alcohol paint stripping Q

[Dodgefarmer]

What would be the pros and cons of using methyl hydrate (methanol)

Thanks
Randy

[Audi1]

Isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) is less toxic from an inhalation and skin contact standpoint, and seems to do the job well with commercially and custom paint jobs on plastic bodied cars.

I have no experience with methanol.

Allan

[McLiams]

91% rubbing alcohol has done every body in this shop, since an unfortunate incident on my first attempt to strip factory paint. Some others have mentioned a particular manufacturer that the alcohol will not strip. Cannot recall the exact manufacturer off the top of my head...maybe Fly, maybe SCX.

There are stripping agents out there that attack the plastic without visible evidence. Years back I used one of them to clean a Scalex Dallara for a custom livery. Worked like a dream. Old paint and tampos came off clean. New livery applied, decals laid down smooth and opaque...this should have been a clue. Sealer went on without attacking the decals.

Started to reassemble the car. Set the magnet, installed the motor, interior, front axle and then the rear axle (stock, as those were the rules of the series) as the bushing pressed down into the carriers, an ear of each carrier snapped off. Pulled the motor out to see how to repair the problem and an ear of the endbell holder snapped off. The stripping agent had reacted with the plastic and made it VERY brittle.

Mc

[dreinecke]

I use 91% alcohol for my RTR cars when stripping the paint. Some come out clean quickly, others take some time and scrubbing.

DO NOT USE ON A RESIN BODY!

Ahem. That would melt the body badly.

Also, do NOT use Acetone...the body will disappear. Ask me how I know...

[Dodgefarmer]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've use isopopyl on my models and so far so good. But I would like to strip the stripes off of some corner track sections and I would like to soak several pieces at once. I have not been able to find isopropyl in a gallon container and to buy enough 1 L. containers is going to cost $30.00 whereas a 1 gal container of methyl hydrate (methanol) is $9.99. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with methanol either good or bad.

Thanks
Randy

[Dodgefarmer]

[bookie]

I had a car I painted with Rustoleum spray enamel and the 91% alcohol wouldn't touch it. I used a generic oven cleaner, sprayed it down and stuck it in a sealable storage bag. This worked great for me on the enamel. Usually I use the alcohol though.