jonwinn Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 (edited) I have a model airliner I want to strip and redo as another livery. It's windows were puttied, the paint was Tamiya spray lacquer and the decals were set and glosscoted. I am thinking it best to remove the small parts like antenna and landing gear. How do I remove the lacquer paint, decals and glosscote? Thanks. jon Edited September 13, 2021 by jonwinn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 If the glosscoat is Future, spray on some Windex -- it dissolves Future and you can rinse it under the tap. For lacquer glosscoat and paint, I normally use microfibre cloth and a little Tamiya lacquer thinner. Don't use hardware-store industrial-grade lacquer thinner. I once used it to strip off a poorly-painted instrument panel and the plastic turned into goo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonwinn Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 Thanks, it was lacquer paint, lacquer glosscote and microset. The 3 main "ingredients". jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 (edited) At least here in the US there are a couple different plastic-safe paint strippers for models available from model railroad suppliers. In my experience they are NOT safe for RESIN and will turn it in to pudding. Here's a reusable one I've been using for a couple decades, works in a jar into which you can place the parts, https://www.walthers.com/paint-stripper-remover-for-plastics-16oz-473ml-bottle It has tended to remove Squadron white putty. And one which can be applied to model parts which won't go in jars, https://www.walthers.com/easy-lift-off-elo-paint-remover-8oz-237ml What that one does to putties is unknown to me. Edited September 13, 2021 by southwestforests Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 Oven cleaner? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonwinn Posted September 15, 2021 Author Share Posted September 15, 2021 I have oven cleaner and use it to remove chrome. Anyone ever used it to remove paint, decals and glosscote? I never tried. Will it dissolve the putty on the windows? jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 15, 2021 Share Posted September 15, 2021 (edited) According to this thread oven cleaner does dissolve putty. And according to here lacquer thinner dissolves putty as well (I guess if your putty is lacquer-based). So I'd proobably do a small section at a time using microfiber cloth and the product of choice and go gently. Edited September 15, 2021 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonwinn Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 Thanks, I have oven cleaner on hand so that's my choice, sounds like damned if you do....damned if you don't. jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Helmsman Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 I heard brake fluid works quite well. Never tried it though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 The thing about oven cleaner is that you should spray the part down and (if you can) place it in a plastic ziploc bag or something like that to keep the fumes from propegating. It also helps strip the paint a little bit easier, but I cant recall if it really damages anything. Just let it soak overnight at the shortest length of time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt H. Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 91 % Isopropyl alcohol is very effective to remove lacquer. you can immerse the model in the alcohol, or wipe the model with the alcohol. If my understanding is correct, putty is really just a very thick paint, so anything which will remove paint will also eventually remove putty, but not as quickly. Oven cleaner seems to work a little better on enamel than lacquer. I have not tried brake fluid on lacquer. I hope it helps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonwinn Posted September 17, 2021 Author Share Posted September 17, 2021 (edited) I soaked it in oven cleaner overnight. It is now a slimey mess residing in the garbage. I would much rather just spend the few dollars for a new kit than try this again. Totally not my idea of fun. Thanks for all the help but this is not for me. jon Edited September 17, 2021 by jonwinn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
utley Posted September 18, 2021 Share Posted September 18, 2021 Yeah, paint stripping is something nobody really ever wants to do. Ive stripped paint off if 747s; I just DA'ed the paint off after the first time I used paint stripper ; was cleaner and less toxic than the stripper itself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheRealMrEd Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 Testor's ELO (easy lift off) paint remover is your friend for enamels... Ed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.