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AFV Painting & Weathering
Answers to questions about the right paint scheme or tips for the right effect.
How to Strip Paint off a Turret Safely
Brianlee
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United States
Joined: December 17, 2017
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 06:53 AM UTC
Hey guys - looking to repaint a turret I've played around with filters on TOO much and wondered how I can strip it safely?

Is there a solution to submerse it in that will lift it off without damaging the plastic??
CMOT
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ARMORAMA
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England - South West, United Kingdom
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 06:56 AM UTC
What type of paint or finishes are used?
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 07:32 AM UTC
If acrylics, use windex or ammonia to strip.

For enamels, use brake fluid or oven cleaner to strip.
Brianlee
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 07:47 AM UTC
Stynleres Black primer, Vallejo model air and VMS gloss
Brianlee
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 07:48 AM UTC
Is VMS Acrylic?

So soak in windex?
GeraldOwens
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 11:43 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hey guys - looking to repaint a turret I've played around with filters on TOO much and wondered how I can strip it safely?

Is there a solution to submerse it in that will lift it off without damaging the plastic??


Testors offers a product called Easy Lift-Off that removes paint and decals.
Brianlee
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 12:07 PM UTC
https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEVFC

This stuff?

So I'm assuming it won't damage the plastic
Vicious
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 12:15 PM UTC
Detol also works
varanusk
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ARMORAMA
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain / España
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Posted: Wednesday, November 07, 2018 - 09:16 PM UTC
And VMS have also a paint remover:

https://www.vms-supplies.com/clean-slate-remover
Belt_Fed
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 02, 2008
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Posted: Thursday, November 08, 2018 - 01:39 AM UTC
I have yet to find a solution that will strip Vallejo Model Air paints off of a model reliably. Luckily, you can strip Stynylrez off of a surface easily using 98% Iso alcohol. Just give it a good, long soak. You may need to do some scrubbing with a stiff brush to remove the last of the bits. You can also use a brush wet with a plastic-safe lacquer thinner (like Tamiya or Mr. Hobby) to remove stubborn bits.

VMS also offers a stripping solution, as does Tamiya. I, however, do not have experience with them.

Best of luck to you. I will admit I have destroyed more models stripping paint than I have saved them.
Kevlar06
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Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
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Posted: Thursday, November 08, 2018 - 06:57 AM UTC
Brake fluid, “Easy Off” oven cleaner, and ammonia (not all of them at once!) are the standard go-to paint strippers I use. As someone else suggested, a long soak (a day or two at most) followed by a vigorous brush with a used toothbrush usually does it. Then a final rinse in cool water.
VR, Russ
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