Light875 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 I've recently purchased a second hand Caster Racing EX1.5 that came with a used shell that's seen better days. The plastic is in decent condition, but the paint isn't. Is there a way to strip the paint off so I cans start again? It's already flaking off in some places, but seems stuck fast in others. If I can't I'll probably just spray it all over in a matt black and make it into a stealth look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gti72 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 use either nitro fuel or dot 4 nitro fuel is best but you do have to give it a good clean with soapy water after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light875 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 I was thinking of using white spirit or something similar, is that any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilllad83 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Acetone would work, nail polish remover might too as that's based on acetone (or used to be anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilllad83 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Whatever u use be sure not to scrubs or leave soaking as I'd assume the plastic work become cloudy after a short time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini-z-awd Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 use either nitro fuel or dot 4 nitro fuel is best but you do have to give it a good clean with soapy water after don`t use nitro fuel it will make the shell brittle i used it on my scx10 body and its cracking all over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickstar Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Dot 4 brake fluid. Cant beat it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gti72 Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 nitro fuel was firne on the 3 i did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light875 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 Don't have any nitro fuel, but nail polish remover I can lay my hands on quite easily. ( just don't tell my wife where it's gone! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light875 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 Nail polish remover seems to work ok. It doesn't seem to lift the paint off the plastic, but it softens it enough so that I can scrape it off. Leaves a lot of little bits, but nothing elbow grease can't fix! I'll post some before and after pics later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light875 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 (edited) Not bad for about 30 mins work. Another hour or so tomorrow should have it ready to paint. Then I need to decide on a colour scheme! Edited October 19, 2013 by Light875 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninjagaiden Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Nicely done! Light buffing on the inside of the shell won't be a problem when you repaint. Some people give the inside of a new shell a light sanding to help paint adhesion. How much nail polish have you used so far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light875 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 Not used a great deal, table spoon or 2 maybe. Diluted it in about a litre of hot water and let the shell soak in it for maybe 20 mins at a time between attacking the paint with an old tea spoon! The spoon gave me the hard edge i needed without scratching the plastic too much. As you say it should look ok once painted. My only problem with the shell is that it's got a couple of cracks where the angles are too tight. Been thinking that I could use carbon wrap to edge all the way rounds and stop the cracks. Will have a better idea of the overall condition once all the paint is gone I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teshi Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 For paints as a replacement, i found Tamiya PS has been the best ive used. From all the hard knocks its taken, its very durable vs others I have used but im sure a few others have some good recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh How Original Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 For future reference, nitro fuel works the best on paint (I personally tried loooads of different methods) if all you have is nail polish remover then yes it does the job well enough, to help you out (on your next one) lightly sand the shell (on the inside obviously) before applying the nail polish remover, it helps it get into the paint to lift it off. If you painted the shell yourself and you know it has loads of coats etc... Use a rough sandpaper (240-360) if you're unsure just go for about 600-800 and go easy on it. Makes life a lot easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light875 Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 Thx for the tips OHO. What exactly IS nitro fuel? I mean I know it's the fuel for nitro cars, but what kind of fuel? Petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh How Original Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Thx for the tips OHO. What exactly IS nitro fuel? I mean I know it's the fuel for nitro cars, but what kind of fuel? Petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc? Nitromethane (where it gets it's name - Methanol and oil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light875 Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 Just tried to finish the job I started on this a few weeks ago. Even with a much stronger solution of nail polish remover and water there are still areas of paint that just won't budge. So I've decided to change plan, will now paint over the existing paint on the inside, and do a new design on the outside. Won't be the best looking shell admittedly, but will at least be uniform. Anyone done this before with good results or have any tips? All I'm planning at the moment is flat Matt black all over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh How Original Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Just tried to finish the job I started on this a few weeks ago. Even with a much stronger solution of nail polish remover and water there are still areas of paint that just won't budge. So I've decided to change plan, will now paint over the existing paint on the inside, and do a new design on the outside. Won't be the best looking shell admittedly, but will at least be uniform. Anyone done this before with good results or have any tips? All I'm planning at the moment is flat Matt black all over. Why are you watering the nail polish remover down, you should be using it neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light875 Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 Even neat it wasn't working on certain parts. It'd soften the paint a little but not enough to remove all the layers. And that was after I'd soaked it long enough that the shell had started to discolour. No matter, was a gash shell I got second hand from the previous guy. Already planning to buy a new one in time, just want something functional for the time being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NuttyProfessor Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Leave it clear and use a vinyl on the outside to cover it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh How Original Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Don't soak it. Just sand the top layer with something really coarse, but be careful you don't go too deep, got to be careful but it brings the paint off ridiculously easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pingman Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 would nitro fuel work to strip painted wheels also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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