Removing Paint from ABS?

Searay758

New Hunter
Hi all, recently made the decision to redo the paint job of the body armor I have (did the initial job with rattlecans but now that I have access to an airbrush I want to get a color I'm more content with). Are there any methods to easily remove paint from ABS plastic? I know a lot of chemicals used to remove paint will actual eat the plastic as well, but has anyone had experience in this category? If there's no magical solvent then I'll probably just have to sand it all off, I was just hoping there'd be an easier way to get all the paint out of those pesky dents, thanks!
 
I've used Fairy power spray to remove paint from plastic. It's a kitchen cleaner used to remover grease and burnt on fat and food from pots and pans. Just spray it on the put the parts in a plastic bag. Tie the bag off and leave for a couple of hours. Scrub the parts with plenty of hot soapy water using a brush once your done.

As always test it first!!!
 
I have hear of people using oven cleaner. Use it the same way full metal fett described.
I'm guessing his Fairy power spray is pretty much the same thing as oven cleaner.
 
I don't know what fairy power spray is, but oven cleaner is VERY corrosive and dangerous to skin and eyes. I would recommend you experiment. Can't you just lightly sand your parts?
 
A Nightmare any way you slice it. Elbow grease is the main ingredient. I had to get acrylic weathering off of a sand trooper. I used acetone and 0000 steel wool. Spray paint would def have to be sanded -To wet sand will cut back on dust-
After getting as much paint off as possible from sanding, just blast it with thinner (Your problem is finding an agent to emulsify your paint but not your Plastic)
Whatever you use, it's implied your nice shiny armor will have to be rebuffed. You'll notice the armor will take on a matte finish after you get all the old paint off.
 
Thanks for all the replies! I looked into the fairy power spray (seems to be native to the UK) and getting a bottle of it to the states would be quite the hassle, but seeing as to how it's described on websites as pretty much an oven cleaner (Robert was right) I'm gonna by a brand of that available here. Spy thanks for the heads up, I'll be sure to use caution to make sure it doesn't have a bad reactions with the plastic (or my skin for that matter :lol:). And NoGood I was afraid you'd say that :unsure I plan on just using extreme caution with the oven cleaner and if I get nervous or notice something off then I'll just bite the bullet and sand the darn thing. When I get around to it I'll be sure to let people know how it went!
 
I forgot this option- I Soda blasted my old helmet- saved me a lot of elbow grease and time... Ask an auto body shop how much they'll charge to sand blast the armor. If it's reasonable, that's your optimal option.
 
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