Stripping Paint?

[Da SWO]

I have a minicraft 757 on the shelf of doom that I want to restart.  It was sprayed (rattle can) with Vallejo Flat White and Gloss.  The gloss orange peeled, and multiple attempts to fix have failed.

I am resigned to stripping the paint and using an airbrush for round two.

Other  than sanding, is there any other way to remove the paint?

[ExchefAndy]

Smarter heads may prevail, but maybe a bath in simple green.

I've stripped a 1/6 figure that was painted with Tamiya paints and it removed all of it including the primer.

Now the only caveat is that the figure was resin, not styrene, so I've no idea what it might do to the plastic.

Best of luck!

Andy 

[jbryan911]

Super Clean/Purple Power. Let it soak for awhile, as in a couple days.  I've found Vallejo can be stubborn, more so that some enamels and lacquers.

[Geoff M]

If the gloss is acrylic based it should come off with IPA or windex/ammonia.

 

[Da SWO]

1 hour ago, Geoff M said:

If the gloss is acrylic based it should come off with IPA or windex/ammonia.

 

Yes on the acrylic, will try this.

[Chuck1945]

Simple Green and elbow grease successfully removed Tamiya XF series paint from a failed experiment on an Airfix 1/72 Swordfish several years ago.

[Robert Garelli]

Simple green for acrylic paints works good. If you need to strip anything, then I would use oven cleaner, that seems to work the best. Testors makes a painter remover that I use to brush on small parts when I am not happy with the results.  

[airmechaja]

Soaking in brake fluid is also effective. It takes some time so be patient.

[oortiz10]

My vote is with jbryan911. Super Clean. I've used it to remove lacquers clean down to the bare plastic. It's safe on clear parts, too. Just let it soak and remove any stubborn paint with a toothbrush. Easy peasy!

 

-O

[MusashiWRX]

I have had luck with Easy Off oven cleaner. 

 

I also had a canopy the other day that was a disaster.. and soaking it in 91% isopropyl cleaned it off completely! I was a bit stunned. The 70% didn't do it but that extra kick was magic for me.

 

These are both on lacquers. 

 

YMMV

[ulvdemon]

If you wish to not use oven cleaner or anything overly harsh Simple Green gets my vote.  Also  Isopropyl alcohol works really well.  My understanding it works on acrylic and enamel paints.

Edited May 1, 2025 by ulvdemon