Softening paint on a plastic tank to remove the paint.

**JustEnough** · 05-23-2011, 11:49 PM

I have a red plastic tank that was painted green. Not only do I not have any Kawasaki's, but the paint only stuck on about every other millimeter. When I was cleaning carburetors with vinegar, I noticed that it seemed to soften any paint that was on them. I think it will be safe to try vinegar on the tank, to try to remove the paint safely.

Any other ideas?

**RubberSalt** · 05-24-2011, 05:53 AM

Gasoline should work. Sounds like that's why the paint is off already. Paint thinner works well.

Of you us gasoline, you need to wipe the tank off before the gas drys. Otherwise, the paint will dry again.

**shortline10** · 05-24-2011, 07:06 AM

pressure washer is the trick .

**oldskool83** · 05-24-2011, 07:11 AM

paint stripper from home depot. kreem i think makes it. does metal, wood, concrete...anything. ive stripped many peice of plasic with it. takes a small later off then blast if with a pressure washer and stuff like pretty nice then.

**Thorpe** · 05-24-2011, 08:06 AM

They make paint stripper for plastic... I find it at the local auto parts store...

**JustEnough** · 06-06-2011, 01:03 PM

I emailed Clarke Mfg. and it looks like brake fluid is OK, so I will give that a try. Here is the reply I got:

Brake fluid is fine

Thanks
Clarke mfg co.

Subject: removing paint from a Clarke tank

Are there any paint strippers or softeners that should be safe to use on a Clarke plastic tank?

One suggestion is DOT4 brake fluid.

**Xpress** · 06-06-2011, 01:37 PM

Powerful oven degreaser. Doesn't hurt plastics, eats paint for breakfast.

**just ben** · 06-06-2011, 01:59 PM

just dont use that aircraft brand stripper it will soften and distort plastic

**Texaskev** · 06-06-2011, 05:09 PM

Cheap Laquer thinner works great.........

**carsurgin** · 06-06-2011, 05:20 PM

I use Methyl Hydrate. The paint peels off and it cleans plastic. It also drys very quickly, so clean up is easy.

**bkm** · 06-10-2011, 01:42 AM

I just tried the brake fluid trick on a junk 350x fender I have that was painted. It worked great and believe it or not, it cleaned the plastic really well. I have wiped off the excess an the shine appears to be good and the plastic is not distorted and feels hard still.

Thanks for that tip.

**TatTooL23** · 06-10-2011, 02:28 AM

I heard to use oven cleaner as well.

**carsurgin** · 06-10-2011, 01:07 PM

There are so many options out for that today. From can of spray to bottle of goo. The only real differences are price and clean up. Everyone seems to have found a way that works best for them. Trial and error is the best method.

**sophiesdaddy103** · 06-13-2011, 10:15 AM

brake fluid works great

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Softening paint on a plastic tank to remove the paint.