Isopropyl alcohol bath HELP

@Bill Grafmiller posted:

Help

I am painting 3 diesels.  Gave a Isopropyl 99% bath for 2 days. The only thing that would allow me to scrub off were the decales.  The paint is not loosening at all. What am I doing wrong? Also this stuffs vapors are very strong even doing this process outside. Must be a better way.

Who made the diesels originally?  (Performance of applied paint is quite specific to item manufacturer).

Mike

I've used oven cleaner and also glass bead blasting to remove paint.  I had the best luck with the glass bead blasting.

Hi Bill,  There are a lot of threads on paint removal, including brake fluid.  If you answer Mike's question on the engine type and manufacturer, you might be able to pinpoint the best approach.  Regarding the fumes,  are you covering the container.   I did a post about using brake fluid,   

Successful method for removing paint from Vintage Lionel Alco FA | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

I built a container using PVC pipe, which was easy to cover.   I think the brake fluid can be used over and over again and then easily disposed of at a reclycling center that deals with toxic chemicals, so no need to dump it in the back alley.

PS, I had no intention of being a "Former Member" but somehow my account got deleted. 

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Who made the diesels originally?  (Performance of applied paint is quite specific to item manufacturer).

Mike

Mike. Lionel .. one is a lionchief NW2 plus .  2 are GP 38 YR 1993. I was reading some of the past post in OGR and I see some modelers wet sand logos and decales then use primer . That looks to me one why to go. Rattle can was also mentioned. I like that thought for I probably would only use a air brush this one time.

If these shells are recent Lionel manufactures you might want to paint over, l had some polar Express shells and nothing l tried moved the paint except a stripper but that softened the plastic.

Ray

FWIW, if you smooth the finish, many folks do paint over the old paint.

There are a couple of downsides...

• The extra coat of paint may obscure some molded in details.
• If the paint types don't match, you can get bubbling of the finish.
• The new paint may not stick properly.

OTOH, I have seen this done successfully with decent results.

Isopropyl only works on some brands. I have a tank of Scalecoat wash away stripper that pretty much removes any paint on any maker shell.

I think it is a fluid similar to brake fluid as it has a similar texture and odor. You may find some online, but Scalecoat is pretty much out of business…

Tom

Please get some of the orange citrus gel paint remover from Home Depot.  It works slowly, so use overnight.

Purple Power degreaser, Easy-Off oven cleaner, Dot 3 brake fluid and Testor's Easy Lift-Off ("ELO") have all worked with varying degrees of success for me.

Thank you all for your information.  I will take all of your information and process it. Hope I pick they right procedure.

@John Hutnick posted:

Please get some of the orange citrus gel paint remover from Home Depot.  It works slowly, so use overnight.

Do  not use that Orange Citrus stripper from the Depot on plastic, that is what I tried and it softened the plastic on one of my Polar Express coaches.

Ray

@DL Brunette posted:

Hi Bill,  There are a lot of threads on paint removal, including brake fluid.  If you answer Mike's question on the engine type and manufacturer, you might be able to pinpoint the best approach.  Regarding the fumes,  are you covering the container.   I did a post about using brake fluid,   

Successful method for removing paint from Vintage Lionel Alco FA | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

I built a container using PVC pipe, which was easy to cover.   I think the brake fluid can be used over and over again and then easily disposed of at a reclycling center that deals with toxic chemicals, so no need to dump it in the back alley.

PS, I had no intention of being a "Former Member" but somehow my account got deleted.

Dave. Hi to a Washington modeler from another. Yes I have kept the cover on its just when I open it up the fumes really bother me. I must be sensitive to the stuff. I know one thing I will not use it again. Thanks for the link. Lots of different takes on how to do this. I think if the alcohol bath does not do it I am going to try wet sand logos then clean good and primer.  Hope this will be the answer. Hope you get your account back up and running.

@Rayin"S" posted:

Do  not use that Orange Citrus stripper from the Depot on plastic, that is what I tried and it softened the plastic on one of my Polar Express coaches.

Ray

If experimenting with any stripper, I think it would be a good idea to try a little bit on the inside of the shell or use it on a junk piece first.

I took the wet sand and primer method. I used Krylon white plastic primer  and Tamiya rattle can paint. Came out looking good.