Removing rattle can paint

[Empty Pockets]

I recently came across a couple of wrenches that the previous owner had marked with a generous coat of rattle can paint.

Anyone have any suggestions to remove the paint without discoloring the tool underneath?

Thanks in advance

 

[slip knot]

Acetone?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I'd just wire wheel it off.

 

[7th Kahuna]

In many cases if you simply wrap the tool in a towel dampened with Simple Green and let it soak for a while, the rattle can paint will come loose. I haven't tried it with heavy paint but it was suggested to me as a way to clean up machine tags that were painted over. It worked quite well.

 

[four.cycle]

boiling hot water will remove most any paint from any thing.

BOILING hot.

as in: hot plate set up on the patio with an old coffee can full of boiling hot water - outdoors where it won't stink up the house and a crappy old can so you don't ruin a good pot.

removed 40 years of baked-on oil-based enamel and latex from some furnace grates in an old house in about 10 minutes.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Thanks everyone, gonna have to "borrow" some of the wife's Simple Green. Failing that, boil them on the gas grill.

 

[ZRX61]

It usually just wipes right off with a rag & some lacquer thinner.

 

[7thDimension]

It usually just wipes right off with a rag & some lacquer thinner.

Yep, easiest solution right there...

 

[Stuart in MN]

They're wrenches - you're not going to hurt them with a little lacquer thinner or paint stripper.

 

[jim]

Break fluid, oven cleaner, pine sol. Jim

 

[RonnieC]

Man, imagine if someone could invent a solvent that would remove paint. I wonder what they would call it?

 

[pendragon1998]

I use acetone for my first try. I hate hate hate gel-based paint thinner.

 

[G_P]

It usually just wipes right off with a rag & some lacquer thinner.

Thats how I do it. Lacquer thinner removes most all paints and marker writing.

 

[txvwnut]

Easy off oven cleaner will take paint off too.

 

[Mooreag47]

I use m.e.k.

 

[softailgarage]

Man, imagine if someone could invent a solvent that would remove paint. I wonder what they would call it?

"Paint Remover"

 

[7th Kahuna]

I use m.e.k.

SoCal Member to SoCal Member, do you know where / how to get your hands on MEK around here? I am just about out and the MEK Substitute makes me sick (not to mention it doesn't work).

 

[Kevin54]

Lacquer thinner will take it off.

 

[Mooreag47]

I may or may not have a 5 gal can of it I'll see if I can get another

 

[7th Kahuna]

I may or may not have a 5 gal can of it I'll see if I can get another

I'm curious to know what you find out. I know there is a way to get it, just not sure what it is. One Dunn Edwards employee directed me to a shop in Big Bear but it didn't pan out.

 

[Roberts210]

SoCal Member to SoCal Member, do you know where / how to get your hands on MEK around here? I am just about out and the MEK Substitute makes me sick (not to mention it doesn't work).

I'm presently out in L.A. on a job and I saw some in a Lowes in Burbank couple of months ago. Disclaimer--I was walking by that section and I saw a gallon can that said MEK, but it could have been the substitute stuff IF genuine MEK is illegal in Cal.

 

[7th Kahuna]

I'm presently out in L.A. on a job and I saw some in a Lowes in Burbank couple of months ago. Disclaimer--I was walking by that section and I saw a gallon can that said MEK, but it could have been the substitute stuff IF genuine MEK is illegal in Cal.

Thanks for the post. I will take a look if I am over in that direction. I haven't even seen the MEK substitute recently (not that I have been looking). I know MEK remains available for certain uses (and may be sold under another name) but for the general public in the greater LA area and apparently beyond, it seems to no longer be available. Same with proper paint thinner. A few months back I walked into Orchard Supply Hardware and discovered that I could buy oil-based paints and brushes, but not paint thinner. Now which is worse for the environment, paint thinner fumes or throwing away your brushes and rags after every project. We now have paint thinner substitute but next time I'm out of state with my own transportation, I'll be stocking up on the real thing. I don't use much but when I need it, I need it.

 

[notlob]

Electrolysis does a great job of paint removal.

 

[Mooreag47]

I got mine from a Dunn Edwards but it was old stock that wasn't in the computer so I got 5 gallons for $free they don't have any more but I told them if someone comes in to try to recycle it put it to the side for me

 

[ZRX61]

SoCal Member to SoCal Member, do you know where / how to get your hands on MEK around here? I am just about out and the MEK Substitute makes me sick (not to mention it doesn't work).

Pick it up in Vegas