Removing Pocher paint

[Grandad]

I have an unstarted kit of a red Pocher Testarossa and feel that their paint job needs redoing especially as they seem to have forgotten to smooth all the rough edges before painting.So, what is the best way to remove their paint to bare metal?Your experience will be much appreciated.Grandad

[Giovanni]

You can dip the metal parts in paint stripper, then wash off with warm water, then soak in citric acid for about an hour or so.

[Grandad]

Is there a special type of stripper needed? Eg, is the paint acrylic , enamel or cellulose?

[Giovanni]

Go to a good automotive paint supplier and use a stripper for your type of paint. You may be able to buy it online through Eastwood Automotive Supply.Eastwood - Auto Body Repair Tools | MIG Welder | TIG Welder | Plasma Cutter | Auto Body Supplies & Accessories

[Grandad]

Hi Giovanni, thanks for your help, but how can I tell what sort of paint Pocher have used?

[David100]

Grandad:

An alternative is to soak parts in brake fluid. No fumes. Easy to work with. Safe for Pocher plastic parts as well.

David

[Grandad]

Does any old brake fluid do the trick?

[hot ford coupe]

Grandad:

An alternative is to soak parts in brake fluid. No fumes. Easy to work with. Safe for Pocher plastic parts as well.

David

That's most likely what I would do also. I never built a Pocher kit so I have no idea what kind of paint they used. The brake fluid is an easy solution because it probably will strip almost anything down to the surface. Just make sure you use some kind of gloves with it. I got a bit of a reaction myself from the brake fluid. Another solution you can use that a lot of modelers also use is Castrol Superclean. It's considered a degreaser rather than a stripper but I've heard that it works well. Again, make sure you use gloves with it. As far as using a respirator, I don't know if Superclean is fumey so to speak but it may be a good precaution. Some others on the site may have more info on that so keep tuned. Hope this helps.

[Tage]

Brake fluid is not a resperatory issue.
I use a large "TupperWare" type container with a lid.
Stripping the paint from a Pocher requires patience!
I needed to soak the paint clogged bonnet louvers for a week before the
paint would let go. I use both a soft toothbrush and a stiffer bristle unit.
Definetely use latex gloves or some other type of hand protection.
Then simply wash the parts in warm soapy water and dry them.

[MADD FABRICATOR]

You'll probably find that because of time cons*****s during the manufacturing process, that Pocher baked the paint on to ensure a rapid cure and to get it packaged quickly. Thus the paint will probably require a chemical stripper of some sort other than " Super Clean" or brake fluid. Rather than mess around with those products and get no satisfaction from their use, I'd opt to go straight for the paint remover products which are available at any automotive parts store, Home Depot, Lowes, or even your local neighborhood hardware store. You'll probably have to buy a quart can as that's usually the smallest quanity they package. You might also try lacquar thinner or acetone on the paint. If neither of those two products soften the paint you'll probably find that the "Super Clean" and brake fluid won't do it either, at least not in a timely manner. GOOD LUCK, and follow ALL safety precautions regardless of which product you use.
CHEERZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!

[spinellid82]

If I am correct the body on the Pocher Ferrari's are metal. This being the case, I would go outside with a propane or butane torch, set the bugger on a concrete block and heat the paint just until it is soft enough to easily scrape off with a narrow putty knife...JUST BE CAREFUL and take all safety precautions possible.

[Magicmarker77]

Hi new to the forum long time model builder, I have been reading this thread and the best thing I have found for stripping old models that works well is oven cleaner. Go to the dollar store and pick up a kitty litter pan set the parts in it and shoot them with the oven cleaner. Make sure you do it outside or in a well ventilated area and give it lots of time. If it dries out just hit it again, you will see the paint start to flake or run off, i usually wash the body or parts in a warm bath of soapy water, repeat until the paint is gone, it works well I have stripped some old tamiya bodies as well as an old pocher Bugatti engine all with great success.Good luck

[RickyGene]

Hi new to the forum long time model builder, I have been reading this thread and the best thing I have found for stripping old models that works well is oven cleaner. Go to the dollar store and pick up a kitty litter pan set the parts in it and shoot them with the oven cleaner. Make sure you do it outside or in a well ventilated area and give it lots of time. If it dries out just hit it again, you will see the paint start to flake or run off, i usually wash the body or parts in a warm bath of soapy water, repeat until the paint is gone, it works well I have stripped some old tamiya bodies as well as an old pocher Bugatti engine all with great success.Good luck

Yes, the body of this kit is metal and many did come w/crappy paint jobs and or trash in the paint. The best method I have seen is to find someone if you do not own one, air erase or lite glass blast the paint off. Safest and fastest way to do this and you clean the metal @ same time.