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Post by mrbarlow on Mar 28, 2021 9:54:53 GMT -5
Group,
Does anyone have a *SAFE* method for stripping factory paint off AZL decorated diesel / freight car shells ?
Thanks,
MR B.
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Post by dazed on Mar 28, 2021 11:07:39 GMT -5
**** NOTE: Attempt the following AT YOUR OWN RISK! I am not guaranteeing they will work, and I am not guaranteeing they won't damage your model. I'm just stating my experiences. **** Here's my progression for attempting to to strip anything: 70% Isopropyl Alchohol --> 91% Iso --> 99% Iso --> Simple Green (degreaser) --> Purple Power (degreaser). I believe that 91% Iso is probably what you'll need from my experience. The only AZL shell that put up more of a fight was an early run SD75i in CN. For just removing lettering/logos only, try the "Micro-Sol Method" using Microscale's Micro-Sol product. It is well documented and has worked well on most AZL stuff in my experience. See: azlforum.com/post/15027 . |
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Post by davejones on Mar 28, 2021 17:37:18 GMT -5
Group, Does anyone have a *SAFE* method for stripping factory paint off AZL decorated diesel / freight car shells ? Thanks, MR B. Good timing. I've just finished stripping two AZL GP7 shells. The first was really quick and easy. A D&RGW loco from the later series (made in China). Soaked shell in denatured alcohol (known as methylated spirits in some parts of the world) for two or three minutes at a time and gently scrubbed with a soft toothbrush. Everything about this shell was easy - the paint came off easily except for on the photo etched side panels which I ended up leaving. The handrails were quite easy to remove without damage. The second shell was a NPR loco from the first series (made in Korea). Boy is that Korean paint and glue tough! To remove the paint required soaking in 99% isopropyl alcohol for almost 24 hours and taking the shell out now and again and scrubbing with cotton buds and toothbrush to remove some of the paint then back into the alcohol. Repeat until satisfied. The paint thickness on this one was really variable. Toughest to get off was the yellow stripes. I could not remove the handrails from the walkway. Also one of the photo etched side panels was only partially etched. Note that I did totally dis-assemble both of these of every part, except the etched side panels, before working on the paint stripping. Cheers, Dave |
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Post by domi on Apr 9, 2021 10:28:21 GMT -5
Thanks for your tip, Dave.. So you confirm your first generation AZL shell didn't suffer from laying 24 hours in a 99% isopropyl alcohol bath ? Myself I'm considering striping one of my 1st generation UP SD70Ms in order to repaint it into TFM paintscheme..  Dom |
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Post by davejones on Apr 9, 2021 19:30:11 GMT -5
Yes it was the first gen GP7. It was a bit of a leap of faith!
Soaked in 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. Sarted off by pulling the shell out every couple of minutes and giving it a scrub - just to make sure nothing untoward was happening. Then every hour or so. By the end of the day only slow progress was being made so left it overninght and resumed scrubbing in the morning every hour or so with a bit more paint coming off each time. 23 hours after starting, the shell was pretty clean and the plastic was untouched - also the adhesive that holds the etched brass sides on was still ok.
It's now painted as Penn Central #5958 and serving on an Inglenook puzzle test layout - just love that AZL first gen GP7 chassis for switching.
As an aside, I have just finished stripping a first gen GP38-2 (BNSF #2007 and has made in China on the box) and the paint came off really quite easily and quickly but using denautured alcohol.
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Post by domi on May 5, 2021 9:50:27 GMT -5
Ok Dave, thanks. Dom |
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