paint stripper dd40 destroyed

[Budliner]

I was taking the paint off
and the next day the train was in broken pieces
looked like it exploded but I think the older loco just became brittle
just wondering has this happened to anyone ?

SOB

[areibel]

What were you using to strip with? I've had brake fluid attack plastic, and I've heard Pine Sol can do the same.

[Budliner]

I used polly s easy lift off


whaaa

[Anonymous]

Was it a Bachmann DDA40X or an Athearn DD40?

[dragonriversteel]

Uhhhhhh paint stripper........thats one loco for the scraper's torch.

Patrick

[Budliner]

Athearn DD40

[Anonymous]

I nearly had that happen to me with a BQ23-7. Fortunately, I caught it in time. A small piece broke off, but is reglueable.


Matt

[AntonioFP45]

Budliner,

I'm sorry this happened to you.

Wow, this is really unusual! The old Athearn BB shells could withstand quite a bit of punishment. Soaking in 91% Alcohol or the old "brake fluid" method usually works quite well with BB loco shells. The product you used is also supposed to be safe for most model railroad plastics.

You may be correct in that your shell became brittle. I'm assuming that you're the 2nd or 3rd owner so I wonder if perhaps the previous owner(s) let the unit spend a lot of time by a window with sunlight hitting it or if it was stored outside of its box in a very hot attic. Conditions like these will cause even the thicker plastics to dry rot and become brittle.

[Budliner]

I think you are correct
I was thinking maby amorall to try and save the plastic

K

[AntonioFP45]

Buliner,

Just a thought........

Since your chassis is likely still in good shape, have you considered keeping any eye out for a Bachmann DDA40X on ebay? The drive isn't great, however, the body is reasonably accurate, (though the UP color is too orange). You could re-motor your Athearn DD40 chassis and, with some work, adapt a Bachmann body to it..

[GN-Rick]

Antonio, one small thing, I tried this years ago.The DDA40X is a longer locomotive
than the DD40. Therefore, a direct frame swap won't work. A possibility might be
utilizing the Athearn trucks and running gear and custom building an underframe.
I, however, have never heard of an Athearn BB shell self-destructing in this manner.
I even got away with using nail-polish remover as a stripping agent in years gone
by with no ill effects. Almost unbelieveable, since polish remover is mostly acetone,
which will attack most plastics. The theory of UV weakening or simple age sound
plausible, though.

[Budliner]

The DDA40X

[PennsyHoosier]

I use Pinesol for stripping. No problems yet.

[areibel]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Budliner

I think you are correct
I was thinking maby amorall to try and save the plastic


K

Armor All contains alcohol, so it might add to the problem- and if you ever want to paint it after Armor All, lotsa luck!

[AntonioFP45]

GN-Rick,

Thanks for that information about the DDA40X being longer.

[dinwitty]

you will have to find a non petroleum based stripper.

The alternative... just paint over the old paint.
check out Athearn parts as they did sell shells for their stuff.

[Anonymous]

I would just order a new shell from Athearn... The DD40 shell is available as a spare part. It ain't cheap though... 15 bucks. [xx(]

I did just receive some spare parts I ordered direct from Athearn though... Aside from the fact that it took 6 weeks (which they said would take that long on their website), it did go surprisingly smoothly. I ordered several undecorated GP38-2 shells, plus details for repairing an AMD103 that suffered small-children damage, plus a whole crapload of Blomberg-B sideframes. All came neatly packed and shipped, all the stuff I paid for (which I did using a personal check).

I started out wanting only to order the details to repair the AMD103... But then I thought, if I'm going to wait that long to receive a $5 part, might as well piggyback more stuff into the order so I won't have to repeat the long-winded process in the future. Which is why I thought ahead and ordered the crapload of Geep shells and Blomberg B sideframes too.

[Soo Line fan]

Budliner,
One idea would be to lengthen the Athearn frame with some brass stock so it will fit under the DDA40X. It would be a lot more work to build a frame. Here is a link to building a frame from scratch out of brass. http://2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pa=showpage/pid=23.html

Hope this helps.
Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Budliner

I think you are correct
I was thinking maby amorall to try and save the plastic


K

Noooooooooooooooooo![:0]
Armor-All has no place on a model railroad or on the equiptment!
For that matter, It should not be used on a car except for the tires.
In all my years in the car biz, I have seen the worst cases of dashpads peeling and trim decomposing on cars that get frequent Armor -ALL

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LongIslandTom

I would just order a new shell from Athearn... The DD40 shell is available as a spare part. It ain't cheap though... 15 bucks. [xx(]

Or, keep an eye out on eBay. Shells are frequent subjects of auction.


Matt

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kbfcsme

QUOTE: Originally posted by Budliner

I think you are correct
I was thinking maby amorall to try and save the plastic


K

Noooooooooooooooooo![:0]
Armor-All has no place on a model railroad or on the equiptment!
For that matter, It should not be used on a car except for the tires.
In all my years in the car biz, I have seen the worst cases of dashpads peeling and trim decomposing on cars that get frequent Armor -ALL

Not on a model railroad or on cars at all! I work at a Cadillac dealership and everyone HATES it when there's armor-all on the tires. If it gets on you when you brush against the car good luck getting it off. Not to mention it never comes off the tires either! We eventually stopped using armor-all and tire dresing altogether as it was just to much of a hassle. Only good for getting grease spots out, from my experience.

Sorry, got a little OT[:I], bottom line, DON'T USE ARMOR ALL![B)]

[Morpar]

If you want a replacement, undecorated Athearn DD40 shell, try Hawkin's Rail Service [phone] in Lafayette, IN. Last time I was in there, Jack had quite a few of the shells, and they were under $10 if memory serves. He had a lot of other parts for these locos too. Good luck!

[Budliner]

awsome idea's I like all of them
ok I was under the impreshion amor-all can repleni***he plastic
to bring the plasic back
after it can be cleaned off with dish washing soap
antonio thats a good idea to repower its a nice set of trucks on the locomotive
the motor is the weak link
I love that brass home made 2 guys thanks soo line
now thats a project


ken