Topic: Stripping old vinyl dye

[Oz390]

Have an original steering wheel pad in OK shape, except for multiple layers of dye/paint.  Trying to get back to the base and not having much luck.

Have tried acetone, turpentine, and soaking in caustic soda (works great for stripping paint off plastic and nylon!)  not much luck.  Don't want to scour too much, risk losing grain, and am unsure if paint stirpper will eat the vinyl (I think it might).

Considering light media blasting, but that seems extreme.

Any suggestions?

[Bob Gaines]

Have an original steering wheel pad in OK shape, except for multiple layers of dye/paint.  Trying to get back to the base and not having much luck.

Have tried acetone, turpentine, and soaking in caustic soda (works great for stripping paint off plastic and nylon!)  not much luck.  Don't want to scour too much, risk losing grain, and am unsure if paint stirpper will eat the vinyl (I think it might).

Considering light media blasting, but that seems extreme.

Any suggestions?

Try some Lacquer thinner.

[J_Speegle]

Would try enamel reducer or silicon and wax remover first them to lacquer thinner if the first two don't work. The lacquer thinner can be a bit harsh IMHO on plastics and vinyls

Just check a spot that will not be seen first to test

[ruppstang]

+1 on the lacquer thinner.

[Oz390]

The lye and a non-scratch nylon pad ended up working. 

Final wipe with a rag with a touch of Acetone and it came up nice.... did need to soak it in water and dry a few times after as the lye leached into the pad and after drying left some white residue, a few times...

Next time I'll try the lacquer thinner.

[CharlesTurner]

Lacquer thinner usually works well, but if you get aggressive with it and rub hard, can take down the vinyl texture.  Sounds like what you used was pretty safe.