ychanus Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 (edited) I heard somewhere said that when using some type of paint thinner on plastic could damage the plastic and making it more brittle? I have been cleaning my 1/48 valk with alcohol; and when I fill the panel line using a Gundam marker, I use alcohol to wipe the spill over clean. Now, I'm worrying about that I'have been damaging the plastic or making it more brittle. I wonder if anyone have any experience on this issue. Edited February 21, 2006 by ychanus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechaninac Posted February 21, 2006 Share Posted February 21, 2006 (edited) Wiping with alcohol should not damage anything since it evaporates so fast. Besides, I don't think the plastic would react with things like isopropyl alcohol, ammonia based cleaners (Windex), diluted white vinegar, or mild soap solutions (dishwater detergent + water). Just don't ever soak the toy in whatever you're using to clean it as that will certainly affect any stickers you may have applied (destroy the adhesive) and may flake or otherwise damage paint, and may cause soft vinyl or PVC to dry out and disintegrate (not likely, but better safe than sorry). Edited February 21, 2006 by mechaninac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 Do not use the paint thinner ELO (Easy Lift Off) to soak your parts. It will weaken and make the plastic brittle. Best to stay away from it. Yes, I experimented when I was making my TV Max valk... pissed me off since I had to buy parts that amounted to another valk. Live and learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valk009 Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 Yep, I have learnt my lesson too Do not use any type of thinner, especially those made for model paint, as I used Mr. Color thinner to wipe off some excess panel linings and the those pieces became very brittle afterwards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feudallordcult Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 using thinner on plastic is like washing your hands in sulphuric acid...simply suicidal. dun do it unless totally necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ychanus Posted February 22, 2006 Author Share Posted February 22, 2006 Back to my question, is it ok with alcohol? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechaninac Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 Back to my question, is it ok with alcohol? 372750[/snapback] I thought I answered that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ychanus Posted February 22, 2006 Author Share Posted February 22, 2006 Back to my question, is it ok with alcohol? 372750[/snapback] I thought I answered that... 372768[/snapback] I know you did, but then I got confused with alcohol and thinner by other posts.. What exactly are their difference? I thought thinner also contain some alcohol... I have no clue.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godzilla Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 Back to my question, is it ok with alcohol? 372750[/snapback] I thought I answered that... 372768[/snapback] I know you did, but then I got confused with alcohol and thinner by other posts.. What exactly are their difference? I thought thinner also contain some alcohol... I have no clue.. 372786[/snapback] Thinner contains other chemicals to remove paint. Alcohol is an additive to thinner. Alcohol is used to clean and sterylize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanata67 Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 I always clean my valks with alcohol. After polishing off a bottle of captain I'm all about dusting my collection . never use acetone or acetate! discolors and weakens the plastic and can even melt it completely given enough time... which confused me as it came in a plastic bottle . Wait... I think it came in a can but smelled like something that came in a plastic bottle... nail polish remover. rubbing alcohol should be fine. grain alcohol would work, I'd avoid cordials, beers, and wines though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechaninac Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 Thinner contains other chemicals to remove paint. Alcohol is an additive to thinner. Alcohol is used to clean and sterylize. 372806[/snapback] What he said. Also, thinners for anything other than acrylics, and even some acrylic thinners, contain organic compounds that eat plastics for lunch. Thinners may contain alcohol (especially for acrylics), but rubbing alcohol does not contain thinning agents like acetone and mineral spirits. And ychanus, sorry if I came off a little curt on my last reply... it wasn't my intention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V4lkyri3 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 It really depends on the types of plastic. I assume the Valks are made of ABS, when I checked the chemical/solvent resistance of plastic handbook. It has mixed results for isopropanol/rubbing alcohol. Some (mostly) say it's unaffected, while other severely attacked it (at 50C temp). However, The testing used 100% isopropanol, and for 7 days or more (I assume soaking). So for general cleaning, I'd say diluted isopropanol is fine. Similar results with ethanol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannyD Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 It really depends on the types of plastic.I assume the Valks are made of ABS, when I checked the chemical/solvent resistance of plastic handbook. It has mixed results for isopropanol/rubbing alcohol. Some (mostly) say it's unaffected, while other severely attacked it (at 50C temp). However, The testing used 100% isopropanol, and for 7 days or more (I assume soaking). So for general cleaning, I'd say diluted isopropanol is fine. Similar results with ethanol. 372906[/snapback] hey guys i'm new here, please be gentle is isoprophyl the same as isopranol alcohol? dilute it with water? tnx in advance. (No pics allowed in sig. Pic removed by admin) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V4lkyri3 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 isopropyl alcohol is the same as isopropanol, or rubbing alcohol. They are usually sold in pharmacy in 91% by volume or 70% by volume (more common). Just make sure you get the clear one. sometime they put dye in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 What about beer? Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechatek Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Best served ice cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostryder Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I'd say diluted isopropanol is fine.Similar results with ethanol. So, that's another good reason to keep a stockpile of 200 proof Everclear around the house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannyD Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 isopropyl alcohol is the same as isopropanol, or rubbing alcohol.They are usually sold in pharmacy in 91% by volume or 70% by volume (more common). Just make sure you get the clear one. sometime they put dye in it. 372969[/snapback] tnx for the info bro. i was planning to panel line my new 1S hikaru 1/48 (my 1st macross figure) with gundam markers (grey), then remove excess with gunze sangyo thinner. t'was nice i've read this thread before hand, gunze sangyo thinner is bad for yamato plastic after all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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