I need to strip two aristo FA’s for a repaint. What has anyone else used to get all the old paint off without doing any damage to the plastic??
Mike,
The best thing I have found for plastic is brake fluid. Soak the item and then scrub with hot soapy water. Depending on the paint you may have to do it more than once. Don’t let the brake fluid get on any other painted surface. It works on just about anything.
I’ve had good luck with industrial strength degreasers–there’s a brand called “Zap” and I also picked up some purple stuff at a Wal-Mart that worked well. I think it was called "super Clean."But you need to let the parts sit a bit. It does not attack the plastic but it lifts paint. When I did thta Mikado/Atlantic bash I the purple degreaser to strip off all the thick gray paint that the previous owner had put on it. Soaked it for an hour or more and then took a stiff brush to it. Tough cases I soaked over night
The stuff is tough on the hands–it strips off every bit of oil and moisture
You might just used denatured alcohol on the lettering/stripes, then just rough sand it some and shoot it with Krylon primer, then topcoat with Krylon.
I got a good deal on some LGB boxcars but I didn’t like the lettering. It took some scrubbing but I used brake fluid to stip the decals. I’ve been happy with it and the cars are ready for paint.
Easy-Off spray oven cleaner works well on plastic. Most of the model car crowd use Castrol Super Clean degreaser. I susaly let things soak overnight in a tub of it. It does not effect plastic but will loosen paint. Remove the object from its bath then rinse and scrub with an old tooth brush. be sure to wear oll the personal protective equipment because it will do serious damage to your hide.
Carl
russ rekward said:[b]DO NOT USE BRAKE FLUID ON ARISTO PRODUCTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/b]
Mike, The best thing I have found for plastic is brake fluid. Soak the item and then scrub with hot soapy water. Depending on the paint you may have to do it more than once. Don't let the brake fluid get on any other painted surface. It works on just about anything.
Sorry Russ, but that is horrible advice. Brake fluid has been shown to severely attack the plastic in Aristo locos and rolling stock!
-Brian
Mike,
Make a little mini sand blaster.
You could make a fortune on e-bay sellin’ 'em. 
I would not use brake fluid on anything…
That stuff belongs in a master cylinder…
I’ve used a product called Chameleon. Was using it mostly when I was working in HO and N scale, but so far I’ve used in to strip a USA NW-2 and it worked wonders. One good soak and all the paint and lettering came right off.
Went to LHS the other day to buy some more since stripping large scale require a bit more than N… He said he though they were out of buisness, but thier website it still up. Might be worth a try, I’ve been very impressed with how well it works, and that it’s reusable.