Stripping paint

[joepinehill]

Since I've gotten into the hobby, I've tried different paint strippers. Recently I've been using my tin of carburetor cleaner. The cleaner has basket normally used for engine parts. I drop the Matchbox castings in the basket, let set a few days. The paint comes right off. Then a rinse with water, and final cleaning with a tooth brush. Last step i used is brass wire wheel on the motor tool .

I use the Gunk brand, Berryman's also has a product. I bought the tin originally to clean parts on my '78 Triumph Spitfire (left hand drive).


http://gunk.com/products/cat_det.asp

[RSSierra]

I use Caustic Soda, drain unblocker and hot water. Works in minutes and removes all paint. If you try it, you must go step by step, in the following order - castings in plastic container with plenty of height above casting level, cover with hot water and then add quantities of caustic soda until bubbling vigorously. Use gloves and goggles as highly alkaline and will burn skin, melt non die cast metal parts.

Once 5 mins has passed, take to a drain or area where you can run fresh water over the container to gradually get rid of the used soda and paint contaminated hot water, I use an outdoor drain and hose or indoor laundry sink depending on whether the Mrs is home or not, I generally Strip Dinky toys including hubs so put a fine gauze over the drain or plug hole prior to this step so I don't lose parts.

DO NOT under any circumstances put caustic soda in first and pour hot water on it. Result will be chemical explosion which won't be good for anything organic ( read human) in blast range.

My clean up is the same as yours tooth brush and then Dremel with wire wheel, bright shiny non contaminated castings every time.

I've tried many commercial strippers, brake fluid etc, prior to the above and won't go back.

For Stripping plastic and "glazing" of paint I use oven cleaner, which has limited adverse effects on the items stripped. You'll need to experiment with brands as the level of effectiveness / strength varies considerably, use old parts not critical at this point until you have a preferred option. Nothing worse than watching that unique to your collection part decomposing in front of your eyes.

Happy experimenting!

Cheers

Dave

[joepinehill]

I am in the middle of a makeover of the M1 Petrol Tanker. The paint on the upper simply will not strip off. I have tried my Carburetor Cleaner, NAPA Airplane aerosol stripper, old fashioned paint stripper.

My next step is to consider lye or caustic soda or sodium hydroxide by other names. I thought lye isnt compatible with zinc?

[misterpop]

B&Q own paint stripper will not harm some plastics.I say some as an Austin Cambridge I experimented with last week that went into a jar of it for 4 days came out clean as a whistle with intact windows BUT NO WHEELS just 4 spongy blobs......See this link for more plastic advice..



viewtopic.php?f=29&t=6528&start=40

[AJR]

Dettol strips paint very well and does not attack plastic.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Dettol strips paint very well and does not attack plastic.

DETTOL!! I use dettol on my flannel when washing my little private parts...no wonder I can not sit comfortably through soreness

Ghosty.

[TinTin]

Great thread especially for guys like me who have joined the hobby. You can always revert back to this as a reference point.