Stripping paint off locomotive shell?

[Rscott417]

What are some easy ways I can remove factory paint off of a locomotive shell?

[faraway]

What are some easy ways I can remove factory paint off of a locomotive shell?

I think we need to know the brand and the model.
e.g. My local airbrush cleaner (Revell) is very aggressive and works extreme fast BUT not on older Kato shells. It makes the Kato plastic brittle and ruins the engine.

[FCIN]

Friend of mine uses 91% alcohol with great results on most manufacturers models. Only thing that it wouldn't work on was a BLI NW-2 that he painted for me a couple of weeks ago. He has successfully stripped the paint off Atlas, Kato and Athearn loco's and cars. I've got some Athearn/Roundhouse cars that need new paint jobs and will try it myself.

[torikoos]

I've recently used a product called 'PS 18 super strip'. I think it might be a UK product, but perhaps it's available in the US. I've recently used it on two P2K shells and worked fine, paint was easy to scrub off after a 20 mins soak.
A link to the product is here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.nairnshire-modelling-supplies.co.uk/ps18-phoenix-paints-super-strip-125ml-p-973.html">http://www.nairnshire-modelling-supplie ... p-973.html</a><!-- m -->
Here's a link on the manufacturers website. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/precision-paints/solvents-thinners/pq18-superstrip-2.html">http://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/precisi ... rip-2.html</a><!-- m -->



Koos

[Rscott417]

It's an Atlas Trainman, I'm gonna head to CVS and try the 91% alcohol.

[Charlie B]

I have used brake fluid with success on Atlas and Athearn BB engines and 91% alcohol worked on Life-Like P1K locomotives but wouldn't touch the older Atlas units.
Charlie

[Rscott417]

The 91% alcohol worked great, I soaked each shell for about 10 minutes and the paint peeled right off with a toothbrush, thanks for the tip.

[Sumpter250]

I have used the 91% Alcohol for just about every paint removal.
Brake fluid has, I believe, changed over the years to a less ecologically damaging chemical, and has lost some of its paint removing abilities.
I haven't tried the sand blasting, with the airbrush style sand blaster.