FEF Project...Many Questions and Photos over time

[up148]

I began my KTM FEF-3 updating project this weekend. First order of business was stripping off the old paint. The last time I stripped a model (decades ago) I used brake fluid and although it did a great job it was a bear to clean up and I no longer have anywhere to dispose of harsh chemicals.

So, this time around I wanted a stripper that was water soluble and water clean-up, yet still get the job done. Last summer I bought this product in anticipation of the job. It's advertised as very low odor (smells nice) and no harsh chemicals and that is what I found.

I just sprayed the model in my garage sink (drain blocked) and within 30 minutes is was wrinkling the old paint. An hour later I decided to brush it with a soft acid brush and the results were pretty amazing. The paint came off in sheets (just like brake fluid) and I can see the model was sprayed with gray primer before the top coat of black.........and both come off together. This application was only the first, so I'll hit it again this morning on the details and clean up all the details and joints.

No damage to sink and I catch the paint in the stopper.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Wonder what's in it? Read that it does not contain caustic stuff like methylene chloride or NMP (neither are caustic...),

Looked for a local store to buy it -- all of them were order and have it delivered to me or the store. Probably have to order some anyway...

[up148]

Well, surprisingly there are no ingredients listed, but the label does state on the front "no methylene chloride and it's a "no" NMP formula". Made in Canada. They direct you to their website for more information.

Key Features:
Safe & Eco-Friendly: Fume-free, no methylene chloride or NMP, often citrus-scented, and biodegradable formulas available.
Versatile: Removes latex, oil, acrylic, varnish, and more from wood, metal, fiberglass, tile, and concrete.
Easy to Use: Apply, wait (15 mins-12 hrs depending on paint), scrape softened paint, and clean with water.
Product Range: Includes All Purpose, Latex Paint Remover, Deck Coating Remover, and more.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

.........wait (15 mins-12 hrs depending on paint)..............

Bit of a window there,

[webenda]

Wonder what's in it?

Have you looked it up yet?
URL: https://maxstrip.com/
SDS: https://maxstrip.com/wp-content/uploads ... emover.pdf
-----Chemical Name: Triethyl phosphate
TDS: https://maxstrip.com/wp-content/uploads ... er-TDS.pdf
CAS #: 78-40-0, https://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics1730.htm

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Wonder what's in it?

Have you looked it up yet?

Nah. Figured I'd let you do that....

Triethyl phosphate

Huh....

[up148]

Well, that is interesting. Has many uses. Hard to believe it is as safe as the bottle says, but certainly safer than many paint remover products out there. Didn't bother my skin but who nows wat it mygh due tooooo meee laaaaterrk;l;d;ddt['gkggjgklh;h;g;.

Triethyl phosphate (TEP) is a clear, colorless organophosphate ester used as a versatile industrial chemical, acting as a plasticizer for resins, a flame retardant in materials like plastics and textiles, a solvent in chemical processes, and a catalyst, noted for its mild odor and low acute toxicity but potential for irritation. Its formula is \((C_{2}H_{5})_{3}PO_{4}\), and it's derived from ethanol and phosphoric acid, finding use in everything from polymer modification to pesticide formulations. Key Properties & Uses Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a mild, pleasant odor.Formula: \((C_{2}H_{5})_{3}PO_{4}\) or \(C_{6}H_{15}O_{4}P\).Uses:Plasticizer: Enhances flexibility and durability in PVC and other polymers, adding fire resistance.Flame Retardant: Used in coatings, textiles, and FRP to reduce flammability.Solvent: Dissolves various organic materials, useful in reactions and purification.Catalyst/Modifier: Acts as a catalyst and resin modifier in industrial processes.Agricultural Intermediate: Used in preparing certain pesticides like TEPP.Safety: Slightly irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; low acute toxicity but should be handled with care, notes Arpadis and West Liberty University. 

[up148]

Okay, I need some suggestions on how to accomplish something. I want to replace the "stamped in the brass sheet" boiler steps with some working (fold-out) steps from PSC. The only way I can think to do this is drill out as much material without getting outside the detail lines and then filing out the rest and making it square so I can solder in the new PSC detail.

Hoping there might be something that works better, but I can't think of what it might be.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

How thick is the boiler brass that these details are stamped into from behind? Do you have enough brass to just file/grind/sand these flat?

[up148]

Boiler mics out to be in the .030 range.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Boiler mics out to be in the .030 range.

So, do you think you might be able to just grind/sand those details down to a smooth surface then?

[up148]

Yes, I'm seriously thinking about that route. At the very least, by grinding/filing/sanding the outer boiler skin down carefully to remove the stamped out detail, it would thin out the thickness of the brass and make any additional drilling/filing much simpler. As stated, I intend to replace these stamped steps with working castings so the hole I'm left with will be important. Here is a poor photo of the inside of the boiler and I am very impressed with the stampings of these Japanese craftsmen.

I'm waiting to hear back from PSC to confirm them still have these opening steps in stock before I proceed.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I'm waiting to hear back from PSC to confirm them still have these opening steps in stock before I proceed.

Best of luck on that action; I've not had the best of luck and some very basic parts have gone out of stock for a few years now.

[up148]

Well, I just heard back from PSC and these steps are backlogged for 6+ months, which probably means never. They have a pretty strange BO system for getting new details from whoever they use to cast their parts. Quantity needed has no bearing on how soon a detail is cast and the oldest backordered item gets made first.

I asked if I order a large/huge quantity of these steps, would it be shorten the wait time and they said no. So, if they have a BO for only one part and it is at the top of the BO list, it gets made 1st. Commendable for customer service but a very bad business model and a great way to go out of business.....or it's just a blow off response so I would quit asking questions.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Well, I just heard back from PSC and these steps are backlogged for 6+ months, which probably means never. They have a pretty strange BO system for getting new details from whoever they use to cast their parts. Quantity needed has no bearing on how soon a detail is cast and the oldest backordered item gets made first.

Interesting....thought it used to be that once they reached a critical mass of casting orders that qualified for a bulk that then a group of items would go forward.

I asked if I order a large/huge quantity of these steps, would it be shorten the wait time and they said no. So, if they have a BO for only one part and it is at the top of the BO list, it gets made 1st. Commendable for customer service but a very bad business model and a great way to go out of business.....or it's just a blow off response so I would quit asking questions.

Lovely; been waiting for years now for one rather basic product.......