Model Painting

[Iorkca]

I have a old tyco santa fe train and i want to strip the paint off of it. What kind off paint stripper can i use to remove the paint safely and is there any type of procedure on how to do this properly.

 

[Zman]

You're much better off just painting over the engine. Stripping paint usually only works with brass models. Any stripper strong enough to remove the paint will likely dissolve the plastic as well.

 

[Iorkca]

thanks i will then sand a little over some rough spots and then prime and re-paint. I am looking at repainting with the blue yellow santafe theme , any idea where i could get the decals for this engine

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

Soaking the shell in brake fluid will remove the paint.
I soak the shells for about 6 hours then scrub them with a toothbrush then soak them longer if all the paint didn't come off.
After you get all the paint off scrub the shell with warm water and dish washing soap.

 

[Iorkca]

and that doesn't hurt the plastic at all? That sounds interesting actually, i might have some brake fluid here.

 

[shaygetz]

Ray's brake fluid idea works well with most plastics. AHM uses a plastic that crazes somewhat when dipped in brake fluid. I myself use Pine-Sol pine oil cleaner on my equipment, the commercial lines of strippers being too expensive for me. BTW, it works very well removing the finish on chrome plated plastic parts for painting as well.

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

Yep, Pine-Sol works great too. Just don't leave the shell soak over night.
I stripped all the rivet detail off a Tyco shell that way.

 

[NYC-BKO]

Yes, you want to strip a Tyco, the paint is too thick on them and alot of detail is hidden. Use the brake fluid on them, that's what I did. I couldn't believe the detail that was under the paint!!

 

[Iorkca]

cool thanks guys, i will try that in the next fe days. Now about the decals anyone know where i can get some.

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

Try Microscale
http://www.microscale.com/
or Champ
http://www.minot.com/~champ/
Walthers also has a good selection
http://www.walthers.com/

 

[jim currie]

another vote for brake fluid just dont use the new DOT 5.

 

[Russ Bellinis]

The component in brake fluid that removes the paint is denatured alcohol. I like using Pine Sol myself, but if you want to use brake fluid, you are probably better off to go to Home Depot, Lowes, Orchard, etc. and buy a gallon of denatured alcohol. I use it to thin water based acrylic paints for air brushing as well.

 

[CN_Pete]

Ray suggested the best way of removing paint with brake fluid. Make sure you wash it throughly, to get it clean. I use a wooden toothpick to get those hard to reach places. The toothbrush usually removes most of the paint.

Peter

 

[Don]

Try Castrol super clean. A gallon runs about $6 or less. I used all of the above methods to strip an Ath 38-2 shell. While most paint came off, there was enuf left to spoil a recoat. I mixed the Castol 50-50 w/water & let it soak for an hr. Remaining pt. softened up & brushed right off leaving a clean surface ready for primer. NO harm done to the shell.

Don

 

[eightyeightfan1]

I've used brake fluid on Tyco as well as Bachmann. The paint seems to be real thick from these guys.
Now, with the thin coats used today, couple thin coats of primer does the trick.