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hello all,

now that I have lured you in with a provactive title, i need your help

Just read the sticky about stripping in the painting tutorials, but was still slightly lost .

Does anybody know of a good reagent to strip plastics (ie, SM tactical squads & assult squads) which will not damage the plastic but remove the paint. I live in the UK so brands availiable here would be preferable. (no offence to the non-uk residents).

cheers

RP

Turpentine would be a start, but I'm not possitive of its effect would be good for plastic (Usually used for oil based paints) and could very well melt your models, a very small amount on a tooth brush may work....

I have recently stripped a few models, though they were metal, using rubbing alcohol (isopropanol), soak the model in the alcohol for about 2 hours (If you want to make it easy, overnight.) then take a brush to it (I use an electric tooth brush, makes for getting into the small spaces easy.). It will take quite a while to do, but will get enough of the paint off, or all of it, to re-prime and paint again.

Apparently the original orangey/wood varnishey colour Dettol is the stuff to use for this. I've bought a big container of it to have a try with but haven't actually got round to using it yet.

I heard that Mr Muscle oven cleaner works well. I have no direct experience myself.

oddly enough Pinesol strips paint off plastic with insane ease. there was a bunch of guys i used to play with that would let them sit in a bowl of pinesol for a few minutes and then take a toothbrush to it and the paint practiaclly falls off.

I've used plain brake fluid (yes what goes into automobiles) to strip metal and plastics perfectly. Takes 24 hours and is a mess on clean up but what isn't when you're stripping Just be aware of any local laws governing proper disposal. It isn't the kind of stuff you want to dump down your sink.

Hmm, Pinesol...I'll have to try that next time. Agreed on the toothbrush though as I use one as well.

Try driveway grease remover (degreaser) commonly available in auto parts stores. In the states, it's Castrol Super Clean or Purple Power. Plastics or metals, acrylic or enamel - this stuff works great, but it's hard on the hands unless you dilute it (which still works wonderfully).

I dip mine to soak overnight or a few days if I forget and then rinse under warm water. The paint peels right off and what's left comes right off under the gentle administration of an electric toothbrush.

Others here at Dakka swear by Simple Green, which is supposed to be available in the UK, possibly under a different brand name. I used it with success as well, but found the driveway degreaser to be much more effective.

Another endorsement is for a hand held steamer, commonly used to clean clothes, upholstery and drapes. They usually have an attachment for cleaning grout, which works wonders on stubborn, highly detailed parts that a brush won't get to. Give it a try!