Paint Removal (yet again...)

[zomboided 374]

Hard body (beetle shell), I'm guessing car body paint, plus some labels.

What have people been successful using in this situation? Oven cleaner (and what kind, UK brand), de-solv-it graffiti remover, brake fluid (which DOT?).

Given the cost of a new shell, I'm wondering if it's worth the bother, so I'm looking for something that'll just cause the paint to peel off easily rather than me spending hours sanding!

[TamTom 367]

Tiger Entfetter works great. I am using for over twelve years now. Harmless to plastic and lexane bodies. You even can keep decals on lexane bodies for getting paint off the inside. You can even soak bodies or parts for weeks or even months.

http://www.obi.at/decom/product/Entfetter_1_l/1686609

[yogi-bear 2321]

I have been using either dettol (although expensive, needs to be the antiseptic not the hand cleaner) or oven cleaner (Easy Off Bam, very cheap, but has to contain sodium hydroxide). Dettol just smells, otherwise its pretty harmless to skin with minor contact. With oven cleaner, make sure you ventilate well. I tried brake fluid and found it dried the plastic out, so have avoided that since. Brake fluid success will also depend on the DOT type. Success from each method can depend on the paint type.

Finally post pics of what you try please!

[SteveU30 1011]

Desolvit all day long, will have it back to bare plastic in half an hour max (3x 10 minute sessions back to back).

Link to buy from Screwfix: http://www.screwfix.com/p/de-solv-it-graffiti-remover-1ltr/45293?cm_sp=Search-_-SearchRec-_-Area1&_requestid=285871

Jonny Retro's excellent guide: http://tamiyabase.com/blog/painting/145-paint-stripping.html

[zomboided 374]

Finally post pics of what you try please!

ALWAYS!

Thanks for the replies gents, I'll give the graffiti removal stuff a go.

[camy67 13]

Caustic soda worked for me, on a hard beetle shell that had acrylic,polycarb and auto paint on it.....for twenty years.

[bromvw 744]

Desolvit all day long, will have it back to bare plastic in half an hour max (3x 10 minute sessions back to back).

Link to buy from Screwfix: http://www.screwfix.com/p/de-solv-it-graffiti-remover-1ltr/45293?cm_sp=Search-_-SearchRec-_-Area1&_requestid=285871

Jonny Retro's excellent guide: http://tamiyabase.com/blog/painting/145-paint-stripping.html

That Desolvit is great - it shifts anything with out harming the plastic . Local bus company use it on their shelters all the time .

this stuff is also great for removing decals

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/351054901644?clk_rvr_id=747013081010&crlp=1_262531&mt_id=635&sdc_id=1418342039z774232z4c073b0a14249z&mid=424487&fitem=351054901644&linkin_id=8076831&crdt=0&sortbid=20

[sparkysx 125]

Did you win that green one on evilbay then?

[derv_scaler 17]

Bead blasting works perfectly and doesn't damage the shell itself at all, not really a DIY option for most but you can usually find someone locally who can do it quite cheaply.

[sparkysx 125]

I suppose it depends on what media you use and the pressure?

[derv_scaler 17]

I used glass beads at 115 psi (hence bead blasting) steel shot would wreck the body.

I think soda blasting would work well too, so if you have access to a compressor you can make a soda blaster from an air duster nozzle and some PVC tubing.

[Fruitfly01 596]

A +1 for the Desolvit. SteveU30 pointed me to it a little while ago when i wanted to strip a Jugg body. It did in minutes what brake fluid took weeks to do. I was chuffed to bits.

[Kevin_Mc 411]

I collected used dot 4 brake fluid from my mate's garage and it stripped the paint off my clod body in big soft flakes without and harm to the plastic.

I'd use it again and again, but i obviously get it for freeso it may not be the cheapest option for everyone

[zomboided 374]

Did you win that green one on evilbay then?

No, but I did win a rather nice dark grey one, with box :-)

You guys using de-solv it, I'm gonna go pick some of this stuff up tonight. How are you applying, just on a cloth all over the body, or some sort of soaking for a period of time? What's the approach here?

[SteveU30 1011]

No, but I did win a rather nice dark grey one, with box :-)

You guys using de-solv it, I'm gonna go pick some of this stuff up tonight. How are you applying, just on a cloth all over the body, or some sort of soaking for a period of time? What's the approach here?

Have a look at the link I posted above to Jonny Retros guide, I followed that with excellent results.

[Fruitfly01 596]

Heck, I didn't even know there was a guide I just poured a good dollop on the body and then went to town with a toothbrush - which is what Jonny Retro seems to have done too. Don't forget the gloves or you'll be covered in paint by the end of it all.

From this

to this

to this

[SteveU30 1011]

To be honest that's about as much of a guide as you need, it really is that easy to work with isn't it?

[bromvw 744]

To be honest that's about as much of a guide as you need, it really is that easy to work with isn't it?

like that old advert - it does what it says on the tin lol

[Fruitfly01 596]

To be honest that's about as much of a guide as you need, it really is that easy to work with isn't it?

Totally. And thanks for telling me about it too.

[SteveU30 1011]

That Desolvit is great - it shifts anything with out harming the plastic . Local bus company use it on their shelters all the time . 

 

this stuff is also great  for removing decals 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/351054901644?clk_rvr_id=747013081010&crlp=1_262531&mt_id=635&sdc_id=1418342039z774232z4c073b0a14249z&mid=424487&fitem=351054901644&linkin_id=8076831&crdt=0&sortbid=20

Do you just put this stuff straight on the decal then?

[berman 5315]

Watching this thread with interest as I have two bodies that will need to be stripped. I have de solv it, but i have this strange feeling that the stuff we and the Aussies get might be different to your 'graffiti remover' version

[SteveU30 1011]

Watching this thread with interest as I have two bodies that will need to be stripped. I have de solv it, but i have this strange feeling that the stuff we and the Aussies get might be different to your 'graffiti remover' version

Here's the safety data sheet for the UK one, might be worth comparing with the one you can get?

http://www.desolvit.co.uk/userfiles/file/Graffiti%20Remover.pdf

[zomboided 374]

I was expecting you guys to tell me all to shut up and use search

Top advice, links and pictures, thanks all.

[yogi-bear 2321]

Watching this thread with interest as I have two bodies that will need to be stripped. I have de solv it, but i have this strange feeling that the stuff we and the Aussies get might be different to your 'graffiti remover' version

yeah, we don't get the same stuff, which is why I use either dettol or easy off bam.

[SteveU30 1011]

I was expecting you guys to tell me all to shut up and use search 

Top advice, links and pictures, thanks all.

That's why I love this forum, the 'use search' phrase is as good as banned in these parts!

Definition of a forum:

"An assembly, meeting place, television program, etc., for the discussion of questions of public interest."