Tips on Removing Paint from a Plated Part

[sigfan]

Hi, Guys.

I was experimenting with painting one of the Rally ll wheels from a kit, and I'm not happy with the results. Is there a way to remove enamel paint from a plated part without removing the plating?

If not, and I need to strip off everything, do you have any tips on how to paint the chrome trim? (You don't realize how tiny a part is until you start trying to paint it.)

If I have to start from scratch, I should be able to do the black highlights easily. But then I have to do the chrome parts and the trim ring.

I'm hoping there's just a way to remove the enamel paint, and I'll try again with a different brush, some magnification, new eyes, etc.

Thanks!

sigfan

[Firehawk]

If you use paint thinner/turpenoid/mineral spirits the chrome should stay intact – don't rub it too much, just a light touch, let the thinner work for a few, then wipe gently with a Q-tip or soft cloth, that should do the job.

Tip: I always coat all my chrome parts with Future clear before working on them. It keeps the plating from rubbing off in your hands, protects it from scratches, makes it really shiny and allows enamel based washes to flow really nicely into details - with the added benefit of making it easy to remove with thinner (Future is impervious to it) if you want to try again.

[BRE350Z]

Thanks for the tips, you really can teach an old modeler new tricks!!!!!

[sigfan]

Thanks, Firehawk. I'll give it a try.
I wasn't sure what effect thinner (or something similar) might have on the plastic/plating. I will be gentle.

As far as the Future tip, I have heard Future recommended for a lot of things. Can it be brushed on if thinned a little, or does it really only work with an airbrush?

Thanks again

sigfan

[Firehawk]

You can brush it on, or even just dip your parts in it and then set them to dry. Future dries to something like 1/100th thickness so it won't be all globbed up like you might think. Works great on clear parts too.