Stripping a Kato shell?

[ekko]

I read of lots of different chemicals to strip paint from RTR models (brake fluid, Simple Green, Castrol Superclean, Ammonia, Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, Pinesol, etc). However, it seems like the popular choice is 91% isopropyl alcohol with perhaps a little elbow grease thrown in for good measure. I'm fearful of anything other than alcohol since it could weaken the plastic.

I've never stripped a shell before, but I'm considering it. I've read that the paint on Kato shells are among the most difficult to remove. Any suggestions, especially for Kato?

Thanks in advance,
Nate

PS: Apologies if this has been discussed before. I tried using the search function and didn't see any hits.

[sarge]

I have never stripped a Kato shell, but have done Athearn and B-man shells. I used to use brake fluid, but have learned that alcohol works best for me. The brake fluid was messy and could hurt the plastic (and my wife didn't like it either)

I have also heard of using a sealed container with the alcohol as well, but have not done it that way yet.

[MONONC420]

Kato's aren't to hard to strip. Just let them soak for a full day or so, and then come in with some elbow grease and you should be able to get it off. I have had good results with this method.
Christian

[ekko]

Jim, Christian -- thanks for the help.
Guess I'll just cross my fingers and give the alcohol a try!
Cheers,
Nate

[johnnetzlof]

DO NOT use Brake Fluid on Kato plastics. Saving you a headache here, I did once, ignoring the warnings and it appeared nothing happened, until I pulled the tape off from the first coat of paint, and have the hood came with it. It apparently makes the plastic very brittle and susseptible to cracking along any molding cleaves or even mixing differences when the plastic was injected!

I've found the best thing for Kato shells is Alcohol. Its not very aggressive so You may be sitting there for quite sometime scrubbing away at it, but it won't harm the plastics.

Brakefluid, even on plastics its safe for, tends to do a crappy job. I have some old Athearn BlueBox units that I stripped, and they have globs of re-solidified paint shoved into any corner or crevace that holds it's ground even when prodded with a sharp Number 11 blade.

I've heard the Scalecoat stripper works on pretty much anything, but as far as I can recall Kato shells are a tad "fragile" perse, and I'd hesitate to try anything new on them myself.

[jbaakko]

I used Scalecote Wash away on the F40PH I repainted for a customer. It worked well, though thin parts were a tad fragile.

Nothing else wanted to touch the paint. I tired Pine-sol and 91% Isopropyl.

[wvsecondary]

I use the Polly Scale Easy Lift Off ELO myself with very good results. Biggest problem with most strippers(brake fluid or any other "degreaser") is that they way they work is to pull the oil out of the paint to loosen it. If left to sit to long they will start to pull the oil out of the plastic.

[ekko]

I'll definitely stay clear of the brake fluid. I've read of nothing but trouble when it comes to stripping shells with that stuff.

I hate to spend a lot of money on a paint stripper, but if the alcohol doesn't work, I might give the Scalecoat II Wash Away or the Chameleon stripper a shot.

Again, thanks for all the recommendations.
Nate