How to strip metal and plastic miniatures?

[yggdrasilMember 281xp 0]

I need some advice concerning the stripping of old paint-jobs. How does one go about it? What materials and methods work well? Are there different techniques for metal and plastic? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks very much.

[recon63 5075xp 1]

If they are metals, I use acetone (nail polish remover), soak it for awhile then give it a scrub with an old toothbrush.  Not sure what to use on resin, or old plastics though.  hope this helps

[umbra 15546xp 1]

This video may be a good start: https://youtu.be/XfRvXImRAi4

[yggdrasilMember 281xp 0]

Thanks very much, It’s definitely somewhere to start.

[zoidpinhead 12492xp 5]

Not sure where you are in the world but in the UK I use Dettol, an antiseptic disinfectant, the old version that is an amber colour.  Works perfectly for both metal and plastic and the advantage is that it is really easy to get hold of and doesn’t have any unpleasant fumes.  I keep mine in a jam jar, chuck the minis in, leave for a week or two, remove the minis and gently scrub off the paint residue with a nail brush or similar.  If there are still sections of paint that are stuck then put it back in the jam jar and repeat in a week or two.  Easy.  Dettol remains active for a very long time, the stuff in my jar is well over a year old and is still going strong.

[torros 23816xp 1]

If your in the UK then I recommend Biostrip via Amazon. Used on plastic and metal and it just needs dunked for an hour then brushed off usually cleans everything first go. Has the advantage of being water based as well

[yggdrasilMember 281xp 0]

Superb stuff! Thanks again everyone.

[gaz67Participant 237xp 2]

Agree with Zoidpinhead, I’ve also used Dettol, easy to get hold off, cheap and easy to get rid off as well.

[redhoodParticipant 619xp 1]

Yep I definitely agree dettol works extremely well. I’ve stripped PVC, HIPs plastic and metal mini’s with it and it’s not failed me yet.

 

Just invest in some disposable gloves and cheap tooth brushes (for scrubbing the mini’s).

[dawfyddParticipant 11926xp 1]

Biostrip is the bomb on plastics, Dettol tends to be better on metal, both are great 🙂

[killcrazy 2947xp 1]

Dettol works well but I’ve found that it leaves miniatures (especially plastic ones) smelling which can last ages.

I’ve found that (I’m in the UK by the way) Paint stripper from Wilkinsons is great, it’s quite harsh stuff, but not as bad as Nitromors (which is just awful).
I use 3 takeaway tubs, one with Wilko stripper, then rinse off in a degreaser (I use “elbow grease” which you can find in most cheap shops), then a final rinse in water. it’s a fairly quick process.

Plastic, metal and resin minis can all be stripped with the wilko stripper, I only leave them in for around 30mins, then a quick scrub with a toothbrush, mainly to get the worst of the goopy stripper off,
then a dip in the degreaser and another good scrub with the toothbrush,
final rinse in the water with more scrubbing.

Job done 😀

[tresilliianParticipant 2199xp 1]

As another person posted Biostrip is what you want to use link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Biostrip-Stripper-remover-solution-effortlessly/dp/B00B4WK17K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533802929&sr=8-1&keywords=biostrip

It is fast acting and will not damage detail on any of your minis.  Trust me it’s amazing.

Also if you need to remove nasty wood chip from your walls it works a dream on that too.

[yggdrasilMember 281xp 0]

Thanks again everyone. I think I’ll give biostrip a go. There a quite a few models that need stripping, so the fairly quick stripping time it offers is compelling. Thanks for all the advice.

[khy0teParticipant 905xp 1]

Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, easier and cheaper than most other compounds people suggest.

[lawnor 25939xp 2]

If you have access to an ultrasonic cleaners (Used for cleaning jewellery and airbrushes) I can recommend putting them through a few cycles in one, once you have done all the other cleaning.  It can get out the loose but impossible to scrub parts.

I use Dettol.  I dunked some 25+ year old painted metal minis at the weekend.  Left them in for about 30 hours and they are looking as new right now.  One huge warning with Dettol if anyone tries it.  Never add water.  Never rinse your scrubbing brush (Toothbrush) and then put it in the Dettol.  Never wash the model and add it back to the Dettol.  While I have never made this mistake, I hear it turns everything in to a big black sticky mess.  It is safe to wash your minis in water once you are done with the Dettol though.

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