Customs: NEED ADVICE: Which paint remover is the best?

Discussion in 'Creative General Discussion' started by OmarJT82, May 11, 2011.

  1. OmarJT82

    OmarJT82 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2007
    Posts:
    7,260
    News Credits:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    337
    Location:
    San Antonio, Texas
    Likes:
    +2,756
    UPDATE!

    Has you can see in the pic below, I submerged this part of ROTF Leader class Megatron (half of his left robot mode leg/tank tread) in 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, let it sit in there for an hour, then used a toothbrush to remove the black paint.
    [​IMG]

    I repeated that process for 2 more hours, and yet black residue from the paint still remained, as seen in this pic:
    [​IMG]

    I attempted to remove it by spraying Easy-Off Oven Cleaner on it and letting it sit for an hour and yet it didn't work! :banghead: 

    Below is a list of paint removers/strippers:

    01) Castrol Super Clean
    02) Easy Lift Off
    03) Goof Off
    04) Lestoil
    05) Pine-Sol
    06) Simplegreen
    07) Superclean
    08) WD-40
    09) Westley's Tire Bleach

    Of the nine listed above, which one would be the best for removing/stripping off the black paint residue from the half of ROTF Leader class Megatron's left robot mode leg/tank tread without damaging the plastic of the figure itself and where can I find/buy it? :confused: 
     
  2. aurascope

    aurascope Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2005
    Posts:
    797
    Trophy Points:
    207
    Likes:
    +12
    Ebay:
    you should try 70% alcohol, then 90% alcohol.

    It's the least destructive from my experience.
     
  3. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2003
    Posts:
    52,440
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    447
    Likes:
    +7,310
    Twitter:
    Yup. I generally just go straight for the 90%, but I always try alcohol first before I move to other solutions.
     
  4. JavaJim

    JavaJim Agilisticobot

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    552
    Trophy Points:
    162
    Location:
    Texas
    Likes:
    +25
    Was hoping other customizers would sound off on this thread. I've been using alcohol. Not soaking, just wetting and rubbing, and then immediately water rinsing. Been working great so far, but hellish painful on the cuticles. Found all of the sore/bleeding ones pretty darn fast. Good to know I was using the right stuff for cleaning.
     
  5. bellpeppers

    bellpeppers A Meat Popsicle

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Posts:
    27,633
    News Credits:
    19
    Trophy Points:
    412
    Location:
    Somewhere over Macho Grande
    Likes:
    +26,765
    Don't rule out EZ-OFF oven cleaner.
     
  6. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2003
    Posts:
    52,440
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    447
    Likes:
    +7,310
    Twitter:
    Yeah. Darkov swears by it :) 
     
  7. hXcpunk23

    hXcpunk23 The Chaos Bringer

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2007
    Posts:
    3,059
    Trophy Points:
    302
    Location:
    Canton, GA
    Likes:
    +205
    Ebay:
    Facebook:
    Instagram:
    I use 91% alcohol (picked it up at Wal-Mart) and if it's something small I'm removing, I'll use q-tips and rub some, then repeat until the paint is removed. For larger parts, I fill a small cup/plastic bowl (old butter container) and let 'em soak a while. I just keep a check on it and use paper towels to rub dry. If the paint is still there or thick, soak it a while longer.

    As for oven cleaner, I know it can work, but I've used that to help clean patio tiles in the past and the fumes will literally kill you. If you go that route, I'd say do so with extreme caution, since it screws up your airways and forces you to cough uncontrollably if you happen to inhale any.
     
  8. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2003
    Posts:
    52,440
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    447
    Likes:
    +7,310
    Twitter:
    Yep. I've had to clean pans with it, and even with the vent over the stove on and the kitchen window up, that still happens.
     
  9. JavaJim

    JavaJim Agilisticobot

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    552
    Trophy Points:
    162
    Location:
    Texas
    Likes:
    +25
    Half of the items on the list I wouldn't have even thought to use. Is there a certain type of oven cleaner that folks use to remove paint?
     
  10. Fishdirt

    Fishdirt Tin Toy Transformer

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Posts:
    3,650
    News Credits:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    207
    Likes:
    +26
    Ebay:
    Have you looked for it lately? They've made fume/odor free for the last 5 years at least.

    Easy off fume free for me. Never need anything else and no chance of mistakes.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. hXcpunk23

    hXcpunk23 The Chaos Bringer

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2007
    Posts:
    3,059
    Trophy Points:
    302
    Location:
    Canton, GA
    Likes:
    +205
    Ebay:
    Facebook:
    Instagram:
    No need to look for it, as I mentioned above. I use 91% alcohol with no problem.
     
