I know people like to use Windex and Dot4 brake fluid to remove paint off locomotives
Any idea what is safe on styrene?
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
91% rubbing alcohol comes to mind. It's what I use.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Possibly soaking in Simple Green alkali cleaner[used full strength]would work....papasmurf
I second the 91% rubbing alcohol suggestion. Let it soak overnight, then brush off the old paint with an old toothbrush or a cheap 2" or so paintbrush.
Actually, I just remembered that some manufacturers' plastics are more sensitive to certain solvents than others. If I recall correctly, Kato plastic loco shells in particular will turn to mush if you let them soak in brake fluid. I've personally never stripped a Kato shell, so I've only heard this second hand. I think the alcohol would be pretty safe on any plastic, though. Before you try it for real, you might want to try it on a test piece first. I can tell you I've used 91% alcohol with Bachmann and Athearn plastic with no ill effects.
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
I have used both DOT brake fluid and 91% rubbing alcohol. The brake fluid works well, but does not do as good a job as the 91% rubbing alcohol. Brake fluid also presents a post stripping clean-up problem that alcohol does not have; it is also more toxic than alcohol. These days I am using the alcohol. Note that 70% will not work, it had too high a water content to strip paint.
With eitter material, wear nitrile gloves; either material will soak through latex.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Oven cleaner works great but its nasty stuff
Modeling the C&NW in northcentral Wisconsin, late summer 1976