Stripping Modelhaus resin

[LongRoofNut]

So I painted and cleared a '85 Impala from The Modelhaus. I like the color just not on that car the more I looked at it. What do you guys recommend stripping Duplicolor paint off Modelhaus resin?

Thank you,

Jon

[mikemopar70]

I never stripped paint from a resin body, the only thing i can say to help you DO NOT IMMERSE IN BRAKE FLUID.....

It will ruin your body, a friend of mine did it with a 1962 chevrolet from MCW and the body completely melted!!

I may try Castrol Super Clean if i need to strip resin one day.

[zenrat]

Make up a nice strong Caustic Soda solution.

Let it cool before you put the body into it - water plus caustic soda is an exothermic reaction and can get hot enough to warp parts (don't ask me how I know...).

Let it soak for as long as it needs, scrubbing at it every so often with an old toothbrush.

Always wear gloves (I keep a box of latex ones next to the stripping bench) and goggles and when scrubbing with the toothbrush wear old clothes or an apron.

If you don't wear gloves that soapy feeling you get between your fingers is the fats being dissolved from your skin...

Edited June 7, 2013 by zenrat

[Ramfins59]

Scalecoat will safely remove Duplicolor paint from Modelhaus resin.

[LongRoofNut]

Thank you guys for all the advice/tips. It is a nice metallic brown but still has that "cop car" feel as where I want a stock daily driven Impala color.

[Tom Geiger]

Do you really need to strip it? Is the paint on the body thin enough that you could go over it? That might be the path of least resistance.

[my80malibu]

I have used both Castrol and Isopropyl alcohol to strip paint from resin, not sure about Modelhaus products. I haven't painted any of those yet. Neither one of these products damaged the resin in any way.

[Art Anderson]

Make up a nice strong Caustic Soda solution.

Let it cool before you put the body into it - water plus caustic soda is an exothermic reaction and can get hot enough to warp parts (don't ask me how I know...).

Let it soak for as long as it needs, scrubbing at it every so often with an old toothbrush.

Always wear gloves (I keep a box of latex ones next to the stripping bench) and goggles and when scrubbing with the toothbrush wear old clothes or an apron.

If you don't wear gloves that soapy feeling you get between your fingers is the fats being dissolved from your skin...

For those unfamiliar with "caustic soda", in the US we call that Lye, or by its chemical name: Sodium Hydroxide. Lye is obtainable in its pure form as "Lewis Red Devil Lye", generally found in the cleaning supplies in a supermarket, or most of the 'big box stores". Be sure to read AND FOLLOW the instructions and the safety precaution information on the can though!

Art

[Edsel-Dan]

What does Modelhaus advise to use to soak/Wash his parts with before painting?

[Longbox55]

In some areas, you may have to ask for Lye/Sodium Hydroxide and show ID. In Illinois, they've cracked down on sales of it as it seems to be one of the chemicals that meth producers have been using. I do know that most stores in my area no longer sell it, and the one place I did find it (Menard's) did not have it on the shelves, it was locked up and they are somewhat touchy about who they sell it to.

[Roncla]

Modelhaus has a F.A.Q. webpage giving recommendations for cleaning and removing paint from their products.

http://www.modelhaus.com/index.php?faq=1

[Ramfins59]

OK, it seems that Scalecoat is now NOT safe to use for stripping paint from Modelhaus resin. Apparently they changed their resin formula, and Scalecoat can no longer be used...... I just learned that from first had experience.

[Longbox55]

I see that they mention Marine Clean, which a POR15 product. I think I have a jug of that leftover from restoring my '55 Chevy, I'm going to give it a try.

BTW, update on the whole sodium hydroxide thing in Illinois, I was at one of the local farm stores near me, they had a sign up about it. Not only does one need to show identification, but they also need to fill out a form declaring the date, location, and amount that was purchased.