Safely remove old paint from plastic.

[Lynn]

I have a real, original GM flapper valve assembly for 69 ZL2 hood.

I have owned this part since 1983 when I traded for it. Very good condition. The steel frame is easy to clean up. Sand blast cabinet.

However, the original "M" embossed Monsanto flapper is covered in orange and white paint. Yes, it came off a pace car that someone painted without removing the flapper assy.

Most of the paint will peel off with a thumbnail, but frankly, I don't want to spend three hours cleaning it.

Anything I can soak it it that will not hurt the plastic? I am guessing it is abs, but who knows.

[SuperNovaSS]

I personally would use plastic media at low pressure. A soak in power purple/castrol super clean would work to. See some of NJSteve's posts for the power purple insight.


Jason

[enio45]

agree, then a nice coat of SEM

[6pakdave]

I had some of my interior underdash plastics in my 70GTX soda [powder] blasted with great effect. The plastics were painted in 2pak and all was removed without damaging the grain in any way. As Jason said, the guy used lower pressure, it took all of 20 mins. The plastics are not repop'd in FK5 Orange.I was more than a little paranoid about using caustic or oven products. With the soda blast they turned out really nice, good as new- literally! Dash pad,arm rests and console next!..Yes they painted all the orig FK5 pieces to "freshen-up" the interior.. DOH!!

cheers Dave

Oh me, oh my!
http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/6pakdave/GTX%20dash/usa2010269_zps46f81fe4.jpg

Reinstalled after blasting= noice!
http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/6pakdave/GTX%20dash/DSCF2009_zpseab33ee6.jpg
http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/6pakdave/GTX%20dash/GTX20Dash_zps887deb3d.jpg

[dl7265]

I wouldn't be blasting anything. Easyoff will remove the paint and not harm the plastics.


DL

[Mr70]

Agree with the Easyoff method.Especially the bio degradeable stuff.
You can control how deep you want to go by how gradually long you let it sit,then rinse off with water.

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SuperNovaSS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I personally would use plastic media at low pressure. A soak in power purple/castrol super clean would work to. See some of NJSteve's posts for the power purple insight.


Jason </div></div>

Yes, the Purple Stuff degreaser will wash that overspray away in a matter of minutes. It doesn't hurt the plastic either. It is what all the plastic model guys use to remove old paint. It breaks the bond between the paint and the plastic surface and the paint just falls off in flakes. It is better than Easyoff oven cleaner as it does not have any propellants that can craze the plastic.

[69VN]

Lynn, I'm a painter by trade. I don't normally take paint off of plastics but there is a product called GOOF OFF. If you have some take a lint free rag and do a test spot in an inconspicuous place first before doing the rest of the plastic. DO NOT soak the part. May take some elbow grease but it should work.

SAL

[HEMIBEE]

Brake fluid works great also and it cleans up easy too

[169indy]

DOT-3 Brake fluid and take your time.

[Lynn]

All great ideas guys. Would use the goof off if it was typical overspray, but this is very thick in places. Picked up some purple power and will test it in a small area just to be sure before soaking.

DOT 3 for sure eats paint. Has a huge appetite for paint on fenders.

[ronebee]

Wesleys White Wall Tire Cleaner removes paint and will not touch plastic. I have cleaned many a model car body with this stuff and it lifts the paint and leaves the plastic untouched.

[Lynn]

Soaked it for a week in a pvc tube filled with Purple Power.

Good news: didn't harm the plastic.
Bad news: didn't harm the paint, other than making it maybe 10% softer. Still won't come off easily, other than where the paint is really really thin.

Any chance the Castrol Super Clean is stronger?
Hate to start using really strong stuff without knowing whether it may harm the plastic. Pretty sure I won't find another one of these cheap.

[njsteve]

Castrol Super Clean is what I use, full strength. After soaking a day or so, I use an old toothbrush to remove the losse paint and let the liquid get further under the remaining paint. What kind of paint is on the part?

[Lynn]

Steve: Wish I knew. Best guess is enamel. The whole assy was removed from a pace car in 1983, and the car had already had a repaint, but by the time I got to it, there were bubbles coming through, so the paint was not brand new. Would guess 5 or 6 years old.

The car didn't have the correct air cleaner, and the owner didn't care about the flapper. I traded him the labor on changing points and plugs for the whole assy, complete with the solenoid. Although epoxy was around in the 70's, I really don't think it was a high end job. Most of the quickie paint shops around here used enamel in the late 70's.

Will pick up some Super Clean and give it a go. Sad thing is the two bottles were side by side at the parts store, and I bought this stuff to save a dollar.

[enio45]

oven cleaner does well

[SuperNovaSS]

I use power purple with great results. Tempurature is key. I use it on the stove for quick results.

Jason

[BLACKLS5]

Lynn, I can't tell from the picture exactly what it is your stripping but I recently used something called Testors ELO (easy lift off). I bought it at the local hobby shop and they had it in stock. It's a gel like ZipStrip and did a great job on a 70 Chevelle dash housing. It wrinkles up the paint but doesn't hurt the plastic.

[Lynn]

Will go by Hobby Lobby on the way home today.

[Lynn]

Believe it or not Hobby Lobby did not have it. Many other Testor's products.

Bought a quart of Castrol Super Clean. Looks and smells similar to the Purple Power. However, after 24 hours in the Super Clean, most of the paint came off with hot water and a plastic bristle scrub brush. Another 24, and all paint is gone.

So... either the Castrol is just a little stronger, or the Purple Power softened it up for the Castrol. Either way, the Monsanto embossed flapper is back in the original frame with an original solenoid and original bolt holding the solenoid. Even have the original clips.

[Day2_69Z]

Brake Fluid !!! Reg DOT3 stuff. Truth be told, this works extremely well in removing lacquer &amp; enamel.
I have used this brake fluid method for years on all sorts of plastics.