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Hey guys.

So I'm looking to remove paint from 30 finecast harlequins. I found a scheme that is just calling out to me, and I want to adjust my harlequins to match my wraithguard-based army. However, I've seen answers saying Simple Green is either perfect with no issues, or that it has effectively destroyed resin models.

What I'm looking for is someone that has done a good number of thinner, detailed finecast models like the harlies. How did it work out for you? How long did you leave them submerged for? Did you need to do multiple baths? What did you use to scrub the paint from the finecrap models. Based on what I've read LA's is the way to go, but I can't find it for the life of me in southern Ontario, and brake fluid is out of the question for a number of reasons. If the Simple Green is out of the question, I guess that means I'm just going to have to save for a couple months and buy a couple new boxes.

*puts conspiracy hat on*

I have heard a dirty rumour that Finecrap is next to impossible to strip and any of the stripping materials used make it go "rubbery". This was intentional move by GW to destroy the second-hand market.

*conspiracy hat comes off*

I've heard next to no success stories WRT stripping Finecrap. Before you do anything I would experiment on a bit of the sprue or something.

I have stripped Fine Cast Zoanthropes, Hive Guard, and Venomthropes with Dawn Power Dissolver. My minis are still great looking and they are painting up very well. The Zoanthrope and the Hive Guard don't fall into the "thin model" category but the Venomthrope is VERY fragile and he came clean with very little effort.

I would sujest using Simple Green. I haven't tried it on finecast, but I have used it on some FW pieaces and had expected results.

I havent tried to strip finecrap yet....

I have used Bix-stripper X on Forgeworld Resin, and to my surprise..it didnt destroy the model. That stuff has Toulene, Xylene, Acetone, Mineral Spirits, ALL kinds of stuff in it.

But as far as finecrap, I wish I could help you out on that. I will say this much, Simple Green is good as long as you dont let the plastics sit for too long. Maybe a day or two. It will soften the plastic. DOT-3 brake fluid is in my opinion the best for stripping plastics.

Good luck finding the solution!!

I used LA fantastic on harlequins finecast, shadowseer, and troupe master, may have been just mine, but they turned really fragile, i let them soak for 2 days submerged. it striped it decently, but turned brittle. like the sword snapped instead of light bend, and the shadowseers staff broke off in 3 pieces. I wasnt manhandling the things either. so i wouldnt use it on these smaller thinner models. my .02

Should strip fine.

Finecast is unstrippable using my normal methods. It is not the same as FW resin and does, indeed, go robbery. I am sure that there is a way to do it but I completely ruined 5 FC harlies so be careful

I've successfully stripped Forge World Elysians with Simple Green. It's nothing that hasn't been said yet in this thread but the affirmation could be of some help.

In regards to the failcast going rubbery: GW gave us yet ANOTHER reason to avoid it!? Dang.

 Thamor wrote:
Should strip fine.

Have you tried it? because I dont think you have.

I used simple green to strip failcast, it turns the model extremely soft, you wont be able to scrub it.
Warning: success in stripping FW is not the same as stripping FC.



Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Cannibal wrote:
I've successfully stripped Forge World Elysians with Simple Green. It's nothing that hasn't been said yet in this thread but the affirmation could be of some help.

In regards to the failcast going rubbery: GW gave us yet ANOTHER reason to avoid it!? Dang.

Yes, it turns into limp resin, I can see why the metal ones are so sought-after on ebay.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 WingWong wrote:
Finecast is unstrippable using my normal methods. It is not the same as FW resin and does, indeed, go robbery. I am sure that there is a way to do it but I completely ruined 5 FC harlies so be careful

I would guess sonic cleaner will help.
But the simple green completely alters the material, so OP should expect bendy limpy models after :'/

Well balls.

I'll give it a go on one of the uncustomized harlies, and see if it works out. Sounds like I'll be buying new ones for this army, though. Might just auction off the old ones if it comes down to that.

Also, @Grimtuff: That's exactly what I expected them to do. My thought is that Finecast is supposed to be unsalvageable and need replacing if you try to alter it.

Thanks for the input!

 TheHarleqwin wrote:


My thought is that Finecast is supposed to be unsalvageable and need replacing if you try to alter it.

Finecast must be the iphones of miniatures!

iminis!

 LunaHound wrote:

Warning: success in stripping FW is not the same as stripping FC.

Bears repeating.

FW resin is hard and brittle.
FC resin is soft and malleable.

Chemically, the two are clearly different.
When stripping paint you are looking for a chemical reaction; hence, the two different resins may well react differently.

I don't know if you guys in the US can get it, but have you tried "Fairy Powerspray" if it's available? A lot of people are calling it the "Devlan Mud" of stripping, I personally have stripped standard PS platic models, white metal, resin models from some of the cheapest companies out there, and even an old Screamin' vinyl Elvira figure with it without damage to the model yet the stuff is so powerful when used neat that it'll take the paint off a garage door in a minute.

 Conrad Turner wrote:
I don't know if you guys in the US can get it, but have you tried "Fairy Powerspray" if it's available? A lot of people are calling it the "Devlan Mud" of stripping, I personally have stripped standard PS platic models, white metal, resin models from some of the cheapest companies out there, and even an old Screamin' vinyl Elvira figure with it without damage to the model yet the stuff is so powerful when used neat that it'll take the paint off a garage door in a minute.

Also this.

FPS is simply awesome. Whether it will work on Finecrap (no personal experience as I refuse to buy it) is another matter. I can confirm it works perfectly fine on plastics though.

I have no idea if this will work for finecast or not, but a friend turned me on to oven cleaner for stripping models.

For plastic and metal it works very well, but you need to be careful with bare skin as the main cleaning agent is Lye.

I have used Easy Off, sprayed heavily on to the models and then sealed them up for a couple of days. Wear gloves, rinse and gently brush them off. It has worked well for plastics and metals.

Simple green, if left too long can actually corrode some metal models.

Again, I don't know if this will work for finecast, but I thought I woudl mention it in case it helps someone.

Use a Simple Green and water solution. Just don't leave the models in too long.