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Removing paint from shells

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 50 posts
Removing paint from shells
Posted by lsi3009 on Sunday, November 8, 2015 11:04 AM

im looking for ideas to remove paint for shells, was using rubbing alcohol 91% and seemed to work on the past two locomotives ,went to strip a locomotive   that was air brushed and I'm having a tuff time getting the paint to come off, been sitting for days in it and some came off but still not working like u think it would , what else out there works better and lot easy 

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 399 posts
Posted by sandusky on Sunday, November 8, 2015 11:36 AM

Pine sol, or Testor's Easy-lift-off.

I now avoid brake fluid for it's toxicity, and Chameleon stripper seems to be unavailable.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 50 posts
Posted by lsi3009 on Sunday, November 8, 2015 12:27 PM

I use to use brake fliud but so messy even with gloves on, might go back to it

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: IN/USA
  • 2,495 posts
Posted by wetidlerjr on Sunday, November 8, 2015 12:33 PM

Bill Tidler Jr.

Near a cornfield in Indiana...

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Sunday, November 8, 2015 1:10 PM

lsi3009
that was air brushed and I'm having a tuff time getting the paint to come off, been sitting for days

Do yuo have any idea what brand /  kind of paint was used?

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 50 posts
Posted by lsi3009 on Sunday, November 8, 2015 1:37 PM

Yup I used Polly scale on the locomotive back then, know I'm re doing it. 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Sunday, November 8, 2015 1:53 PM

 

If denatured alcohol doesn’t work the paint isn’t coming off!  Best and easiest paint stripper I’ve ever used!
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Sunday, November 8, 2015 3:41 PM

I had some success with a Scalecoat product called Wash Away which is safe for plastics if used according to instructions.  Since it was made by the now gone Weaver I have no idea if the product is available now.  

The Pine Sol idea might have virtue.  

I have not tried the Goof Off product which works on latex paints but I have not tried it on plastic surfaces.  

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Tampa, Florida
  • 1,481 posts
Posted by cedarwoodron on Sunday, November 8, 2015 3:42 PM

Two words, when 91 alcohol does not work: Super Clean! Get the large container, at Walmart in the automotive aisles.

I have learned to use discarded plastic containers, such as Swifter cleaning pad boxes- ones with a cover- with this product. It is bio- friendly and I use dish detergent to clean both model and container when done.

Cedarwoodron

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