I just saw a thing on TV where they used cornmeal in a sand blaster to remove paint, varnish, etc. from wood. No damage to the wood, no health risks, and cleaned it quite well. When they were done, they just swept it all outside and let the birds take care of the cleanup.

It looked like they were using 50 lb bags like is used for cattle feed.

Maybe you could use it in a cheap airbrush type gun.

I don't know about plastic, though. Probably depends on the kind of paint used.

 

They all use different paint.

Try denatured alcohol first--pour some on, let it sit, then scrub a bit. That works well for inked on lettering and logos, and sometimes for paint as well


If that doesn't work, try an industrial strength degreaser from the auto parts store. If you can, let the parts sit in the degreaser for a couple hours. That will generally remove the most stubborn paints

 

One trick I learned a while back, once you have determined the correct solvent. If you are trying to remove lettering or a logo and you do not wish to strip the entire surface, moisten a cotton ball with the solvent and place that on top of what you wish to remove. Keep it wet with solvent for a half hour or so, then the letters or logo sholuld just lift right off. No mess, it's nice.

 

I have been using 90% denatured alcohol to strip the paint off my locomotive fleet this winter . Takes the paint off my USA and ARISTO overnite . Doesn't harm the plastic and comes right off with a small brush .

 

You can also use Scale Coat paint remover. It is made specifically for plastic and is reuseable. Pour it into a large enough pan (aluminum roasting pans from the grocery store work well), let the model soak in it for about 20 minutes or so and scrub off with an old tooth brush. Rinse under running water and put the model back in on another side. The stuff costs a bit, but like I said, it is reuseable. Just pour it back into its bottle using a funnel and put it away for next time.

 

Also note, do not use Scale Coat on wood. Because our wooden models are so thin, it would probably ruin the wood with a prolonged soak. If you are trying to remove lettering from a wood sided car, I would use very fine grit (600) or so, emery paper, sand off the lettering and repaint right over the old paint. Then reletter with the medium of your choice. Either decals or vinyl stuff. There are several manufacturers who advertise on this site to chose from. Good Luck with your project.

 

I've heard that break fluid work. I have never tried it though.
Mark

 

Brake fluid is an effective paint remover but works over a long period of time like pouring diesel fuel on a speed bump to dissolve it.

I was wondering the best paint remover myself. My old GP-38 needs a facelift not a meltdown.

 

Brake fluid will also attach some plastics so you may want to do a test first. Fore removing just lettering use a pencil eraser and solveset and rub. Takes a little effort but it leaves the original paint intact and just removes the numbers or lettering. Later RJD