Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Paint Removal

3559 views
11 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Paint Removal
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 25, 2003 12:32 PM
I'm attempting to paint an old Tyco Diesel known as "Golden Eagle" (what it really is I haven't a clue - looks like a GP30, with high, flat nose and 13 stantions on long side, 6 wheel trucks, 1 set powered) in my own RR colors. But I must first remove the Gold paint as supplied. It may even have been cold plated on (Yes, cold plated Gold!). I've tried Automotive Brake Fluid but that took the gold sheen off and left a Silver coating.
Any other suggestions that wont effect the plastic and the details there-on?

help![?][:)]

Steamer
Calgary,Alberta
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Paint Removal
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 25, 2003 12:32 PM
I'm attempting to paint an old Tyco Diesel known as "Golden Eagle" (what it really is I haven't a clue - looks like a GP30, with high, flat nose and 13 stantions on long side, 6 wheel trucks, 1 set powered) in my own RR colors. But I must first remove the Gold paint as supplied. It may even have been cold plated on (Yes, cold plated Gold!). I've tried Automotive Brake Fluid but that took the gold sheen off and left a Silver coating.
Any other suggestions that wont effect the plastic and the details there-on?

help![?][:)]

Steamer
Calgary,Alberta
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 25, 2003 1:52 PM
Lifelike products recommends 91% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol on their products.
Cheap enough, .91 cents. Try it.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 25, 2003 1:52 PM
Lifelike products recommends 91% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol on their products.
Cheap enough, .91 cents. Try it.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 25, 2003 10:46 PM
I heard that 401 cleaner will also work. I would try it on a cheap shell first to kind of get feel for it. Another stripper is brake fluid, I've used this with great success. Follow with and alcohol bath then soap and water.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 25, 2003 10:46 PM
I heard that 401 cleaner will also work. I would try it on a cheap shell first to kind of get feel for it. Another stripper is brake fluid, I've used this with great success. Follow with and alcohol bath then soap and water.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia
  • 825 posts
Posted by BentnoseWillie on Monday, July 28, 2003 9:09 AM
Start with 91% (or higher) isopropyl acohol. Failing that, go to regular Pine-Sol. I think that Pine-Sol worked on my last Tyco shell, but it was a while ago so I'm not certain.

By the way, your engine is a Tyco C630.
B-Dubya -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside every GE is an Alco trying to get out...apparently, through the exhaust stack!
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia
  • 825 posts
Posted by BentnoseWillie on Monday, July 28, 2003 9:09 AM
Start with 91% (or higher) isopropyl acohol. Failing that, go to regular Pine-Sol. I think that Pine-Sol worked on my last Tyco shell, but it was a while ago so I'm not certain.

By the way, your engine is a Tyco C630.
B-Dubya -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inside every GE is an Alco trying to get out...apparently, through the exhaust stack!
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,261 posts
Posted by emdgp92 on Monday, July 28, 2003 9:13 AM
Easy-Off oven cleaner works well for stripping paint from plastic parts. I've used it for years on 1/24 model cars with good results.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,261 posts
Posted by emdgp92 on Monday, July 28, 2003 9:13 AM
Easy-Off oven cleaner works well for stripping paint from plastic parts. I've used it for years on 1/24 model cars with good results.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 1:29 PM
Thanks to each and everyone who responded, and forgive me for not responding sooner as I have been painting, lettering, golfing, travelling, keeping wife happy, etc.
I didn't get the base, silver coat off as I didn't wait for all the suggestions, but went ahead and painted the whole engine with 2 coats of water based red primer. With 2 coats of CP Tucson Red and 2 coats of CP Grey she looks just fine (all brushed on & water based). It looks good.
Thanks to "locomotive3" for 91% Isoprop Alchy idea; "emeraldisle" for 401 idea; "emdgp92" for Easy-Off idea; and "BentnoseWillie" for PineSol Idea and again the 91% Alcohol idea ( although I have trouble painting after the latter).

Also thanks to "BentnoseWillie" my diesel now has a name. Funny thing, when I read the footnotes on my CP paint scheme plan, this was the identity I was using for the colors. However it stated That CP's MLW made units had low noses and even sugested to make a CP unit, replace the cab and nose on the Tyco C630 from a Tyco C430 -- Which I also just happen to have as a derelic CN body shell. However, I'm going to leave well enough alone and be satisfied with my High Nose C630 as my unit will have CP colors but raod name YAHOO MODEL RAILWAY (or YMR for short) and astory line that it was a first run ALCO unit given to CP for Demo Trials and sold cheep to the YMR when CP retired their Fleet of C630 as this was an odd one!!!

Thanks again Guys
[:)]
Steamer
Calgary
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 1:29 PM
Thanks to each and everyone who responded, and forgive me for not responding sooner as I have been painting, lettering, golfing, travelling, keeping wife happy, etc.
I didn't get the base, silver coat off as I didn't wait for all the suggestions, but went ahead and painted the whole engine with 2 coats of water based red primer. With 2 coats of CP Tucson Red and 2 coats of CP Grey she looks just fine (all brushed on & water based). It looks good.
Thanks to "locomotive3" for 91% Isoprop Alchy idea; "emeraldisle" for 401 idea; "emdgp92" for Easy-Off idea; and "BentnoseWillie" for PineSol Idea and again the 91% Alcohol idea ( although I have trouble painting after the latter).

