stripping fujimi mx5....please help!

I had a painting mis-hap...again!!!! AHH! Will DOT3 be to much for the brittle plastic of the fujimi mx5? or should I be okay? 90% takes to damn long and never strips my models completely! I used tamiya cans. Thanks guys!

-Chris

15 looks, and nothing?!?! Come on guys, someone has gotta know!

Never tried DOT3 before, I use Gunze thinner for stripping, it's safe and ok for all kind of plastic I met.

I have used DOT3 brake fluid a few times before with no problems - even on an older Hasegawa model with wafer thin A- and B-pillars. However I have not used it on a Fujimi kit, though I cannot imagine a problem as the plastic will be essentially the same. Never seen the new MX-5 kit, so unfortunately I cannot comment on how thin the plastic is. My advice would be to dip it for a short period of time, then use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the paint. Repeat this as often as necessary, and stop if you see it starting to react. It might take a while, but it would be less dangerous than soaking it overnight and coming back to a melted kit.

I use oven cleaner. You have to put it in a sealed container because it's the fumes that take the paint off, but it takes it all off...at least on my Tamiya plastic, I can't imagine Fujimi is different.

The safest way to find out is to soak a piece of the same kit (preferably the same color of plastic) in whatever you want to use for 24 hours. Brake fluid normally takes 4-12 hours to strip, but I've had kits sitting in brake fluid for near a week without any problems.
Edit: I normally use DOT4 because it works faster.

Thanks to those who decided to pitch in! Its stripping in dot3 right now. I'll keep you guys updated...if you care to look.;)

-Chris

so after about two weeks, whats the end result Chris?

Im looking to see what strips Kustom Kolor's paint. I tried testors thinner, E-Safe paint remover, and just tried Easy Off today with no positive results. I'm now thinking of trying out Castrol Super Clean but looks like (according to their websites) the major auto shops in LA done carry it. Im going to have to pay the stores a visit, and maybe even try a Dot 3 fluid, which im not very interested in trying because i've read it softens putty and my reconstructed chassis has lots of it.

Have you tried 95+% IPA or maybe some extra strength FAQ?

Bill

Have you tried 95+% IPA or maybe some extra strength FAQ?

Absolutely right. The higher the better, and it makes a difference. You live in the states, you should have absolutely no trouble at all finding 99%. Your local Publix or Winn Dixie should have it. If not, get to a Home Depot, go to the paint section, and get a can of denatured alcohol. The stuff is amazing for stripping laquers.

Incedentally, DOT3 (and DOT4) formulatiuons are not identical. DOT 3&4 are specifications that a fluid has to meet, not recipies. As long as their fluid meets or exceeds DOT specs, what a manufacturer puts in their fluids is (largely) up to them. Which is part of why stripping in brake fluid is such a crap shoot....

Save yourself some trouble and use 91% rubbing alcohol. Nothing is easier! Just soak the car in a plastic container full of the stuff for an hour, then attack it with a toothbrush. It will look like new!