Brake Fluid!

Dang, I didn't know that stuff smelled so bad. I pulled it out to strip some paint and the smell almost made me puke and I almost fainted. Dang, so I pulled out my dad's mask and I was fine.:)

Dang, I didn't know that stuff smelled so bad. I pulled it out to strip some paint and the smell almost made me puke and I almost fainted. Dang, so I pulled out my dad's mask and I was fine.:)

I wouldnt Strip paint with Brake Fluid, i heard if u leave it too long, ur thing gets warped, thats why i use CSC. Its the safest! :grinyes:

CSC won't strip Tamiya TS sprays, or any lacquers for that matter. Sometimes you have to use brake fluid. And no, it doesn't smell pretty. At least you can neutralize it with some good ole H2O, unlike CSC, which takes me hours to get completely off if I get it on me.

Brake fluid is nasty stuff. I highly recommend getting some CSC. You still need to be careful with it, but it's much more 'friendly' to work with (does a better job too, IMHO).

Murray

Brake fluid is nasty stuff. I highly recommend getting some CSC. You still need to be careful with it, but it's much more 'friendly' to work with (does a better job too, IMHO).

Murray


Yeah, but like Diesel2NR said, it won't strip Tamiya.

? strange, I m using dot3 , and it doesn't smell that bad, and I left a model for about a month in it, it didn't warp, it just stripped it right off (both enamel and ts-sprays.)

olivier

? strange, I m using dot3 , and it doesn't smell that bad, and I left a model for about a month in it, it didn't warp, it just stripped it right off (both enamel and ts-sprays.)

olivier


Hum, I used dot3 too. It think that it stinks. I left my models in there overnight and they didn't warp either. It just strips it and makes it really easy to get the paint off. You just have to spray it with the hose and all of it comes off really easy.

How do you dispose of this stuff. I'm done using it and I'm sure I won't be able to use it again. How do I throw it away. Just toss it in the trash, or is there a special way?

Hum, I used dot3 too. It think that it stinks. I left my models in there overnight and they didn't warp either. It just strips it and makes it really easy to get the paint off. You just have to spray it with the hose and all of it comes off really easy.

How do you dispose of this stuff. I'm done using it and I'm sure I won't be able to use it again. How do I throw it away. Just toss it in the trash, or is there a special way?


What I ve heard, is that if even it's been used, and dirty it still can be used again... depending on how many paint you dissolved in it , that is.

And to dispose of it , i think the safest way to get rid of it , would be to pour it down the gutter (if that is the right word fot it ) , you know those holes, on the sides of the streets, where all the wastewater goes ?

Olivier

I've used the same bottle now for a year.. I find all the old paint just sinks to the bottom..

If you are stripping enamels like Testors, another option is rubbing alcohol.
Don't laugh, I have a bottle of 97 proof (i think) from Walmart that cost 1.97.
I was able to strip 4 layers of enamel off a 69 camaro in an afternoon.
It takes a little scrubbing to get all of the little places, but it really just peels right off.

Depends on which you think smells worse.
Brake fluid, or rubbing alcohol.

Also, if you spill it, it just evaporates. Not toxic or anything...

Rubbing alcohol smells way better than break fluid.

Hum, so even if its dirty, I can use it? Dang, thats cool. I guess I won't throw it away. I do have a few more that I need stripped. I guess I'll use it again.

Mr.Happy:How did you use the same one for a year? Do you not strip many or what? I've stripped like 2 now and its so dirty.

I used Easy off oven cleaner that works good. You just spray it on let it sit for about 10 minutes and wipe it off. You have to scrub really hard and you have to do it about 3 times but it worked pretty well. :tongue:

I used Easy off oven cleaner that works good. You just spray it on let it sit for about 10 minutes and wipe it off. You have to scrub really hard and you have to do it about 3 times but it worked pretty well. :tongue:


Don't work that hard. Just get brake fluid, let it sit for about 3 hours, then hose it down. :smile:

I have had a Tamiya Ford Focus sat in brake fluid for about 2 months and it still hasn't shifted all the paint

Humm, thats weird. Just try scrubing a little bit. I had a little bit left and I just sparyed it with the hose really hard and all of it came off.

Tried scrubbing it with a stiff nail brush, made no impact. :banghead: Paint is thick though as its the paint job with the red back end.

