Kato Shell in 91% Alcohol... Fat Lot of Good That Did...

[Kisatchie]

I just let a Kato SD40 shell soak in 91% alcohol for 18 hours, and only about 50% of the paint came off. I'm not impressed. Rats! Looks like I'll have to just spray a coat of Scalecoat II MOW gray on it (if I ever get a compressor) before putting the final coat of paint on it.


Hmm... Kiz is just looking
for sympathy...

[jpwisc]

Some of the Kato colors come off a little tougher. On those I have let them soak as long as 48 hours, scrubbing it with a soft toothbrush and hitting some stubborn areas with a toothpick to get between cab doors and such.

Let it soak, it'll soften up eventually.

[ednadolski]

I can attest this works:

Ed

[peteski]

Also make sure the alcohol is at least warm room temperature (it has more potency when warm), but that should not be a problem knowing the time of the year  where you live.    But let's just say that when I try to strip paint during the winter in my workshop (when the temperature is the high 50s it doesn't work so well without warming it up a bit.  I also assume that you did scrub the shell to get the paint off.

[Kisatchie]

I put the shell back in the alcohol, and I'm up to 21 hours soaking. I changed to a stiffer brush, and I got some more paint off. I'll give it a couple of days and see what happens then.


Hmm... maybe Kiz will
get me something to EAT
for a change...

[learmoia]

Also l, make sure it's in a sealed container... alcohol dilures over time from the humidity in the air.... or evaporates.. increasing the water content.

As I understand it.. you could strip Kato shells in everclear, but I've never tried it.

-Ian

[Kisatchie]

Also l, make sure it's in a sealed container... alcohol dilures over time from the humidity in the air.... or evaporates.

Good idea! I'm using an old Con Cor plastic case, and I just put the lid on it. Not perfect, but better than being without.


Hmm... I'm still without
my supper...

[learmoia]

Good idea! I'm using an old Con Cor plastic case, and I just put the lid on it. Not perfect, but better than being without.


Hmm... I'm still without
my supper...

Make sure your start with fresh 91 in the new container.. (any air tight Rubbermaid style will do.).. Notice in Brian's video, he was using an airtight container, and the alcohol wasn't clear so he's been using it for a while..

While we're at it.. 91% should handle Con-Cor, Lifelike and Most Atlas models..

IAN

[wazzou]

I can attest this works:

Ed

Agreed, it does.

[cjm413]

Some of the Kato colors come off a little tougher. On those I have let them soak as long as 48 hours, scrubbing it with a soft toothbrush and hitting some stubborn areas with a toothpick to get between cab doors and such.

Let it soak, it'll soften up eventually.

If there's any paint stuck in the handbrake, keep in mind that L&N followed the ACL/SCL protocol of omitting them:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1630001

[central.vermont]

I can attest this works:

Ed

I have a question and concern here about using the Dremel with the Alcohol. Is there any chance of igniting the vapors from the Alcohol while using it like this in the video???
Just wondering about safety before I try this. 

Jon

[Kisatchie]

I have a question and concern here about using the Dremel with the Alcohol. Is there any chance of igniting the vapors from the Alcohol while using it like this in the video???
Just wondering about safety before I try this. 

Hmm... it must be safe...
it's in an internet video...

[wazzou]

Well, anything is possible, however I think that it is pretty far down the list of things that I fear in life that could lead to my death.  I don't think there is enough vapor off gassing from the alcohol and I use a Lithium Battery cordless Dremel when I do it, but I suppose caution should be used.

[central.vermont]

I loved Dee's answer!! 

[peteski]

I have a question and concern here about using the Dremel with the Alcohol. Is there any chance of igniting the vapors from the Alcohol while using it like this in the video???
Just wondering about safety before I try this. 

Jon

I raised the same concern back when the video was first posted (in both threads).  I was told that it is perfectly safe, but I still won't try it. 
For your reading pleasure:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=29855
and
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31892