Body Paint Removal

[bscotti]

Anybody sucessfully strip polycarb paint from a body and have the new paint job turn out good? What did you use? I have a couple bodies that are in decent shape just with nasty paint schemes.

[shodog]

Here is my advice, if the body is currently available then you're better off buying a new body.

You can strip paint with Nitro fuel but it is a time consuming and tedious process. If the original paint did it's job, it will have etched intot he plastic which make stripping it a chore and you'll end up with a milky white body instead of clear.

[Eau Rouge]

At one point, we had tried everything from stripping chemicals to even sand blasting/glass beading. Nothing works that I have found, to give you a usable body to repaint.

[mrlexan]

Ahhh, the age old question that never seems to have a good answer, except for Jims recommendation. I agree..... the problem is what happens if they are impossible to find. I too have a stack of "well, if I find the right stuff or process, I am gonna." Note, that stack still exists.

Here is what I know:
- if it is still in stock, just buy it
- make a repo
- Brake fluid - NEVER ON LEXAN - been there done that, doesn't work
- Graffti Remover - have not found one that works
- Oven Cleaner - Doesn't work
- Acetone/Finger Nail polish remover - works but I believe this will have the same effect as the break fluid
- Orange/Citric Acid Stripper (cannot remember the manufacturer) works, but will damage the plastic, almost like pulls a layer of the lexan away and leaves a raised surface (best way I can describe it)
- 10% Nitro fuel works, but REALLY have to work hard..... I have not tried 30%, but I am told results are better.
- Bolink Body Cleaner - don't know what the stuff is made of, but works, again you REALLY have to work at it...... does a heck of a job on cleaning everything else though

Now, if I could just get off my butt and put get my promises/reputation to match my user name, then all would be great..... Someone have some time they can lend me?

Hope this helps.... no solutions, but at least you won't damage a rare body.

Jay

[badhoopty]

if i ever manage to score some more castrol super clean i'm gonna test it out on lexan.

i cant give the stuff enough praise when it comes to a paint stripper that doesnt hurt plastic/fiberglass/graphite. the stuff is simply amazing...

i havent seen it for awhile. i wouldnt be suprised if it was taken off the market for being too strong.

[Synergy]

I once saw a thread on a well known Tamiya site that suggested the best way to deal with a body that is no longer available is to paint it on the outside and use some form of lacquer to give the paint a shine rather than trying to remove the old paint. This may be OK for a shelf queen but if it’s a runner I think the finish will be easily damaged. Has anyone tried that?

[GRIZZLY]

YES, looked good, but not suitable for any use other than a queen, GRIZZLY

[justinspeed79]

Castrol Super Clean!!!

There are 2 or 3 paints in the universe that super cleaN won't remove, if you have one of those your screwed, but if you are lucky enough to have one of the other 97,000,000 kinds of paint, super clean will take it of and leave the plastic nice and new looking.

I read a very good article about stripping plastic not that long ago, I'll see if I can find the link and post it up.

[Toaster]

Strangely enough, I used regular (not extra strength) nail polish remover.

WARNING...this is a time consuming process but the lexan comes out fairly well. Get some Q-tips to get those hard to reach places...oh and only use in a well ventilated area...ummm unless you like that kinda buzz

[Coelacanth]

Castrol Super Clean!!!

There are 2 or 3 paints in the universe that super cleaN won't remove, if you have one of those your screwed, but if you are lucky enough to have one of the other 97,000,000 kinds of paint, super clean will take it of and leave the plastic nice and new looking.

One of those paints is Pactra for Lexan...which, consequently, is the paint most RC car bodies are painted with.

[4.whoa]

I swear i read where someone used dot 4 brake fluid, and it worked well, however i havent tried it.

[Coelacanth]

I swear i read where someone used dot 4 brake fluid, and it worked well, however i havent tried it.

I've tried it, it fogged the body I tried it on; others had better results, so it depends on the paint. If you have Pactra polycarb paint, almost nothing will remove it as it chemically bonds with the Lexan.

[Lonestar]

I swear i read where someone used dot 4 brake fluid, and it worked well, however i havent tried it.

I've tried it, it fogged the body I tried it on; others had better results, so it depends on the paint. If you have Pactra polycarb paint, almost nothing will remove it as it chemically bonds with the Lexan.

in other words, it's the best RC paint that can be

[Coelacanth]

No argument here! I love putting the stuff on....just pray you don't need to take it OFF.

[raserx08]

I have used pvc pipe cleaner it will take the paint off quickly BUT it will fog up the body pretty bad.