Removing Paint from Plastic

Corbadda · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:05 am

Is there a safe way to remove paint from plastic? Or is it extremely difficult?

Too Much Garlic · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:51 am

Depends on what kind of plastic. Styrene, ABS, HIPS, PVC (vinyl), resin, what? All that is necessary to help you find the right solution.

Dark Lord · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:20 pm

Also depends on the type of paint. I've always had good luck with plain old Pine Sol. soak for 30 minutes and scrub. Just don't let it soak too long or it can temporally soften the plastic. I've used it to strip models for years.

Corbadda · **Posted:** Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:24 pm

I’m particularly interested in removing paint from HIPS plastic. The paint, I believe, is the standard Humbrol enamel.

Too Much Garlic · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:51 pm

Sorry, I really don't know the material so cannot advice on whether brake fluid would affect it. It didn't affect ABS plastic, but all these plastics have different formulas and tolerances, so maybe it's a question for trooper armor experts.

Hope you find the answer! :thumbsup

Dark Lord · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:13 pm

Actually mineral spirits will remove the humbrol. I've used it to clean up a little frown slop on a helmet by using mineral spirits on a paintbrush.

Corbadda · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:50 am

Dark Lord wrote:

Actually mineral spirits will remove the humbrol. I've used it to clean up a little frown slop on a helmet by using mineral spirits on a paintbrush.

So I would just have to brush on the mineral spirits on the paint I want to remove? Is this good for just little mistakes or does it work on larger areas as well?

Dark Lord · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:06 am

I've only used it on little mistakes, so I can't help with the larger areas question. I guess how large an area are you talking about? I know some people brush paint the whole helmet with humbrol gloss white.

Corbadda · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:47 am

I’m looking to remove paint from the ear pieces of a Stormtrooper helmet, specifically the antenna section.

Too Much Garlic · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:14 am

Remove the ears and dip em in a bath of Gastrol Super Clean or something and leave submerged until the paint is soaked and ready to peel off.

Carsten

Corbadda · **Posted:** Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:10 am

Well I finally worked up the courage to strip the paint from the ears and the Pine Sol method did the trick! Thank you Dark Lord! :thumbsup

And you too NoHumorMan! If the Pine Sol didn’t work I would have tried the Gastrol Super Clean.

Too Much Garlic · **Posted:** Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:16 am

Cool. The Gastrol advice is not something I've tried myself, but had it recommended over at The Clubhouse - a model kit collectors and sculptors forum.

I'm gonna have to look into that Pine Sol thing... cheers. :thumbsup