Stripping with Castrol Super Clean

[Olle F]

Ok, I know that this must have been asked many times before, but I got 792 matches for "Castrol Super Clean" when I searched... :shock: I hope that someone will be kind enough to reply anyway so I don't have to stay up all night and read all the threads. So here goes:

1: How long do I need to soak enamel paint to get it off? What about other types of paint, like laquer and acrylics?

2: Does it hurt the styrene if I soak stubborn parts for, let's say a couple of days or more?

3: Can it be reused, or does it lose it's magic after it's used or stored in an open container for a while?

4: Is there anything you can add to it to make it more efficient?

5: Does it make the styrene more sensitive to scratches, or is it safe to just scrub away with a toothbrush or something similar while stripping the parts?

6: Do the stripped parts need any special treatment, like washing, neutralizing etc. before painting them again?

Any tips will be appreciated!

[hookedonplastics]

Olle,

I have had great success using CSC for stripping both paint and chrome. I have also 'forgotten' about parts thst are soaking and have not had any adverse effects. It will strip laquers as well as glazing and filler putties. The time to strip is dependant on the age of the paint and perhaps the number of coats. I use rubber gloves to extract the parts from the bath and wash them with dish soap and warm water. I use old toothbrushes to work on particularly stubborn areas. I personally keep my bath in a larger tupperware container so I can seal it and keep the evaporation rate down. I have had the same solution in my tub for over a year and it still works fine for me. I would NOT add anything to it as you do not know the chemical reaction that might take place.

I hope this information is helpful for you. 8)

[Olle F]

I hope this information is helpful for you. 8)

Very much so! I didn't want to figure it out by trial and error, and I was a bit worried about the effects it would have on the styrene as I have had some... eh, interesting experiences with brake fluid. Seems like I don't have to worry about that then. Thanks!

[novadose71]

Hooked has it pretty much covered. The only thing I can add is to check progress daily during long soaks, here's why I do.

I have used CSC for years. Seven or eight years ago I had an adverse reaction on Monogram's 59 Caddy Convertible, first issue. I can't remember how long I soaked it, coulda been a month or so but it softened the plastic in a few area's, I didn't realize it until I dug into it while physically removing the stubborn lacquer paint, ruining the trim on top of rear fins. DOH! I threw it into it's box for a long nap, next time I opened it all the areas were solid again. So I just molded them in and it became a custom. That's the only time I had a problem with it and have stripped a lot of bodies and miscellaneous debri.

For chrome I use Mag cleaner(usually has a rough cast turbine wheel on the bottle) to get off the shiny almost instantly, rinse well, then soak in CSC to remove the clearcoat under the chrome, this usually works well for me.

[Abell82]

Using gloves is NOT a recommendation, it is a REQUIREMENT, this stuff will take off your skin.

Safety glasses are also one heck of a good idea!!

[novadose71]

I suppose, if your into all that safety stuff:)

[Modelbuilder1313]

funny, ive never used gloves while using CSC and my skin is still on my hands with no issues. LOL I must be alien

[hookedonplastics]

I too have been in a hurry and picked up parts out of the bath without having my gloves on. :roll: I too have seen no ill effects on my skin. BUT, any chemical that can remove and dissolve paint, cannot be good for your internal organs when you absorb it through your skin. Your liver is especially sensitive to volatile compunds that get into your blood stream by absorbtion.

[Olle F]

Thanks for the heads-up! You can never bee too careful around chemicals, and there's enough of them in the hobby room already. I'll definitely take precautions, gotta save the liver for other occasions! :mrgreen:

[KENNEDYJR]

It is some good stuff to use, but hard to fish parts out of sometimes.I use a small mesh strainer to retrieve parts with.Helps keep the skin on your hands!

[Abell82]

I am rather disappointed in the posts that advocate the use of CSC without gloves.

While CSC won't desolve your hand, it will kill the skin that it comes in contact with,

and it will give you the worst case of dry skin you've ever had.

(not to mention what it WILL/MAY do to your internal organs.)

If you don't believe it, try it. :roll: Most people have to learn for themselves anyway.

For those that say there is/will be no ill effects, try this:

Soak one of your hands in fresh CSC, for 20 minutes.

( I est. this to be the avg. time to strip one entire kit.)

Take pics showing one bare hand in CSC.

After 24 and 48 hours have someone take pics of both hands together and show the board.

NO FAIR USING LOTION GOOD pics will tell all. :twisted:

[hookedonplastics]

I was in NO WAY advocating NOT using gloves. :shock: I guess what I was trying to get across is that though it does not react as fast as sulfuric or hydroflouric acid would on your skin, the effects are still be harmful.

I sincerely hope that anyone reading this thread will not attempt what Jason has suggested. :shock: :shock: I know that he is being facetious, but with some people you never know! :roll:

[Olle F]

I think Jason was saying that gloves is a requirement, but yes, you do have to be careful with any chemicals. The fact that you have done something for XX years without problems doesn't mean that it's safe.

BTW: I used to paint motorcycles back in the '70s and '80's and was never really careful with all the paint and thinners I was using. The custom paints I used to do kinda required an altered state of mind anyway, so many times I sprayed away without even using a respirator. Afterwhile, it seemed like I developed a sensitivity to paint thinners, so nowadays I can't handle the stuff without getting bad headaches. Who knows what else it did to me, so I am very careful with all chemicals I use.

