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Hey guys,

I'm looking for input from some of the paint stripping veterans. I have a very stubborn Vindicator that currently has a layer of hardware store black primer under a layer of blue Army Painter primer. I've tried leaving it it a water/simple green mixture like I've used for stripping models before but that just caused the primer to becoming flaky and leathery in some spots leaving most of the paint still on.

Would it be overly damaging to the model to let it soak in a 100% solution of simple green for a few days? I have a feeling it will be fine, or I can do the ubiquitous "Test Piece" but I figured I would ask first in case anyone has some input and/or a better way.

100% Simple Green should not harm plastics. It most definitely will not harm metals. I've had RT orks in a pure SG solution for going on four years now with no ill effects. I stripped a handful last weekend.

Whether or not that's going to take care of the Army Painter paint you've got on there, I don't know. If it's metal, you can always try nail polish remover or brake fluid. Be careful as both can be dangerous to use and the brake fluid requires proper disposal - a mechanic's shop would be able to take care of it.

You may just need to take a brush to it. Somtimes I've had stripped paint go kind of rubbery, where it comes off, but gets stretchy as it peels away instead of dissolving or flaking.

Well the problem I'm having is that yes, the paint is coming off but only if you practically sand all the detail off with it. Which, as I'm sure you know, I'm not going for.

Its a fully plastic model so I'll give it the ol' 100% Simple green bath and maybe look for a cheap sonic jewelry cleaner... I read those work wonders.

If that doesn't get it all off then maybe it becomes a new terrain piece.

No dilution, go straight Simple Green.

If the original cure-all for stripping doesn't work, go find yourself a bottle of "Purple Power." Safe on plastic (no dilution), safe on metals. Unsure on resin, so take heed.

Gavin Thorne wrote:100% Simple Green should not harm plastics. It most definitely will not harm metals. I've had RT orks in a pure SG solution for going on four years now with no ill effects. I stripped a handful last weekend.

4 years? Seems a little excessive doesn't it?



Also fully agree with pure SG. Dont dilute it.

4 weeks of simple green didn't hurt my marines at all.

However it didn't do gak to the primer either.

If you can get your hands on it try out La's totally awesome

I've left plastic warhams mans in 100% undiluted Simple Green for weeks without issue. I never dilute it.

On a similar note, I also forgot about leaving my old airbrush in the same for a few days; that was a different situation. Simple Green will eat chrome if you let it sit long enough. I've since switched to a much less punishing regimen.

Snrub wrote:

Gavin Thorne wrote:100% Simple Green should not harm plastics. It most definitely will not harm metals. I've had RT orks in a pure SG solution for going on four years now with no ill effects. I stripped a handful last weekend.

4 years? Seems a little excessive doesn't it?



Also fully agree with pure SG. Dont dilute it.

Well, you know how it is. One project leads into another and that army you bought from your buddy years back just never made it into the rotation. Orks aren't my primary interest and my son likes Necrons. The SG isn't hurting them at all and once I get an ultrasonic cleaner, they'll get stripped and sold.

OP: Sounds like you've got a stubborn primer coat. I've found some primers are very resistant to paint removal. fenrir's recommendation of Purple Power is probably better than my brake fluid and it's certainly more friendly to the environment. Take care using it, though. Make sure to wear heavy gloves because it will strip the oils from your skin with a quickness.

fenrir1997 wrote:No dilution, go straight Simple Green.

If the original cure-all for stripping doesn't work, go find yourself a bottle of "Purple Power." Safe on plastic (no dilution), safe on metals. Unsure on resin, so take heed.

This.

I've recently switched to Purple Power. If your walmart doesn't have it, then you can use "Super Clean" which is similar and also purple.
Also, whether SG or PP, I never dilute. A big jug is so cheap (don't buy the spray bottles), there's no reason too, and it's so much more effective.