Help With Paint Stripper

Iam about to repaint some old con-cor cars and wanted to find out what type of paint stripper to use that would be best. I have been told ELO and Chameleon make products but can suggest a product you might fine in a hardware store, THANKS

 

I would first try 91% alcohol. Just put some in a small tray and soak the shell, after a while scrub it with a old tooth brush. If it seems to be working, but not all the way, then just soak it longer. If it really has no effect then it probably isn't working.

The alcohol works great on Micro-Trains and Life-Like cars. I haven't tried con-cor yet though.

 

Thanks Chris, Ill give it a shot

 

I don't know about Con-Cor, but I have used Easy Off Oven Cleaner on Micro-Trains carbodies as a paint stripper. Spray the foam on the carbody, using gloves, then place it in a sealed "baggie" overnight. The next morning, remove the foam and the paint with an old toothbrush under running water.

Has worked for me several times. And, yes, I've stripped Micro-Trains cars. If a decorated one is cheaper than an undecorated, why not?
I've also stripped "boo-boo's" of my own.

 

You can also try Pine Sol straight, the original formula, not the ones in fruit flavors.

 

Hey high, did you ty anything yet? And how'd it work for you? I'm in the same boat and looking for help

 

Nscale-lover: tried the 91% rubbing alcohol and worked great on concor model, just remember to clean very well with soap and water

 

Just take care and test before using any chemical on your precious cars.
It is my experience that the same chemical will react differently with different plastics or on cars of the same manufacturer but from different production periods.

And never, ever use ELO on a car and then brake fluid.
I saw an old Atlas hopper disintegrate completely, and the plastic used on these old cars is very strong.

And Kato locos are to be stripped with rubbing alcohol only.
Anything else will remove something from the plastic. Whatever it is, the shell crumbles to many small pieces on touching it.

I think I have a list somewhere which paint remover works with what brand of cars/engines.
Let me see if I can find it.

Michael

 

well there is this link http://www.bonediggers.com/1-3/strip/strip.html

the castrol CSC looks promising!

[ 17. August 2004, 15:32: Message edited by: nscale_lover ]

 

Well ... here's the progress report for anyone interested - working on ROCO/AHM 85' tri-level auto transporters (similar to the ones in the picture below)



1) Tried 91% Iso Alcohol - worked on 1 car, paint peeled right off in about 2 hours (after soaking). No other effect on the other 2 cars in the bath.

2) Went to Lemon flavored PineSol (against the advice of several others) - worked on 1 car, the other 3 cars in the same bath were not effected... shoulda listened!!!

3) Tried Castrol Super Clean (CSC) - worked on 1 car, the other car in the bath not affected

4) Went back to 91% Iso Alcohol - 5 cars in the bath now for 48+ hours, no effect

5) Went back to ORIGINAL flavored PineSol and BAM! All 5 of the cars in the bath had paint peeling in about 2 hours!!!

6) Tonight , taking the 5 cars still in the Alcohol bath and moving them over to the PineSol - and getting this project moved to stage 2 - repainting similar to ....

 

Break fluid is a good paint remover that is safe for plastics. You need to let it soak for about a day or two.

Doug

 

Brake fluid is great for removing paint in some instances, but it should not be generally considered "safe for plastics" as it can and will attack some plastics to the point of crumbling. (been there done that, and not even from soaking a long time, just a short while!)

So I guess what I'm saying is, YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY. Test it before you bathe your prize winners or $32 Kato shells in there.