Polycarbonate paint removal

[MR_C]

Hi everyone

I have a decent TT-01 bodyshell that I would like to re-paint.

Just curious to find out if anyone has any paint removal ideas/tips?

Thanks

[SHY]

waterbased paint?

[MR_C]

Not sure to be honest... I would have thought it would be Oil based?

Just had a look at a can i have spare and it does`nt say.

I am a bit wary about damaging the Lexan shell.

[SHY]

Well, you can try and scrub it off with a dishwashing brush and hot water... if that doesen't help it's not waterbased

In any case you can sand it off... much work though... and stay away from the windows!

Some pros will surely stop by this thread with some pro tips though!

Some revert to painting on the outside as a worst case solution.

[MR_C]

Thanks for the tips.

I will give it a try.

MR_C

[josh_smaxx]

Iv heard rubbing alcohol is your best bet, acetone works but clouds the lexan.

[MR_C]

Yeah, thats an idea.

I could try some some turpentine or similar...

I`m quite surprised that there is nothing on the market which would remove the paint whilst being friendly to the Lexan..?

[SHY]

I'd be careful with acetone, it's hard on plastic and can easily crack the shell!

You could also try this "ball of steel shreds" (dunno what it's called in english), which is used also for dishwashing. That along with water and dishwashing detergent could work well. Very gentle on the plastic for sure!

[MR_C]

Ah, I know what you mean. They are a type of soap filled, wire wool sponge!. They certainly work on the old household pots `n` pans. ha, ha!!

Could be worth a go.

A mild form of thinner could also be worth trying.

[josh_smaxx]

Airbrush paint thinner *might* work, not sure though, especially if its been painted with cans.

[SHY]

Originally Posted by MR_C

Ah, I know what you mean. They are a type of soap filled, wire wool sponge!. They certainly work on the old household pots `n` pans. ha, ha!!

Could be worth a go.

A mild form of thinner could also be worth trying.

Ah yes, that we call "steel wool". With soap yes.

I was thinking about some without soap though, and those are much more "crude" They are sold as a ball, the ones with soap come in a box and are "boxish"...

[MR_C]

They might just work...!?!

I will give it a try over the weekend and if it works i will post a thread and let people know.

[SHY]

You might also cover the inside with salt and mount it inside a fence with the cows... those have really coarse tongues!

[MR_C]

Ha, ha, ha!!!

I like the way your thinking!!!

[matt]

Nitro fuel worked quite well with the shell cleaned up. But i don't know what paint was used as it came from ebay

[MR_C]

Originally Posted by josh_smaxx

Airbrush paint thinner *might* work, not sure though, especially if its been painted with cans.

Sounds good.

I will pick some up over the weekend and give it a whirl.

If it works, i will let people know.

Cheers

[MR_C]

Originally Posted by matt

Nitro fuel worked quite well with the shell cleaned up. But i don't know what paint was used as it came from ebay

Nitro fuel could have a similar effect to regular thinners... sounds good.

The paint that`s on is just standard Tamiya PS-5, nothing out of the ordinary.

I think i have a peice of painted off-cut from when it was sprayed originally. I will try removing the paint from that and see how it works.

Cheers

[rocketrob]

The "thing" with any thinner or paint remover is that they are not lexan friendly. As a general rule they are designed to bond to the lexan, or etch the surface, and all but imbed themselves into the surface - unlike most paints that just coat the outside of the surface. So they're hard to get off and out of the pores they create in the plastic.

And even the mildest acetone, which is the midlest of anything one can use, will (at the very least) dry out the plastic and cause it to crack later and will more likely (at best) terribly cloud the lexan and muddy any purther painting your attempt.

So it's best to just ditch it and start over...................

[rcluke]

you're probably gonna damage the shell, either with cracks, scratches or cloudy patches.

i would say stick that shell on ebay and buy a new one (it's the safest option)

i used turps on my lunchbox shell (and it cracked like a cream cracker being stood on) - i am no good at metaphor's

[YZ~10]

brake/clutch fluid i've heard used before but it can cause the lexan to harden apparently.

other thing is a paint remover by testors in usa, and this one is safe for lexan and works a treat! sadly being flammable it can't be shipped over and i've yet to find a supplier in uk