  12. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2003
    Posts:
    52,440
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    447
    Likes:
    +7,310
    Twitter:
    Awesome!

    Actually, I've not had every single thing I've tried to use the rubbing alcohol work for me. Those flames on Generations Tracks being the most recent. I actually used Oven-Off and they still didn't come off fully. I ended up painting over Tracks, but the flame residue still shows up ever so slightly. I want to get a G1 Tracks label at some point, but it's just low on the list for me right now.

    Alcohol works for me on most things, however. I may have to use a bit of elbow grease, but even the deco on Alt Smokescreen is able to come off with just alcohol. If anyone's dealt with trying to remove ALL of those things, they probably know what I'm talking about here ^_^
     
  13. Gen. Magnus

    Gen. Magnus Meep

    Joined:
    May 24, 2004
    Posts:
    7,428
    News Credits:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    337
    Location:
    NJ, USA
    Likes:
    +370
    Yes, I remember what that was like all too well.

    I have been using paint thinner for years, well, that and elbow grease since I use q-tips for tampo removal. Ok, a lot of elbow grease.

    Does 91% work better? I have been working on a Drift for a project (yes, I've been sucked back in) and it has been hellish. I also need to strip some paint I applied to another fig because it was way too thick. If I can save myself a little work, I'd be happy to change removal material.
     
  14. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2003
    Posts:
    52,440
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    447
    Likes:
    +7,310
    Twitter:
    While you're certainly more experienced with this hobby (and probably using paint thinner for this), just remember that paint thinner contains acetone. Acetone and plastic aren't friends.

    I was waiting on one of the oldskool crowd to chime in with that. I'm glad I lured you in :D 
     
  15. Josh

    Josh Comic Color-guy

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2002
    Posts:
    14,287
    News Credits:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    362
    Likes:
    +3,516
    i must have a low % of rubbing alcohol

    i may be impatient, but its taken WAYYY too long to get the silver stripes off my Ironhide

    ive tried alcohol and q-tips. rubbing, waiting, soaking, all that stuff and after HOURS was it only *barely* starting to wear off. i used a rubber eraser and rubbed off most the big parts on one small panel of his truck mode and if its gonna take this long and this much work to do the rest of the truck mode then wow.

    maybe ill stop by the store and pick up something stronger. either that or that paint is on there G.O.O.D. :p 
     
  16. Gen. Magnus

    Gen. Magnus Meep

    Joined:
    May 24, 2004
    Posts:
    7,428
    News Credits:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    337
    Location:
    NJ, USA
    Likes:
    +370
    I understand that it has acetone. That is why I use it in low amounts q-tips.

    Oh, and happy to be of service. :wink: 
     
  17. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2003
    Posts:
    52,440
    News Credits:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    447
    Likes:
    +7,310
    Twitter:
    :D 

    Also, I used thinner recently with Q-tips to remove some super-glue residue. I used a fine grit piece of sandpaper and then some Future. The part is as good as new now :D 
     
  18. Napjr

    Napjr Mr. Internet Veteran

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2002
    Posts:
    2,135
    News Credits:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    322
    Location:
    Guadalajara, Mexico
    Likes:
    +1,241
    Ebay:
    Facebook:
    Ive heard at different places that brake fluid works like a charm when soaked.

    I tried it myself months ago with a transmetal terrosaur abdomen and removed all the chrome. I tried anoter painted part with good results

    I kinda remember a piece getting bleached though...
     
  19. Fishdirt

    Fishdirt Tin Toy Transformer

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2010
    Posts:
    3,650
    News Credits:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    207
    Likes:
    +26
    Ebay:
    I kind of wonder if the paint apps that don't remove easy are heat applied. Would explain a lot. If so sanding maybe the only option.
     
  20. hXcpunk23

    hXcpunk23 The Chaos Bringer

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2007
    Posts:
    3,059
    Trophy Points:
    302
    Location:
    Canton, GA
    Likes:
    +205
    Ebay:
    Facebook:
    Instagram:
    I recently used the 91% to remove acrylic (Testors Red) from my old Classics Ultra Magnus custom (removed the red I had painted on the windshield). I've also used the 91% to remove the red stripes on Drift. It got most of it, simply by using q-tips. Just coat over the stripes, if you plan to remove them, then let it sit for a bit and start rubbing. When it dries out, hit it again. It did take quite a few, but the q-tips can get in areas that tissue or paper towels can't (old toothbrushes work well also). I'm sure you know all of these tips, just sharing how I went about it on my extra Drift. I still need to soak a couple of parts to get the red from around the headlights--it still has a very light pink tint to it. Good luck with yours, man!