Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

Paint removal from ABS plastic.

davway

New Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2003
Messages
495
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
Warrnambool
Members Ride
WK LS1 Statesman
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_

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2008
Messages
6,723
Reaction score
1,856
Points
113
Members Ride
Zenki S14
Automotive paint stripper? Don't know if it will eat the plastic though.

What are you going to do with 100 handles? :p
 

davway

New Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2003
Messages
495
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
Warrnambool
Members Ride
WK LS1 Statesman
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? :p

Clean them :rofl2:
 

wildss

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2005
Messages
764
Reaction score
20
Points
18
Age
43
Location
s.e melb
Members Ride
vnss
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

Swerves for gay koalas
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
1,786
Reaction score
56
Points
48
Location
Sydney
Members Ride
CBF 250 and a Levin ZR
If you have access to an ultrasonic bath, that might do it.
 

wildss

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2005
Messages
764
Reaction score
20
Points
18
Age
43
Location
s.e melb
Members Ride
vnss
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

New Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Messages
42
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
melbourne s.e
Members Ride
vs senator 5.7
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

New Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2003
Messages
495
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
Warrnambool
Members Ride
WK LS1 Statesman
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?
 
Top