Removing paint from plastic?

[norco kid]

I bought a used truck and the previous owners painted some of the embossed logos on the plastic parts silver.. It might have been done with a silver sharpie. Is there any way to get this off without damaging the plastic? I prefer the stock look.

[Mike Flea]

If it is a hardbody and styrene, lightly brush some Testor's paint thinner on it, wait a few minutes, and wipe or rub it off. If it's lexan, Dot 4 brake fluid.

[58_Willys]

Rubbing alcohol usually works on Sharpie, but you can also use a razor blade or fine sand paper and carefully remove the paint.

I like to lightly scrape the paint off of my static model Jeep logos and reveal the white plastic underneath rather than trying to paint them white...much easier.

A pic of the logos would be very helpful.

[mikemcE]

91% isopropyl on a small brush. The alcohol will usually remove paint, use a small brush, take your time


Hang up and Drive

[DVS]

Originally Posted by mikemcE

91% isopropyl on a small brush. The alcohol will usually remove paint, use a small brush, take your time


Hang up and Drive

You can also use a Q-tip.

[ussprinceton2004]

nail polish remover works

[norco kid]

Thanks guys! I should have been more clear the paint is on the actual plastic parts of the truck (axles, rx box) I imagine most of the suggestions for hard bodies would apply here too?

[ussprinceton2004]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

If it is a hardbody and styrene, lightly brush some Testor's paint thinner on it, wait a few minutes, and wipe or rub it off. If it's lexan, Dot 4 brake fluid.

why Dot 4 and not Dot 3?

[mikemcE]

Originally Posted by ussprinceton2004

why Dot 4 and not Dot 3?

Make that DOT3 not 4, due to the silicone in DOT4

[Mike Flea]

Originally Posted by ussprinceton2004

why Dot 4 and not Dot 3?

Dot 4 has Borate added to it, (which is good for your brakes as it raises the boiling point of the fluid, to maintain the brake system), but it basically comes from Borax which is a cleaning agent.

Dot 3, Dot 4 and Dot 5.1 are all Glycol-Ether based

Dot 5 is silicon based

look it up on summitracing.com if you don't believe me

[mikemcE]

Yup DOT5


Hang up and Drive

[58_Willys]

Whenever I would strip my static models or chrome, I used Castrol Super Clean. I think it's just called Super Clean now and it comes in a purple jug. I recently stripped the chrome off of some Clod rims in just minutes. Make sure to use gloves with it though.

I've never used brake fluid, so I can't say how it works.

[norco kid]

Ok so I tried everything (alcohol, acetone, lighter fluid, super clean) and if anyone else is wondering the lighter fluid seemed to work best for me. Didn't try the brake fluid since is really nasty stuff that would have been a lady resort if the other stuff didn't work.