My brother used to bead blast shells for me, which was super. He lives farther away now and I would like some Info on other methods of stripping shells for repainting.
Zip strip, etc?
Thanks
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I think the CRC electro-cleaner will strip the Lionel paint off.
Zip strip is OK on die cast, not so good for plastic. The only items I have used for plastic is Tide liquid laundry detergent and Simple Green. Both worked but takes about three days.
Pete
Foe Plastic EZ off oven cleaner (original costic) works the fastest but be careful and use rubber gloves and eye protection. Soaking in brake fluid a couple days is what I use and you can strain the paint out of it and reuse it, of course not in you car lol.
Mineral spirits work on most plastic items, but has a tendancy of melting smaller parts such as 6464 boxcar door.
The two quickest working are Easy-Off oven cleaner, and Castrol Super Clean (Large Purple Jug). Neither of them will harm plastic, and work the fastest. On the die-cast loco shells (mostly Prewar), I have been able to strip all the paint of with Castrol Super Clean, in as little as 3 hours. Other commercial paint strippers are no where as good as the two I just mentioned.
Bead blasting is perfect, BUT not everyone has access to a place or someone who can do it, so it basically comes down to "chemical stripping". If you decide to try the Super Clean, use if full strength, and either of the two I mentioned, you can use dish soap, and water to rinse them off after the stripping is done. I also use an old toothbrush to get into the crevices and detail. Easy off is a single use, whereas the Super Clean can be used over again. I have been able to use it on up to 5 shells, before I get rid of it. I also use a "Spackling Trough, cheap plastic one" which is typically big enough to dunk a complete shell into.
Thanks for all the info guys. I appreciate it. Have a few shells to do sometime in the near future.
Matt
