Hello everyone,

Does someone happen to know what type of paint is used on the models during manufacturing?

This weekend I tried (more on that below) stripping a Y-Wing (old one bought just after release, don't know if the manufacturing process may have changed since...) because the paint looked really thick and dirty and I wanted to repaint it as a scum ship

I've read multiple blogs and posts here that explain that it's not necessary to strip models and I have repainted ships before without stripping them as the paint on them was really thin but this one Y-Wing was really really ugly.

I said I tried because that did not turn well at all, I have used 3 differents products to try and clean the model before giving up...

There is no simple green where I live but I have used a floor abrasive that is usually recommended to strip plastic models, that did not work that just made the paint all sticky and soft but it would not go off, it was like the model was covered in chewing-gum.

After that I tried using oven cleaner as it proved useful to remove paint from other things in the past but again nothing, that time the paint wasn't even soft.

Finally I threw it in brake fluid, at first it looked liked it was doing ok, just shaking the glass jar I could see some of the paint diluting in the fluid (a bit like milk in coffee, I don't know if that makes sense ) but after waiting an entire day when I tried to brush off the paint it was all weird and "caked", like a thick crust around the model, it was completely white (I think what I saw going off when shaking the jar was just the pigments) but still very thick and somewhat hard, I was able to chip some off with my fingernail for exemple (I had gloves on), but the toothbrush I was using wouldn't scratch it.

I do not know if that was the paint that had a weird reaction with the brake fluid or if that was the plastic that began going away in fact...

Does anybody have had a similar experience with stripping Xwing models or anything else where the paint reacted weirdly like I described?

I am not here asking for a solution, as I am writing now the poor Y-Wing did a 5-straightforward maneuver into the trashbin, I am rather looking for testimonies and maybe explanations on what happened if someone happen to know a lot about various paint and their chemical properties.

Thanks in advance to anyone who will be able to enlighten us on the subject!

Unfortunately I don't have any experiences like this, so I can't help clear up this ship's issues. I'm here to advocate for that poor Y. Maybe you can turn it into space debris or use parts for a mod if things don't work out. I'd hate to know it went straight into the bin.

But back to your original problem: maybe go back to using the floor abrasive and letting it sit for a week. Or possibly soak, scrub, repeat, for the next four or so days.

Good luck! I hope someone out there has a solution for you. I'd like to see that Y turned into that Scum ship you were planning.

In the US, LA's Totally Awesome (Yellow Liquid, clear bottle, red writing -- found at Dollar Tree and Dollar General) is even better than Simple Green!

Hi again,

A little update on that Y-wing, as I really liked your idea Force Majeure of making the best out of it and use it as a debris, I went into the trash (just a paper bin don't worry ;D) to pickup the decommissioned starfighter and much to my surprise the "process" continued overnight, the details are now almost completely obscured and it's as if the plastic of the model, albeit extremely slowly, is expanding (swelling?).

The plastic chips easily with a knife or even fingernails and the model even broke in two pieces when slightly twisted... (not the glue going apart, the cockpit fell off the main part of the hull if you want to know)

I think it's fair to say maybe the plastic of the X-wing models is not suited for a prolonged bath in brake fluid, I hope that poor Y that died for science may help some of you guys reading this reconsider brake fluid stripping to avoid any disappointment.

Not saying that it does not work but be careful with it, for the record said Y-wing soaked in it for about 12 hours, maybe that's a bit too much.

She left us too soon...

Fare well little ship.

Is it even beyond the state of small debris parts (exploded Y) to be put onto 3D asteroids?

All I can say from personal experience that soaking even for just 10 mins in nail polish remover is a VERY BAD idea, T70 did a maneuver into the trash bin aswell

Brake fluid is not good for plastic...speaking from 40k days.

Best thing Ive found for plastic models is Fairy Power Spray....think in the States its called Clean Green or something like that

Fairy Power Spray doesn't work any more IIRC, they changed the formulation.

You should try 91% Ispropyl Alcohol. I frequently use it to strip ships prior to priming. It doesn't damage the plastic and will strip the FFG paint fairly quickly, but beware...it eats FFG glue really fast too.

Good luck and Paint Casual!

Huh... Interesting. I've soaked several X Wings (never a Y wing though) in brake fluid for days on end without any issue. It has always done the job, stripping all of the paint, and has never hurt the model. And I'm talking about 1st run production ships... I haven't bother stripping any in the past 2 years or so. I wonder if the Y wings are made from a different plastic?

You could pick up Simple Green on line...its good for plastic, not sure on break fluid though...

Full Disclosure: I have never stripped any X-Wing products or anything made of that type of plastic, so this is coming from more of a general "experienced painter knowledge" kind of place:

From what I have observed in the X-Wing line, the factory paint used seems to me to be a type of bonding paint that merges with the plastic upon contact. If this is indeed the case, you likely would be hard pressed to remove the factory paint without removing actual bits of the model. From your description of the poor Y-Wing's demise, that's kind of what that process would be like.

Again, I'm just spit balling here, but that's my 2 credits.