Stripping Paint Off an Assembled N 40' Intermountain Reefer?

[Kisatchie]

I have a number of Intermountain steel reefers that I'd like to redecal with PFE decals. Only problem is, the reefers aren't undecorated. I'd need to strip the paint off just the sides (the ends and roof can simply be sprayed with the proper roadname color).

Has anyone tried to do that? How did it turn out?


Hmm... sounds like a
disaster in the making...

[peteski]

Using any liquid stripper to just strip the sides would be way too cumbersome.  Maybe if you had a mini sandblaster gun (air-eraser) you could mask the roof and ends, but that would still be a rather daunting task (especially if you had many cars to repaint).  But if you will repaint the entire car, why not just dunk it in some liquid stripper and strip the entire car?

Or, why not just paint over the existing paint?  IIRC, IM cars have rather thin layer of paint (not caked-on paint like some of the Bachmann modesl).

[daniel_leavitt2000]

IM does sell undecorated, disassembled kits for cheap money. I think the Trinity hopper I got was like $8. They love to toss extra parts in with it if you ask.

[Kisatchie]

...But if you will repaint the entire car, why not just dunk it in some liquid stripper and strip the entire car?

I figured I wouldn't be able to scrub the paint off the car without destroying the brake wheel assembly, hatch latches, and grabirons.

Or, why not just paint over the existing paint?

I have 30 cars I'd like to do over, so that's a strong possibility.

Thanks.


Hmm... I noticed Kiz used
the Oxford comma...

[Kisatchie]

IM does sell undecorated, disassembled kits for cheap money...

I already have 30 cars I want to repaint. And after building literally hundreds of Intermountain kits, I'm all worn out. 


Hmm... I'm worn out
putting up with Kiz...

[peteski]

Hmm... I noticed Kiz used
the Oxford comma...

Yes, it seems that Kiz has been hanging around the educated crowd lately. Good show ol' chap! 

[wcfn100]

I stripped some IM box cars with 91% alchohol.



Because of the unwillingness and/or inability of most companies to offer undecorated kits, I've had to learn how to strip assembled models without breaking all the glued on parts (it took a few sacrifices  ).  That's where the dental pick comes in.  Stiff enough to get the paint off, but the bristles aren't long enough to do much incidental damage.  Plus you can reach into smaller areas and backsides of free standing details like inside the stirrups.


Jason

[Kisatchie]

I stripped some IM box cars with 91% alchohol.



Because of the unwillingness and/or inability of most companies to offer undecorated kits, I've had to learn how to strip assembled models without breaking all the glued on parts (it took a few sacrifices  ).  That's where the dental pick comes in.  Stiff enough to get the paint off, but the bristles aren't long enough to do much incidental damage.  Plus you can reach into smaller areas and backsides of free standing details like inside the stirrups.

I'll have to look into getting a set? of dental picks. Thanks!


Hmm... watch Kiz forget
and buy guitar picks...

[sd45elect2000]

Which paint jobs do you currently have? The ends and the roof may not need to be painted at all.

I have a couple hundred IM reefers and personally I wouldn't dare try stripping paint.

Perhaps there are alternatives like calling IM and asking for undec cars like has already been suggested. I think that plan has the most merit.

There are currently 15 KITS on E Bay right now for a much neater job , perhaps you could resell your spares (to me) .

Randy

[Kisatchie]

Which paint jobs do you currently have? The ends and the roof may not need to be painted at all.

Swift, Supreme Beef, and Oscar Mayer

There are currently 15 KITS on E Bay right now for a much neater job , perhaps you could resell your spares (to me) .

I have some up for sale here on TRW:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=37048.0

I only see about a half dozen kits, and they aren't undecorated. Can you post a link to one of the eBay auctions?


Hmm... gotta win 'em first,
Kiz...

[sd45elect2000]

I took the liberty of calling Intermountain . They have 15 undec kits in stock @ $11.50 ea. If you buy all 15 there is an additional 15% off. If you buy 7 there is an additional 10% off etc.

I spoke to Jodi, very nice , I think you'd like her.

Randy

[Kisatchie]

I took the liberty of calling Intermountain . They have 15 undec kits in stock @ $11.50 ea. If you buy all 15 there is an additional 15% off.

I think I'll try to strip the sides of the reefers I have. I'm REALLY not in the mood to assemble 15 reefer kits.

Thanks, though.


Hmm... dodged a bullet
there. When Kiz builds
kits, he forgets to feed
me...

[Santa Fe Guy]

Two ways to go like others have suggested.
1/ Try spraying over just one car top see how it turns out. Light coats and you might save yourself a whole lot of hassle.
2/ Strip one car and see how easy or hard that was to do and compare results.
Then you will know which will be the best way to tackle the issue.
Rod.

[Jim Costello]

I have stripped the paint off Intermountain 40'box cars without any issues. I use 91% IPA in an ultrasonic cleaner..takes about 5 minutes and using a soft toothbrush
under water with care the paint comes off quite easily. If you happen to break off a part then order some parts sprues from Intermountain, they are quite cheap to buy.
Some of the New Haven boxcars posted a few weeks ago were Intermountain Box cars stripped and repainted.
You gotta do what you gotta do!

Jim
Modelling the NH down under.

[nkalanaga]

For broken grabs one can replace them with wire.  I've belt a few kits that were so old the plastic was brittle, and they all ended up breaking.  Since the holes are already there, it's easy with a kit, but drilling out the holes to replace a damaged one wouldn't be too hard.

If it's a side grab you might want to replace its partner as well, just so the two match.