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Safest Paint Remover

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  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Texas
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Safest Paint Remover
Posted by C&O Fan on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 7:10 AM

I bought a Bachmann plastic loco in a gray and white UP paint scheme and would like to paint it 

flat black

What can i use to remove the paint or should i just give it several coats of Black

TIA

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

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Posted by GP-9_Man11786 on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 7:43 AM

I've found Bachmann paint to be very tough to remove. I always strip paint with denatured alcohol. You can get it in the paint department at Home Depot or lowes. It will strip Bachmann paint but it's a long, arduous process. You'll need to soak the model overnight, then work the paint with a toothbrush and then soak it some more And then lather, rinse repeat until the paint is gone.

I hope this helps.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.

www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com 

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Posted by cedarwoodron on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 7:47 AM

I have mentioned a product several times on the forum, which I have used to great effect on a variety of old/sort-of-old/ near-new shells and car bodies to remove paint. The item is "Super Clean" and it is available as a spray bottle or a larger 1-gallon container (same size bottle as anti-freeze). You can easily find it at Walmart in the automotive aisles and the cost is less than $10.00.

It is enviro-friendly and I use it in an ordinary household plastic container (such as empty Swifter floor cleaning pad containers) as a soak for removing paint. I suggest leaving the part or shell in it for 24 hrs, turning it over occasionally, then using a soft toothbrush to clean out corners and crevices. I don't immerse the part in the Super Clean- I use enough to soak one side (thus, turning it over periodically). This stuff removes grease as well, so I use it on old engine parts- gears, wheels, frames as well.

It is particularly useful where you are trying to remove paint from old styrene, where soaking in alcohol may accelerate drying and subsequent brittleness.

I am currently using it on a part that was primed, then painted a year ago- the basic plastic was showing again after only 6 hrs of soaking!

If not Walmart, then auto parts chain stores, such as Auto-Zone, Advanced Auto Parts, etc  or hardware stores may also carry it. The stuff is made by a company in Minnesota and distributed nationally.

As the old TV commercial used to say: "Try it! You'll like it!

Cedarwoodron

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Posted by galaxy on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 7:49 AM

If you use the alchol, I suggest trying the strongest denatured you can find.

The common 70% just doesn't do it as nicely. Search out for the stronger strength. Wally World use to have it, but not always in stock at my store.

As mentioned above, let soak at least overnight. Don't be impatient!

May take a couple of soakings and scrubbings {with an old toothbrush} in the nooks and crannies.

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

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Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 8:02 AM

Galaxy,

Denatured Alcohol used for Appliance Fuel and Marine stove Fuel is a lot different then the 70% or 91% you buy in the stores. Denatured Alcohol contains Methanol, which is Poison.

Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by hustle_muscle on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 5:50 PM

Another product you could try is the Scalecoat II Wash Away paint remover. I've never used it, but I have used 91% isopropal alcohol with good results on an Athearn Blue Box car. I'm not sure how it affects a Bachmann paint job though.

Check out my work here:

http://rmd-painting.weebly.com/

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  • From: Alabama
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Posted by cjcrescent on Thursday, June 12, 2014 4:22 PM

hustle_muscle

Another product you could try is the Scalecoat II Wash Away paint remover. I've never used it, but I have used 91% isopropal alcohol with good results on an Athearn Blue Box car. I'm not sure how it affects a Bachmann paint job though.

 

I too have to recommend the Scalecoat Wash Away. I've used just about every other type of paint remover on plastics that have ever been tried, and IMHO Wash Away is the best currently available. It will strip just about any paint that isn't lacquer based off a model without damaging the model. When I say that I've tried them all, I really have. I've been a custom painter for over 30 yrs and it is the best liquid remover that I've used.

What's better? A media blaster loaded with baking soda running at 35-40psi.

Carey

Keep it between the Rails

Alabama Central Homepage

Nara member #128

NMRA &SER Life member

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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Thursday, June 12, 2014 8:39 PM

The Super Clean and Scale Coat products work very well.  Additionally, 91% isopropyl alcohol (below) is also a decent option and works well on: Bachmann, AHM, Rivarossi, LL Proto 1000/2000, and Walthers shells. It's good that we have multiple choices.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by farrellaa on Friday, June 13, 2014 9:30 PM

Just to clarify a point; 70% and 91% are isopropyl alcohol; not the same as denatured alcohol. I use the 91% iso.

   -Bob

Life is what happens while you are making other plans!

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Posted by tin can on Sunday, June 22, 2014 8:24 PM

I am stripping five old AHM passenger cars; I bought a gallon of Super Clean at the local Walmart (for $7.00).  After dis-assembly, I dropped the first one in a shallow pan this morning, on its side, so about 1/2 of the car was immersed.  I just took a look..

Wow!  Most of the paint is gone;  couple of stubborn areas on the side, scrubbing with an old toothbrush cleaned up corners and crannies.  Flipped it, and put in another car.

Can't wait to what they look like tomorrow.

Remember the tin can; the MKT's central Texas branch...
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Posted by cedarwoodron on Monday, June 23, 2014 3:33 PM

Tin Can:

I always mention this stuff whenever someone posts about paint removal- there may be some instances where it doesn't work completely, due to the particular chemical formulation of a paint, but it will at least soften almost anything. I heard about this stuff years ago (early 2000s) and it may have had a different trade name back then, but this stuff is great- I always buy the large bottle- easy on your hands, and the wife can't complain about the smell or the mess, as it is biodegradeable.

Spread the word- it's economical, efficient and best of all- it really works!

(no, I don't own stock in the companyStick out tongue)

Cedarwoodron

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Posted by tin can on Monday, June 23, 2014 4:20 PM

cedar:

It works great!  Thanks for the tip. 

Remember the tin can; the MKT's central Texas branch...
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Posted by Run Eight on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 2:04 PM

Try "the Old Stand By", Automotive Hydraulic Brake Fluid, available at any auotmotive parts store.

Should peal the paint right off, after soaking in fluid for 12 hours.

Use a old tooth brush to clean up.

Make sure your wear rubber gloves, that the fluid will not melt. Surgical gloves will melt. A chemical reaction to the petroleum oil.

Follow-up with washing with dish washing detergent, such as 'Ducky Soap" (Dawn).

It's a lot cheaper than the commercial removers and goes a lot further.

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Posted by Capt. Grimek on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 2:36 PM
Alcohol less than 91% also, often contains non-labeled additives like lanolin which is a 'sheep wool oil"! I've seen a different level of paint adhesion between the two when hand brushing Model Master paints.

Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.

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Posted by CTValleyRR on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 7:07 PM

Capt. Grimek
Alcohol less than 91% also, often contains non-labeled additives like lanolin which is a 'sheep wool oil"! I've seen a different level of paint adhesion between the two when hand brushing Model Master paints.
 

Good point.  Something like lanolin -- pprobably added to keep the alcohol from drying skin too much -- would make it useless for painting.

Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford

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