How to safely strip a Skytop Models resin shell?

[nickelplate759]

I have a Skytop Models baggage car that I messed up the paint on. I didn't get it clean enough before painting, and some of the paint flaked off when I used masking tape on it.

I used Tru-Color paint, which of course dissolves really well in acetone - but that strikes me as likely a Very Bad Idea for a resin shell.

Does anyone have experience stripping these?

[randgust]

I know with my own resin shells I really messed up a CF7 job with an airbrush, finished shell, and tried to strip it in 91% alcohol (one of the least-aggressive alternatives), and it ended up greatly resembling this....

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4131838

Resin is not styrene..... really risky.

and having played with various masking techniques, the only one I still use is Tamiya tape.  Great edge seal and rarely if ever pulls paint off, flexible enough to curve, sticks to itself.

[Sokramiketes]

Oh man, I've been there.  Last time it happened I decided to repaint the areas that peeled, instead of trying to start over.  Isoprophyl alcohol, my main stripper, turns resin to goo.

Acetone or Lacquer thinner might actually be safer.  Not soaked, but brushed on and wiped off. 

[thomasjmdavis]

I would also advise staying away from alcohol on resin castings.  In my case, I turned a (NOT Skytop) baggage car into a banana shaped object.

You might want to pm Skytop.  He would be the expert.  Even if he never had to strip a shell, he would know the specifics on the resin used

[skytop35]

The best way to strip my shells would be to use an air eraser. I ot a cheap one from Harbor Freight and it works great. It also helps to sort of "etch" the resin for better paint adhesion. I now do this before I paint all my resin shells. If you absolutely need to strip the paint with a liquid, I would suggest Mineral Spirits. DON'T use Acetone or Alcohol !
Good Luck.

[peteski]

The best way to strip my shells would be to use an air eraser. I ot a cheap one from Harbor Freight and it works great. It also helps to sort of "etch" the resin for better paint adhesion. I now do this before I paint all my resin shells. If you absolutely need to strip the paint with a liquid, I would suggest Mineral Spirits. DON'T use Acetone or Alcohol !
Good Luck.

I don't think mineral spirits will even touch Tru Color  paint. Way too mild of a solvent.  How about the strippers specifically designed for stripping hobby paints?  Floquil/Testors ELO, or Scalecoat Wash Away parts remover?  I never used them on resin, but I  figured I would mention them.

I also think that resin will withstand stripping if you only brush the stripping solution and scrub. Don't immerse the entire shell in the solution for days!! 

EDIT: fixed all the boo-boos (need to wear glasses when typing). 

[nickelplate759]

The best way to strip my shells would be to use an air eraser. I ot a cheap one from Harbor Freight and it works great. It also helps to sort of "etch" the resin for better paint adhesion. I now do this before I paint all my resin shells. If you absolutely need to strip the paint with a liquid, I would suggest Mineral Spirits. DON'T use Acetone or Alcohol !
Good Luck.

Thanks Bill!

[Lemosteam]

The best way to strip my shells would be to use an air eraser. I ot a cheap one from Harbor Freight and it works great. It also helps to sort of "etch" the resin for better paint adhesion. I now do this before I paint all my resin shells. If you absolutely need to strip the paint with a liquid, I would suggest Mineral Spirits. DON'T use Acetone or Alcohol !
Good Luck.

As an added bonus, the air eraser works great on FUD/FXD Shapeways prints, especially in high detail areas.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

As an added bonus, the air eraser works great on FUD/FXD Shapeways prints, especially in high detail areas.

And they are surprisingly affordable too. Likely less than a new shell.

[nickelplate759]

And they are surprisingly affordable too. Likely less than a new shell.

Heck - less than 2 bottles of Scalecoat Wash Away.

Hurray, I need a new tool!

[sd45elect2000]

I often wash resin in lacquer thinner as most resin kit manufacturers suggest to remover oils and other dirt. I have on occasion stripped resin by wiping it down with lacquer thinner

[nickelplate759]

As an added bonus, the air eraser works great on FUD/FXD Shapeways prints, especially in high detail areas.

Do you use backing soda or something harder for this?

[craigolio1]

I used acetone to strip TCP From a resin shell. It was fine. The Kato styrene plow on the front not so much. I only had to dip it for about 10 seconds and the paint came off very easily.

Perhaps put a couple of drops on the inside of the shell for a short period of time and scratch that surface with a screw driver to see how it reacted?

I think you may be ok.

Craig

[Sokramiketes]

And they are surprisingly affordable too. Likely less than a new shell.

So what's a good air eraser, and what's a great medium to use?

[Lemosteam]

Do you use backing soda or something harder for this?

I use the Al Oxide powder.  No issues.  make sure your system stays dry.  I have two water traps (one on the compressor and one at the pressure valve, and an inline water trap on the hose that came with mine.