Randy Ayers Nascar Modeling Forums

[Propboy40]

Used to be you could use some fingernail polish remover and pull specific decals off production diecasts while preserving the underlying paint. Looks like the new Lionel diecasts don't allow that. Any insights or other observations on this? Curious if you have any other input.
Thx
Roger

[18degrees]

You try 91% alcohol? Not sure how that would affect die cast but it sure takes off printed stuff on plastic.
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ON DECK/IN THE WORKS: too many started to list...

[Jim4130]

they use automotive clear now and the tampo decals won't come off. I've just stripped them down.

[DaveVan]

Try lacquer thinner.....it used to work...

[Clyde Sledge]

Lionel does not use automotive clear on their diecasts. The entire graphics of the car are a wrap style decal now and have been for a few years. Lionel has even stated this several times. You cannot remove only parts of the graphics on cars from the Gen 6 era to now. The only way to remove the graphics is either bead/sandblast or heavy duty stripper.

[DaveVan]

[Clyde Sledge]

[DaveVan]

I have done may custom die cast too.....but mine are all old school Revell etc. The Lionel are to costly to strip for me!!!! I have never had Citi-Strip not work on models or real car stuff........if it don't work....must be some odd coating.

[Clyde Sledge]

[DaveVan]

I wasn't trying to fight you on it.......just offering what I have done personally. Sorry to offend you.

[bangor boy]

Reading this thread with interest as I am looking to convert a Jimmie Johnson 2020 Camaro into Kyle Larson's 2021 title-winner.

I have the car pulled apart and ready to strip, prime, paint and decal (the nice 3 Amigos sheet).

Looking closely at this car's body, there is no raised profile of decals or graphics like we'd see in older diecasts that had layers of paint, decals and clear coat. This looks like just a single flat coating of body color and graphics all in one even, uniform, featureless layer.

Why fight it, says I?

I'm thinking it might be a lot less hassle to just sand lightly with fine paper, clean it and see how it takes light coats of Tamiya primer. If that goes well, it gets painted with Tamiya blue before decalling and clear coating.

Am I being lazy? Crazy? Or onto a viable shortcut? Any input appreciated.

[Clyde Sledge]

[bangor boy]

Thanks, Clyde.

I've got a 1 litre tin of one of the old toxic paint strippers that I've held onto for tough jobs. Not available anymore, of course.

Used to use it when milder strippers couldn't get the job done. The Dale Earnhardt #8 Charger - good donor car for Petty Chargers - is one seriously tough unit to strip. Last one took almost a week to get to bare metal.

I'll wait until warmer weather arrives here in Canada - snowed yesterday - and do the job outdoors in fresh air.

[Propboy40]

Well... I was able to get the wrap images off but it took some time. Stripped two cars one of which went pretty smoothly albeit it took time. The other... took quite a bit more time. Just had to be patient and keep re coating the stripper. Regarding Bangor Boy's comments... I have tried a couple times to just prime over existing paint schemes... and it just doesn't really work very well. Should work... seems like it would work... you would think it would work... but it just doesn't seem to work. Just gotta be patient and strip it down.

Thanks for all the responses everyone.
Roger

[bangor boy]

Picked up some PTI brand aircraft stripper from a small airport parts supply and reno materials shop. It's the heavy duty stuff that should only be used outdoors. I work from an upwind position. Excellent, immediate results.

[nascarwow]

I have been looking to customize my own diecast and stripping the paint was something I was trying to research. I was disappointed to see that some comments were that Citristrip would not work on new Lionel diecast.

I have some Citristrip I used for a wood varnish restoration and thought I would try it on some Action diecast. It worked great.

I figured it was worth a shot to try it on a Lionel, despite the negative comments. My results were fantastic. The Citristrip removed about 95% on my first try. A second coat removed the remaining small areas.

I apply the Citristrip, wrap the car in clear plastic wrap and let is sit for a day. When removing the plastic wrap it takes most of the paint with it so there isn't that much left to remove with a plastic putty knife or wood stick, in my case.

I would attach photos but that is a hassle...

[blg1267]

[bangor boy]