Any alternative to Brake fuid for taking off paint.

[Austin T]

Tonight I spent about an hour at the sink scrubing parts that have sat for 3 days in blake fluid,Is there a cheadper and better way?

[my80malibu]

Personally I dont like brake fluid. I use Castrol purple cleaner that you kind find at most hardware and home repair stores. you could also try Oven cleaner.

[38 Crush]

I've always used "Easy off" oven cleaner, Yellow Can. Got to use rubber gloves and venilation. But it works great!!

[Ben]

Castrol Super Clean works great for plastic but I have heard stories of it attacking resin parts. Whestly's Bleach White works well and is safe for resin or plastic.

[OLESHEP63]

CASTROL SUPER CLEAN = WALMART $10.00 PURPLE POWER = DOLLAR GENERAL $5.00..SAME STUFF, PACKAGED DIFFERENT. THIS STUFF IS POTENT,NO JOKE ABOUT IT. WEAR GLOVES & GLASSES WHEN HANDLING IT..IT WILL ALSO DE-CHROME ANYTHING PLASTIC. BEEN USING THE STUFF FOR AROUND 12 YEARS & THE ONLY THING I HAVE RUN INTO IT NOT WORKING WELL ON IS REAL OLD LAQUER OR NEON COLORS.. IT WILL DEFINATELY SOFTEN SOME RESIN BODIES.IT WILL ALSO DE-BOND SUPER GLUE IF YOU DON'T MIND WAITING A COUPLE OF WEEKS..I USE AN OLD PLASTIC GALLON ICECREAM TUB TO SOAK IN. WHEN THE PAINT STARTS LIFTING SCRUB W / TOOTHBRUSH & RINSE WITH DAWN OR A DEGREASER SOAP..

[moparmagiclives]

I've always used "Easy off" oven cleaner, Yellow Can. Got to use rubber gloves and venilation. But it works great!!

Dito

[slantasaurus]

Another option that hasn't been mentioned yet is Pine Sol or other "pine" based cleaners, I used that for several years before switching to the purple stuff. Some of the newer laquer paints and pre-painted kits can be stripped with 90% alcohol. Bleach is also good for stripping chrome but doesn't work on most paints.

[Fabrux]

I'm finding that it really depends on the paint what you use to strip it. I used Super Clean almost exclusively up until about a month ago when I had a body painted with Testor's One Coat that sat for 3 weeks and nothing came off. I tried brake fluid instead and it finally started coming off, but not completely. I may look into 90% alcohol with another body that I have that was painted with nail polish (several times in several colours...sigh).

I also found that, on bodies that were painted without primer, brake fluid strips only the paint away and leaves the plastic shiny like it came out of the box whereas Super Clean tends to eat away at the plastic a bit.

[Austin T]

Ok thanks guys,Now I gotta pick up a can or two of purple power.

[route66modeler]

laundry bleach, simple green, purple power, 90% alky(use outside as it VERY Flamable). Steve

[DON-T2]

Chrome removal was mentioned. I have used Easy Off and bleach and the chrome is gone almost instantly, but the lacquer base remains, I have used alcohol (97%), brake fluid, and wesley's and nothing wants to really knock off the lacquer base. Any ideas?

[heatride]

Like Steve said for stripping chrome I use Bleach and it has worked very well.

[Mooneyzs]

As Others have already mentioned I used Castrol Super Clean and it worked great for me. Here is a pic after about 3 days soaking. I also had to do very little scrubbing

[Guest]

I use Simple Green for both paint and chrome removal.

[SuperStockAndy]

I personally use Easy Off oven cleaner.

But, I might pick up some Purple Power next time I'm at the General. Hey, a reason for me to want to go there!

[crazyjim]

I'm getting away from Purple Power and going to Simple Green and Dawn Power Dissolver. Both are easier on the hands and environment.

[george 53]

I've used Simple Green for YEARS no with NO ill effects. Purple Power and SCS WILL BURN YOUR SKIN!!!! I KNOW this for a fact!!(So do my hands) so NEVER use it WITHOUT GLOVES. Simple Green can be poured down the drain when your thru with it and it no longer strips EASILY and quickly. Be sure to strain the old paint flakes out of it if you do!.

[Dr. Cranky]

George, I like Simple Green too, but I've used (with glove on) Purple Power with great results.

[Mike Kucaba]

My go to stripper is Super Clean. If that fails I use Dawn Power Dissolver. If I know it's a an water based acrylic I use ammonia. Tamiya lacquer strips with 90%+ alcohol. I have safely used Super Clean on resin for years.

[MikeMc]

I will stick to DOT 3 brake fluid. It works on all lacquers...90 % alcohol also works. I also use the oven cleaner....nasty stuff for the skin and lungs.

I use DOT 3 in a quart sized tray....when old and fullof water It goes to my local oil change and they will recycle it free.

[Hawk312]

Have you guys ever tried Zep

Purple Industrial Cleaner? I think that is what this guy is using, and he claims it strips the paint off plastic in a matter of minutes:

Edited January 28, 2012 by Hawk312