Trains.com

Need help removing paint from 44 toner

1458 views
19 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Need help removing paint from 44 toner
Posted by rtraincollector on Saturday, September 8, 2007 1:46 PM

I have a 44 tonner that someone painted yellow and Grey/silver .  i want to try to repaint back close to what I believe it was (red in color in side of cab so guessing LV)anyway the paint they used is either sprayed on heavy or was done with a brush. although I don't really see brush marks I want if I can remove old paint without harming plastic shell .

 

Will dig it out later and take pic and post

 

Or if you have a decent post war 44 toner shaell that you want to sell let me know

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: West coast, USA
  • 356 posts
Posted by rlplionel on Saturday, September 8, 2007 2:30 PM
I've had success removing paint from plastic shells by leaving them immersed in a gallon of hot water mixed with a cup of Tide laundry detergent. Initially, let the shell soak in the mix for 10 minutes and then periodically check it until the paint is loose. This method should not harm the plastic.
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Saturday, September 8, 2007 3:42 PM

worth a try hmm wonder if any laundry detergent will work as I have gain here at the house

 

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Saturday, September 8, 2007 3:43 PM

Simple Green or Castrol Superclean might also work for stripping the shell.

Don't use brake fluid, paint stripper or lacquer thinner.

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
  • 8,153 posts
Posted by sir james I on Saturday, September 8, 2007 3:50 PM
Brake fluid will work, BUT it's slow and can SOFTEN the plastic. You MUST be very careful. I have used it, but its risky.          Sir James

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

  Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC)   - Detroit3railers-  Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Saturday, September 8, 2007 4:35 PM
I've read enough don't use break fluid that I think thats what I won't do. I'm leaning to the detergent first then some of the others that Jaabat mentioned.

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: West coast, USA
  • 356 posts
Posted by rlplionel on Saturday, September 8, 2007 6:20 PM
 rtraincollector wrote:

worth a try hmm wonder if any laundry detergent will work as I have gain here at the house

 

 

Not sure if Gain will work. Tide was the recommendation given to me by another hobbyist. Seems that something in the Tide caused it to strip paint off plastic better than other detergents. 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Saturday, September 8, 2007 7:27 PM
Well I can go get some tomorrow I guess a little box won't hurt lol

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • 1,512 posts
Posted by philo426 on Sunday, September 9, 2007 12:43 AM
Soak the shell in Westley's Bleech White in a plastic container overnight.Will not harm the plastic and is very effective in stripping paint.I have used it on postwar F-3 and Gp-9 shells with great results! 
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, September 9, 2007 6:02 AM
 philo426 wrote:
Soak the shell in Westley's Bleech White in a plastic container overnight.Will not harm the plastic and is very effective in stripping paint.I have used it on postwar F-3 and Gp-9 shells with great results! 
 

Never heard of the item is it at your local stores or is it somethin like lows would carey or would any bleach do lsay like clorox

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    May 2006
  • 98 posts
Posted by IRONHORSE77 on Sunday, September 9, 2007 7:48 AM
IT'S WHITEWALL CLEANER, YOU CAN GET IT AT ANY AUTOMOTIVE PARTS STORES.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Sunday, September 9, 2007 7:49 AM
 rtraincollector wrote:
 philo426 wrote:
Soak the shell in Westley's Bleech White in a plastic container overnight.Will not harm the plastic and is very effective in stripping paint.I have used it on postwar F-3 and Gp-9 shells with great results! 
 

Never heard of the item is it at your local stores or is it somethin like lows would carey or would any bleach do lsay like clorox

Yankees would not know that.  They do NOT detail their vehicles. Laugh [(-D]  RT, I'll dig through my stuff stored.  There is a special paint remover the paint expert [Scott I think is his name] on OGR told me to use.  I had to order it.  It is made for plastic.  I'll get back with you.  Believe it or not, back in the 70's/80's, I use a heavy duty eraser and removed some paint from Lionel cars. 

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Colchester, Vermont
  • 1,136 posts
Posted by Kooljock1 on Sunday, September 9, 2007 9:02 AM
"Yankees would not know that. They do NOT detail their vehicles."


We do so Chief! It's just that we pay someone else to do it!

Jon 8D
Now broadcasting world-wide at http://www.wkol.com Weekdays 5:00 AM-10:00AM!
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • 1,512 posts
Posted by philo426 on Sunday, September 9, 2007 11:55 AM
Westley's is available at most auto-parts stores as well as Walmart.It is used to whiten raised lettering and whitewalls on auto tires.Works great!
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Sunday, September 9, 2007 12:19 PM
 philo426 wrote:

Westley's is available at most auto-parts stores as well as Walmart.It is used to whiten raised lettering and whitewalls on auto tires.Works great!

 

 

On tires and etc, would not do without it.  Trains, never tried it.

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • 1,512 posts
Posted by philo426 on Sunday, September 9, 2007 12:31 PM
 
I have used it many times on postwar F-3 Shells as well as GP-9 shells strips the shell of paint in a few hours.No damage to the paint but you must wash it with warm soapy water followed by a rinse to prepare the shell for painting.
 
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Sunday, September 9, 2007 2:56 PM

I have used Westley's bleach white and Castrol Superclean with good results. I always thought that it was the bleach that removed the paint, as Superclean is really just a form of bleach.

I came across a shell for a 44 tonner at an atique flea market today and remembered this thread. Good luck with your shell.

 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, September 9, 2007 3:33 PM
wish you would of gotten info from them on it . (how to reach them.)

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 218 posts
Posted by Boxcar Bill on Sunday, September 9, 2007 9:23 PM
I have used Scalecoat paint remover for many years. It will remove paint in about 15 min. and is safe on plastic. You can get it from W.K. Walthers. Part #640-10542
Factory Trained Lionel Service Tech.
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, September 9, 2007 9:32 PM
This has all been great info but have decieded to just sell the engine on ebay

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month