removing paint

[Guest]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions

[Ian M]

IPA can also be bought in the local chemist shop. It may be labeled as rubbing alcohol though and is probably cheaper...


Hmm brake fluid...have to remember that next time I change the fluid in the cars!


Ian M

[zuludog]

Both brake fluid and sodium hydroxide/caustic soda/oven cleaner will strip paint without damaging the plastic, but beware, they are corrosive.


Soak, spray, or just slosh it on, then clean off with a soft toothbrush, and rinse with plenty of water


Dedicated paint strippers like Nitromors will strip the paint but are intended for use on car bodies or woodwork. I don't know, but my guess is they will damage the plastic


If I have used up a little tin of paint, or if it has dried up, I scrape out the worst then soak the tin in Nitromors, and clean it with a toothbrush. This takes it back to the steel, and the tin can be used for your own mixtures and so on


Nitromors is corrosive too, and gives off unpleasant fumes,so appropriate safety measures


I have used these on enamel paints. No doubt they would also work on acrylics but you could probably manage with something milder, as described above


Sodium hydroxide will attack white metal, but I don't know the effect of brake cleaner or Nitromors; nor of any of them on brass or resin

[Guest]

Got there before me Zulu. Some of the brake stuff is dangerous and there are cases which have had to be treated.


Best to remain with Vallejo airbrush cleaner or IPA. Both work perfectly and are not a health risk although drinking them is not advised. Talking here of removing acrylics.


I have an A4 card I use for practising on. The paint gets caked and is well cured. Occasionally I just get going with the IPA and in short time the card is cleared of paint. Just paint it on leave a few secs then rub the paint of with an IPA soaked rag or kitchen roll tissue.


Laurie

[zuludog]

Just remembered. Sodium hydroxide will also clean glass, and I expect Nitromors will too. That would include any small paint jars, and sheets of glass


My modelling board is the glass oven door off an old cooker. I also have a sheet of glass about 8" X 6" which I use for slicing decals with a scalpel, or to place small components on while the glue or paint dries


Most of the time I can clean them with a Stanley knife blade & a damp cloth. If they get too scruffy I take them into the garden and spray them with oven cleaner