I need to strip several locomotive and freightcar shells to repaint for my AWRR. Anyone know of a suitable stripper which is available in the UK? M G Sharp say they have difficulty getting any these days, especially via importing.
Have you tried 99% alcohol, It will remove most paints applied by the manufacturer. If you can't get 99% pure alcohol then the next best thing is brake fluid. Regards and a Merry Christmas
Thanks Jim, where would 99% alcohol be available, chemist, maybe? I have used brake fluid many years ago, but am not too confident it would not damage the plastic.
I remember a conversation about this over here, the alcohol is available from Chemists, but you usually have to ask specifically for it and explain why you want it.
Martyn, I have in the past used some liquid stripper, called Chameleon, I think and another similar but a different brand. Cannot for the life of me remember where it came from, or if it is still available here. There also used to be a messy paste which was plastered over the model which was then enclosed in a plastic bag and placed in the airing cupboard or other warm place overnight. Called Modelstrip, IIRC. Don't fancy using that though. May have to go and plead with the chemist
91% isopropyl alcohol will do the trick, and should be available at most pharmacies - at least it is on this side of the pond.
Thanks. I will have a word with our local pharmacy to see what they can supply. But as it is only a village, I may have to try a larger one.
If you can get Pine Sol cleaner over there, try that. Best thing I have found, bar none. It will even strip Rivarossi shells. If the smell bothers you, final wash with blue Dawn dishwashing liquid and hot water.
I asked at my local pharmacy about isopropyl alcohol. They do not have any, but one of the staff previously worked in Boots the Chemists in Lincoln, and she knows they stock it. So I will be able to get my hands one some
Alan, Chameleon was difficult to get but highly recommended. The other is probably Polly S ELO (Easy Lift Off). Forget about getting them - flammable and a royal pain to ship (definitely NO air). There s a local product, though. Phoenix Precision is the brand. Re-usable paint stripper for metal and plastic. I've used it on Atlas with good results and no problems. I picked it up at the hobby shop in Rochester, Kent. It's made by Phoenix Precision Paints in Cheltenham - 01242 575326
Gary, saw this in my Squires catalogue - can't think why I never checked before! I buy lots of stuff from Squires as they give an excellent mail order service. (Some on order)
I highly reccomend the phoenix reusable stripper Alan and also get mine from squires, if memory serves me right i think its available in two size bottles (very handy for those botched painted at home jobs you can pick up cheaply at swapmeets!) Whoppit
Mine arrived this morning from Squires! Gosh, they are fast I notice the ingredients include isopropyl alcohol, and wonder if this stuff would be cheaper from a chemist. The 250ml bottle from squires is £11.50 or thereabouts. I will probably try it out tonight
Squire's aren't the cheapest and some of their tools aren't best quality, but for service I think they are unbeatable . And the fast delivery is 'free' (probably why they aren't the cheapest of course).
I did a bit of stripping tonight, and the stuff works like a charm Now I can actually get some locos and stock in AWRR paint scheme
I've used both the Phoenix stripper and the Isopropyl Alcohol - sold in Maplins as 'Servisol'. They both work well on different manufacturers paint finishes - ie, Servisol worked better than Phoenix on Lifelike models. A tip for the Servisol - get some tupperware-type containers with lids from the £ shop, remove details like grabs and handrails if you can and leave the model in the tub overnight with the lid on, bathing in a small pool of IPA - works great. Jon
Thanks Jon. I think I will get some IPA and compare, as I will definitely need more of the stuff. I have quite a bit of stripping to do!
