LEGO isn't just for kids

[MisterCinders]

So far I've found that nothing sticks to ABS like ABS.

EDIT: How much sanding is necessary before I paint this thing? Do I really need to take ALL the paint off??!

You definitely need to get the clear off. I often wuss out and leave some patches of primer or old color (such as when you find several old paint-jobs under the surface), and end up being OK for side covers.

That said, old paint and primer can react badly with your new paint. I just had some orange peel turn up in spots on my side covers that I am pretty sure correspond to patches of leftover paint/primer that I bailed on when sanding.

[Adler]

Well I sprayed them tonight and... its terrible. Fisheye EVERYWHERE!

I must have not cleaned it right. Seems to be my curse. There will be lots of sanding for me tomorrow.

Ill post pics of the damage when its not the middle of the night.

[rustybronco]

One little suggestion if I may. Clean plastic parts with a good plastics cleaner before sanding them. Sanding drives the contaminants into the substrate making them harder to remove.

[Adler]

One little suggestion if I may. Clean plastic parts with a good plastics cleaner before sanding them. Sanding drives the contaminants into the substrate making them harder to remove.

Good idea, I will wash it before and after sanding.

Any ideas for what to use? dish soap?

[rustybronco]

If it is silicone you will need something aggressive to remove it. I would use a paint product specifically for that purpose. If you want to try something and don't mind if it fails to remove the contaminants, you can try washing it a few times with a 50/50 mix of simple green and water* followed by a 'good' rinsing with clear water. And don't handle the part with your bare hands.

* ripped off the idea from someone else.

[terrylee]

Sorry, but I guess I'm not understanding, how do you melt the ABS? terrylee

[rustybronco]

The ABS is dissolved in acetone and the resultant mixture is used to 'solvent weld' the pieces together. It's the same method used to join PVC pipe together.

[NaeKid]

I was lookin' at my side cover and noticed that it has a bit of a crack along the top, remember'd this thread and starting looking around my garage and my eyes fell on an empty 4-liter oil bottle and I started looking really close at the lid on it.

Before I pour some acetone over the lid to try to make a slurry, does anyone know off of the top of their head if those lids are ABS-based? If so, I have a huge collection in my garden shed that can be used!

[NaeKid]

Thanks!

I took a look at several lids and on some didn't find the imprint and others had other numbers. I guess I'll just snag a piece of black PVC pipe and melt that down.