Removing paint from decorated Kato models solved

[Deleted]

Hi All,

For a long time I have seen posts asking how to remove paint from decorated Kato models. I think I just solved the dilemma.

I have not tried it on the OLD OLD Kato SD40's, but it is working on the Kato SD40-2 (first run) models. My test case is a CSX unit. I left all the shell parts in 91% iso alcohol for about a month. Probably does not take that long, but I am so unmotivated to build anything right now, I just left it in there and get to it when I feel like it. I started with a tooth brush and it was working OK, but would take just to much time and A lot of back and forth brushing. In my tool box I had some dremel bristle brushes. The softer black bristles. I used the straight bristle. Not the wheel or cone bristle. With the shell parts still wet with alcohol, I just run the bristle brush over it and into the step wells and nooks and crannies and nearly 100% of the paint is coming off with great ease. I have not seen any damage to detail as of yet.

The alcohol does not affect the plastic. It does not make it brittle or soften it.

Brian

[mountaingoatgreg]

This is why you are the man! I have an older GP35 shells I think I will give it a shot on. I already tried just painting over the factory paint, which didn't work. I have been trying to figure out what to do next. Worst case I was just going to follow your website and scratchbuild the shell if I ruin the factory shell.

On another note...any luck with the job search?
Please don't let your website go away let me know if you need some help keeping it going!

[dekon]

I will definitely try this with a NW2 that I have. I have tried just about everything to strip this thing with no luck.

[Deleted]

Thanks for asking about my job situation. Nothing yet, but still looking.

I finished the strippin gof the Kato SD40-2 and there was NO ill effects to the plastic or detail. Everything came off great and now I have an undec model to build on when I can get back to building again. For now it is going back in its box to be packed away.

A key to doing this is keep dipping your shell back in to the alcahol to keep it wet. The brush will dry it off and the paint will not come off as easy, but when wet, the paint brushes right off.

Brian

[dekon]

Well, I put the NW2 in this morning, came home this afternoon from work and using an old tooth brush, all of the lettering came off. Apparently they did not paint the actual body black, because I'm not getting any black residue when I scrub it. Great tip Brian. Thank you very much