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just wondering what everyone uses to stip/remove paint from the models without harming the models

thanks in advance

A lot of people on here will suggest simple green, I found it didn't do very much at all. I tried soaking models in it and tried using an ultra sonic in conjunction with it with negative results. Castrol Super Clean however gave me the results I was looking for when used with the ultra sonic. It completely stripped all paint on plastic without harming the models. It did not however remove primer.

SG and CSC will both effect resin if left to soak for extended periods of time in my experience.

Ulterior wrote:A lot of people on here will suggest simple green, I found it didn't do very much at all. I tried soaking models in it and tried using an ultra sonic in conjunction with it with negative results. Castrol Super Clean however gave me the results I was looking for when used with the ultra sonic. It completely stripped all paint on plastic without harming the models. It did not however remove primer.

Sounds right. Simple Green will work, but works best if left for 3+ days. Haven't tried CSC as I couldn't find it. Purple Power works well, but is caustic, so you need to wear gloves. Base burns are ftl. Primer bonds with the plastic, so you'll have to scrape it off to remove it. If you want something that will be completely removable, I suggest base coat with a thinned down layer of acrylic paint.

I've stripped a silly ammount of little army men in the last couple months. I've used Simple Green, acetone free nail polish remover, and a couple others before arriving at LA's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner. I like this stuff so much I properly capitalize the name when I'm typing about it.

My current budget conscious method is piling them in a mason jar and filling it up with LA's Totally Awesome. Let sit for a couple days, with the occasional heavy shaking and the paint comes right off. A little bit of scrubbing with an old toothbrush at the end and they're ready to be repainted. There is very little odor with it so unlike simple green you won't be gagging as your scrubbing. I still recomend gloves with ANY product you use. If it can strip the paint of a little army man it can't be that good for your health.

Wait I've got a pic...

That's what it looks like when you first put it in there. After a day the liquid turns dark and there are flecks of paint floating around in it. This was my first attempt with the "shaker jar" but now I leave some more room at the top so they can really move around when I shake it.

Unfortunately LA's Totally Awesome is not sold in Canada. I'm not sure about the rest of the world though.

Simple green is the bomb.

Put it in. Leave it for 24 hours - scrub with a toothbrush. Repeat. Paint gone.

thanks guys!!