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What is the best cleaning solution to strip paint off of old models?

Ive been told "Simple Green" works but Ive had only so-so results with it the few times I used it.

How about dissolving glue?

Dettol Anti-Septic Disenfectant. Works great for me - but it also depends on what kinda primer you used. I think the ones sold at the FLGS comes off just fine, and so do Rustoleum primers, but you may want to research it a bit more.

Definitely a topic worth doing a search about as it's been discussed many times before.

However, since you asked and you are "Fresh-faced"....

I like simple green or Castrol super clean, and use it extensively (just finished a batch of 'nids 10 minutes ago) but it works best when left to soak for a few days and used on plastic models painted with acrylic paints. If there are solvent based paints (testors enamels, etc) involved then you'll need something more powerfull.

For metal there are ton of harsh options, from oven cleaner, to brake fluid, to acetone, to etc. These products are much stronger, but are dangerous and require much more safety precautions.

As to loosening glue, Simple green will loosen superglue after a good long soak. However, if a solvent based plastic glue is used, the materials will be fused together and the only solution will be a hobby knife or razor saw.

For metal models, I use a substance called Nitromors. Not sure if it's available in the US, but it's a general use paint stripper. It's pretty powerful, you just paint it on and work it into the nooks and crannies with a brush, then just rinse it under cold water. If you're just stripping whole paintjob you can usually get it done in one coat, but if you've rebased and repainted it many times you may have to repeat it. Just watch your hands when use it as it burns to the touch (although you get used to it after a while )

Automotive degreaser. Can't remember the name off the top of my head, but I get it from Wal-Mart and its purple.

Let your models soak for 2-3 days, and take a tooth brush to it. If the model had a weak prime job, then the paint will just fall off.

The purple stuff goes under a few different names.
Simple Green HD
Purple Power
Super Clean
Castrol Super Clean

IIRC, it has same/similar ingredients as Simple green, possibly in a higher concentration.

So is the Simple Green or purple stuff ok for plastics, or are they for metal only?

Almost all these questions are answered by Dakka's very own Modeling FAQ.

Simple green or purple power is safe for plastics. You can use anything for metal.

Eilif's written exactly what I was going to, so thanks to him for covering it and Janthkin for reminding us that it's in the FAQ too.

I usually use Simple Green, soaking minis in it for 24-48hrs, and then scrubbing the minis in a plastic basin or bucket with a toothbrush to peel the stuff right off and help get it out of the nooks and crannies. Works like a charm for most stuff, though as stated, for enamel paints you might need to try something harsher. I've used Acetone (can buy it cheap in the pharmacy, supermarket, or Wal-Mart equivalent as nail polish remover) as well.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, moving to P&M, BTW.

One other tip. After taking the miniature out of the simple green, don't plunge it immidiately into water. Take your brush (I use an old toothbrush) and brush it first. The simple green will foam up like soap and that helps to remove the paint.

Then rinse the model, and before you start scrubbing it again (assuming the paint hasn't all come off the first time), try dipping the toothbrush into the vat of simple green. Eventually you will want to see what you're scrubbing without bubbles, but in my experience, the bubbles help.

As most of the well known brnads here are nonexistant, can someone tell me the active principle of what they use to strip plastic minis?

I want to strip some AoBR marines so I can mix them between my wolves.

I just checked out Simple green and Simple green HD/. Looks like the ingredients may differ a bit. You can find out what each product has here:http://www.simplegreen.com/products_pro_hd.php

Well, they have, for what I've seen in what you linked, that it has alcohol in it.

Can somepne point me if it's that what removes the paint or if it's another ingredient I should look in other local cleaners here?

Here ya go, I did a tutorial on how to strip paint. It does remove any PVA glue so watch out. My bases ended up falling apart.

It's not alcohol. The common ingredient in Super Clean and Simple green looks to be 2-Butoxyethanol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Butoxyethanol

It appears in other cleaners, but perhaps (I'm guessing here) it's concentration is what makes it so effective. I use it in it's concentrated form from a jug.

On the other hand I could be way off base and it could be a different ingredient. To compare for yourself, just go to the Simple Green and Super Clean sites and compare the MSDS sheets.

Thanks a lot, that what I'll look for in the labels. =D