Polycarbonate paint removal...

[TrueBlue]

So I've scowered the interwebs for a solution to this, but have'nt found anything concrete. I find multiple answers, all saying one thing or another, nothing clear.

Unlike most people however, I do not need to remove large or thick amounts of paint from a polycarbonate body. I forgot to place the masking stickers for the winders and lights, before I started spraying. Fortunately, I only managed a very light dusting of paint, like a light mist.

I really just need something strong enough to remove it. I wouldn't bother if I planeed to use the light stickers, but I'm using LEDs, so yo umight be able to see the paint.

Does anyone have any solid ideas, JUST to remove a light sprinkling of spray paint on a polycarbonate body?

Thanks much.

[Newsh]

You could try acetone free nail varnish remover? If you can test it on a spare piece if you still have some offcut or sprue from the body?

Other than that, i find fairy power spray great for removing acrylic based paints, it needs an couple of hours to work though

[Sandster]

You need this stuff.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/331286867148?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

[GregM]

Acetone usually attacks Polycarbonate/Lexan and Polystyrene.

I'd go for Methoxypropanol PM, it is the same ingredient that is used for Carson Lexan Paint Killer (which I had good success with correcting small painting errors on a Tamiya lexan body) and one of the ingredients of Revell Brush/Airbrush Cleaner. I wouldn't be surprised if the Tamiya Polycarbonate bodyshell cleaner has the same ingredient, too. According to Modellbau Seidel's description on the Tamiya cleaner, it can be used both for bodyshell preparation (cleaning before painting) as well as removing paint.

More information about Tamiya Polycarbonate bodyshell cleaner:

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=56172

More information about removing paint and primer on polystyrene mold and garage kit resin mold using Methoxypropanol PM:

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=75942

[Truck Norris]

I've tried the Carson and Tamiya stuff and they smell quite different so may not be the same stuff.

I prefer the Tamiya as it smells better and works perfectly go tidying up bleeds etc. Stands to reason that the company that makes the paint will know best what's needed to remove it.

[njmlondon]

You need this stuff.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/331286867148?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

This stuff is perfect. I bought several bottles from Japan a while ago to clean up poor masking and it worked a treat. If you want a bottle without shipping from Japan, let me know.

[GregM]

Thanks for the advice, I'll give the Tamiya cleaner a try too compare it with the other chemicals mentioned. Good thing I can get it locally.

EDIT: I found a safety data sheet for the Tamiya polycarbonate bodyshell cleaner, which mentions the ingredients:

Quote

Tamiya 87118 polycarbonate bodyshell cleaner 40 ml

CAS: 107-98-2 | EINECS: 203-539-1 | PGME 95%
CAS: 123-86-4 | EINECS: 204-658-1 | n-Butylacetat 5%

Source: http://www.tamiya.de/de/produkte/ersatztuningteilezubehoer/ersatzteile/produktdetails.htm?sArtNr=300087118

Data sheet for Carson Lexan Paint Killer (bottle):

Quote

Carson 500908113 Lexan paint killer 100 ml

Dangerous substances:

CAS: 107-98-2 | EINECS: 203-539-1 | 1-methoxy-2-propanol 70-90%
CAS: 141-78-6 | EINECS: 205-500-4 | ethyl acetate 1-10%

Rest: Non-hazardous

Source: http://www.carson-modelsport.com/de/produkte/zubehoer/zubehoerallgemein/produktdetails.htm?sArtNr=500908113

Data sheet for Carson Paint Killer spray (spray can):

Quote

Carson 500909141 paint killer (200 ml)

CAS: 107-98-2 | EINECS: 203-539-1 | 1-methoxy-2-propanol 70-90%
CAS: 106-97-8 | EINECS: 203-448-7: butane 10-20%
CAS: 141-78-6 | EINECS: 205-500-4 ethyl acetate 1-10%
CAS: 74-98-6 | EINECS: 200-827-9 propane 1-10%
CAS: 106-97-8 | EINECS: 200-857-2 isobutane 1-10%
aliphatic hydrocarbons 15 - 30%

Source: http://www.carson-modelsport.com/de/produkte/zubehoer/zubehoerallgemein/produktdetails.htm?sArtNr=500908141

EINECS 203-539-1 is mentioned in both the Carson's paint removers as well as the Tamiya paint remover.
According to the EINECS nomenclature, this is 1-Methoxy-2-propanol. PGME (Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether) is the same as Methoxypropanol, just another name for the same.

If this is true, then all three products only differ in the additional chemicals, while the active component stays the same. It seems like the Tamiya product has the highest concentration of the active component (95%), while the Carson products have less (70-90%).

The spray can has some additional components for spraying.

Please see the Wikipedia entry for other trade names of Methoxypropanol:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propylene_glycol_methyl_ether

EDIT2:

Data sheet for Kremer Pigmente Methoxypropanol PM which I've used for the major work of paint removal. Available as 1 Litre and 3 Litre bottles:

Quote

Kremer Pigmente Methoxypropanol PM

1-Methoxy-2-propanol > 99.5 %
2-Methoxy-1-propanol < 0.30 %

Source: http://www.kremer-pigmente.com/en/product/methoxypropanol-pm-70920.html?info=7124&sorting=model

A whopping 99.5% of active component. And it's cheaper per litre than all the others.

[TrueBlue]

Thanks for all the suggestions there. I was thinking about giving the acetone-free nail polish remover a go. I don't have any but i can get some in the next day or so.

However, njmlondon I'll be more than happy to give the Tamiya polycarbonate cleaner if you can help out. I'd rather not ship from Japan, if only because of the shipping time. Let me know if the offer is still open.