Purple Power & Die Cast

[Bullitt]

I have a Die Cast model of the Old Navy truck they used to put in all of their stores. I would like to strip the paint & redo it as a custom truck. Just wondering if a bath in Purple Power will work on the die cast like is does in plastic models.

[Longbox55]

No, it will not. The Sodium Hydroxide (lye) that's in it will dissolve the metal. It's one of the reasons it works so well at stripping "chrome" from kit parts, the "chrome" is actually vaporized aluminum. Aircraft stripper would be a better choice.

[BigTallDad]

No, it will not. The Sodium Hydroxide (lye) that's in it will dissolve the metal. It's one of the reasons it works so well at stripping "chrome" from kit parts, the "chrome" is actually vaporized aluminum. Aircraft stripper would be a better choice.

I agree. Another alternative would lacquer thinner, which is probably easier to find that aircraft stripper.

Edited March 10, 2016 by BigTallDad
spelling error

[StevenGuthmiller]

Almost anything that you "can't" use on plastic will work on metal!

Purple Power is a no-no on metal.

 

Steve

[Crazy Ed]

Good ol' Dot 3 Break Fluid ought to work also.

[Art Anderson]

I agree. Another alternative would lacquer thinner, which is probably easier to find that aaircraft stripper.

"Aircraft" paint stripper should be very easy to find!    Around here, nearly every autoparts store carries it.  (if nothing else, look for the phrase "non-ferrous metal" on the label.

Art

[Ace-Garageguy]

"Aircraft" paint stripper should be very easy to find!    Around here, nearly every autoparts store carries it.  (if nothing else, look for the phrase "non-ferrous metal" on the label.

Art

Yup. Takes paint off die-cast FAST.

After it's done its job, scrub with hot soapy water and steel wool. Comet works well too. You REALLY want to get ANY residue off of the surface before you re-primer.

WEAR GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION !!!

Edited March 10, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Bullitt]

Thanks

[Art Anderson]

Yup. Takes paint off die-cast FAST.

After it's done its job, scrub with hot soapy water and steel wool. Comet works well too. You REALLY want to get ANY residue off of the surface before you re-primer.

WEAR GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION !!!

When I was doing product development for the Johnny Lightning Division of the former Playing Mantis Inc. (2002 through 2004) I got frequent assignments to disassemble and strip various diecast models (1/64 to 1/24 scale) and repaint them in different colors.  I never had to use anything stronger than industrial brushes (my favorite was then, still is, industrial style "toothbrushes), and never needed to use anything other than cheap lacquer thinner to wash down the now-paint-free diecast surfaces, before priming and repainting.  One caveat here though: For surface cleanup after stripping, and brushing away all the little flecks of softened paint, I simply washed those bodies with a strong detergent solution, rinsed thoroughy, blue them dry with compressed air, and painted,  When painting diecasts, use "self-etching" primer, as most paints do not adhere well to Zamak.

Art