stripping paint from plastic figures

will05 · Post by **will05** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:41 am

Hi
How can I get the gunky paint off a hard plastic mini and get the detail back.

Thanks

Legionbuilder · Post by **Legionbuilder** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:46 pm

I use easy off oven cleaner
Wear heavy kitchen rubber gloves and put the figs in warm soapy water.
Then get the oven cleaner on the figs by spraying them - a few at a time - I have had success with placing them on a old cookie sheet
After the sit for a while - depending on the quality of the plastic - you scub them with a brush of an appropriate size. It is A LOT of work and on smaller figures it is probably NOT worth the effort and the cost
Probably better to buy new figs - sell the old ones at a Flea Market to a newby - just starting - sell them CHEAP and everybody is happy.
I have done this a lot of ROCO mini tanks and it works well - BUT on smaller figures - wow - what a pain
on 28mm - you will be using an old tooth brush or small kitchen bottle brush - but it will work

chrisrivers · Post by **chrisrivers** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:08 pm

I think I have heard of Simple Green being used to strip paint without damaging the plastic underneath. Just soaking for a couple days supposedly worked.

Check this link out:

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=161612

richnz · Post by **richnz** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:01 pm

I recently stripped a bunch of plastic figures using simple green. it works awesomely- soak it overnight and the paint comes off with a toothbrush.

Cam_Millar · Post by **Cam_Millar** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:42 am

richnz wrote:I recently stripped a bunch of plastic figures using simple green. it works awesomely- soak it overnight and the paint comes off with a toothbrush.

Yep: Simple Green + toothbrush = magic.

I have used it on many (soft) plastic and metal figures with no problems. I had some metal Minifigs painted in enamels and heavily gloss varnished the 1970s that I recently used Simple Green on - paint just fell off in a few hours.

Haven't tried it on hard plastic, but see no reason it will not work - obviously try one figure first!

You can also just keep using the same liquid over and over again until it fills up with paint flakes.

Cam

Skullzgrinda · Post by **Skullzgrinda** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:17 am

Cam_Millar wrote:
richnz wrote:I recently stripped a bunch of plastic figures using simple green. it works awesomely- soak it overnight and the paint comes off with a toothbrush.
Yep: Simple Green + toothbrush = magic.

I have used it on many (soft) plastic and metal figures with no problems. I had some metal Minifigs painted in enamels and heavily gloss varnished the 1970s that I recently used Simple Green on - paint just fell off in a few hours.

Haven't tried it on hard plastic, but see no reason it will not work - obviously try one figure first!

You can also just keep using the same liquid over and over again until it fills up with paint flakes.

Cam

Agreed. Simple green even floats off black primer coats from metal or plastic minis - no damage to the plastics. Note however, Simple Green does make several cleaning formulas - green, purple and IIRC orange. I have experimented with them. The ONLY one that works is the original GREEN formula Simple Green. I also find a fingernail brush works better than a toothbrush because of the shorter, stiffer bristles. Depending on the materials, you may need to soak for a couple of hours or several days. Plastic is harder to clean than metal. Black primer is harder to shift than gray or white.

Skullzgrinda · Post by **Skullzgrinda** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:22 am

Oh - forgot to mention this. A great advantage with Simple Green - besides its effectiveness and noncorrosive nature - is that it is water soluble and does not require any special cleanup or gloves. It is mildly acrid when used in quantity at full strength, but this merely requires good ventilation.

pezhetairoi · Post by **pezhetairoi** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:23 pm

I don't know what "simple green" is, but I've been using automotive brake fluid. Any Brand will do.
Soak the plastic soldiers in it, scrub with brush.

Sounds the same as "simple green" to me, and maybe it's cheaper.

Ninthplain · Post by **Ninthplain** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:41 pm

I just use Pine sol - pour into a bowl and soak the miniatures.

The old paint comes off pretty easily. I use a toothbrush to finish the job.

will05 · Post by **will05** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:32 pm

Thanks
I've gone with the Dettol (the same as Pine Sol) as I couldn't find the Simple Green. Works well.

Thanks all
Will