleaner, or brake fluid, to where you can wrap it around your model so it will stay covered and wet with what ever your using the whole time.
The next day I open the container after about 24 hours, and unwrap the model, and the paper towel will have a bunch of paint already on it. Take it to the sink, and brush with a soft brush.If it was light coats it should all come off the first try.
Now I did have an old 56 Golden Hawk Studabaker, that had so much lacquer on it, and has been setting for 40 years, now it took several trys, but it finally came clean.
Now I just pour the brake fluid on right out of the can right onto the model and paper towel, and the oven cleaner I spray it right onto the model and paper towel, don't use an airbrush.
Now I got a clear plastic container that used to be what them big stick pretzels came in, the kind bars buy full of pretzels to sell to customers. I got mine at a GFS store they are ideal being clear plastic and all, so you can see what is going on inside.
Now if your using the paper towel, and doing tiny parts remember to write down how many parts you have in there, and what you have in there, they are so easy to lose in the towel. I almost lost an emergency brake that way, by not doing this.
I was just ready to throw the towel in the garbage when this tiny piece caught my eye, and I had thought I had went threw it, and threw it many times before, but somehow missed it everytime.
Now with the squeeze handle on it, that would almost be impossable to scratch build, and look near as good.

Chalk up another one for 'Mr Muscle' oven cleaner in a plastic bag overnight. BTW, it didn't strip the zimmerit, but it did loosen a couple of glued parts.
Cheers
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Hi All! I thought I had replied to this topic but I guess it was another one. Anyway, I had to strip my M2 the other week and I used Castrol Superclean; $5.98/gal. at Wally-World and bio-degradable! I think I saw something about zimmerit but I don't know a thing about removal of it. I'm sorta in a hurry + anyway check this link out. Hopefully nobody has posted it and it has some value to this thread. -Cheers

http://www.bonediggers.com/1-3/strip/strip.html

I like Polly S Scalecoat. Works better than oven cleaner or brake fluid and also removes chrome. It's relatively non-toxic, neutralizes with water and doesn't stink up the place like some chemicals or leave a slimy mess on the part like brake fluid. Try it - it's great stuff.

Cody

Again I have to echo RiffRaff's statement......throw those other strippers away, go to Wally World and get yourself a bottle of Castrol Super Clean. You will never look back!!!

This stuff will strip anypaint and will leave the plastic unharmed, Acrylic, Enamel or Lacquer, 2 coats, 3 coats, 4 coats and more....not a problem.

Smells nice....just wear gloves.

Take a look at the link on RiffRaff's post....some good info there!!!

I third the Castrol Super Clean as well. I bought a gallon of it and poured it into a 2.5 gallon container that has a 12 diameter and a tight fitting cover. I also use it to remove any mold release agents by dipping the sprues in overnight and rinsing. The stuff has pulled ten year old enamel paint off with harming any plastic or resin so far.

Dave S.