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Stripping Metal Minis

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This topic contains 15 replies, has 13 voices, and was last updated by  wolfie65 1 year, 1 month ago.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
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  • #1779588

    irredeemable
    3742xp
    Cult of Games Member

    Hails all,

    I recently primed a set of old ‘Home Raiders’ minis for a friend of mine as he wanted to play the game with his kids. The paint schemes are all quite bright so rather than my usual choice of Chaos Black, I used Wraithbone.

    The paint looked to have gone on okay but very quickly I noticed it was rubbing off quite easily and a simple scratch with my finger nail was enough to take strips out of it.

    It’s only a guess, but with GW not really producing metal minis anymore, Wraithbone could have been formulated to work with plastic and not metal. Given that these are going to be handled by young kids, any paint job needs to be robust.

    Which means I need to strip these guys. The minis are quite large with a lot of flat areas so I’m worried about using the wrong product as I don’t want to damage the surface. I’ve bought stripped minis before and the metal was definitely textured from mild corrosion.

    Stripping minis is nothing new so I’d love some advice from any of you guys that have a bit more experience with it.

    Cheers in advance.

    #1779606

    sundancer
    42552xp
    Cult of Games Member

    @avernos did a Can about that. That should give you a good starting point.

    Gerry Can Show You How To Strip Your Miniatures!

     

    #1779607

    zorg
    18732xp
    Cult of Games Member

    Ooh a stripping video.!

    R (48)

    Lol.

    #1779609

    sundancer
    42552xp
    Cult of Games Member

    But no hot tub!

    #1779611

    zorg
    18732xp
    Cult of Games Member

    Lol.😜

    #1779646

    templar007
    52353xp
    Cult of Games Member

    I’m based in the USA and have found the best liquid cleaner to be…………

     

    LA’s Totally Awesome all Purpose Concentrated Cleaner.  I’ve used it to strip metal minis, plastic minis, and resin minis.  I’ve even used it to clean car upholstery, my mechanic’s hand tools and grease spots from jeans.

     

    When stripping minis I use it in it’s concentrated form.  For other  cleaning projects I dilute it.

     

    It can be found on Amazon.  But they want around $17 for a 32oz bottle.  I buy it at the Dollar store and pay $1 per 32oz bottle.  Unusual grab a 10 bottles for a whooping ten bucks plus tax.

     

     

    #1779671

    deaddave
    Participant
    15122xp

    For metal minis, I use Nitromors paint and varnish stripper, just remember to remove the bases as it will melt them. For plastic/resin I use Biostrip20.

    #1779783

    ced1106
    Participant
    6204xp

    99% Isopropyl alcohol is useful for getting rid of the “first layer” of paints, and it’s less caustic than stronger cleaners. (Do not use 70%, since it won’t work.) Then gloves and an old toothbrush. If any primer is left on the miniature, that’s usually fine. Then onto the stronger stuff, if you want.

    There’s also USA Walmart’s Purple Power. But LA’s Totally Awesome is on my list.

    Strip Paint off Miniatures Cheap and Easy – A How-To Guide

    #1779794

    If you are dealing 100% metal miniatures I just grab a mason jar and fill it to just above the miniature with turpentine. Sit for a hour and brush off the paint with a old toothbrush. Save the rest of the turpentine for the next metal miniature you need to strip.

    #1779795

    demonsub
    12745xp
    Cult of Games Member

    If you’re not in a hurry I’d had very good results with Detol. I generally leave the miniature in for around 24 hours and once it’s had a good go over with a toothbrush the metal looks shiny and new. Only downside is the smell as it can be very strong. Also don’t use water until all of the Detol infused paint is gone otherwise it’ll turn into a sticky mess (or so I’ve heard, never had that myself).

    I’d imagine nail varnish remover would do a good job as well but I’ve never tried it was I’m happy with the Detol.

    #1779829

    irredeemable
    3742xp
    Cult of Games Member

    Cheers for all the tips guys, quite a few options there.

    I’m based in Ireland so that might limit my choice with the US products but still plenty to go on.

    I’ll let you know which one I end up using and how I get on.

    #1779890

    torros
    23802xp
    Cult of Games Member

    I recommend Biostrip

    #1780081

    dawfydd
    11886xp
    Cult of Games Member

    Yeah, Biostrip 20 does a decent job on metal mins as well as plastics & resins. Sometimes takes  few more goes/longer dunkings but it’s Good Shit. Plus it’s non-toxic and safe to touch with bare skin, unlike Nitromors and even Dettol that can dry skin out quite badly. I’m at work right now but I’ll post some picks of the metals I’ve stripped using it when I get home.

    #1780269

    captainventanus
    Participant
    4765xp

    I’d second the Dettol suggestion. Works well, and reasonable quickly. Is readily available too.

    #1780503

    strontydog
    Participant
    1461xp

    For metal minis I use Acetone. I use an old Spray paint lid and drop the mini in then fill with acetone, wait a few seconds and scrub with an old brush. Works a treat. Acetone is pretty cheap and found in hardware stores but if you’re gonna do that you gotta use a mask, wear gloves and do it in an open area.

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