Removing paint from polystyrene?

[Yertis]

Hi all,

A while back a started to build a Fujimi model of an Audi 90 quattro for my brother (who owned such a car at the time). I sprayed it with the correct Audi aerosol but it went on quite badly – although it didn't actually rot the plastic the paint seemed to react with the plastic in an odd way. Obviously I should have used a primer. I knew that already, but thought I'd chance it. Anyway, just clearing the decks before I restart my Group Build Tempest so I thought I'd finish the 90 first, and need to get that paint off. What do you guys suggest, that won't leave me with a soggy pile of gloop?

[dr_gn]

I reckon there should be a sticky on how to remove paint from models/how to paint canopies/what paint to use/what tools I need to start modelling/what's a good model for a beginner.



Try Brake fluid/Mr.Muscle/Modelstrip/Fairy Power Spray (never used that, but have the other 3).

If it's attacked the plastic it's going to be a nightmare either way.

[Yertis]

Presumably you mean proper brake fluid, rather than the silicone stuff? I remember reading about a chap who tried to remove paint from a Revell 1/32F4 wing tanks using brake fluid but it went wrong and destroyed the plastic, but I think he left them in soak. Also that would have been in about 1979, probably PAM News or something.

You're right though, I know you've posted on this before. I'll post before and after pics.

[dr_gn]

Yertis said:

Presumably you mean proper brake fluid, rather than the silicone stuff? I remember reading about a chap who tried to remove paint from a Revell 1/32F4 wing tanks using brake fluid but it went wrong and destroyed the plastic, but I think he left them in soak. Also that would have been in about 1979, probably PAM News or something.

You're right though, I know you've posted on this before. I'll post before and after pics.

Yes, normal brake fluid. I've left parts for up to a week with no bad effects. Just buy some cheap stuff and you can re-use it.

Really there seem to be the four options I mentioned for stripping paint. I've used all of them sucessfully with the exception of Fairy Power Spray which I've never tried. Lots of people seem to repeat the same advice, so there must be something in it!

[Eric Mc]

And there is also a dedicated model product called Modelstrip which I have used successfully.

[dr_gn]

Eric Mc said:

And there is also a dedicated model product called Modelstrip which I have used successfully.

dr_gn said:

Try Brake fluid/Mr.Muscle/Modelstrip/Fairy Power Spray

[Eric Mc]

If the OP is looking for optical aids, I can recommend a few of those as well.

[Red Firecracker]

Might as well add nail varnish remover to that list as well. The crucial thing to remember though is to always check for a reaction first.

[dr_gn]

Red Firecracker said:

Might as well add nail varnish remover to that list as well. The crucial thing to remember though is to always check for a reaction first.

On plastic? I thought acetone based stuff would dissolve it?

[Yertis]

Eric Mc said:

If the OP is looking for optical aids, I can recommend a few of those as well.

Might have to take you up on that Eric, being at the age where varifocals beckon. I need one of those big magnifying glasses with a strip-light built in, and one of those magnifying glasses with claws for holding things.

[Eric Mc]

Red Firecracker said:

Might as well add nail varnish remover to that list as well. The crucial thing to remember though is to always check for a reaction first.

Is that the reaction of the staff at Boots' cosmetic counter you are talking about?

[Eric Mc]

Yertis said:

Eric Mc said:

If the OP is looking for optical aids, I can recommend a few of those as well.

Might have to take you up on that Eric, being at the age where varifocals beckon. I need one of those big magnifying glasses with a strip-light built in, and one of those magnifying glasses with claws for holding things.

I use a head magnifier (although some people say my head is big enough).

[Red Firecracker]

Eric Mc said:

Is that the reaction of the staff at Boots' cosmetic counter you are talking about?

They're used to me by now

[perdu]

Do add Tesco Oven Cleaner (Trigger Spray bottle) to the list too.

Took away a thick layer of paint that brake fluid couldn't touch, overnight.

[Eric Mc]

They must think modellers have very clean ovens L)

[dr_gn]

perdu said:

Do add Tesco Oven Cleaner (Trigger Spray bottle) to the list too.

Took away a thick layer of paint that brake fluid couldn't touch, overnight.

Course I suppose it depends on paint type too.

I removed about 99% of the paint from my S2000 with a combination of first brake fluid then Mr.Muscle. Even so, the 1% of primer that's still firmly attached is going to be impossible to remove without abrading it away with wet&dry. I have no idea why these patches have stuck, but they are really solidly on there.

[perdu]

The donor Wessex fuselage I stripped preparatory to its becoming an HAS3 still has traces of paint and filler (looks like Squadron White filler) on its "parts" I did an overnight and all day in brake fluid, really expecting the fluid to do what it does to my Midget if I spill any

What an utter waste of time

so I tried Mr Muscle but the spray can had just about lost all its propellant

So I tried Tesco's hand pumped spray oven cleaner and over night I had a: all the decals floating on top of the foamy scum and b: deep inside said foamy scum the paint had all softened and a little agitation with a "garage general purpose 1/8" paint brush gave me a bare nekkid Wessex as good as new to play with.