Paint removal from ABS plastic.

[davway]

Couldnt find anywhere else to put this so i put it here.

Does any know or have experience in removing factory paint from ABS plastic?
The plastic in question are the outer door handles and i need to strip the paint back so it is bare plastic.
However, the plastic cannot be damaged in the process.
I am looking for a finish as if the plastic had never been painted in the first place.

Now, I dont want to hear any one say "sand it off" - it is not an option in any way shape or form.
Sending them to someone is not an option either.
I have 100+ handles to strip and i need the finish to be good and not scratched up or scuffed, or chemically damaged for that matter.

I have searched online, have not really found anything solid and conclusive and most of it is out of the U.S so those products cant be bought here.
Not willing to use brake fluid either.

I guess that whatever i need to use should be cost effective as well - if its $40 a litre, its probably out of the question (unless that will do 100 handles).

So, does anyone know what works and what i shoudl be looking at.

[_R_J_K_]

Automotive paint stripper? Don't know if it will eat the plastic though.

What are you going to do with 100 handles?

[davway]

have heard that some paint strippers will dissolve ABS, which is why im trying to find a specific product that will work and not destroy the plastic.

What are you going to do with 100 handles?

Clean them

[davway]

Anyone else?

[vr94ss]

Anyone else?

Maybe caustic soda?

[wildss]

the only thing i can think of is soda blasting but thats not going to be cheap for 100 handles so i reckon youre pretty much ****ed

[danja]

If you have access to an ultrasonic bath, that might do it.

[wildss]

one more thing dave, being abs it dosent require plastic primer for the paint to stick, the reducer in the basecoat sort of melts into the plastic and thats how it stays on.
you mentioned that you want a "raw" look and i doubt it will look that way after paint has been applied.
ya with me?

[green5.7]

hydroclauric acid 12 bucks from bunnings gets you 4 ltrs it will take the paint off but wouldnt effect the plastic unless you left them in for a day or two.. when the paint is gone chuck them in a bucket of water and clean, id leave them in a bucket over night.
let us know how you go

[davway]

You dont reckon Hydrochloric Acid would eat the ABS or make it brittle?
What percentage were you thinking of?
Have you done this yourself or are you just guessing that it would work?

[green5.7]

i did some of this on the weekend cleaning up some parts on an old xt fairmont some bits had platic on them and after putting the whole peice in the acid and leaving it their for a few mins pulled it out the metal was like new agin with no rust and the platic was untouched,, but was it this abs plastic i dont know but you can try, they also have 500 ml bottles their for 5 buck.. so hmmm

[green5.7]

it works with some platics, abs not sure but you can also get 500ml for 5 bucks worth a try, but you do need to clean the parts very well after this

[davway]

I could try it and see what happens - still sounds risky though.
I can use the surrounds as they arent needed anyway.

What kind of business's could i ask for advice?
Auto Paint shops?

where else?