Excellent Paint Stripper Tip

[Anonymous]

If you enjoy the painting and decaling aspect of the hobby you know how difficult it can be to strip the paint (or at least take the lettering) off a model to prepare it for the airbrush. A NASCAR modeler turned me on to using Castrol Super Clean to strip the paint from his models. Castrol Super Clean comes in a big purple squirt bottle for about $15 at Walmart. I have had excellent results with it. I use a Ziplock brand plastic container with a lid and latex gloves. Squirt some Super Clean on the car and allow it to sit for awhile with the lid on. Repeated applications are some times required. It has always taken the silk screen lettering off a factory decorated car and in most cases it will take the paint off as well. Wa***he shell in warm soapy water with an old toothbrush while wearing your gloves. Eye protection in the form of plastic goggles would not be a bad idea during the washing / rinsing stage. Always think safety! I have never had a car damaged in any way from the stuff. I have stripped over 10 cars and still have over half a bottle remaining. -Jack.

[nfmisso]

Hi Jack;

What does it do to Kato models? They are famous (or is that infamous) for having the plastic dissolve (or at least be severely damaged) with no affect on the paint..

[Anonymous]

Nigel, I had stripped a set of three Kato Covered Hoppers in NKP black and it took the white lettering off with no damage to the plastic or the black paint. I'm really impressed with this stuff. Previously I had soaked car and locomotive shells with lye or brake fluid. Both will weaken the plastic with the heat generated and they are both very nasty to work with. The Super Clean only requires a couple of sprayings and does not get hot and it does not attack the plastic. Thanks for your question Nigel! -Jack.

[Morpar]

And as a bonus Super Clean is an EXCELLENT degreaser. In the garage I used to rent, there was a spot of dirty, nasty, sticky oil from an Olds diesel engine that had been there for at least 5 years that we could not get off the floor. The Super Clean took it off with only 2 soak & scrub sessions. I routinely keep it on hand to clean up from cars "marking their territory" as a Harley owner friend of mine puts it. I would imagine that it would also remove solder flux and other nasty stuff before painting.

[Supermicha]

I use isopropylalcohol for stripping. it is cheap (1 liter for approx 10 dollars) and removes all kind of paint. i just stripped an old bachmann e60, the paint washes down by itself after 10 minutes. very cool, and absolutely no shell dammage

[AntonioFP45]

Thanks Jack (Wahooss238)
[8D]
I'm currently using the alcohol method but I like trying new things as this is how we learn and grow. I'm going to purchase the Super Clean since Wal-Mart is a 5 minute walk from where I live. I'll give it a whirl as I'm going to be repainting some more Rivorossi H.O passenger cars to a stainless steel finish using the "Alclad" method. It may be a while, but I'll post the results. (see June 2003 Model Railroader)

[C):-)]Tip: For those of you that prefer alcohol, READ THE BOTTLE before purchasing. Most Isopropyl alcohol bottles read 70%. If you search your drug store's shelf a little more, you should find 90% Isopropyl alcohol which will do a better job. I found 90% alcohol at Walgreens. Hope this helps![:D]

[Anonymous]

Here's another one: Oven cleaner! Shake it up and spray it onto the shell and leave it for 5 minutes or maybe depending upon the stregth of the paint, half an hour. With and old toothbrush, rub the paint off under running water.

[Anonymous]

cool.