GrandMagnus Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 So, I recently watched a tutorial on removing paint and glue from old models to reuse them. The tutorial showed the obvious simple green which is effective as always, but the guy mentioned that you can also use brake fluid to dissolve paint and glue. Has anybody tried this? Does it work on both plastic and resin? I have some brake fluid in my garage that I can use, but before I test it out I just want to know if anybody has tried it. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radiation Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Break fluid is toxic. Simple green is the safer way for removing paint from models. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4066439 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 Break fluid is toxic. Simple green is the safer way for removing paint from models. Yeah, thats what I thought, which is why I thought I would ask first. Sadly I cant get simple green here. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4066477 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graymane Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Hello :) Once again, i highly reccommend isopropyl alcohol (easily available from electronics stores/the net). Awsome for paint, most super glues and epoxy. Not particularly dangerous appart from making sure to keep it away from flames/heat sources. Its alcohol. If i have to explain this, you should not be let near it... or, for that matter, sharp objects, glue and possibly the outside world. Break fluid can often eat plastic and resin and is very nasty stuff. Stear clear imo. If you can get it and are a patient type, i am reliably informed that dettol works similarly to that green stuff if you can get that. But personally, i swear by the isopropyl. Cheers, Arg :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4066597 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommodusXIII Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 My issues with brake fluid are: 1) It's fairly nasty to work with. 2) It can eat plastic. 3) I'm not confident about my ability to wash it away afterward. Simple Green is a brand, but I'm sure you can find a general purpose water-based cleaner somewhere. IPA does work well if you can handle organics. I can't have fumes hanging around my paint studio, so I go with the safer alternative. If you're going to be doing a lot of stripping, a good ultrasonic bath would be a good investment. You can find them through used laboratory equipment clearinghouses for a reasonable price. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4066776 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 HAving used Brake Fluid in the past I have had no issues of it deforming or eating plastic, I also dispose of it environmentally. It is a great paint stripper. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4066939 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 I recall reading about Fairy at some point, which I can easily buy in my local store. Any knowledge about that? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4067479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aspecti Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 I've used Fairy Power Spray to strip dozens of models. It works extremely well on metal models and well enough on plastic models. Most of the plastic models I stripped were bought on eBay so I have no idea what kind of paints the previous owners used, but all the models were stripped well enough to be repainted without issues. Scrubbing with a toothbrush was required naturally :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4067492 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 I've used Fairy Power Spray to strip dozens of models. It works extremely well on metal models and well enough on plastic models. Most of the plastic models I stripped were bought on eBay so I have no idea what kind of paints the previous owners used, but all the models were stripped well enough to be repainted without issues. Scrubbing with a toothbrush was required naturally For how long did you leave them in the fairy? A day? Day and half? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4067537 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aspecti Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 I usually leave them in there for overnight. Some plastic models have required two soakings and scrubbing with a toothbrush, but I think that's mostly due to the primer that was used. I've stripped some plastic models that I had finished painting a couple of days previously but wasn't happy with the end result and the paint came off very easily after a few hours. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4068242 Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Devil- Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 i have used brake fluid before ... it pitted the surface of one of my first space marines after about the 3rd time i stripped it ... that one now has been given an antique bronzed finish and is a statue in a part of terrain ... since then i use simple green... i have left stuff sitting for a week or more with no issue ... the one up side i can say with brake fluid ... if it is a metal model .. it will even strip enamel paint ... and 2 part epoxy from the metal ... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4069390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandMagnus Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 Okay, I think Im just going to stay on the safe side then and get some fairy. Thanks brothers! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4070334 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongou Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Break fluid is toxic. Simple green is the safer way for removing paint from models. Yeah, thats what I thought, which is why I thought I would ask first. Sadly I cant get simple green here. i use a diluted mix of acetone( nail polish remover ) and water, and it works well for me Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4070805 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morticon Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 So, I recently watched a tutorial on removing paint and glue from old models to reuse them. The tutorial showed the obvious simple green which is effective as always, but the guy mentioned that you can also use brake fluid to dissolve paint and glue. Has anybody tried this? Does it work on both plastic and resin? I have some brake fluid in my garage that I can use, but before I test it out I just want to know if anybody has tried it. Its phenomenal for plastics -not as good on metals. BUT - very very toxic - only found out after using it extensively <_< Was well peeved. It's a neurotoxin too- which is not ideal. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4070899 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazmonkey Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I have used it plenty of times. it is all i use in fact. but I always recommend only Adults use it with a mask and protective eye and hand wear, in a well vented area. i think the biggest issue with using break fluid is having a safe way to dispose of the used fluid. