paint stripping

[dougcnup]

Saturday while at TRainfest in Milwaukee I was able to pick up 2 Proto 2000 SD45's for $40 each. I wanna strip off paint on one of them and repaint in a WC OLS.

what would be the best way to doo this? Or is it easier tojust paint over the paintjob. Now is painted In Santa Fe Pinstrip.

thank you
Doug

 

[jbaakko]

Pine-sol, the original kind, and/or 90% oh higher Isoprypol Alcohol (running).

 

[macjet]

I have had luck with either Lift-Off or alcohol.

 

[Red Oak & Western]

I use 90% isopropyl alcohol. I would advise against painting over the old paint job. I have a couple of club models that did just that, and at the right angle, the texture of the old paint shows through.

 

[HaggisKennedy]

That would be OK if you're going for the cheapie leaser repaint look....

Kennedy

 

[Zephyr]

I am also stripping a couple PROTO units, a PA/PB set. How long do you soak them for and what do you use to brush off the paint?

 

[macjet]

The Lift-Off required a long soak. Several hours or more. On my SD60 that I stripped the Lift-Off was the only thing that would remove the long hood paint but alcohol was the only thing that would remove the short hood and cab paint. I used an old toothbrush to scrub all the parts.

 

[jbaakko]

I usually drop them in for about 15 minutes at a time, then scrub a little, then drop them in again. It works better on layered paint that way. I've used a stipp bristle boot brush I got in bootcamp, ad stiff bristle toothbrush & a soft bristle, plus a foam paint brush thingy.

 

[Red Oak & Western]

I usually let them soak about an hour. Hard to tell though, since I tend to wander off and work on other tasks. I use a canister I got at Walmart, about 4" in diameter and 8" tall, with lid. Minimizes the fumes that way. I use a new (dedicated) toothbrush for scrubbing.

 

[Smoke]

I just toss the shell in the 91% overnight. works every time, with the exeption of y BLI AC6000CW.

 

[RCH]

If you're soaking in 91% isopropyl alcohol, be sure to do it in an enclosed container because alcohol that dry instantly starts absorbing water from the air and becomes quite diluted, thereby losing its strength.

I've had success on recent Athearn and P2K models using 91% isopropyl alcohol. For some older stubborn Atlas models, I've used Scalecoat Wash Away (for plastic). In either case, I soak overnight and hit it with an electric toothbrush the next day. I strain the alcohol or Wash Away through pantyhose (you should have seen the look on my wife's face when I asked for a pair of hers!) back into the original container when I'm done. If necessary, I'll soak the model a second time (and to be honest, it usually is necessary).

Whatever you do, I'd recommend against painting over the original paint, especially any Santa Fe paint job. The yellow, no matter who the manufacturer was, is invariably heavy and will obscure detail with any additional coats of paint you add.

 

[Zephyr]

Thanks guys! That really helps.

 

[dougcnup]

thanks guys, removedall handrails, MU hoses, windows, etc. gonna get it soak over night in 91% isopropyl alcohol. Wish me luck

Doug