Stripping And Repainting A Z Scale Rokuhan Shorty Locomotive Shell

I had a little free time last weekend and a couple of Z scale Rokuhan Shorty locomotive shells kicking around, what else was I going to do but try my hand at stripping and repainting them? This is both a sad (well, not too sad really) and happy tale about my first attempt at this kind of repainting work.
At around $9.00 per shell, this is actually a pretty good and cost effective gamble with the upside being I come out of it with a cool new Rokuhan Shorty shell in a color not available from the manufacturer. Also, I get to learn what not to use to strip loco shells in the future!
I also got to do a little shell modification on this Shorty that was inspired by another UA-camr, this and other related links are in the video description.
If you're in to Z scale, this is a cool project to play with for a small investment. Have fun!
Video inspiration for the Shorty colors and lighting mod
bit.ly/2FSMZUx
Rokuhan Shorty Shell
bit.ly/2QNFIeZ
Tamiya Primer
amzn.to/37UWSNg
Paasche H Single Action Airbrush
amzn.to/39X8cKN
Article on our Raildig site on the Paasche H
bit.ly/2Nep3Pi
Badger AA Powered Paint Mixer
amzn.to/37WfP21

[@shimousasougou]

Hi, just some minor things but the boxes on the top are ventilators. Those coaches are made without air conditioning so they have ventilators instead.

[@morganhay859]

I use easy off oven cleaner to strip stuff for model cars and my ho trains. Some paints come off easy others take a while but it doesn’t melt the shells

[@Raildig]

I've heard that about the easy off, will have to make a not to try it, thanks!

[@TheJpec361]

Nice. I just bought the Rohukan Z scale mini-layout in a box that comes with one of those trams. Couldn't resist for $31...

[@Raildig]

Thanks! I'm with you on the price, it takes some of the pressure off when playing around like this on a $9.00 shell.

[@TRRailfan]

How on earth do you fit a motor inside something so small? I’m really curious how it looks on the inside. Great job painting it

[@Raildig]

Thanks! I think designing a decal for the window and door details would be a good idea on this shell. Here are a few angles of the chassis without the shell: ua-cam.com/video/qFuE7bOPeaY/v-deo.html

[@tornadosladesweatheralerts3639]

The next one you want to paint up try using super clean that's what we used to use to take pain off of models

[@Raildig]

Good tip, I will try it on the next one, thanks!

[@ricomon64]

Looks great as a boxcab! By the way, two excellent paint strippers I've used for plastics are cheap brake fluid and foaming oven cleaner. I usually use the brake fluid for small items I can soak in a container. For larger areas, the oven cleaner is best.

[@Raildig]

Thanks! I've heard of the brake fluid and really I should have run down to the store for some, but sloth set in and I reached for what was handy :) Next time. The red part of the paint, it almost looks like it's part of the plastic body in the close-up shot, though it's so tiny it's hard to tell. I will give the brake fluid a shot first next time. Overall, I'm liking these little inexpensive chassis and shells, give you some freedom to play.

[@ricomon64]

Yes, I like these Shorties, also. I've designed and printed a few locomotives which use the chassis.

[@Raildig]

@@ricomon64 It'd be interesting to see them, do you have a link for them?

[@ricomon64]

Not yet. I've only printed them on my FDM printer, so they aren't the cleanest of prints. When I print them on my SLA printer they should be much more presentable. My SLA printer produces prints that would almost pass for injection molded items. I'll let you know when I have some finished.

[@Raildig]

@@ricomon64 Look forward to seeing them!

[@federicocresci698]

To remove paint use simple alcohol and RUB with a paper towel or similar, a brush will do nothing. Other method includes submerse the model in caustic soda (NaOH) for several hours and also RUB with a paper towel to remove paint (use gloves). Caustic soda will not attack the plastic

[@jorgel.fernandeziii8278]

But you haven’t even finished it, the windows, the detail of the windshield wipers, and the lights, plus all the little details that you have to finish ! But so farfar all you done is showed us the (“fact”) that, YES ! A Z scale body can be painted ! I use testers thinner in stages !
🌊🐺