The "ouch... free IIci"

[JRL]

Yep, Scott was kind enough to sell me the Macintosh IIci that he conquested a bit back.

It is indeed a horrible paint job, but it scrapes off easily. Works great too!

 

[Scott Baret]

If you've managed to scrape the paint off, I'd love to see an "after" picture!

 

[MrMacPlus]

Oh, that's the "glowstick IIci"! Good luck with it.

 

[JRL]

Great news! Turns out the paint is just spray paint. It comes off pretty easily with plain rubbing alcohol.

 

[joshc]

Any before and after pics?

 

[JRL]

None yet, as the alcohol process takes forever.

 

[4seasonphoto]

DOT 3-type automobile brake fluid works good as a plastic-safe paint stripper. DOT 4 is silicone-based and doesn't work.

 

[JRL]

I was considering that, but I was worried that brake fluid would damage the "Macintosh IIci" text.

 

[JRL]

Photo with some of the paint taken off.

 

[Mars478]

That may be one of the most amazing iicis I have ever seen |)

 

[Dennis Nedry]

You know, the paint probably preserved it.

 

[System6+Vista]

Great news! Turns out the paint is just spray paint. It comes off pretty easily with plain rubbing alcohol.

Does spray paint always come off with rubbing alcohol? I have a perfectly functioning Plus that was Mac 'O Lanterned and would like to restore it the original color. Paint thinner has proved nearly useless.

 

[Dennis Nedry]

It depends on the spray paint. Some is formulated specifically to bond with plastic.

 

[Osgeld]

If paint thinner is not phasing it, i doubt rubbing alcohol will, but theres only 1 way to find out

 

[Dennis Nedry]

Do NOT use fingernail polish remover (acetone). It will probably slime the paint off, but it will deform the plastic too.

Some cheap spray paint won't bond to plastic, hardly at all. If you are so fortunate, it may actually peel off if you can get it started. It may help to submerge the affected plastic pieces in water for a great deal of time. This may loosen the paint allowing for said peeling process.

Submerging in alcohol would be ideal but cumbersome. Maybe coating it with strong alcohol, and reapplying to keep it wet for a while may also loosen it enough to peel.

 

[JRL]

Currently waiting on the results of a coating of DOT 3 brake fluid (on the top cover); wish me luck!

 

[Dennis Nedry]

Currently waiting on the results of a coating of DOT 3 brake fluid (on the top cover); wish me luck!

Definitely let us know your results in detail. I have never really heard of using brake fluid for this sort of thing. What to you plan to use to wash off the brake fluid when the process is complete? I would assume soap and water would work, but I'm not sure.

 

[JRL]

I got a decent amount of the paint off.

A few more coats of it, and it should be gone. I'm pretty sure a normal soap/water scrub would work fine.

 

[Temetka]

Photo with some of the paint taken off.

I know everyone is going to hate me for this but here goes.

I like it. A lot.

Get some rags and spray them with other glow in the dark paint until they are literally dripping. Then sling them around so as to create trails of glow in the dark multi-colored Rave stlyed madness. I'd use purple, orange, blue and so on. I'd also do the keyboard and mouse along with the LCD or CRT. Stick it my garage as a backup / garage 'puter and put a blacklight over it. It would be so awesome.

I would take the time to ensure the logo and rainbow apple were properly protected so that they would be able to play as well.