How to Dissolve Plastic

[calandrod]

I’m looking for some great ways to chemically remove this plastic off my toolchest.
The previous owner had it too close to a fire and a tarp melted all over it. I’ve already power washed it and scraped all the loose stuff off. I’ll be sandblasting it after I get this off. Any good chemical ways to eat this stuff up or get it off somehow?

(Grasshopper for size reference)

 

[flyingblind]

Acetone first then Lacquer thinner diluted with acetone sparingly will dissolve plastic stickers and glue and paint. I would use a cotton swab to do it in small areas.
I just caught you are stripping it. You can use aircraft stripper.

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Or just sandblast it and be done..

 

[The Cobbler]

try some real ( good quality) lacquer thinner
not all are created equally

or heat it again and scrape it off / sand the remaining

 

[PugetDude]

Heated razor blade scraper

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CVJFDH8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kerrynzl]

I’m looking for some great ways to chemically remove this plastic off my toolchest.
The previous owner had it too close to a fire and a tarp melted all over it. I’ve already power washed it and scraped all the loose stuff off. I’ll be sandblasting it after I get this off. Any good chemical ways to eat this stuff up or get it off somehow?

(Grasshopper for size reference)

M.E.K [Methyl ethyl ketone] or Toluene

M.E.K will take the paint off.
Toluene is better if it is heated.

Use Ventilation and don't stand down wind.

 

[PCustoms]

If you're sandblasting it anyways.....

Just do that. Maybe use a razor scraper or sand the plastic off in the thicker spots.

 

[jack stand]

Heated razor blade scraper

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CVJFDH8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or a heat gun and a sharpened scraper or razor blade.

 

[4xdog]

A plastic tarp is usually made of a polyolefin (woven slit-film polypropylene or extrusion blow-molded polyethylene). Those are not easily dissolved plastics.

I'd start working on mechanical approaches.

 

[WoodsTruck]

My go-to is a wire wheel in the Makita side grinder.

 

[American Locomotive]

Wire wheel, chissel + hammer, hot knife, or just sand blast it.

 

[PugetDude]

This is the GJ- here's what he really needs.

 

[kerrynzl]

A plastic tarp is usually made of a polyolefin (woven slit-film polypropylene or extrusion blow-molded polyethylene). Those are not easily dissolved plastics.

I'd start working on mechanical approaches.

@calandrod
They are usually made from "PE" [polyethylene]
I've used a solution of PE fibers dissolved in Toluene or Xylene to "solvent weld" with a hot air gun.