Can anyone tell me if it is possible to remove paint from a canopy. Messed up on painting the frame on my zero and would love to be able to give it another try. I broke down and bought some good masking tape and painted another one to a different kit and it came out pretty good, but would love to give the zero another shot.

Hi Mark,

For removing paint on plastic I soak overnight in either oven cleaner or bleach, depending if it is enamel or acrylic paint. I've never tried them on clear plastic however so you may want to try them on a bit of scrap clear sprue to check they don't fog it.

You can remove the paint on canopy with a modeler knive or a sanding paper, rubbing the finishing abrasive P1200 to P2000 on the canopy to give a smooth surface.



Then by using the Tamiya Compound and a polishing cloth to polish the canopy.



Redo if needed.

HTH,

Hey Mark go down to your local Auto store and pick up a bottle of Castrol Super Clean or Simple Green. Their the same cleaning solution and work the same way. Between $3-$4 bucks. I buy it by the gallon.

Pour into a bowl and let your part soak and within 20-30 mins. sometimes longer. Works with just about all paints. The paint will start to loosen. Use and old tooth brush to get into the tight areas. Best thing using this stuff is that it won't harm your or the plastic and it smells minty. I use it all the time and even striped whole kits. It will even strip chrome from the plastic.

Hi Joe

What are those products intended for? They sound great, but I just looked on Castrol's UK website and couldn't find the names. I wonder what names they they're sold under here?

All the best

Rowan

Super clean is an excellent emulsifiyer.. I use it on the job to clean built up grease and oil off forklift masts and chains. Works great for engine de-greaser too...

Dave

Rowan here are some sites about the products,

http://consumer.simplegreen.com/

Simple Green,
1. Flammability:
Non-flammable
2. Ventilation:
Not required
3. Skin and eye contact; protective clothing; treatment in case of contact:
SIMPLE GREEN is safe for use on skin and will not cause irritation in the majority of users. Avoid contact with eyes, irritation may result. Wear splash goggles or full face-shield and have eye washing equipment available in areas where potential is high for eye contact. No special precautions or additional protective equipment are required during handling or use. SIMPLE GREEN is provided with a Material Safety Data Sheet (No. 1002).
4a. Maximum storage temperature: 140 F
4b. Minimum storage temperature: 34 F
4c. Optimum storage temperature range: > 32 F and < 140 F
4d. Temperatures of phase separations and chemical changes:
SIMPLE GREEN is stable and phase separation will not occur at temperatures within the above storage range.

Castrol Super Clean,

http://www.superkleendirect.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=48

Castrol Super Clean is a concentrated industrial strength cleaner and degreaser that removes the toughest dirt. It quickly removes grease, oil, wax, tar, and dirt from engines, tires, mats, dashboards, upholstery, vinyl seats, and more. Also great for around the house to clean ovens, showers, walls, concrete, and more. Biodegradable, phosphate free, non abrasive, and non flammable.

Thanks Joe

I'll have a look in the auto-spares shop tomorrow and see if I can spot something similar - they sound really useful.

All the best

Rowan

Simple Green is an excellent product.

Remove paint from canopy? I have had great success taking the clear sprue and carving a wedge in a piece. It'll chisle the p[aint off the canopy w/o hurting the canopy, unless you just saw back and forth. I use this all the time.

All great ideas, i like the simple green though. I had completely forgot about the stuff after i once used it to clean my duty gun and forgot to re lubricate it after. nothing like the sound of the slide hitting the frame at full speed and metal to metal.