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Stripping my mule.


S5 modeller

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Hi chaps.

I've been using the body of an old car kit for a paint test mule. It's got quite a few years of different paints and primer on it. What would be the best, and easiest way to strip it back to bare plastic?

I'm only asking, as I now seem to have a hankering to actually build the thing.

I'm open to any and all crazy suggestions

Matt

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You may need a variety of paint strippers.

BnQ do one, of their own brand, in a white plastic bottle - that one is quite good but may not take everything off.

Revell do a paint stripper

Then there's caustic soda solution

Mr. Muscle

Fairey Power Spray [original, not the scented one]

Dettol

Fresh brake fluid DOT 3

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Well, I've got this stuff.....

DSC_0245.jpg

Which from all my tests proves it's not magic, it won't strip owt.

I've also got:-

Poundland oven cleaner spray mouse.

Cellulose thinners

Ipa

Dettol

Methylated spirits

Might have some brake fluid, does it have to be DOT 3?

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I'd not use cellulose thinners, except maybe on a rag for the toppish coats only. It'll soften the plastic too much.

Dettol has to be the original - pine scented.

DOT 4 brake fluid works but I found the DOT 3 is stronger. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, as it absorbs water it weakens and thus old stuff will shift very little.

IPA and meths should soften and remove any acrylic paints, might take time for them to soften them.

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Aye, I've encountered cellulose thinners and melting plastic. The original Dettol is indeed best, the cheap poundland stuff doesn't work at all.

Will purchase some new brake fluid asap.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

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Just mix 1 part Dettol to 10 parts lukewarm water and leave for a few days, you can change the Dettol mix after a couple of days and hey presto bare plastic.

Thanks for that, but will it shift automotive primer and hycote spray paint?

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Yup, Nitromors will reduce it to a mess of dissolved plastic.

Oven cleaner may work a bit. Depends on what concentration of caustic soda it has in it. They all do, just in very small amounts.

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Hi again.

A quick progress report on this.

DSC_0250.jpg

This is what I like to think of as my "strip tank". One large lunch box containing a full bottle of Dettol. I use it to strip enamel paint off small parts.

On the advice above, I filled it up with warm water.

My mule has been soaking in it for about 36 hours. Just had a check, not expecting much, and it's worked wonders!

99% of the red automotive top coat has peeled away, and the matt black below is dissolving. Had a quick scrub with a scouring sponge, and a fair amount of base plastic is visible. Quite surprised at this. I think there is grey primer, matt black, alclad chrome, more grey primer and cherry red on there, that I can remember. The Dettol is making steady progress through all of it.

The roof and the headliner are a bit more stubborn, as it has been floating.

Going to give it another day, the either weight it down, or flip it over.

Makes you wonder, if this stuff can strip tough paint, why do we clean cuts out with it?

Thanks for the advice.

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  • 3 weeks later...

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