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Hi dakka,
Does anyone know a good (and fairly easy) way of removing paint from plastic models? I see a lot of stuff about stripping metal models, but not much about plastic. Maybe I just missed it...
Also, how about removing paint from finecast?
P.S: Preferably using stuff that's available in Canada.

Simple green apparently works well on plastics.

I wouldn't know, since I can't get it where I am - useless trolls in hardware store wouldn't know their elbows from posterior sphincters (I have searched far and wide in the 3 'local' 'Bunnings' with no result).

Don't know about finecast. It'll probably melt it into a puddle (since even strong sunlight makes it warp).

I used this stuff and it worked great!

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/365067.page

Simple Green. I bought mine in a huge jug from Tractor Supply Company, but you can probably find it at Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Rona, Home Depot or Lowe's.

Soak plastic models in it full strength overnight, clean off paint with a toothbrush and you're good to go. My buddy soaked some of his for 3 days and didn't report any damage to the models.

Not sure if they have Super Clean up in Canada but if they do use that. It is an engine de-greaser and man does it work wonders. Absolutely no damage at all done to models I removed primer from a Land Raider that had been on there for about 2 years. Took the layer of primer right off. Plastic was still a little dyed because well that is what primer will do. But worked well enough to make the model look new.

Also if you want to be able to take models apart it breaks down standard super glue bonds and allows you to pull pieces apart easily (also how I fixed the Land Raider).

Super Clean engine de-greaser comes in a big purple jug.

TheMostWize wrote:Not sure if they have Super Clean up in Canada ... Super Clean engine de-greaser comes in a big purple jug.

It is in Canada. I've seen it at Walmart, Canadian Tire, basically any store that sells automotive cleaners.

I use simple green myself, no issues yet whatever on either plastic or metal.

Check this out... this guy did comprehensive testing.

http://www.paintingclinic.com/clinic/guestarticles/removingpaint3.htm

v/r
Bill

Simple Green
- Tried and true for most of the US. If you want guaranteed safety for your guys, SG is the route. This includes post-wash smell

Clorox Multipurpose Green Works
- Slightly more aggressive but smells a bit nicer (imo). Most people haven't tried this method, but back when I was still just a wee wolf pup, I did a comprehensive 2 week test and found that this was safe on plastics with no ill effects whatsoever.
* Unsure of its effects on FC.

Purple Power (another degreaser)
- It really doesn't get too much more aggressive than this. Wear rubber gloves (household supplies/cleaning department) or the chemical burns will get ya. Doesn't smell bad. Let a miniature sit in a mason jar with a splash of this for 24hrs and the paint will almost jump off the plastic.
*Unsure of its effects on FC.

These are my 3 choices for plastic miniature stripping.

Simple Green and LA's totally awesome will both work on plastics. I've used both, the only difference I've noticed is that Totally Awesome is cheaper.

Alright, simple green seems like the popular choice here, thanks everyone!
Does anyone know what it does to finecast?

Finecast I'm not so sure, test a bit of sprue first before you go accidentally melting anything.