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Can anyone recommend a safe way to remove this hand painted image on a 70-72 console door without damaging plastic. Im guessing its an enamel? I dont won't to use too harsh a chemical that can damage texture of the grain on plastic. I have tried something similar to prep sol, acetone and 3m adhesive remover. Any ideas?
The paint is thick enough to leave an image I believe if painted over so I want to try and remove. I have yet to try Lacquer thinner, paint thinner or turpentine.
Any ideas?
Must be a self portrait of whoever painted that on there...lol
i would try lacquer thinner or goof off then respray with vinyl spray. Small scratches can be filled with metal glaze
Do NOT use lacquer thinner. It will dissolve the plastic lid. Paint stripper will take it off, but try it on an inconspicuous part of the lid first to be sure. If the blue is painted, that will come off too.
I would try a citrus-based stripper on the inside to see what affect it has on the plastic. I think solvent-based products (i.e. lacquer thinner, Goof-off) will soften the plastic and damage the grain. Good luck and post your results and what product you used for future reference.
Garage art, for sure! I think it's pretty cool, though I agree I wouldn't want it in my nice Olds either. Someone put a lot of time in that. Is another console cover that hard to find? I had 2 extras at one time....
I'd try Isopropyl alcohol first straight out of the bottle. You might also try a blend of 50:50, isopropyl alcohol:acetone.
Isopropyl alcohol should not destroy any plastic but should remove the paint. If you elect to try the blend, the added acetone will act as a catalyst to speed up the Rx, but should neutralize as it begins to remove the paint. Use straight isopropyl alcohol to clean everything up. Or, you might consider some really gut wrenching straight vodka or gin.
Sorry, but I really don't understand why people are so reluctant to use the product designed for this function. Lacquer thinner, acetone, etc are all very similar solvents that WILL dissolve hard plastic like the console lid. Goo Gone, Goof Off, etc are all variations of paint pre-cleaner and will typically not damage plastic. I use these products on tail light lenses all the time. They won't remove most paint, either. Paint stripper comes in plastic jugs.
Sorry, but I really don't understand why people are so reluctant to use the product designed for this function. Lacquer thinner, acetone, etc are all very similar solvents that WILL dissolve hard plastic like the console lid. Goo Gone, Goof Off, etc are all variations of paint pre-cleaner and will typically not damage plastic. I use these products on tail light lenses all the time. They won't remove most paint, either. Paint stripper comes in plastic jugs.
Unless you specifically know what plastic was employed to make the lid, you really can't say with certainty which solvent is going to work the best. In general, I would suggest a hard tail light lens is probably a much different plastic than the plastic employed for a console lid.
There are many plastics: PET, PVC, PS, LDPE, HDPE, PP, etc., etc., etc.
Dichloromethane, or methylene chloride is the active ingredient in KBS Strip (w/ a known methanol solvent). Whether KBS Strip operates in the same manner on the plastic of a center console lid versus a hard tail light lens is a good question. As I suggested, however, isopropyl alcohol would be my first choice as a test.
Last edited by Vintage Chief; Feb 22, 2020 at 09:55 AM.
I've used super clean degreaser to strip paint from model cars and taillight lenses and even chrome emblems ;and it works without any damage. Just let it soak and check it often, It may have to soak over night but I think this will work for you. Once you remove the part just rinse with hot water and scrub with an old toothbrush.