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4070909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurth Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Not particularly dangerous appart from making sure to keep it away from flames/heat sources. Its alcohol. If i have to explain this, you should not be let near it...Burning alcohol isn’t generally as dangerous as, say, burning petrol. That’s not to say you should light some in your bedroom, but let’s just say that movies rather overestimate its flammability and what it looks like once it burns. I remember one time in a biology lab where someone said, “Hey, is that bottle on fire?” and we had to take a close look to see that yes, indeed, someone had left an open bottle of 70% ethanol too close to a Bunsen burner, and it was now burning from the top of the bottle. Exceedingly unspectacular, because all you could see was a shimmering in the air, and easily put out by capping the bottle. Break fluid can often eat plastic and resin and is very nasty stuff. Stear clear imo.Though it works, and doesn’t affect plastic as far as I know¹ I’d still stay clear of it for no other reason than the fumes it gives off. It’s not nice stuff to work with. ¹ About 25 years ago, I wrote to a model magazine to ask for tips on stripping paint, since I had a car model with which the paint had reacted strangely when I’d sprayed it, probably because there was a large amount of release agent still on the model. They recommended brake fluid, which I tried, but didn’t have that much success with. Truth be told, that model is still in its half-finished state in a box at the bottom of a wardrobe i use a diluted mix of acetone( nail polish remover ) and water, and it works well for meDon’t use that on resin — polyurethane is likely to dissolve in acetone so you could end up with just a puddle of sludge. My own method of choice is oven cleaner, the white foamy kind from a spraying can. I spray a layer into an old plastic container (with lid), put the models in, and spray another layer over them. Close container, leave be for a day or so, and scrub under water with an old toothbrush. However, if you leave this too long the paint will stick to the model again (as I found out after leaving it for three or four days once). Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4071040 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScorpioDanger Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Greetings. Brake fluid as mentioned will remove paint. It'll eat through the clear coat and paint on a car if given enough time and enough got on it. I wouldn't recommend it in the end as other products work well also. It also absorbs water which may over time hinder its paint stripping nature. Not sure on that but I know it ruins it for its actual intended use. Also as stated Rubbing Alcohol (Isoprobyl alcohol) works very well. It is currently above simple green as my favorite way to strip models. It starts working immediately and plays nice with our materials. As for glue I've had it break apart super glue and I've had it not touch super glue so based on my experience I would say it is a case by case basis with that. An old tooth brush and some running water to scrub off the paint (without much effort) and you are good to go. It also wont leave a residue on your models. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4071782 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daevyll Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I use Dettol (the brownish wound disinfectant). Available in the supermarket and chemist, and works for plastic, resin and metal. Soak for two days and use a toothbrush. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4082442 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverson Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I used the same as Daevyll with the same process and it has worked a treat on my brothers imperial guard. :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4087706 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tygwyn Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 +1 for Dettol. Make sure it is the original brown liquid and not some of the newer cleaners. Be careful about what you use when rinsing it off (especially if you have left it soaking for a long time). I have found that giving it a scrub with a toothbrush to get most off, then a layer of neat washing up liquid (e.g. Fairy) before rinsing under hot water is pretty effective. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4087716 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interrogator-Chaplain Ezra Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Break fluid is toxic. Simple green is the safer way for removing paint from models. Yeah, thats what I thought, which is why I thought I would ask first. Sadly I cant get simple green here. i use a diluted mix of acetone( nail polish remover ) and water, and it works well for me What's the mixture? I'd like to try that for some of my older metal models. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4089423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ganders Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 I've mentioned this is a similar thread but I thinks Its worth repeating. Sonic Cleaners are amazing. And fairly cheap. I use Fairy Power Spray in mine and the following models were stripped as good as new in less that an hour; http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/gordonayr/20150524_210504_zpsk8hg1f7u.jpg http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/gordonayr/20150524_210848_zpsdn9ktkwa.jpg http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/gordonayr/20150525_202442_zpsudpzrscl.jpg Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4089518 Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Devil- Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 hmmm i never thought of using my sonic cleaner as well as simple green ... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4089536 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoic Raptor Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 An ultrasonic cleaner plus Simple Green is safe and incredibly effective! Non-toxic, no vapors, and I had a model completely stripped in 15 minutes. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4092531 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongou Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 Break fluid is toxic. Simple green is the safer way for removing paint from models. Yeah, thats what I thought, which is why I thought I would ask first. Sadly I cant get simple green here. i use a diluted mix of acetone( nail polish remover ) and water, and it works well for me What's the mixture? I'd like to try that for some of my older metal models sorry for the ultra late reply, I use 1 part acetone to two part water Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/308547-brake-fluid/#findComment-4206632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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