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Does paint thiner work, or does it damage metal models?

Super Clean is the way to go for metal and plastic.

CHeck this article out

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Dakka_Modeling_FAQ:_How_to_Strip...

HFN

For metal, it works fine. I dumped the torso of an old necron destroyer lord in a bottle of paint thinner, and 10 minutes later, nice and shiny clean.

super clean also loosens super glue and green stuff

Hello,
Don't know if you have this in your part of the world
but I use something called Premium thinners.It seems
to be only available from spraypaint shops.Works really
well on water based paint but not so with enamel.
Can someone tell me about this super clean and is it
available in the UK?

I use brake fluid.
Just dump the bits in a jar and leave for a day or so.

Wear gloves (brake fluid has compounds that can seep into your skin and do harm), Give a good scrub and wash in warm soapy water, then clean water and allow to dry.

I use this because the car parts place is closer than anything else (hardware, model shop).

Simple Green. Get it at Wal Mart. Non-toxic. Soak minis in a bucket for a while, then rinse with water while scrubbing with an old toothbrush.

Simple Green - seconded!

What about in the UK? Plastic in particular, I've got some SINFULLY bad models

I've heard Dettol does the trick. I've bought some and will begin experimenting when this religious festival is done with. I'll report back in a few days.

Dettol is good, but make sure any green stuff or putty is removed as it makes a foul smelling mess.

brake fluid works super well, and it doesn't melt plastic. It also strips all the nooks and crannies so you don't have build up, its like 2 dollars a bottle.

sorry i see someone else has already said that. oh well, i second it.

Dettol didn't work for me but I was trying to strip enamel paint. It may work only on acrylic paint.

Homebase brush restorer ripped everything off. It also dissolves various types of plastic including GW bases, so only use it on metal figures.

Simple Green is available in the UK from their web site.

I use Purple Power, just throw it in a jar and leave it for about a day then use an old toothbrush on em, Super Clean works just as well for both plastic and metal.

simple green is great for metal models, but I have found its performance mediocre at best, when compared to superclean. I do prefer simple green because it is far more environmentally and pet friendly.lol

I'll give another recommendation for Simple Green.

The price is comparable to paint thinner, but since Simple Green is non-toxic it's a lot easier to handle and clean up. Give it a days and it'll strip everything down the pewter or plastic.

P4NC4K3 wrote:What about in the UK? Plastic in particular, I've got some SINFULLY bad models

I say take pics and post them here.

Found an article here at daka recommending Super Clean. Dude this stuff rocks.

I picked up a barracuda with 4 layers of house paint (we think) on it. I mixed the stuff up extra weak and left the model in for a good sit. Its now ready for primer none the worst for wear. Also did a bunch of old eldar pieces and some devil fish. All are clean with no damage. I ended up leaving one in for a week and still no problem.

Here's the Simple Green UK website.

http://www.simplegreen.co.uk/

brake fluid for plastic but you cant beat Nitro Mors for metal, it will strip ANY paint down to bare shiny metal.