How to go about removing the paint from a MTH caboose?

I like your attitude. There may be a cabinet post for you on the Isle of Denial.

 

As for the MTH caboose. give it a soak in Pine Sol (the real stuff, not generic.) Wash it off and dry it thoroughly. MTH seems to electrostatically apply the paint so it bonds to the plastic. Your paint should stick to it just fine. Stuff like brake fluid attacks the paint, then goes after the plastic.

 

Hope this helps.

I use oven cleaner to remove paint, so far it's never affected either plastic or diecast material.

Hey thank you both for the tips! 

I'll second the Easy Off Oven Cleaner.  Just wear all the protective garb (gloves, eyewear, not so good clothing, etc) and place the cab shell in a plastic or glass container (I used an old plastic garden window box).  I first lined the window box with aluminum foil, but the Easy Off will melt right thru it . Strange it didn't affect the plastic shell.

 

Let the stuff work for a while and use an old toothbrush to remove the paint.  Repeat until it's all off (I also use an old dental tool to "help" the paint off).

 

I've also used brake fluid, and regular hobby paint remover like Testors ELO (Easy Lift Off).  Weaver also makes paint removers.

As someone who has stripped too many items to remember, I can tell you I tried all the methods. The only thing that consistently WORKS is the over cleaner. The nasty smelling stuff with the skull and cross bones warning lables. I have successfully used 91% alcohol too but it takes a few days and LOTS of scrubbing. I advise against using brake fluid because some plastics WILL be eaten by it. Never had any problems with oven cleaner.

Rob

Now I've learned something new. Never thought about oven cleaner, but it makes sense. Surprised it doesn't go after the plastic. Does it strip paint from MTH shells?

 

I love this forum.

I repainted a MTH N8 by disassembling the car and removing the decals

 

 

I don't know if oven cleaner will remove paint from MTH, I but I have done a few Williams shells and thats the toughest paint I have yet encountered. I tried Weaver scale coat remover, alcohol, and finally went back to oven cleaner. I know too that oven cleaner will take engine paint right off a block and heads. I used ELO in the past on slot cars and it was the worst I have tried. It softened a car body to mush.

Rob

I normally paint the oven cleaner on all over, then put it in a plastic ZipLock bag and let it sit overnight.  I do put the bag in a metal cake pan just in case it leaks, but they never have.

 

The next day, most of the paint will wash right off with a little brushing.  I've occasionally gone for a second treatment, but usually one will do.

I'll give the oven cleaner a try. Is one brand better than another?

 

Thanks for all you guys help!

OVEN Cleaner?

 

I was considering picking up a Geep and renumbering it... and those gold numbers on the MTH engine looks like it's part of the blackish paint.

 

There was a greenish solution in a small bottle availible in HO that took numbers off a Atlas Caboose back then, I cannot recall what it was called now...

Ben,

Easy-Off is the brand I use.  I've used it on Williams and MTH with no issues.

 

They make one that doesn't smell and I doubt it's as effective as the one that stinks.  I lost my sense of smell almost 10 years ago so it no longer bothers me

I've tried alcohol, pine-sol, and brake fluid - No success on MTH products.  I'll have to try oven cleaner.

In the past I've just wet sanded the lettering and paint lines with 800 grit sand paper.

Exactly

If it was me I'd use alcohol to take the lettering off then paint right over the body color.  My paint is probably going to bond to the existing paint better than to the plastic.   But that's just me.

If there are no other lines or numbers painting over the original finish would be best. I have seen several paint jobs where the painter did not strip or even bother to sand and it shows big time under the new paint. I guess it depends on what you will accept as a good paint job.

Rob

90% is in the prep work.  The painting is the easy part.  Remove the paint w/ E Z OFF then rinse with a mild solution of water & TSP.

What is TSP?

Tri Sodium Phosphate.  Can be found at your local hardware or near the cleaning supplies at big orange or big blue

just pipin in here but what about a hobby sand blaster with baking soda or such to remove the old decals and paint