HOW DO YOU STRIP PAINT FROM PLASTIC

[INDY22IAM]

I think it has been on here before but how do you strip paint from a plastic model with out melting the plastic?

[harveythedog2]

Testors ELO (Easy Lift Off). I buy it and pour it in a Tuperware container with a good sealing lid because you can use this stuff over and over. Put your parts, body or whatever inside and close the lid. 24 hours later most every kind of paint is gone or can easily be brushed away. Just be sure you wash your parts off with soapy water. Below is the Testors web site but I have purchased it in the past at places like Hobby Town.

www.testors.com/en/product-catalog/testors-brands/model-master/primers-top-coats-thinners-cleaners/paint-and-decal-remover

[harveythedog2]

After I have used the ELO several times I strain it thru a screen to remove the old paint from the fluid. Then I simply pour it back into my container to use it over again.

[raceparke]

Is this ok on resin?

[kip]

Is this ok on resin?

Yes. Used it many times on resin. No problems.

kip

[Deleted]

I use ELO as well. Works like a charm.

you can even get it in 1/43rd scale.....

[senn65]

Mar 21, 2016 16:31:03 GMT -5 @hubie said:

I use ELO as well. Works like a charm.

you can even get it in 1/43rd scale.....

LOL

[senn65]

I made a basket from an old piece of screen with wire handles. I put small parts in it & lower it in my 1/2 gal. tub of ELO & close the lid. Great stuff but about $8 per can. It took 6 cans to fill my tub but worth every $.

[ohnothimagen]

Brake fluid was suggested to me, and it did work, but the paint was so thick and had been on the parts so long, it took a lot of scrubbing with a soft bristle tooth brush to get off "most" of the paint.

[INDY22IAM]

Thanks for the reply's, I will have to pick some up.

[indycals]

Does it work on Tamiya sprays (i.e., lacquers)?

[senn65]

Mar 24, 2016 0:16:23 GMT -5 indycals said:

Does it work on Tamiya sprays (i.e., lacquers)?

Michael I've never had a reason to use it on Tamiya paint it being a solvent paint.

[harveythedog2]

Yes, it works on Tamiya paints. Take it from the King of "I usually do everything twice".

Now, does it work on a car you want to restore that has been painted for many years? I am not so sure. My guess is yes but may take longer than overnight.

I am not a fan of Testors products per say except this one. I have accidently left parts in the solvent for weeks and have had zero damage to the plastic. Highly recommended.

Stu

[kip]

Yes, it works on Tamiya paints. Take it from the King of "I usually do everything twice".

Now, does it work on a car you want to restore that has been painted for many years? I am not so sure. My guess is yes but may take longer than overnight.

I am not a fan of Testors products per say except this one. I have accidently left parts in the solvent for weeks and have had zero damage to the plastic. Highly recommended.

Stu

I agree with Stu, it does work on Tamiya. Like Stu, I usually end up painting, then striping, then repainting.

And yes, it does work on years old paint.

kip

[flashman]

Mar 24, 2016 12:06:08 GMT -5 harveythedog2 said:

Now, does it work on a car you want to restore that has been painted for many years? I am not so sure. My guess is yes but may take longer than overnight.

Stu

I haven't tried ELO on Tamiya TS paints, but I can confirm that it did work for me removing 35+ year old Testors enamel that I wasn't able to budge at all using Easy Off oven cleaner or Super Clean. I soaked it for a couple of days in ELO, and it took a lot of scrubbing with a stiff scrub brush (a toothbrush is nowhere near stiff enough), and several repeat soakings/scrubbings. But I was finally able to remove it with the ELO. It's also a good idea before soaking to start out by sanding the paint you want to remove, which helps the paint remover you are using to penetrate the paint. This is especially helpful if it is glossy paint.

Mar 24, 2016 12:06:08 GMT -5 harveythedog2 said:

I am not a fan of Testors products per say except this one.

I can't argue with you there, Stu. But just have to add that ELO was originally a Floquil/PollyS product. The only reason the Testors name is on it now is I believe the parent company of Testors had bought out Floquil/PollyS.

Cameron

[senn65]

When I first started modeling Testors lacquer is all I used & it worked nice but needed thinning. I quit using it when I found other products ready to spray like Tamiya & House of Kolor no thinning required.

[jaw12287]

I've always found that Super Clean does a good job taking paint off plastic if you're willing to wait for a few days to let it work. I've never seen it actually melt any plastic either