to come off any other way, but I’d hate to try to use one to strip
a complete model.”
Doug M. agrees:
“I’ve always had success with alcohol. It has
taken paint off of some GHQ white metal vehicles before. Both
of those had thin coats of paint on them to start with. Let it
soak overnight and then start scrubbing the paint with an old
toothbrush. Once you break into the paint, the alcohol will
penetrate better and it will be easier to strip. I use 91% isopro-
pyl from the drug store. It seems to work best as far as all the
concentrations go.
Ghost Train:
“Of course, it all depends what type of paint (and
primer if any) was originally used on the item. When in doubt
test your method on a small area not normally seen.”
Doug M. and Glen Wasson:
“Other household items will also
strip paint. Windex, Castrol Super Clean and sometimes Simple
Green may also work.”
1
1. Rejuvenate an old engine like this metal
Hobbytown Alco by stripping it with household items
and repainting it.
Questions, Answers & Tips - 2
Tim Warris of Fast Tracks:
“My go-to paint stripper has always
been Easy Off oven cleaner. Use the full strength stuff. Soak the
body thoroughly and let it sit in the sink for 20 to 30 minutes.
Clean the paint off with a toothbrush. Works great and doesn’t
harm plastic.”
Easy Off requires more attention than alcohol. “I didn’t sug-
gest Easy Off, since the OP asked about alcohol, but that would
be my first choice as well,” Ken Rickman said. “It is somewhat
more reactive than alcohol, so some testing and care would
likely be in order. I find alcohol to be quite safe.”
Ralph, who goes by CN6401, added another caution:
“There
are two types of Easy Off, one that gets sprayed on the oven
and the oven turned on – it’s very corrosive and the gas is
dangerous.”
The other works on a cold oven. The fume-free version is cur-
rently sold in a blue container. So read the instructions to avoid
buying a can of the wrong stuff.
“The second type is the one that works for modeling. This type
is sprayed on, let sit and then wiped off. It works the same way
with models. It’s less corrosive but it still gives off gases, so
don’t lean directly over the model while you’re scrubbing with
that toothbrush,” Ralph said. “I suggest you wear latex gloves
when handling the model. It washes off with water.” Open a
window and run an exhaust fan to get some ventilation.
With these suggestions, Retired Alex ran his own tests
. “I took
leftover parts and sprayed one with oven cleaner and soaked
the other in a container of alcohol. Both worked without doing
any damage to the diecast, which was my main concern.”
MRH-Sep 2014
