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Author Topic: Paint removal from plastics  (Read 4970 times)

a3nige

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Paint removal from plastics
« on: May 08, 2007, 05:17:09 pm »

Hi all,
I have just bought a 2nd hand tug and the paintwork is not as good as I would like, also I want to change the colours. How can I remove the paint from the hull and superstructure without taking away the detail cast in the plastic.
As far as I know it is Halfords car paint on top of plastic primer, I know I could sand it back but I will loose too much detail and some of the pieces are a complex shape i.e. skylights, hinges and portholes.
Sorry if this has been covered before but I cannot find any info.
Thanks
Nige
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Shipmate60

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2007, 09:35:54 pm »

Does it need sanding down or could you paint over the original paintwork?

Bob
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Stavros

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2007, 11:38:35 pm »

Try your model shop there used to be a product called model strip which was designed for the removal of pain tfrom plastic models Stavros
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a3nige

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2007, 09:00:17 am »

Thanks, It cannot be sanded as the rivet detail will be lost. I will look out for some model strip.
Nige
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anmo

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2007, 09:07:04 am »

Try your model shop there used to be a product called model strip which was designed for the removal of pain tfrom plastic models Stavros

I usually take Paracetamol for that....

A plastic modeller friend assured me that ordinary car brake fluid will remove paint from any kind of plastic without doing any damage to the substrate, so repainting afterwards is no problem. He has a big container of the stuff, and leaves things soaking overnight. I've never tried this myself, so don't blame me if it doesn't work, or dissolves bits of your model.
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DickyD

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2007, 10:26:41 am »

For Model Strip:

http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=product&prodID=36247&catID=

Very reliable company.
No connection just satisfied customer on numerous occasions.

Richard ;)
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DavieTait

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2007, 11:12:47 am »

Brake fluid will work but only use DOT3 NOT DOT4. The DOT4 stuff melts plastic if left on for more than 20 minutes and you sometimes need to leave it on for an hour to loosen the paint. I use DOT3 for stripping acrylic pant off wargames figures but if its enamel paint then spray it with Mr Muscle oven cleaner... takes enamel pant right off without damaging the plastic.
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anmo

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2007, 11:26:37 am »

... takes enamel pant right off.....

I know that some women play a bit 'hard to get', but I've never encountered that level of protection.

Oh, and thanks for the advice on the correct type of brake fluid to use. I suspected when I passed on the original tip, that there might be more than one type of fluid around, so would you say that the DOT3 stuff is safe with all plastics?
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DavieTait

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #8 on: May 09, 2007, 11:46:56 am »

The DOT 3 stuff i've used is ok for even small detail plastic parts ( 28mm scale wargames figures have details fractions of a mm high and it doesn't damage that ). Paint it onto the hull and leave for no more than 40-50 minutes then wash the hull with warm water / washing up liquid mix using a sponge type scrubber. You would probably have to repeat this a few times to get the paint off but will work. For small plastic components If they are not on the model put them in a glass jar and cover with brake fluid ( put the lid on ) and leave for 4-5 hours before cleaning. I reuse the brake fluid by filtering the paint out ( a small mesh kitchen seive lined with 4 sheets of kitchen roll paper - cheaper the better you don't want it to absord too much brake fluid ).

ALWAYS wear marigold gloves and wear eye protection as brake fluid is not nice stuff on the skin and NEVER have a naked flame anywhere near it as it is far more flamable than petrol !!
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Davie Tait,
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DavieTait

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #9 on: May 09, 2007, 11:48:33 am »

As in all things try the cleaning fluid on a scrap piece of plastic FIRST to make sure it doesn't damage it
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Davie Tait,
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a3nige

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #10 on: May 09, 2007, 03:40:44 pm »

How about fibreglass? same method?

If it helps the boat is a Caldercraft tug Imara.

Nige
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DavieTait

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #11 on: May 09, 2007, 04:45:56 pm »

It should work on GRP/Fibreglass Nige as it works on the paint not the hull itself. Regardless of the agent you use to strip the paint off remember to wash the cleaned hull carefully making sure to rinse all the soapy water off completly so your undercoat paint gets a good bond.
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Davie Tait,
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a3nige

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #12 on: May 09, 2007, 06:49:03 pm »

Thanks for your replies, I will try these in a few days after I see how much money I have left after Harrogate.  ;D
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rats

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #13 on: May 12, 2007, 02:11:36 pm »

http://www.bonediggers.com/1-3/strip/strip.html

   plenty of information here
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a3nige

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Re: Paint removal from plastics
« Reply #14 on: May 12, 2007, 07:46:37 pm »

That Castrol super clean sounds like the dogs kahooners  ;D ;D ;D
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