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Just bought some simple green, and am going to use to strip some SMs. Considering I'm a rookie at this, how long does a model need to sit in a straight concentrate solution, or should i go with a 1:1? How long would i have to let the models soak.

Secondary question, I've heard more people recommend Purple power, since it supposedly doesn't take as long as SG. With this fact considered, would i be better off returning the SG and getting PP (I haven't opened it yet).

I use Simple Green all the time and I let my models soak overnight before going at them with the toothbrush and dish soap. I would leave them in for at least a few hours before trying to scrub them.

I use it right out of the bottle and mixed with water. They both work like a charm after soaking overnight, but I would imagine the diluted solution would take a little longer to work.

Can't help you much on the Purple Power, I've never tried it before...

Or you can get Awesome from the dollar store and it works better than anything I have ever used, simple green included.

"It all depends," as our agency's lawyer likes to say.

How old is the paint job you're stripping off? If the paint is over ten years old it's had plenty of time to bond with the surface of the miniature and will need a longer soak. I usually soak for 48-72 hours just to make sure.

What kind of paint was used for the old paint job? A mix of acrylics is going to be much easier to remove than a slop-bucket of Testors gloss enamel. Acrylics will take 24 hours, but enamel is going to require 72 at a minimum. I've left plastic and metal miniatures in straight Purple Power & Super Clean with no ill effects. My guess is that Simple Green will act in a similar manner to the other cleaners.

I am currently stripping the paint off of my old plastic Marines, metal Marines and fantasy minis, and Battlemechs. Out of all of them, one was purchased after 1993, a metal Space Marine captain. I also have two Blood Bowl teams from the original boxed set that are in desperate need of being stripped and repainted, as they're covered in Testors enamel.

If you want to hedge your bets, soak them for 72 hours and then brush them off under running hot water.

I use purple power. Does the same thing Simple Green does, but better. I have seen decent results in 2 to 3 hours, where as the same thing would take nearly a day. I still leave them in for a day, to make sure it comes off with ease. Depends on the type/brand/mixture of paint we're dealing with as well. Be advised, don't leave them in for LONG periods of time. My friend left some in for like a week, and they left a weird buildup of white residue on the surfaces that were pointed down.

I use Denatured alcohol, After an hour or so the paint more or less fall off.
Here is Pepper. He has 1 layer of chaos black spray, 1 layer of skull white spray, citadel paints, shades and glaze and finaly purity seal and some *ard coat


Here he is after an hour or so in the alcohol and some brushing.


Use gloves

I found (in a scientific study, using the same types of acrylics on the same types of material: plastic, from the same kit, for the same duration, in the same environment, etc....) that Simple Green isn't as great as its competitors.

In my study, I left bits soak for 24 hours in straight cleaner, then hit them both with cold tap water and a soft toothbrush.
The Purple Power is stronger, but is a bit rougher on the skin (wash your hands and moisturize afterwards!)

As was also noted, LA's Totally Awesome is, in all actuality, "totally awesome." It works just as well as, maybe slightly better because it's cheaper than, Purple Power. If you're in a pinch, Clorox Greenworks Multipurpose Cleaner is good too. Works about the same as Simple Green, smells better, still nature friendly, but a smidge more pricey...

No, I don't lead a very exciting life...

We don't have simple green in Australia but I use a combination of detergent and methylated spirits

you have to wait about a day or two, and you must let them sit an hour after the soak since they get quite bendy.

I use Super Clean, which is much stronger than Simple Green (using gloves is a must!), and I have left plastic minis soaking in it for months with absolutely no ill effects.

yeah..what they said...

Also, there are literally dozens if not hundreds of threads on this topic....so if you want even more good info, so a few searches.

I personally use super clean or purple power, as I had found them to be better than simple green. I have not tried awesome yet.