Model Railroading > Stripping a Tower 55 shell?

Has anyone actually tried to strip a Tower 55 shell down to bare plastic? I don't have convenient access to a sandblasting cabinet, so I was wondering if I could just douse the shell in thinner and rub the paint off after a while?

I know BLI models (amongst others) had an issue with warping and cracking after exposure to some thinners, and I'd hate to strip down and ruin a $230 shell if someone already has made that type of mistake? While I realize that BLI and Tower 55 are two different companies, I'm going to do my homework before engaging on this project.

Thanks,
Sean

Just curious?? What will you change about the shell?? Different road name?

I'll give you a hint; numberboards on the nose. . . . . .

90% isopropyl alcohol has been recommended for stripping paint from plastic. Have not heard specifically re: T-55products products. :-)

wlankenau Wrote:
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> 90% isopropyl alcohol has been recommended for
> stripping paint from plastic. Have not heard
> specifically re: T-55products products. :-)


This.

90% or higher isopropyl, 2-4 hours soak, then a good once over with an old toothbrush, should do the trick. Make sure you completely disassemble the model first. That means remove all electronics, brass, glass (windows) and plastic castings first.

Mr. MRL

Sean.....
sounds like a good project to me....I too have been looking for a unit to strip and paint.
keep us posted.

Jeff

hoydie17 Wrote:
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> I'll give you a hint; numberboards on the nose. .
> . . . .

Are you stripping an AC -60 ???


TCS - if ya are, i'm diggin' it

Nope, I'm thinking a pair of CSX GEVOs.

I just don't want to shell out the 230-250 bucks for the models to give them a swim, only to find a pool of goo when I get back a few hours later.

From the photos I've been looking at, the BNSF and CSX ES44DC's appear to be pretty much the same, except for the BNSF units have numberboards on top of the cab, and CSX has them on the nose. So I'd have to move them down to the nose.

In fact, on that note, are the T55 numberboards lit by LED's with wires or by fiberoptics like KATO ditchlights?

Sean

hoydie17 Wrote:
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> Nope, I'm thinking a pair of CSX GEVOs.
>
> I just don't want to shell out the 230-250 bucks
> for the models to give them a swim, only to find a
> pool of goo when I get back a few hours later.
>
> From the photos I've been looking at, the BNSF and
> CSX ES44DC's appear to be pretty much the same,
> except for the BNSF units have numberboards on top
> of the cab, and CSX has them on the nose. So I'd
> have to move them down to the nose.
>
> In fact, on that note, are the T55 numberboards
> lit by LED's with wires or by fiberoptics like
> KATO ditchlights?
>
> Sean


Neither,

T55 uses 1.5 v. incandescent bulbs (like Athearn or Miniatronics) for all the lights (number, head, & ditch lights).

Mr. MRL

MrMRL Wrote:
>
>
> Neither,
>
> T55 uses 1.5 v. incandescent bulbs (like Athearn
> or Miniatronics) for all the lights (number, head,
> & ditch lights).
>
> Mr. MRL

That'll change when I'm finished, LED's, since I've got so many of the darned things sitting around, I might as well as use them. Thanks Robby.