Colin, you're method works an absolute treat!...

...at stripping paint from diecast models in an economical manner so that the Cellulose Thinners may be reused!

Here's a couple of photos showing 'my system' in operation, followed by Colin's method in detail. Cheers mate, you're an absolute star!  

Cazzo wrote:All the models were wrapped in paper towel and put into thinners to sit for about half an hour. I then took them out 1 at a time and gave them a rub while they were still wrapped up in the towel. Doing it this way means all the paint that comes off stays in the paper and I can reuse the thinners over and over again. When most of the paint is off and the paper towel is removed I just had to give the model a quick rub over with a stiff plastic brush.

Honest Colin, it really does work a treat!  

good stuff lads!  

I suppose does still requires removing the wings and other removable bits?

Unfortunately yes Juha, but wrapping each model in some 2-ply blue paper roll, or a heavy duty kitchen roll, at least ensures that the cellulose thinners isn't contaminated with a myriad of paint residue!  

I must have stripped a dozen this afternoon, and apart from 3 or 4 small flakes of paint, the thinners is still clean - although it does have a slight pinky tinge to it, but only because I squeezed out any excess thinners from each piece of paper once I lifted it out.

Can't wait till race retro to see what these end up like  

Well you'll just have to....  

.

Happy Days DC, I'm glad this worked out for you,
I found this way quicker than using nitromors and as there's less mess to clean up I could get more done,
If it does a wee bit to keep the Tree Huggers happy then we all win  

.

I thought they were your latest spray jobs there DC, was going to say, getting better mate, keep trying. Reckon I'll be giving this a go next time!

Guys, I've only just seen this method and I'm worried!  

In the first photo, it looks like David had four models in the jar..............yet only two survived!  

Seriously, it does look a great technique. I've been using the Nitromors with great success - love the pop tht the paint makes as the Nitromors gets underneath it, especially on the roof panels!   However, when I've finished my current bottle of the serious stuff, I'll give this technique a try.  

Cheers, Steve

gaz_bass wrote:I thought they were your latest spray jobs there DC, was going to say, getting better mate, keep trying. Reckon I'll be giving this a go next time!

 

Honestly mate, it does work as well as Colin stated, and as well as I've back up. The only thing I did was to turn the base models over onto their roofs after a while so that the 'higher ground' was also covered in thinners.  Alternatively, you could just pour more thinners into your container so that the models are actually fully immersed, but I was just trying to be a little thrifty with the thinners that's all...

...as my Department for Work and Pensions 'modelling allowance' hasn't materialised yet, so I'm working to a budget!  

Hampton Caught wrote:Guys, I've only just seen this method and I'm worried!    

In the first photo, it looks like David had four models in the jar..............yet only two survived!  

You hit the nail on the head Steve!  Until you suggested it, I was totally perplexed where my other two base models had disappeared to! Strong stuff this cellulose thinners...  

Like I said Steve, it works perfectly. All you have to do is ensure that all of your model is covered, and that it has had long enough under the thinners. Wrapping each base model in strong kitchen towel, or blue paper roll, ensures that the vast majority of paint is retained within it, and the thinners therefore remains uncontaminated. Mine only started to discolour because I squeezed out any excess thinners from each base model / kitchen towel bundle to use another day.

Yes David, certainly looks effective and cheap by recycling the thinners.  

One more query though:  Is the Mini headlamp unit essential or would any kitchen bowl work as well?   

Cheers and thanks, Steve

The Mini headlamp unit is there to get an even more authentic BMC/BL/ARG experience.

It is not a Mini headlamp unit!  It is a stainless steel dog bowl...

...you'll be telling me next that you didn't know I had a stainless steel dog!   

here!!!   thats my line!!!!    

 

"Used under license from BMD 2013"  

   ahh, thats better.............like to keep things all legit and above-board as you know david....  

bmd wrote:   ahh, thats better.............like to keep things all legit and above-board as you know david....  

Eh! Since when, Billy?  

Thanks for clarifying, David. What grade of stainless steel have you used? (For the bowl, I mean, not the dog!) Must get the detail right.

I've invested in a roll of 2-ply especially, now I need the rest of the hardware.  

Cheers, Steve

lol!!! none taken steve!!!    

Billy, whoever would have thought that a 'sensible' and useful 'handy hint' thread could be turned into a series of gags and daft comments?  





You should be ashamed of yourself!   

I'll get my coat..... Steve

gags and daft comments??

me???

on this esteemed forum??

now steve.......................... 

I know, Billy! Surely not!  

'Keep 'em short, informative, to the point and on no account use humour in my posts' that's always been my motto! Ahem!   As it has been yours too, Billy!  

Maybe David can get his thread back?   Maybe!!!!!  

Cheers, Steve

ah david's over 50 now, so he'l find it hard catching us young whippersnappers to punish us for the hijack of his thread!!


(awaiting major dressing down from david the moment he next reads this thread!   )

sorry david....  

Billy, sorry to mention this, mate, but neither of us are far behind 'the ole' man!  

Cheers, Steve (a youthful 45, but who is counting?!)

doh!!! forgot you can see my age!!!