removing paint from plastic hulls

[young bob]

Hi all

This may be a stupid question but, i have started using silver paint to highlight any seam problems when joining ship hulls together. What is the best method of removing the paint prior to applying the correct hull paint, i am afraid of uisng thinners incase it softens the plastic to much?

Can anybody out there recommend a solution or suitable method.

regards Bob

[les]

You could try Chameleon Paint Stripper. It's available at model RR shops.

[AndrexP]

Here's a better idea:

Buy a silver-color Sharpie permanent marker (cost= about $1). Instant results, extremely thin coat with good coverage, and wipes off with alcohol. I use a medium-sized tip marker all the time to see the results of filling and sanding.

I've started using it in lieu of painting on small metallic parts, like 1/700 scale pre-WWII yellow-wing a/c (like itty-bitty wildcats for my Lex). It's indistinguishable from paint, can be easily top-coated (does not reject acrylics, anyway), and I'm done in seconds.

I just picked up a gold-color Sharpie, to see how it does on tiny ship's screws (as in propellers, you lubbers!)

[Devin]

Simple Green cleaner. Soak it in that stuff and after a few hours the paint should start to loosen enough to scrub off with an old toothbrush.

Question, though: Why remove it? Why not just sand it so that it feathers into the surrounding area and then cover it with a coat of primer and then paint?

-Devin

[AndrexP]

...Buy a silver-color Sharpie permanent marker (cost= about $1). Instant results, extremely thin coat with good coverage, and wipes off with alcohol. I use a medium-sized tip marker all the time to see the results of filling and sanding.

Lesson learned!

If you go the Sharpie route, remove it with alcohol before you topcoat with acrylics. It will affect adhesion.

I just pulled off a chunk of MM acryl from a snazzy new paint jobber, leaving the silver Sharpie smilin' at me.

[Sean Hert]

I like using Gunze Mr Color lacquer thinner; I've used it on clear parts and regular parts of kits with good effect. Removes the paint, doesn't harm the plastic (or the resin).

[young bob]

Thank you gents for all your kind advice, I will try all your methods and see which is best for me.

thanks all

Regards Bob

[mike mccabe]

Bob,
My suggestion would be as Devin says, sand it down and then prime before painting. I use a grey primer from Halfords, the one made for plastic. Just hold the can about 9 inches away as the spray is pretty strong and you don't want to flood the model.

Mike

[young bob]

Mike

thanks for the advice, will do.

regards Bob