Locomotive Paint Stripping

MTH loco paint has Many clearcoats to prevent paint damage. The only stuff that I had sucess was to use CA glue removal. WARNING, this is NOT the stuff to dip a shell into and walk away for 24 hrs! You have to work in with a brush or rag and then wipe off as it will eventually eat through the shell. Good luck with your project

Do they carry this stuff at lowes or home depot? So just pour it on a rag and work it in then rinse?

I sent a piece out to Trains Emporium with great success.  It was an MPC tender and at the time, 2005ish, it cost about $10. 

 

http://trainsemporium.com/custom%20painting.htm

 

They seem to know what they are doing.

 

Well I messed this shell up big time... I was messing around with ideas and I ended up trying carburetor cleaner and it got the paint off and wrecked the plastic.... Oh well live and learn

Carb cleaner is powerful stuff, that will indeed attack many plastics.  It is great for cleaning up old locomotive trucks, but I keep it away from plastic.

 

I've used oven cleaner with good results on a number of plastic shells.

Yes I learned the hard way. I have it soaking in simple green I want to try my best to salvage this shell. Some of the plastic kind of whipped off. I'm hoping I can find some sort of sealer to fill in the imperfections and bring this shell back to life.

If the plastic of the shell is "crazed" that is a cracked surface, you might try a "high build" auto primer that will fill the small cracks and give an decent surface for paint.

 

If you actually have chunks missing, you might try auto body filler or Squadron putty (green or white) to fill then prime.

 

As always, check for compatibility prior to risking the shell if it's not replaceable.

 

HTH

 

Jon

Pine sol was the product you were looking for.  I've stripped several MTH cabooses and diesel shells successfully.  Pour it in a container and drop in the shell.  Check your progress every 3 or 4 hours.  Takes about a day. Sorry I didn't see your post in time.

It is beyond me no one ever mentions this model paint stripper. I've been using it for years. It's formulated to do just what your trying to do without destroying the plastic shell. http://www.walthers.com/exec/m..._Hobby_Products.html

 

I guess old habits (information) are hard to change...it's a choice "thing"!

I don't have chunks missing. Best way to describe is that it kind of smeared away when I was wiping it off. I need a spray that can kind of give it a smooth surface so I can prime it.

Well this shell is officially garbage. This stinks. I don't have the finances to buy a brand new unit so I figured a fix me up will have to do. And next thing you know I have to spend 85 bucks on a shell.

Is that stuff actually still available?  While that links brings up the product, looking for that product and manufacturer fails to work.

 

BTW, I have had some MTH cars soak in Pinesol of days with no effect on the paint at all.  Last one I did literally took weeks.........

I use Scalecoat ll Wash Away paint remover. Slightly pricey at $12.25 for 1 pint but recommended for plastic since it will not craze or warp plastic. Manufactured by Scalecoat Model Paint, a division of Weaver Models, Inc.

I am really determined to salvage this shell... It has no holes in it from using the carb spray but in areas the plastic looks melted however 65% of the shell still has the paint still on it.... I have it soaking in paint thinner to get the white spray paint I sprayed on it off and maybe losen up more of the factory paint... After that I may try the Pine sol technique.

If your are local we have a glass beader that we could blast it for you.

 takes it down to the plastic with out hurting it.

were in north east pa.

Harry, he's on Staten Island according to his profile.

I have it soaking in paint thinner maybe that will loosen some of the paint.

Keep using the damaged shell to learn what works. Advertise on the OGR wanted forum for another shell. Explain what you were doing, and maybe someone will have just what you need at a reasonable price.

I did just that bobby. I guess it's trail and error when it comes to doing this. Im upset more because I don't have the finances to buy a 450 dollar unit so I have to settle for a fix me up. But I won't give up I will do my best to get this restored.

"I have it soaking in paint thinner". Are you serious? Get some of the smelly oven cleaner and use that. You cannot just use anything with plastic!

Rob

The oven cleaner won't eat through the plastic?

Reading product instructions/warnings or using the OGR Forum Search feature is not an option?

Paint Stripping 101 = Priceless

I've used oven cleaner on a couple of diecast locomotives and about half a dozen assorted cars, and it's never damaged any of them.  The paint that took the most time was the MTH paint, they must use good paint.   I also know folks that have used Oven Cleaner on a lot more stuff without damage.

 

Insert standard disclaimer here.

 

YMMV, and I'm not responsible if the oven cleaner turns the shell into a pile of goo.

http://www.micromark.com/paasc...st-gun-set,9117.html

 

Harbor Freight sells one for $40.

 

You can strip fine details like window frames and it won't damage them. It also works great for weathering.

No , oven cleaner will not eat plastic. It will take paint off that nothing else will get off. You need to buy the one that has the skull and cross bones on the label and smells bad. Im serious. The nice smelling stuff will not take off paint.

Gunrunnerjohn and oldrob, you say oven cleaner won't normally affect plastic but this plastic has already been compromised by him allowing other solvents to attack it so is it still a safe bet to assume that the plastic hasn't now been effected or changed in someway that the "normally safe for plastic" oven cleaner won't now be able to do further harm to it?Just wondering and asking.

Kenn

 

I can't say, you might be right. The only time I ever saw oven cleaner attack something was on a 1950 ABS shell for an ALco. But this happened after I stripped it mulitiple times due to paint problems. Even then, I could sand out the area. Its possible that the shell MAY be damaged after everything he used.

Rob

I have to echo Rob's statement, there's no way of knowing what might happen.  I've never tried oven cleaner after partially dissolving the plastic!

Generally the only thing to remove for re-paint is the raised letters & numbers unless it has stripes.

Depending on the MFG. most lettering can be removed in a matter of minutes using a Mr. Clean Magic eraser.

Then paint over the original with auto primer and apply the new paint.

 

Check the chart on this website:

 

http://capolight.wordpress.com...bility-and-plastics/

 

Pay attention to the ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), PC (Polycarbonate), PMP (Polymethylpentene), PP (Polypropylene) and PS (Polystyrene).

PTFE is Teflon and not likely to be found in a toy train.

Don't let the chemical names in the left column scare you. Google those you do not know. A quick glance of the chart indicates paint on Styrene has almost no hope of chemical removal. The chart also indicates the alcohols are the best bets.

Not in the chart is Acrylic plastic. Acetone is solvent for anything acrylic, so it's no good as a paint remover.

I've used "cold" oven cleaner on plastic cars and trucks with no problems except that it might take a few applications to remove all the paint...don't do this in the house cause "fume free" isn't as much as it's advertised to be.

Got my MTH doodlebug body soaking in castrol super clean but I'm having my doubts it'll do much...I'll check it again tomorrow...that stuff won't hurt plastic either. 

BTW- just how bad is the f40 shell?...might be fixable... 

Nice chart, thanks.

The way I use Oven Cleaner is to paint it on the whole shell or object, then put it in a plastic freezer bag.  I set that bag in a pan in case it leaks, but it never has.  I leave it overnight and come back in the morning with rubber gloves and brush it with a stiff brush and then rinse.  Whatever doesn't come off gets a second treatment, normally no more is needed.

WOW!  I think I'd be looking for a shell.

I think I do see plastic eaten off, but finish stripping it and see what it looks like. It MAY be possible to fill and file some of the damaged areas.

Rob

Should I use oven cleaner?

wow that a big no no..been painting real cars for over 33+years now and you do used that on plastic..There a stripper that is used for plastics and its plastic safe..use it on bumper covers and other plastic parts..try looking on ebay..you might find a shell on there..