Moderator TaleSpinner Posted August 6, 2003 Moderator Share Posted August 6, 2003 I am working on a pair of dire badgers for my wife. I was trying for a color scheme that totally flopped on me. So I tried to fix it, that too flopped. So I tried to fix that, that looks like a fix on top of two flops (ARGH!!!). Now I want to strip the minis down and start over. Back in 1989 I tried stripping minitures and the stripper actually ate right through the lead. The mage I stripped looked like he had huge holes burnt through his robes (now I wish I had saved it, it might be fun to paint as a battle worn mage). I have never tried to strip one of the new no-lead alloy minitures. What do you use to strip a bad paint job? TS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezoh Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Pine Sol works. I've also heard brake fluid or oven cleaner but haven't tried it. Also Simply green? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whizard Hlavaz Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 I use a DOT3 Brake Fluid. The glycol ethers are safe on metal and plastic alike but strip sealed and non-sealed acrylic paint and primer (particularly Krylon primer) with minimal scrubbing and also dissolve some epoxy and glues. I don't have any data on timeframes, but I usually let the mini sit overnight and the scrub the next day with a toothbrush. Most of the paint comes off with running water. Just be sure to wear gloves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oracle Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 I've been very pleased with Simple Green (a bio-friendly cleaner I found at the hardware store). I've left metal miniatures with plastic bases in it for nigh on six weeks (forgot they were in there) and the cleaner didn't harm a thing except the paint (GW minis and bases). The paint disolved or came off easily with a toothbrush except for the deepest corners of the figure (and then it was the primer that was left and there wasn't really much of it left. On other stripping jobs I've usually let them sit in it over night or for 6 hours and that's usually been fine as far as ease of paint removal goes. Nice thing is no gloves necessary, or at least for me. Of course I don't immerse my fingers in it much and the duration is short so YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flit Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 I use Simple Green. It's non-toxic, doesn't stink, and you can use it to clean the whole house. :cool: I usually leave a bad paint job to soak in it over night, but I think about 30 minutes should work fine too. Probably depends on how thick the paint is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 TS: All you need is a plastic container that seals, and a bottle of nail polish remover. Place mini into container and pour on the polish remover till the mini is mostly covered. Seal the container and wait a few hours. Then, take a toothbrush and scrub the paint gently off. If there are some spots of stubborn paint, let it soak a bit longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergle Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 I use a glass container with a good sealing lid, and straight acetone (active ingredient in nail polish remover). Pick up a can at your local hardware store, lots cheaper than nail polish remover. Stronger too, so get gloves while you're there. Pour acetone into container in a well vented area, add minis, screw on lid, and leave overnight. Pull them out the next day, use needle nose pliers and don't forget your gloves. Screw the lid back down so the fumes won't get you, and apply the brass bristled toothbrush you got from the auto parts place next door to the hardware store. The paint is GONE, no matter how long it's been there. I've stripped 30 year old paint jobs with this method, it always works. The brass brush polishes nicely, never had it scratch once. Wash in soapy water, rinse well, let dry, and you're ready to prime again. The acetone can be used over and over, strain it occasionally to get rid of floating paint, add some to make up for losses. I should add that this is for metal only, it would probably dissolve a plastic mini with no traces left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladystorm Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Big fan of Simple Green here. For all of the previous reasons but most of all: Biodegradable. cbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreeFall Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Haven't tried Simple Green, I use Mr. Clean. IT works pretty well, but I find I have to do a lot of scrubbing on CAVs with all the little grooves. I haven't tried to use brake fluid, but I hear it works even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstormhammer Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Get yourself a small jar of ginger, and cook with it over the week. For one thing, it's delicious, and lends a certain something to your meals. Once you have an empty jar with a screw-top lid. Use this to drown your single minis in Simple Green. (which roxors my soxors). If you have multiple models that need The Dip, then use a salsa jar, I've packed up to 25 at a time in there, but make sure to give the jar a shake once in a while, so all the parts of the models get simple green. Use a toothbrush to scrub up the finished product (clearly label this, I have made that mistake. Simple green, while harmless, tastes horrible....) --And awaaaaay you go! --lstormhammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchantra Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Use a toothbrush to scrub up the finished product (clearly label this, I have made that mistake. Simple green, while harmless, tastes horrible....) Dare any of us ask how you found out that it tasted bad? :laugh: You're not supposed to store your mini stripping solutions with your spices Stormie, it can be bad for your health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankthedm Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Acetone Pro: Potent, fast, can strip latex paint off a mage knight in 30 seconds con: Toxic, fumey, flamable, smelly, bad to skin, Devastates normal plastic, to get full strength you have to go to bueaty or hardware store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstormhammer Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 How did I find the taste of Simple Green? Well, picture if you will: 7:30 in the morning, and one lstormhammer is waking up to do his morning toiletries. After a night of scrub-scrub revolution with miniatures, he foolishly left the 'scrubbing' toothbrush right next to the 'in the mouth' toothbrush. lstormhammer's glasses were not on, let alone his eyes open all the way. So a little dab of toothpaste, a little water to get the Foaming Action going, and in the mouth. mint... mint... what the heck! uuugggaaahhh! spit-spit-rinse-spit. 'YUUUUCK!' Housemate rushes into the bathroom (don't they knock anymore?) "What's wrong?" she asks. Now sloshing away with Listerine, lstormhammer points to his toothpaste, then the 'scrubbing' toothbrush, then the Simple Green. Does he recieve sympathy and a hot cup of coffee? No. He does recieve a point and a laugh for his efforts. lstormhammer now remembers to keep the tooth brushes far, far away from each other. --lstormhammer, and the strange things he's tasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kheprera Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 How did I find the taste of Simple Green? Well, picture if you will: 7:30 in the morning, and one lstormhammer is waking up to do his morning toiletries. After a night of scrub-scrub revolution with miniatures, he foolishly left the 'scrubbing' toothbrush right next to the 'in the mouth' toothbrush. lstormhammer's glasses were not on, let alone his eyes open all the way. So a little dab of toothpaste, a little water to get the Foaming Action ™ going, and in the mouth. mint... mint... what the heck! uuugggaaahhh! spit-spit-rinse-spit. 'YUUUUCK!' Housemate rushes into the bathroom (don't they knock anymore?) "What's wrong?" she asks. Now sloshing away with Listerine, lstormhammer points to his toothpaste, then the 'scrubbing' toothbrush, then the Simple Green. Does he recieve sympathy and a hot cup of coffee? No. He does recieve a point and a laugh for his efforts. lstormhammer now remembers to keep the tooth brushes far, far away from each other. --lstormhammer, and the strange things he's tasted. Hee, see, this is why the toothbrush is in the bathroom and the scrubber is in the kitchen !! :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hells_Clown Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Another vote for Simple Green. A tip when using it: don't dilute it. I've put figures in that stuff and after a couple hours, have been able to rub the paint AND primer off with my fingers. For the more stubborn places use an old toothbrush. You can get it in gallon jugs at places like Home Depot for about $9 U.S. That should last you a long time. In my experience it doesn't affect glue (if I put a mini in with the base glued on it tends to stay that way) so your figs should stay based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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