Solvents and Bakelite Grips

Olle · 03-14-2012, 09:25 AM

One standard trick in the plastic model building world is to use brake fluid to remove paint, and I have used it on everything from plastic models to old car parts with good results. The cheapest DOT3 seems to work best, just soak the part until the paint starts to wrinkle up, brush it off with a tooth brush and rinse it good with soap and water. Brake fluid won't affect rubber seals in the brake system, and Bakelite is a type of hard rubber so it shouldn't affect it either.

I have never tried it on Bakelite so I can't guarantee how it will work, but I know that it won't affect styrene plastic and rubber. I have had mostly good experiences with it but I have also seen a plastic lens from a '69 Camaro turn into a sticky jelly bean after a night in brake fluid. As always, you better try it on a scrap piece first.

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03-14-2012, 09:25 AM	#6
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 664 Times in 318 Posts	One standard trick in the plastic model building world is to use brake fluid to remove paint, and I have used it on everything from plastic models to old car parts with good results. The cheapest DOT3 seems to work best, just soak the part until the paint starts to wrinkle up, brush it off with a tooth brush and rinse it good with soap and water. Brake fluid won't affect rubber seals in the brake system, and Bakelite is a type of hard rubber so it shouldn't affect it either. I have never tried it on Bakelite so I can't guarantee how it will work, but I know that it won't affect styrene plastic and rubber. I have had mostly good experiences with it but I have also seen a plastic lens from a '69 Camaro turn into a sticky jelly bean after a night in brake fluid. As always, you better try it on a scrap piece first.