discussion removing paint

[Guest]

Hello all,


During my learning process with airbrushes I 'ruined' a few models.


There anyway to remove paint from a model?


I'm not talking about a small area I'm talking about a body of a 1/72 tank or something similar.


Don't suppose there would be many options apart from sanding down but I thought I would ask.

 

[Alan 45]

I know that acrylic can be removed with oven cleaner , just pop it in a bag and seal it up , Im not sure on enamel though

 

[papa 695]

IPA will get rid of paint just use a cloth and rub it off ( acrylic )

 

[Alan 45]

IPA will get rid of paint just use a cloth and rub it off ( acrylic )

The beer ian ?

 

[papa 695]

The beer ian ?

Sorry Alan no. Even if it was I doubt I'd have any left to use on removing paint

 

[Guest]

Josh if acrylic Vallejo Airbrush Cleaner is perfect as is IPA


Laurie

 

[Alan 45]

Sorry Alan no. Even if it was I doubt I'd have any left to use on removing paint

I did think it was strange a beer could fetch paint off one if you'd said tenants super I could of believed that


So what's IPA ?

 

[stona]

So what's IPA ?

Isopropyl alcohol


Cheers


Steve

 

[Alan 45]

Isopropyl alcohol
Cheers


Steve

Cheers Steve I'll see if I can get some

 

[stona]

Cheers Steve I'll see if I can get some

Maplins usually have it, though other sources are, I'm sure, available


Steve

 

[Alan 45]

Maplins usually have it, though other sources are, I'm sure, available
Steve

Cheers I'll take a look once my wallet recovers

 

[papa 695]

I did think it was strange a beer could fetch paint off one if you'd said tenants super I could of believed that
So what's IPA ?

I see Steve beat me to informing you Alan

 

[papa 695]

Cheers Steve I'll see if I can get some

But don't try and drink this one Alan a definite NO NO

 

[john i am]

here's a video clip I've used fairy power spray to good effect in the past

 

[PaulTRose]

best paint remover ever is brake fluid..............use a suitable container and just soak it for a few hours.........make sure you really wash it afterwards and let it really really dry....................the brake fluid can be used over and over so dont throw it away..............this works especially well with enamels or rattle can paint......will not attack plastic, filler or glue


just take the precautions you would expect to, so keep safe

 

[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