Also thanks to "BentnoseWillie" my diesel now has a name. Funny thing, when I read the footnotes on my CP paint scheme plan, this was the identity I was using for the colors. However it stated That CP's MLW made units had low noses and even sugested to make a CP unit, replace the cab and nose on the Tyco C630 from a Tyco C430 -- Which I also just happen to have as a derelic CN body shell. However, I'm going to leave well enough alone and be satisfied with my High Nose C630 as my unit will have CP colors but raod name YAHOO MODEL RAILWAY (or YMR for short) and astory line that it was a first run ALCO unit given to CP for Demo Trials and sold cheep to the YMR when CP retired their Fleet of C630 as this was an odd one!!!

Thanks again Guys
[:)]
Steamer
Calgary
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: US
  • 506 posts
Posted by snowey on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 11:40 PM
I've had succes using Chamelon paint remover.
"I have a message...Lt. Col....Henry Blakes plane...was shot down...over the Sea Of Japan...it spun in...there were no survivors".
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: US
  • 506 posts
Posted by snowey on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 11:40 PM
I've had succes using Chamelon paint remover.
"I have a message...Lt. Col....Henry Blakes plane...was shot down...over the Sea Of Japan...it spun in...there were no survivors".
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 14, 2003 12:13 AM
its so funny you are asking to find what takes paint off...since most of us try and keep the paint on our models and struggle to find things that will clean them without taking off the finish. So use everything, but those things listen on here that wont get paint off...lol
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 14, 2003 12:13 AM
its so funny you are asking to find what takes paint off...since most of us try and keep the paint on our models and struggle to find things that will clean them without taking off the finish. So use everything, but those things listen on here that wont get paint off...lol
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: US Texas
  • 12 posts
Posted by johntanz on Thursday, October 23, 2003 5:50 PM
I just tried a product from Home Depot called "OOPS!, Painter's Wipes". It is real cheap and all you do is wipe the car and the paint just comes off. Afterwards I washed the car with soap and water and let it dry. I've done this to several Con-Cor & Rivarossi passenger cars with no ill effects. All of these cars have been repainted and decaled. It certainly was a heck of a lot cheaper than using the commercially available paint removal chemicals in the local hobby shops.

John
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: US Texas
  • 12 posts
Posted by johntanz on Thursday, October 23, 2003 5:50 PM
I just tried a product from Home Depot called "OOPS!, Painter's Wipes". It is real cheap and all you do is wipe the car and the paint just comes off. Afterwards I washed the car with soap and water and let it dry. I've done this to several Con-Cor & Rivarossi passenger cars with no ill effects. All of these cars have been repainted and decaled. It certainly was a heck of a lot cheaper than using the commercially available paint removal chemicals in the local hobby shops.

John
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 23, 2003 8:12 PM
There are so many types of paint removal that which ever one works I would use .I use ELO and brake fluid.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 23, 2003 8:12 PM
There are so many types of paint removal that which ever one works I would use .I use ELO and brake fluid.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 24, 2003 4:51 PM
Krod,

Occasionally one must remove or destroy to rebuild better or more to liking or wants. I just picked up a nice cupola caboose, the base color is correct but the heralds are not the road name I model so I will remove the herald and replace it with new paint and decals. Just like a prototype does when it acquires equiptment.

I keep a few scrapped kits around on the bench just for purpose of testing to learn what works before applying the method to a hard-to-find-will-never-be-made-again discontinued-and-never-will-be-seen-anywhere-in-my-life-time model that I spend a year or two trying to acquire.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 24, 2003 4:51 PM
Krod,

Occasionally one must remove or destroy to rebuild better or more to liking or wants. I just picked up a nice cupola caboose, the base color is correct but the heralds are not the road name I model so I will remove the herald and replace it with new paint and decals. Just like a prototype does when it acquires equiptment.

I keep a few scrapped kits around on the bench just for purpose of testing to learn what works before applying the method to a hard-to-find-will-never-be-made-again discontinued-and-never-will-be-seen-anywhere-in-my-life-time model that I spend a year or two trying to acquire.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Beautiful BC
  • 897 posts
Posted by krump on Saturday, October 25, 2003 3:05 PM
I'm repainting all of the duplicates that I've somehow gathered over the years - they are typically found in starter sets across the country. These will now become the roadname stock for my railroad... thanks for all the paint removal tips.

cheers, krump

 "TRAIN up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" ... Proverbs 22:6

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Beautiful BC
  • 897 posts
Posted by krump on Saturday, October 25, 2003 3:05 PM
I'm repainting all of the duplicates that I've somehow gathered over the years - they are typically found in starter sets across the country. These will now become the roadname stock for my railroad... thanks for all the paint removal tips.

cheers, krump

 "TRAIN up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" ... Proverbs 22:6

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!