Stripping the paint off very old plastic

[junkyardjeff]

I have a 58 Pontiac that looks to have a few layers of paint and what would the best thing to use that will not cause anyore issues then it has.  It's a little warped.

[Fat Brian]

In my experience Super Clean is the mildest stripper to start with for plastic bodies. If you run into something it won't touch my next step is 91% isopropyl alcohol. After that you start getting into stuff that does degrade the plastic like brake fluid.

[Bainford]

45 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

In my experience Super Clean is the mildest stripper to start with for plastic bodies. If you run into something it won't touch my next step is 91% isopropyl alcohol. After that you start getting into stuff that does degrade the plastic like brake fluid.

My recommendation exactly. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

In my experience Super Clean is the mildest stripper to start with for plastic bodies. If you run into something it won't touch my next step is 91% isopropyl alcohol. After that you start getting into stuff that does degrade the plastic like brake fluid.

 

1 hour ago, Bainford said:

My recommendation exactly. 

I concur.

But before you dive in, be absolutely certain that what you have is a styrene "kit" and not an acetate promo.

Many of the solutions that are commonly used to strip paint will make short work of an acetate body.

 

I only bring this up because of the "warped" comment, which of course is a common hallmark of early promos.

 

And if you can and do use a degreaser/cleaner to strip the paint, do yourself a big favor and use the real deal, Super Clean, and not one of the cheaper and far less effective knock offs.

 

 

 

Steve

Edited February 17, 2023 by StevenGuthmiller

[yh70]

Easy Off brand name yellow can. been using it since toe 80's..in a vented area (and ware gloves with what ever stripper u choose. they did not tell u that about super clean. very ruff on the hands) any way spray model with oven cleaner . (i use a old cookie sheet or once sprayed u can put in a zip lock)  let set for 12 hrs then under warm water scrub off paint with old tooth brush..dry and re-pete if needed..now if its acrylic paint the easy off or super clean will not remove it. you will have to use 91% isopropyl alcohol..

[junkyardjeff]

I am certain it's acetate.

[Dpate]

Scalecoat is another option.