OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: kdx Geoff on September 23, 2013, 05:48:57 pm

Title: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: kdx Geoff on September 23, 2013, 05:48:57 pm


To freshen up the number area of my side covers l want to remove the paint that's on there.

Is there an easy way to get the paint off without damaging the plastic so l can repaint it/put on fresh vinyl or should l just sand it down smooth and paint over the top of what's left ?

Thanks

Geoff
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: steve7406 on September 23, 2013, 05:58:50 pm
Get them soda blasted
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Paul552 on September 23, 2013, 06:00:43 pm
Get them soda blasted

I got to do the same.

Does the soda blast dull the plastic?
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: mustanggrahame on September 23, 2013, 06:13:23 pm
I've been told to use brake fluid. Bubbles the paint off with no effect to the plastic
Cheers
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Montynut on September 23, 2013, 06:18:48 pm
There is an 'orange' based paint stripper (Bunnings) which is plastic and fibreglass safe. I have used it on both without any damage to the base material. Naturally you can not leave the stripper on for excessive time and do not let it dry.
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: kdx Geoff on September 23, 2013, 06:28:28 pm


Brake fluid.

l should have remembered that  :o

l think you're right Grahame, wrecks paint and wont worry the plastic......and its in the shed.

Thanks

Geoff
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Paul552 on September 23, 2013, 06:32:13 pm
Make sure you let us know how you go.

I have a number plate I need to do.
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: kdx Geoff on September 23, 2013, 06:54:16 pm
Make sure you let us know how you go.

I have a number plate I need to do.

pictures to come 
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: nada on September 23, 2013, 07:06:37 pm
There is an 'orange' based paint stripper (Bunnings) which is plastic and fibreglass safe. I have used it on both without any damage to the base material. Naturally you can leave the stripper on for excessive time and do not let it dry.

Use a citrus based product 3M produce it! Brake Fluid will weaken the plastic, you just wont see it, it will go brittle and snap.

If you want to bring them up like new, sand, heat and polish! i can put a detailed response on the process if you like?

Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: kdx Geoff on September 23, 2013, 07:22:23 pm


There is an 'orange' based paint stripper (Bunnings) which is plastic and fibreglass safe. I have used it on both without any damage to the base material. Naturally you can leave the stripper on for excessive time and do not let it dry.

Use a citrus based product 3M produce it! Brake Fluid will weaken the plastic, you just wont see it, it will go brittle and snap.

If you want to bring them up like new, sand, heat and polish! i can put a detailed response on the process if you like?



l have only got the brake fluid on the painted part of the cover, keeping my eye on it.

where does the heat come in ?

Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: nada on September 23, 2013, 07:44:40 pm
Ok My Process is:

Never use any alcohol based or harsh strippers like brake fluid products on PVC (Plastic) it will eat it alive, hardens and shortens up the ageing process:) always use a water based product, like a citrus 3M organic based paint strip.

Better yet, don't paint plastic, it looks shit.

Restoration process: Depending on the gauges and decay of the PVC will depend on how you much time you spend on each process.

1. Using 400 grit sandpaper ( Dry), sand back until mat finish, smooth and all gauges are gone or relatively gone, so your happy with the finish (I use an electric hand sander) . You can get a plastic welding kit or filler if your keen, but if your going to go to that extent www.plasticrenovations.com and contact me i'll get you a quote for restoration.

2. Using the 400/200 grit, start the wet and dry process and keep working until all smoothed out and stats to get a gloss, LIGHTLY apply heat via heat gun small sections at a time (this makes the molecules in the PVC fire up and start to rejuvenate)

3. Buy a Novis 1,2,3 pack from American eBay, ($50 delivered to your door) or if you can find equivalent in Australia let me know, i'm yet to find it! and polish the hell out of it, repeat stages as required.

4. Purchase a really good quality car polish (Maguires) from Autobarn and polish until a high mirror shine:)

Its time consuming, but it's worth it in the end:) Happy Polishing:)

My suggestion is, restore and old shitty piece first, as if you make a mistake with the gun, you wont be in tears!!!!!!!!

You can use acetone to seal the inside of a tank, swish it around and with a few nuts, bolts and screws to loosen and shit caked on the walls:)
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Grunter215 on September 23, 2013, 07:51:23 pm
"Bumper Stripper". Comes in aerosol can, washes off with water.
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on September 23, 2013, 07:57:40 pm
"grease and wax" remover works pretty well also without affecting the plastic.
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: kdx Geoff on September 23, 2013, 08:29:31 pm


Thanks Nada

I've washed off the brake fluid and will see what else l have in the shed tomorrow  :)
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: nada on September 23, 2013, 08:37:08 pm


Thanks Nada

I've washed off the brake fluid and will see what else l have in the shed tomorrow  :)

Cool cool:):) shoot me  a line anytime you need some info:) I will put up some before and after shots of some of my creations also:)
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Scootern29 on September 24, 2013, 02:13:09 am
I used some American made EZoff oven cleaner on a plastic gas tank last month and it worked fine. Didn't hurt anything.
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: bazza on September 24, 2013, 06:22:31 am
spray on paint stripper
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: head on September 24, 2013, 07:07:09 am
paint stripper works ok.
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: whitey 43 on September 24, 2013, 08:56:35 am
I just did some yz plastic with brush on stripper from supercheap...Worked well - Just gernied it off...
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: nada on September 24, 2013, 09:59:24 am
spray on paint stripper

The chemicals in paint stripper will work into the PVC and SLOWLY weaken, and fade it!  You might not notice it now, but you will in the not so distant future.

Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: JohnnyO on September 24, 2013, 10:11:04 am
Paint stripper is good on flexible polypropylene and polyethylene plastics, do not use it on the paintable ABS plastic. I don't know that brake fluid will work these days, it's been toned down so much you can spill it all over your car engine bay with no effect.
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Ted on September 24, 2013, 07:01:29 pm
Can I ask why you wouldn't just buy new ones?

Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: nada on September 24, 2013, 10:55:44 pm
Can I ask why you wouldn't just buy new ones?

Yep reasonable question! The repo products like DC are good, but their not perfect. If your wanting to get the whole colour scheme back to original, the only way to get 100% is to use NOS or restored plastics.

For a full nut and bolt resto, restore the plastics. for racing the DC stuff is fine.

If i had some prepared stuff here in Oz, i would bring it up to Bulahdelah for you look at, but i'm still waiting for it to get back from the US and i have not finished my restored plastics yet! But, when i do, you can see and feel the difference:)
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: kdx Geoff on September 25, 2013, 07:45:41 pm


l sanded the paint off....

No risk of chemical damage to the original side cover plastic.  :)

Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Paul552 on September 25, 2013, 07:50:10 pm


l sanded the paint off....

No risk of chemical damage to the original side cover plastic.  :)

Ah man I thought there was a easy way!!!!
Title: Re: Remove paint from plastic side covers.
Post by: Ngapuhi on September 25, 2013, 09:44:23 pm
If it's not OEM paint. Plastic paint stripper like Grunter215 and bazza said. Comes in an aerosol can and is designed for plastic, works great.