@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:I found your comments interesting, especially about the products that contain metal bits in them, or the blue crystals. Does the container list these metal bits? I use to use Red Devil Lye for great results, since I can't get it or find it, I have used some other stuff, and it seems like it is not as effective. I use this solution to strip RR lamps of their paint prepping for re-painting. I am in Wisconsin as far as knowing what products are available here. Thanks!
Jeff, I usually pull the cap off and look inside if I see the bits of metal or the blue crystals I don't buy it. They are some sort of buffering agent to keep the lye from eating a metal P trap or at least slow it down. The writing is so small that I never try to read it. I also used Red Devil Lye for years and R.D. removed it from the market place ten or fifteen years ago because it was being used in making Crack or some other dope. What if we took every product off the market which had some potential for misuse. GeeZ I just ate a full half gallon of Blue Bell.
As for Sodium Hydroxide I would not use it for stripping metal. One of the Methylene Chloride based strippers will not eat metal like S.H. will. M.C. strippers MUST be used with plenty of fresh air. (OUTSIDE) M.C. can attack your lungs and heart as well as your plastic train body. The Auto parts stores sell a spray can stripper called "Aircraft Stripper" it is M.C. but must have more M.C. than Zip Strip as it will take paint off metal very fast. One more point the Methylene Chloride in strippers evaporates off very fast at high tempertures and does not have time to do it's job. Try and keep what you are stripping out of direct sun. A plastic bag over the object slows the evaporation rate giving the M.C. time to penetrate the paint. j
