QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Stripping a metal locomotive
Q.
I have two diecast metal engines I want to strip and paint.
What’s the better approach, alcohol or a soda blaster? My
concern is the alcohol reacting with the zinc, and causing
damage to the loco body.
– Retired Alex
A.
We’re talking about diecast metal [1] here. Think Bowser,
Hobbytown, Cary or old Penn-Line models. This answer may
not help with brass or plastic models. Some techniques that
work perfectly well on cast metal will damage brass or plastic.
You have been warned.
Ken Rickman:
“I’ve never heard of alcohol reacting with metal.
It’s a pretty innocuous paint stripper, so that’s what I’d use. A
soda blaster is nice for stubborn bits of paint which don’t want
Questions, Answers & Tips - 1
MRH-Sep 2014