Do not use Rubbing Alcohol or Nail Polish Remover! It warps the plastic, it happend to my R33 wing, luckely i had another one... :biggrin:

Check out the link below as it answers lots of questions about different types of paint strippers.

http://www.bonediggers.com/1-3/strip/strip.html

Also note that you should NOT pour brake fluid in the sewer system. I think that might be illegal?? Save the container, pour the dirty fluid back into the container, and take it to a place that disposes of these types of fluids. If you're not sure where one is, phone a local garage and ask them.

Good luck!!

Murray

Check out the link below as it answers lots of questions about different types of paint strippers.

http://www.bonediggers.com/1-3/strip/strip.html

Also note that you should NOT pour brake fluid in the sewer system. I think that might be illegal?? Save the container, pour the dirty fluid back into the container, and take it to a place that disposes of these types of fluids. If you're not sure where one is, phone a local garage and ask them.

Good luck!!

Murray



Ok, thanks man. My local hospital does that. :)

just like Murray Kish already said. it is for the most part illegal to dump used brake fluid in the gutter/storm drain/sewer. first of all it is an oil based hydraulic fluid and after you have stripped paint it now has paint in it. contact either your local environmental agency or find a local garage the has the ability to dispose of hazardous material.

csc is safer to use be cause it is biodegradble but brake fluid is more powerful. :2cents:

just like Murray Kish already said. it is for the most part illegal to dump used brake fluid in the gutter/storm drain/sewer. first of all it is an oil based hydraulic fluid and after you have stripped paint it now has paint in it. contact either your local environmental agency or find a local garage the has the ability to dispose of hazardous material.

csc is safer to use be cause it is biodegradble but brake fluid is more powerful. :2cents:


Yeah, kind of figured that out. I just have to take it to the hospital and they take care of it.:)

Well, Emaxx, I could start with the simple fact that you're not exactly supposed to be breathing your paint stripper. :rolleyes:

I've tried a lot of different paint strippers, and no particular one is perfect. But I've found that the coffee can of brake fluid beneath my bench is safer and more efficient than many products that are a lot more expensive. I've heard a lot of stories about stripping products, from specialized formulas, to oven cleaner, to WD40, to vinegar, to Castrol Super Clean, to just plain sanding back to virgin plastic. Of all of them, Brake fluid is the best I've used. I mean, c'mon, I've brought windshields back with the stuff.

Brake Fluid is the best!!!

I have tried other things, like the oven cleaner, and nothing works better than good old Castrol Brake Fluid. I leave it in a container of the stuff for a few days, give the item a rinse off and it is done.

:2cents:

Have any of you tried ammonia ?

Ya, it smells worse than anything and if you strip the paint in your closed closet, the fumes might do some heavy damage to your brain, but....

I bearly have time to work on a model so when I find the time I dont want to have a kit soaking for days in DOT3 while I wait for the paint to come out. Ammonia strips it to the plastic in about 4 mins w/out any scrubbing.

After its done its job I just store it till the next time I have to use it. One bottle has stripped about 3 cars now.

Well, Emaxx, I could start with the simple fact that you're not exactly supposed to be breathing your paint stripper. :rolleyes:

I've tried a lot of different paint strippers, and no particular one is perfect. But I've found that the coffee can of brake fluid beneath my bench is safer and more efficient than many products that are a lot more expensive. I've heard a lot of stories about stripping products, from specialized formulas, to oven cleaner, to WD40, to vinegar, to Castrol Super Clean, to just plain sanding back to virgin plastic. Of all of them, Brake fluid is the best I've used. I mean, c'mon, I've brought windshields back with the stuff.



Yeah, I know your not supossed to be breathing it. I just opened to see if it smelled or anything to see if I would have to do it outside, or if I could do it inside.

I have had a Tamiya Ford Focus sat in brake fluid for about 2 months and it still hasn't shifted all the paint

I would say that the brake fluid is old (I can only get 2 bodies done until it needs replaced). I use an old toothbrush and rubber gloves after the model has sat in the fluid for 24 hours, then wash it well. Works for me. I still like to use CSC when I can (enamels and acrylics) because it can be used over and over. I've had mine for over a year now and it still works fine.

I would say that the brake fluid is old (I can only get 2 bodies done until it needs replaced). I use an old toothbrush and rubber gloves after the model has sat in the fluid for 24 hours, then wash it well. Works for me. I still like to use CSC when I can (enamels and acrylics) because it can be used over and over. I've had mine for over a year now and it still works fine.



I've now done about 4 bodies now and mine still works fine. I just keep it in there for like 3 hours, then hose it down and it all comes off.