Brake fluid works on the thicker styrene bodies like AThearn BB and RTR, Railpower and Atlas (China). It is NOT compatible with ABS plastic as in Kato and Atlas/Kato and can cause cracking and even some disintegration. The cracks can usually be fixed with some ABS cements like ProWeld or Tenax. Styrene sements like Testors do not work as well with ABS.
My favorite strippers are the Scalecoat Washaway and Polyscale's Easy Lift Off (ELO). Both work well and are easy on the plastics.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
Boy, this is an old thread.
About 1 1/2 years ago I bought a bottle of Chameleon gel at the LHS, because they didn't have the liquid. I'm not impressed with it, it seems weaker than the what I had before, and you can't reclaim it. I guess the company and its owner have gone the way of the dodo.
I bought a bottle of Scalecoat Wash Away, but have yet to try it.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
PA&ERR rambo1:I just want to know what you wash the model with after you use brake fluid to strip the paint?rambo1.......... I've had good luck using "grease cutting" dish soap - much to the annoyance of my wife!-Kosmo
rambo1:
I just want to know what you wash the model with after you use brake fluid to strip the paint?rambo1..........
I've had good luck using "grease cutting" dish soap - much to the annoyance of my wife!
-Kosmo
After you get done with the good old fashioned "soap and water" technique scrub it down good using good old faxhioned cider vinegar; that'll get the good old fashioned "soap" off the model and then good old fashioned "water" will remove the good old fashioned vnegar residue off your model. Make sure you only handle the model with good old fashioned "rubber" gloves.
If your significant knows a good old fashioned "divorce attorney" I would avoid using vinegar in the house....................unless, of course, you are harboring secret desires for the good old fashioned "singles" lifestyle.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
Each of you got off easy, as the individual supposedly set me up to be a dealer but after I sent in the $675.00 for the first supply he disconnected his phone, changed his email account and after turning it over to the BBB in Greater MD they were unable to contact him but still have the case open and this was in July of 2011. Thank the man above you did not do what I did as a previous dealer of this product.
I had the same experience, then they told me I was too late in initiating my claim. very poor service.
Thanks. I'm a fan of Model Train Stuff, but I'm hoping to get the product--or my $49.00 back-- from the manufacturer.
Model Train Stuff (MB Klein) has it in stock.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=chameleon&Search.x=14&Search.y=15
Harold
I placed an order Nov. 30, and have neither received it nor had a response from e-mails or telephone calls. I initiated a dispute process through PayPal several days ago, but still haven't gotten a response.
PA&ERRI believe that Chameleon is superior to ordinary brake fluid for stripping paint, even off newer models, although it does seem to lose its effectiveness rather quickly. -Kosmo
I believe that Chameleon is superior to ordinary brake fluid for stripping paint, even off newer models, although it does seem to lose its effectiveness rather quickly.
I agree; Chameleon is superior to brake fluid, and I haven't found anything it won't strip yet. I kept the same bottle for years and kept straining and reusing it without any loss in effectiveness. It won't harm some plastics like brake fluid, either.
rambo1I just want to know what you wash the model with after you use brake fluid to strip the paint?rambo1..........
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
I've only placed (and recieved) one order from Chameleon and it got here within a week after I placed my order. Before that, I would buy it from my LHS.
(BTW I grew up in West Chester, BSHS Class of 73 )
Chameleon is very similar to ordinary automotive brake fluid and brake fluid seems to strip just about as well, especially with older paints. If the makers don't come through try the substitution. Neither one works that well on newer lacquer based paints in my experience.
Yes, I did, and used PayPal, thank goodness. I'll give it another week or so, then I think I'll have to pursue a remedy. Thanks for your comment.
My LHS owner told me a few months ago that they had some problems getting orders of Chameleon. I guess it's a cottage industry, but that's no excuse for leaving customers in the lurch. I assume you ordered from the website?
http://www.chameleonproductsonline.com/homepagewelcome.html
It's a shame, because they make an excellent product.
Has anyone else had problems with the supplier of this product (DPSG) - i placed an order and paid for it on 2nd July 2009. Haven't received the order, and can't get a reply from their phone or email?
If anyone has another lead for contacting them, I'd appreciate it.