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Paint stripping questions

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  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 333 posts
Paint stripping questions
Posted by jcopilot on Saturday, March 16, 2019 8:18 PM

I managed to paint several pieces of Walthers buildings the wrong color so I bought Super Clean.  It didn't work as well as I thought it would.  But I wasn't sure how long I should/could leave the pieces in the stripper.  Some pieces I left in for over an hour.  Some others I left in overnight.  There's still paint on all the pieces.

Some pieces were painted with Rustoleum Painters Touch 2X and others were painted with Tamiya spray paint.  Neither paint came off completely.

I've also tried 91% alcohol with similar results.

So, how long can I leave building part pieces in Super Clean or 91% alcohol safely?

Another question is - how can I dispose of dirty Super Clean?  I don't want to pour it down my drain, I'm on septic and well water.

Thanks for your help,

Jeff

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 1,835 posts
Posted by bearman on Saturday, March 16, 2019 8:27 PM

Super clean should work over the course of a day or two, although you might have to take a used toothbrush to the pieces to remove the residual paint.  Use hand protection.  super clean is also biodegradable, or so the container says, so sending it to your septic tank should not be a problem, but you might want to check with the super clean folks first.  There is a contact number on their web site.

Bear "It's all about having fun."

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, March 16, 2019 8:30 PM

I strain it through paper towels, and reuse.  Maybe I'll try coffee filters the next time, but you only need to get the big stuff out.

Mike.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, March 16, 2019 8:40 PM

mbinsewi
I strain it through paper towels, and reuse.  Maybe I'll try coffee filters the next time, but you only need to get the big stuff out.

Same here. I let the soaking tray sit for a while so the solids sink to the bottom, then carefully decant it through an old fine-screen strainer into a container (empty-rinsed-relabeled laundry detergent jug) and carefully pour it through the strainer until just the last ounce or two of the dirtiest stuff is left.

I reuse the old stuff and add new as needed. You can take the nastiest stuff and let it sit in an empty tuna can or something until the liquid evaporates then toss it with your regular trash. Last fall I strained the SuperClean and diluted it, then used it for "non-critical" cleaning chores such as the litter box, garbage pails, garage floor and such. 

I don't think it is any worse than lots of the other cleaning agents I dump into my septic tank, even shampoo adds up over time. Eventually the gray water dilutes everything in the septic tank.

I've left some stubborn painted models in the SuperClean for five days or so with no ill effects on the plastic.

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 333 posts
Posted by jcopilot on Monday, March 18, 2019 8:53 AM
So, plastic parts should be safe in Super Clean for a day or two, how about 91% alcohol? How long is safe for that? Since people write about straining Super Clean and keeping the used liquid, I guess Super Clean doesn't lose its strength after being used? Thanks for the help, Jeff
If it's worth doing, it's worth doing twice.

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