I did a search first, but wasn't exactly sure, so...

 

I want to remove silver testors enamel paint that I applied to an Alt Hound (as in not it's orginal coat). The plastic is molded black underneath my paintjob. Is there any difference in the kind of thinner to use or way to remove it other than the usual method employed when stripping the factory coat?

 

Also, it's only trim sections I'm trying to remove (Hounds wheel wells, and bumpers). If I work the thinner on the trim only, with a q-tip (?), will it take off the paint on the body too? Will it strip what it "splashes" onto as I try to get the paint off of those trim sections? If I tape off the body at the edges where they meet will that protect it?

 

I appreciate any help.

 

I'm just trying to get this dang Trailbreaker finished, and I'm sooooo close, but I really need to change the trim paint, and I can't just go over it.

 

BTW - I got this silver paint marker (Sanford metallic marker) to do some touch-ups, and it just blows the testors paint away in appilcation and look, and it is very steadfast to the touch and dries almost instantly. I highly recommend it for silvers and golds.

One way to do it is to take it apart and soak the parts in oven cleaner in a sealed container, so the oven cleaner won't dry out. The Oven cleaner won't hurt the plastic either.

One way to do it is to take it apart and soak the parts in oven cleaner in a sealed container, so the oven cleaner won't dry out. The Oven cleaner won't hurt the plastic either.

The trim pieces are not removable from the body, so soaking in oven cleaner would take off everything...which I'd really like to avoid.

 

Any other suggestions?

 

Did I guess right that by taping off the body from the trim I might be able to remove the trim paint, and not worry that "splash" from the thinner/cleaner will affect the body?

I would think masking it with regular office tape would help, but I don't think it will come off super easy anyway, so you should be able to just use a Q-tip and some caution. Just be cognizant (word of the day :thumb ) of any paint thinner you do happen to get on the body, and blot it off IMMEDIATELY with a paper towel, and you should be okay. I know that stripping the factory enamel from Silverstreak was a pain in the a$$, so I would think you could lightly bump the paint with a thinner-wet Q-tip without causing irreversible damage, as long as you get it off right away with said paper towel. Regardless, masking it off can't hurt. (Unless you manage to get thinner behind the tape without realizing it. Be careful...)

 

Good luck! :thumb

Okay, I think I can help:

 

Hobby shops sell something called "PollyS ELO (Easy Lift-off)", which can remove paint and decals from plastic w/o hurting it. try using a q-tip to apply this to the trim, them remove it likewise.

 

Another way is to use Oxy pads to remove the paint. This may take several applications, but should work just as well. The oven cleaner method works too, but o nly on large-scale items that can be soaked.

 

What I DO NOT recommend is the use of paint thinner or solvent. This is just asking for trouble, as paint thinner is notorius for weakening plastics, and even more notorius for seeping past masking tape. Even if it isn't styrene (model plastic), I would be VERY hesitant to use it. Alternately, You can also try 409 cleaner to remove the paint. (works on chrome too.) You can in addtion to this also use 0000-grade steel wool to buff away the paint, right down to the plastic.

 

As for applying chrome, I recommend Krylon Chrome paint. it's the closest thing I've found to the appearance of chrome, but be aware that no 'chrome' paint will ever be as durable as the real thing. Bare-metal foil offers foil that replicates chrome, but this comes with it's own application problems and limitations on durability and usage.

 

Hopefully, this helps you out splendic. Good luck with your Hound/Trailbreaker repaint. I hope to see it soon! :)

Thanks for the repsonses everybody, It's going all right, but it's a pain in the ass.

 

WV, I was waiting for you to chime in :thumb. I would have gone with something other than the marker, except I'm intentionally shooting for silver instead of chrome.

 

I'll post picks soon.

hi there,well if i understood your question, the best thinner for removing testors paint and not affecting the plastic is testors airbrush cleaner, it will take the paint off without affecting plastic leaving it ready for painting again.