F-UnitMad Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Apologies for this - especially as I've used Car Brake Fluid as a paint stripper many years ago, but I'm about to do it again, and can't remember something that must be pretty important... Once it's been used and, hopefully, removed the paint from the plastic model in the intended manner... what's the next step?? In other words how do you clean off the brake fluid and neutralise it? Will it just wash off, i.e. water soluable, or do I need to use white spirit etc? Thanks for helping burnish my memory!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertiedog Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Wash off with thinners, white spirit, or hot water and detergent, and finish with a strong solvent to remove any trace of the oil, but only if metal based, if plastic, then washing with detergent should do it, Stephen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Water will do, that's all I've ever used and had no problems. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tractor_37260 Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I've used brake fluid "baths" in the past for stripping paint. Some older DOT types of fluid can react BADLY with some plastics - a Replica Railways coach comes to mind - it turned into almost molten plastic leaving perfect finger print impressions on the sides Modern fluids tend to be synthetic based so test a small area first. A safer option would be to use Precision Paints "Super Strip" HTH tractor_37260 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 A safer option would be to use Precision Paints "Super Strip" ... I just ran out of that stuff... and yes I had re-used it; so much that I think it was beginning to put paint back on!!! ...hence the turn to a bottle of brake fluid. It says it's synthetic on the bottle; so yes I was going to test it first. I just couldn't remember what was best to do afterwards!! Thanks chaps all of you for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Only DOT3 or DOT4 will work - 5.1 is Silicone based and designed not to affect paintwork. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigherb Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Only DOT3 or DOT4 will work - 5.1 is Silicone based and designed not to affect paintwork. HTH DOT 5 is silicone based. DOT 5.1 is a thinner version of DOT 4 for use in some ABS systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Ah right, I thought they both were silicone based. So, in theory, does that mean that 5.1 will work as a paint stripper then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigherb Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 So, in theory, does that mean that 5.1 will work as a paint stripper then? In theory yes but as it is usually more expensive than DOT 4 I've never used it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 ... * returns from quick trip to Shed to check*.... I have a bottle of DOT4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrushType4 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I just used brake fluid without problems on a Parkside kit. I was thinking about putting in the dishwasher to clean off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Lads, be aware that this stuff is VERY damaging to human eyes. A mate just got a small amount in his left eye by rubbing it in accidentally. he has had to go to hospital, and it has, apparently, burnt off his conjunctiva, the thin skin that protects the cornea. He now has to have twice daily applications of ointment until the conjunctiva regrows. Not good. Take care with all chemicals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted June 7, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 7, 2013 Lads, be aware that this stuff is VERY damaging to human eyes. A mate just got a small amount in his left eye by rubbing it in accidentally. he has had to go to hospital, and it has, apparently, burnt off his conjunctiva, the thin skin that protects the cornea. He now has to have twice daily applications of ointment until the conjunctiva regrows. Not good. Take care with all chemicals. You should never use brake fluid for stripping paint. Either use proper paint stripper or less corrosive chemicals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrushType4 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Take care with all chemicals. Wise words Jeff. Anyways, the fruits of a careful afternoons work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 You should never use brake fluid for stripping paint. Either use proper paint stripper or less corrosive chemicals. Whilst I agree that brake fluid, like all chemicals as noted by JeffP, needs to be treated with the respect due to harmful liquids, I don't honestly see why using it to strip paint should be any more hazardous than, say, servicing or rebuilding a vehicle braking system. Something which thousands of amateurs achieve without problem. Safe disposal can, I admit, be a problem whether drained from the paintstripping bath or flushed from the hydraulic system it was intended for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted June 8, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 8, 2013 I just used brake fluid without problems on a Parkside kit. I was thinking about putting in the dishwasher to clean off I wouldn't if I were you, dishwashers run very hot to remove grease. Mike. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzgresleyfan Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 You should never use brake fluid for stripping paint. Either use proper paint stripper or less corrosive chemicals. I totally disagree; if the stuff was that dangerous you wouldn't be allowed to use it for anything at all. As always, and as JeffP and PatB have noted, treat it with caution and respect. I have used brake fluid as a paint stripper many times without any trouble at all. I'm still wondering how to get rid of the stuff once I need to though, with most modern cars needing you to have an automotive degree just to remove the sump plug the days of having a waste oil container at your local service station seem to be over... Rob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold unravelled Posted June 10, 2013 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 10, 2013 I have used brake fluid for paint stripping, usually successfully. One failure was a dmu shell which went brittle/disintegrated. One of the dangers which is not often mentioned is that is flammable. It was supposed to be a problem in making small engine bay fires worse as plastic brake lines melted. As for disposal, I took a bottle of used brake fluid to my local waste recycling centre, and was told to put it in the household waste skip, which means it would go to the incinerator. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crompton 33 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 i have used dot 3 and 4 to remove paint . it is very flammable more so then petrol. when i worked in a garage a few time's car's that had been in a big shunt went up in flames as the brake fluid leaked on the hot exhaust . i get rid of my used fluid with my old engine oil at the tip. best thing to do if useing brake fluid is to use it outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 I don't know the situation in NZ but here in Oz my local tip has a barrel for waste oil disposal but putting brake fluid in is strictly forbidden as, apparently, it makes the oil unrecyclable. These days my brake fluid disposal needs are limited and I heat with wood so I take advantage of the low ignition temperature noted by crompton 33 and light fires with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
47406 Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 I have used brake fluid for paint stripping, usually successfully. One failure was a dmu shell which went brittle/disintegrated. One of the dangers which is not often mentioned is that is flammable. It was supposed to be a problem in making small engine bay fires worse as plastic brake lines melted. Dave A question... does anyone have any comments to offer on using brake fluid with Heljan bodies ? I have a vague recollection of someone, somewhere, somewhen perhaps saying something about Heljan plastic not coping with brake fluid as well as other manufacturers ? Anyone able to make a positive comment on Heljan & BF based on their experience ? cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Il Grifone Posted June 12, 2013 Share Posted June 12, 2013 (edited) Brake fluid needs to be treated with care, but it's not as bad as caustic* soda, which is the other recommended paint stripper for plastic. Brake fluid is water soluble. Water used to be suggested as an emergency substitute in brakes..... My only adverse reaction has been an acetate Tri-ang van**, which part dissolved. I did forget it for quite some time though *As might be gathered from the name, it can cause nasty chemical burns. **pre-warped so no great loss! Edited June 12, 2013 by Il Grifone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Delamar Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 ive always used brake fluid, but didnt have any recently when I wanted to strip a brass loco body and id read that dettol can be used and as I had some I thought id give it a try, left it for a few days in an old pickle onion jar and it the paint came off easy although it never had primer on it. cleaned it off with warm soapy water, although it still does have a little bit of a wiff of it and dont know if its dodgy to solder it, I did solder a few little bits back on and could smell it. but no bad effects that I know of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted June 14, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 14, 2013 ive always used brake fluid, but didnt have any recently when I wanted to strip a brass loco body and id read that dettol can be used and as I had some I thought id give it a try, left it for a few days in an old pickle onion jar and it the paint came off easy although it never had primer on it. cleaned it off with warm soapy water, although it still does have a little bit of a wiff of it and dont know if its dodgy to solder it, I did solder a few little bits back on and could smell it. but no bad effects that I know of. You can use Mr. Muscle drain cleaner as well. Did you try rinsing it under a running cold tap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billbedford Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Half kilo bottles of Sodium Hydroxide (caustic soda) can be obtained from various pound shops. It is as good as any other paint stripper and as it is intended for clearing drain is easy to dispose of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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