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21/01/2021 7:45 pm
In Sept 2017, I purchased a small can of Circa 1850 paint stripper to strip and repaint some of my Brooklins. This stripper worked great and required minimal effort to remove the paint. This stripper contained a chemical called Methylene Chloride or Dicloromethane.I was unaware of the heath dangers of this chemical until today when I discovered that there have been several deaths as a result of breathing this chemical. In 2019, all strippers containing this chemical were removed from the shelves of all major stores throughout USA and Canada. New products were introduced with no Methylene Chloride or Dicloromethane. I ran out of the stripper purchased in 2017 last weekend and bought a new can of Circa 1850 .It does not contain this chemical. I tried to remove the paint from another white metal car and scrubbed for 1/2 hour.Not one bit of paint came off. I submersed the model in a jar of stripper and let it stand 4 hours. No luck.I even left it overnight. Still no luck. My dilemma is that I am afraid of wasting money on a different brand only to find no difference. It seems that the chemical mentioned has something to do with its effectiveness. Is anyone using a stripper that they purchased very recently and still works on white metal? I am desperate. Otherwise, my days of stripping/repainting Brooklins is over.
21/01/2021 7:59 pm
Here are some tips from another site I go to.
REMEMBER TO FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Easy-Off Oven Cleaner
brake cleaner (seems to be the number 1 suggestion)
Castrol Super Clean (may be another name now)
Poly Scale Easy Lift Off (don't use on plastic)
Super Clean (@ Wal-Mart, purple jug)
REMEMBER TO FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS some of the posters on the site didn't and they felt effects of not doing so.
21/01/2021 8:23 pm
I used something called Zip -Strip, Premium Paint & Finish Remover which is made in Canada. Probably not still on the market. The can states contains Methyene Cloride. I may be taking a risk, but I use this in very small quantities for diecast models. I suspect the real danger comes from using it in large quantities with poor ventilation such as doing a full car fender or body panel an operation that lasts for a considerable period.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
cadillaclloyd and cadillaclloyd reacted
Topic starter
21/01/2021 8:38 pm
@john-quilter. Zip-Strip is still available here in Canada but it no longer contains Methylene Chloride so the new stuff may not be effective. From what I have read, Methylene Chloride displaces oxygen in the air very rapidly, so if you use it in an enclosed area with no ventilation, it can cause dizziness and ultimately result in passing out. I had no problem with it either. I used in in the garage with front and back doors open for a cross breeze.Also very small quantities.
cadillaclloyd and cadillaclloyd reacted
22/01/2021 7:48 am
Have you tried brake fluid? I say this without having tried it on model cars but it sure works on on 1/1 sized cars.
Topic starter
24/01/2021 2:37 pm
@bob-jackman. Bought a container of brake fluid yesterday and let the diecast car soak in it overnight.(The car is a Matchbox 1913 Cadillac roadster). Tried to remove the paint this afternoon with a toothbrush and a bristle brush.Wouldn't budge the paint. I noticed that the paint appeared to be somewhat soft so I went at it with a razor blade.I managed to scrape most of it off but couldn't get in to the detailed areas on the hood.It left a few scratch marks which I will have to lightly sand off.I intend to detach the hood from the body and scratch build an engine for it.Lots of pictures on the internet to use as a reference. The car will be 2 tone-black fenders with either dark blue or maroon body.
I found a company that strips metal aviation and auto parts.They advertise "no job too small". I think that I might disassemble 15 or so Brooklins to take to them.Ones I want to repaint over the next year.I'll get a price to have them all stripped at once. Saves me the hassle.
24/01/2021 2:41 pm
Thanks for the update Ken.
Topic starter
24/01/2021 2:43 pm
@frogchod.I've never used caustic soda before and I've heard that it can cause severe burns to the skin and eyes if not handles properly. I think that I will leave it for the professional. However, thanks for the suggestion.
24/01/2021 3:38 pm
@bob-jackman I've used this, laving it to steep overnight. Worked mild mild scrubbing .
Chemical resistant gloves, goggles, cap on head....and I dont recall fumes being an isses, but , hey, we all have masks we can wear...
24/01/2021 4:14 pm
Sorry for your problems as I recommended that treatment.
I never used brake fluid on the Yesteryear series but did use it in Dinky, Corgi, Western Models and Brooklin with good results. I suspect that some paint types are more resistant than others. I usually left the item to be stripped under the fluid for several days.
About 20 years ago I had 30 or so diecast cars sandblasted at a local auto body shop. No charge as the owner had some of his own toys that he wanted stripped. That worked extremely well with no damage.
24/01/2021 5:22 pm
I use KWIK-STRIP paint remover. Yes, I use it carefully, wearing rubber gloves and in my fairly open workshop. It works within minutes on white metal and diecast models. It is too caustic for plastics. I clean up carefully with paint thinner and then soap and water. Note: This stuff removes all of the paint but is slower with primer.
Good luck!