Cellulose paint removal-Celica GrB

[wigglyjohn]

Well guys I've been drawn back into the fold after 20+ years absence. For no apparent reason I pulled a box from the attic to look at my old Tamiya which has been up there for the last 2 decades. The whole works perfect, no damage mechanically, some spares but the Lexan body needs a repaint. Originally the body was painted inside to match the box but my then boss decided one day to surprise me by repainting the outside of the body to match "starskey and Hutch" red and white much to my horror. Now the problem I have is that he used conventional car body spray paints. Is there a way to remove it without damaging the Lexan?

[pininfarina]

Tamiya does make their own lexan paint remover

87118 Tamiya Polycarbonate Body Cleaner

 

 

[wigglyjohn]

Thanks for the video Pininfarina. The inside of the shell is painted with Lexan body paint and that would take that off ok but would the Tamiya stuff remove commercial cellulose car spray paint though from the outside of the body? Just afraid of damaging the original shell especially if it's good underneath.

 

[wigglyjohn]

Here is the car and body in question which I'm sure some of you will recognise, Celica GrB. The car is entirely original, nothing has been changed other than a rear wishbone which got broken many years ago and was fixed then. There is a spare technigold motor, spare rear wish bones, 2 set front wishbones and various other bits. The body is original with only slight damage on the left hand front corner and a missing fog light hence why I would like to remove the cellulose car spray paint. The car was only driven a few times on tarmac.

[GregM]

It depends on the exact kind of paint that was used, but this thread should be helpful to you:

 

[wigglyjohn]

Thanks Greg, A very interesting read. It was definitely car body cellulose spray that is readily available in most automotive shops. Some type of graffiti remover may be the answer. There is an area of the shell that I can test on where it won't be seen, so I may give a go.......then again I may leave it well alone and just buy a repro shell.

 

[Tamiyabigstuff]

Those shells are notoriously fragile - personally I'd buy a repro.

The paint job doesn't look too bad - I'd leave it as is for a runner.