Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've got some black orcs that I painted years ago, with extremely thick paint. I'd like to know if theres a way to remove the paint so that I could start again.

Dump them in a Simple Green solution. Failing that, KingCracker has made an awesome tutorial on stripping. Just don't use any industrial products (MEK, paint thinner, etc) as it will melt the plastic.

I find that letting them sit in PineSol for a few hours, then taking a toothbrush wto them, works very well, so long as there is no paint underneath glue. The pinesol doesn't do anything to glue or plastic, but gets exposed paint very loose, so you barely have to scrub it at all to get the paint off.

Simple Green, PineSol, Purple Power, any readily available cleaning solution such as these (floor/car cleaners) will "melt" acrylic paint away from plastic and metal without damaging the models underneath. Just let soak for about a day (as stated above) and then an old toothbrush under some running water should get enough of the paint off that you can re-spray without losing details.

I alo find dettol works well for 24 hours.

use simple green and soft tooth brush it works you can leave them for as long as you like no damage will occur can get it from countdown

I used the all purpose simple green and it doesn't seem to work as well as everybody says it should.

I soak the models (Completely submerged) in all purpose simple green and then scrubbed with a regular toothbrush. Paint comes off, but not all of it.

People say that all you need to do scrub the model lightly with the toothbrush. That doesn't work for me.

So is it the type of simple green? My method? Or the paint?

I've heard results similar to yours, Maximus, with simple green. Try Pine Sol, or Purple Power, or some other industrial strength de-greaser (that's all those products are, really).

Whiskey worked for me when I wanted to repaint my Battle for Macragge marines. Soaked them for a afternoon and just rubbed it off with my hands.

Should prolly listen to the other (better) Ideas first though, since they reeked of Booze for what seemed like forever.

Just recently botched a primer job on about 15 orks, all of which are now gritty to all hell. Trying the Superclean route, heard good things and will hopefully see similar results.

Personally, I've had great results with Pinsol. Just make absolutely sure to wear gloves when you scrub the things down as Pinsol will peel the skin on your hands really bad with prolonged exposure.
Also, are you sure you used Acrylic primer and not a lacquer or something like that? It can make a difference.

The best place for this question is in Painting & Modelling code forum.

For users here in the US I offer up this walk through on my blog.

This method has worked to remove all types of paints, Superglue, and Greenstuff from Metal, Plastic, and Resin minis.

Link
http://warfrog.blogspot.com/search/label/Miniature%20Refurbishment

Any questions, let me know.

You may be having issues because you are just dunking the models in the Simple Green. Let them sit submerged at least overnight.

theunicorn wrote:For users here in the US I offer up this walk through on my blog.

This method has worked to remove all types of paints, Superglue, and Greenstuff from Metal, Plastic, and Resin minis.

Link
http://warfrog.blogspot.com/search/label/Miniature%20Refurbishment

Any questions, let me know.

My Superclean job didnt do much of anything, mostly due to the low temperature around here. So I ended up borrowing my fathers ultrasonic cleaner that he uses for diving equipment. Tossed them in the machine with the Superclean and it worked wonders in a couple hours. My very first squad, bought in the 3rd ed box set over 6 years ago, painted over and over, look brand new. Couldn't be happier

A good one that i have used was nail polish remover, you have to be quick about it though as it may warp/melt the plastic, use a toothbrush to scrape of the paint.

Yep, SuperClean is the best. And it is reusable!

Used Simple Green, letting stuff soak for over a week, with almost no results at all.

A guy at my LFGS told me to get some Dawn Power Disolve and soak the model overnight. It's really weird stuff, very thick gel.

Rinsed the models in the morning and half the paint came off with running water. Stuff works great.