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stripping chrome paint |
Etrigan
Posts: 95
Location: UK
Joined: 23.06.06
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| Posted on 17-08-2006 15:32 |
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anybody know any tips for stripping chrome effect paint? It's really hard to paint over
edit: sorry guys, thought I was in the custom forum
Newest Figure: Batman TAS: Combat Belt Batman - Kenner
Newest Comic Book: Supreme Power 3 (vol 13-18)
Edited by Etrigan on 17-08-2006 15:38 |
 
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RE: stripping chrome paint |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 17-08-2006 22:10 |
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There are several things that can work, what type of material is under the chrome? |
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RE: stripping chrome paint |
Etrigan
Posts: 95
Location: UK
Joined: 23.06.06
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| Posted on 18-08-2006 03:20 |
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A hard rigid plastic.
Thanks for moving the thread
Newest Figure: Batman TAS: Combat Belt Batman - Kenner
Newest Comic Book: Supreme Power 3 (vol 13-18) |
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RE: stripping chrome paint |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 18-08-2006 08:58 |
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No problem. These will all work, with varying degrees of sucess/expense/danger.
If anyone wants to try any of these methods: all of them will have to be washed off before you paint them, dish soap with lots of water works well. Also, even though I note specific safety concerns below, be sure to read the precautions on anything before you use it and use something other than bare hands to move the parts around (chemical burns aren't fun).
- Bleach: should be safe for plastic (try on a scrap piece first), little to no residue, do not touch/inhale
- Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover: may harm plastic (try on a scrap piece first), little to no residue, relatively safe (don't overexpose yourself to it, though)
- Easy-Off Oven Cleaner: 100% safe for plastic, yellow/crusty residue (can be washed off), do not touch/inhale
- Castrol Super Clean/Super Clean/Purple Power: 100% safe for plastic, little to no residue, non-vapor harmful but will eat skin
...and, just for the fun of it, stuff that definitely won't work:
- Brake Fluid: commonly used paint stripper, but does nothing against chrome plating
- Pine Sol: strips chrome, but also has been rumored to turn plastic into putty
- Acetone: definitely turns plastic into putty
There are other strippers specific to the hobby industry, but they can be difficult to find and expensive. Super Clean easily works the best, but you can only buy it in 1 gallon jugs and it is one of the more dangerous chemicals to use if you're not careful. |
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RE: stripping chrome paint |
Caleson
Posts: 1631
Location: Rockville, IA
Joined: 24.06.05
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| Posted on 19-08-2006 17:26 |
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We're talking about models and figures, right?  I have two Batman figures that had chrome bodies that I painted over. I might just remove the new acrylic paint and the original, underneath chrome from the cowls. I tried just painting over them carefully, but you can still see a bit of shine around the eyes and nose. It's just hard to try and avoid stripping the original flesh paint on the mouth area.
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RE: stripping chrome paint |
spencer1984
Posts: 1271
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: 30.06.05
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| Posted on 19-08-2006 20:18 |
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Yeah, it's a common issue with modeling - manufacturers insist on plating stuff that should never be chrome (like fan belts), so modelers have had to invent clever ways of stripping the plating off as cleanly as possible without damaging the underlying plastic. If you don't strip it, you get exactly what you describe: little corners of chrome poking out from an otherwise painted surface. |
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