"Removing paint from a die-cast toy..." Topic

Okay, thanks to ebay I have a 1:64 monster truck making it's way to me for a modelling project. The question is after I go at it with my handy-dandy dremel tool to carefully remove all the plastic bits, what's the best way to remove the paint from the metal body? I've tried all the classic methods on models in the past (simple green, fingernail polish remover, etc.) with varying levels of success. Any other suggestions?

if you remove all of the plastic, just use some standard paint remover, 'nitromors' or somehing like that, it will get the paint off a treat and then you can repaint it easily.
a smelly job though.

as shaun says – i'd put vote in for nitromors – it'll strip virtually anything. but will melt plastic – includiing windscreens, windows etc… you need to use it in a metal or glass container – not plastic…!

I always just paint straight over the top of the old paint job. Normally the original paint job is nice and smooth so it doesn't seem worth the effort of removing it I just spray my colour of choice over the top and off I go. Paint stripping is just a horriable job.

Simple Green will remove (blister off) the paint without harming the model. It'll also remove/dissolve glues. Dean

Castrol Superclean – used for degreasing and cleaning everything off car engines, including paint, works great and it is safe for the plastic parts.

I used EZ Off brand oven cleaner. It is reasonably safe for plastic too. You can buy it at the supermarket right in front of SHMBO and get away with it.

I may try the Simple Green or Castrol Superclean, they both sound good.

Some paints are harder than others. Sometimes if one product does not work the other one will.

Mike "Bunkermeister" Creek
bunkermeister.blogspot.com