[Abell82]

Actually, I was refering more to this post:

Funny, I've never used gloves while using CSC and my skin is still on my hands with no issues. LOL I must be alien

And this part of your post too, Russ:

I too have been in a hurry and picked up parts out of the bath without having my gloves on. :roll: I too have seen no ill effects on my skin.

(What's with the eye roll?)

This post from you is tough to decipher, as you then go on to say:

BUT, any chemical that can remove and dissolve paint, cannot be good for your internal organs when you absorb it through your skin. Your liver is especially sensitive to volatile compunds that get into your blood stream by absorbtion.

Some people may take these statements the wrong way.

CSC can be a great thing, when used properly. However, if used improperly, I seriously doubt that

it will be used quite as improperly, again!

CSC can and will give you the equivalent of a chemical skin peel if exposed long enough.

Here is an MSDS on CSC, note the bold items. (continued after the MSDS on the bottom):

Health Effects:

The following information (Health Effects, Handling/Disposal, and Ingredients) is taken from the product label and/or the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) prepared by the manufacturer. The National Library of Medicine does not evaluate information from the product label or the Material Safety Data Sheet.

Warning from

Product Label: Danger: May cause burns, harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Alkaline detergent-ventilation. Do not induce vomiting, 2-3 glasses of water/milk, Medical Emergency: 1-800-228-5635

Acute Health Effects: From MSDS

Inhalation: Nasal and respiratory irritation, pneumonitis, and tissue damage. Eye Contact: Irritation, redness, tearing, pain, conjunctival swelling, burns. Skin Contact: Irritation, redness, extreme dryness and peeling, scarring. Ingestion: Can cause severe irritation or burns to digestive tract. Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: Pre-existing skin disorders.

Chronic Health Effects: MSDS: No chronic effects known.

Carcinogenicity: MSDS: No evidence of carcinogenicity, tetragenicity, mutagenicity, respiratory toxicity, sensitizing ability or synergistic substances.

Health Rating: 3

Flammability Rating: 0

Reactivity Rating: 1

HMIS Rating Scale: 0 = Minimal; 1 = Slight; 2 = Moderate; 3 = Serious; 4 = Severe;

N = No information provided by manufacturer; * = Chronic Health Hazard

MSDS Date: 2000-08-21

Handling/Disposal

Handling: MSDS: Maintain ambient temperatures. Avoid prolonged breathing of mists. Use with adequate ventilation. Corrosive to the eyes and skin. Severe internal irritation and damage can result when ingested. Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing. Do not swallow. Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Keep out of reach of children.

Disposal: MSDS: If discarded as supplied, material meets RCRA characteristic definition of corrosivity, D002. The toxicity characteristic has not been evaluated. Under RCRA, the applicable hazardous waste classification must be evaluated prior to disposal of the material. Use of the product, processing or contamination may render the resulting material hazardous or alter waste classification. All recovered material should be packaged, labeled, transported and disposed of or reclaimed in accordance with local, state, and Federal regulations regarding air pollution, water pollution or health.

Caution! Improper disposal or reuse of the empty container may be hazardous and illegal. Cutting or welding of empty containers may cause fire, explosion or toxic fumes from residues. Do not pressurize or expose to open flame or heat. Keep container closed and drum bungs in place. Refer to applicable governmental regulations.

Ingredients from MSDS/Label

Chemical CAS No / Unique ID Percent

Fragrance(s)/perfume(s) 000000-00-1 0.1-1

Dye(s) (unspecified) 000000-00-2

MSDS: Proprietary or trade secret ingredient(s) 000000-00-8 0.5-1.5

2-Butoxyethanol 000111-76-2 5-10

Sodium xylenesulfonate 001300-72-7 1-5

Sodium hydroxide 001310-73-2 1-5

Water 007732-18-5 60-100

Sodium metasilicate pentahydrate 010213-79-3 1-5

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(4-nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy- ,branched 127087-87-0 1-5

One more item to think about: Most people think that this stuff (CSC) is biodegradable, just pour it down the drain when you are done.

HOWEVER, keep this statement in mind:

Use of the product, processing or contamination may render the resulting material hazardous or alter waste classification.

Thanks, I'll get off the soapbox now. :wink:

[novadose71]

I wouldn't try and advocate the non use of rubber gloves ,or any other "safety stuff" unless I was being sarcastic. I have been in the painting industry (home,auto,and industrial) around 15 yrs, gloves,respirators, etc. are a daily ritual, sometimes all day, I guess I might assume that safety's on everyones mind. I've seen and heard the effects of various chemicals on the body for years. I didn't learn until I started to notice some effects on my own body, but then it's a little late. You want to prevent the effects, not wait till you experience them, then try to make them go away.

I've also done the 20 min. CSC hand soak several times in the past, I'll add that it gave my hands a numbing effect for day's, and while your embalming your hands on Castrol, might as well use the time to strip a body , otherwise it's an accurate description.

BTW I keep my safety stuff;gloves, safety glasses, respirator, ear plugs, etc. together. I'll go to grab one thing and the rest are reminders that I might need more protection. I tend to use them more this way .

I'm done with my safety weenie speech for today, NOW GET BUILDING.

[hookedonplastics]

Jason, the eye roll was directed towards myself. Kinda like, sheesh, you dummy....... not using gloves. I know better, and still have done it without thinking. I was not discounting anything you said in the least!