This thread is related to the decal removal thread I posted as it deals with the same caboose. How do I strip the paint that I used on the caboose? The paint is Polly Scale and was sealed with Testors Glosscoat.
Paint Removal
- Thread starter TomPM
- Start date
Brake fluid is a good paint stripper on most plastics, however, try a small area first, perhaps inside, to see if it attacks the plastic. I have never had this happen. I submerge the entire thing and let it work, then wash with water and soap, dry completely and then repaint. Hope this helps. 
For most plastics I use Polyscale ELO "Easy Lift Off" paint remover. A lot of people have had good luck removing waterbased paints with Alcohol. For brass I use PineSol.
Dan
Dan
Hi Tom, Consider this.....Since Polly Scale paint goes on so thin you may just be able to re-prime and re-paint with out any loss of detail at all. Might be worth a try.
Dan & Micheal.......About the Pinesol......do you dilute it or use it straight......I use lacquer thinner to strip brass. Sounds like the Pinesol might be less "offensive"
Dan & Micheal.......About the Pinesol......do you dilute it or use it straight......I use lacquer thinner to strip brass. Sounds like the Pinesol might be less "offensive"
Everyone thanks for the suggestions.
Vic I thought about just repainting. The problem is that this was my first attempt at airbrushing and I did a lousy job. There are several areas where there are big ugly run marks and I am not sure how well I can cover them up.
Vic I thought about just repainting. The problem is that this was my first attempt at airbrushing and I did a lousy job. There are several areas where there are big ugly run marks and I am not sure how well I can cover them up.
Hi Tom, Yep stripping the car would be the best way..those runs are hard to cover up. I want to try the Pinesol thing.
I use the Pinesol straight, Only wear latex gloves when scrubbing with the toothbrush as Pinesol is real had on the skin.
Dan
Dan
Well I dug through the garage tonight and found some brake fluid. I put that ugly caboose in there before basketball tonight. When I came home afterwards I found it ready to strip. Took a toothbrush to it and ten minutes later the paint was gone. There was no damage to the plastic either.
Now I am going to try it on a couple of cars that some guy sold me as undecorated. They were not. He spray painted them black and called them undecorated.
Now I am going to try it on a couple of cars that some guy sold me as undecorated. They were not. He spray painted them black and called them undecorated.
Hi Gang,
I have been doing alot of paint removal lately and asked around for what to use before I started and ruined something. Several people said use laundry detergent and water. I tried this first with a postwar Lionel tank car I am restoring for a customer. After about 15 minutes, the silver paint wiped off for the most part. The phosphorus in the detergent is the stripping agent. I am also stripping some vintage Plasticville that the laundry suds wouldn't cut through, in TSP. This cleaner is used for cleaning walls and cabinets before painting. Either of these is easier and cheaper than any commercial paint stripper you can buy. Steve
I have been doing alot of paint removal lately and asked around for what to use before I started and ruined something. Several people said use laundry detergent and water. I tried this first with a postwar Lionel tank car I am restoring for a customer. After about 15 minutes, the silver paint wiped off for the most part. The phosphorus in the detergent is the stripping agent. I am also stripping some vintage Plasticville that the laundry suds wouldn't cut through, in TSP. This cleaner is used for cleaning walls and cabinets before painting. Either of these is easier and cheaper than any commercial paint stripper you can buy. Steve