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Hi guys,

Looking for a bit of friendly advice.

I buy a lot of stuff second hand, as like to see what it looks like after I've had my grubby mitts on them.

You know the usual routine, buy online, inspect, strip, remodel if needs be, under coat and then repaint.

Problem is, I recently bought some models online, bikes, tanks, dreads and they all look like they've been dunked in emulsion! (Not literally)

Now I've tried stripping with my usual go to, dettol with chloroxylenol in it, never had any problems on plastics nor metal, yet these models seem to not react so well, the paint doesn't seem to come off, it just spreads and seems to leave a really sticky coating to the models! They've had dettol baths for over 2 weeks!

I've tried using toothbrushes, cotton buds, soft and hard sponges and toothpicks, but the paint merely smudges, rather than coming off all together.

Any idea on what I could use?

Much appreciated

If they're metal, try acetone. That melts almost anything off.

Have you tried a Philips Sonicare brush? Using that + Dettol works really well for stubborn models for me.

Though I know what you mean; at times, I've wanted a bit off an old model or something (like an old jetpack), one I've varnished a very long time ago, for instance, and it takes quite the effort to strip cleanly.

Head down to Superdrug and buy their acetone free nail polish remover. Works a treat. Its blue and I'd buy a couple but its honestly wonderful. I've had exactly the same issue with dettol as you have, and it smells pretty bad as well but the nail polish remover is the biz. Just wear gloves and be sure to do it in a well ventilated area. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about it but I really recommend it alot!

Cheers

Ig

It sounds like whatever paint they used is not a match for the Dettol method. I had this issue with whatever primer was on my FW Aquila - it just turned to slime and made itself dirtier every time I dunked it!

Try degunking and allowing them to dry off. The go-to oily mess remover is Swarfega. Don't rinse with water in between, just take it from the Dettol and lather up with Swarfega, see what comes off.

Oh, yes, and non-acetone nail polish remover might work!

 Buttery Commissar wrote:
It sounds like whatever paint they used is not a match for the Dettol method. I had this issue with whatever primer was on my FW Aquila - it just turned to slime and made itself dirtier every time I dunked it!

Try degunking and allowing them to dry off. The go-to oily mess remover is Swarfega. Don't rinse with water in between, just take it from the Dettol and lather up with Swarfega, see what comes off.

Yeah that's all it seems to do, make the model look even worse....if that's even possible!

I'll pick up some swarfega later today and give it a go over the next fews days.

(this'll teach me to buy second hand!

Aye, familiar? (The sticky sludge) http://www.dakkadakka.com/s/i/at/at2/2015/3/5/4fad234ecd45ecf089e074f153f4f693_93655.jpg

It took a lot of washing to get the worst off, I did the rest with cotton buds and acetone after it dried, despite the kit being resin. I never got a full clean with Dettol, even after two separate attempts.

I wish you luck with it, and the smell fades eventually.

Have you tried Denatured alcohol? That is what I use for stripping plastic. Paint falls of after an hour or two.
Not sure if resin will survie it.

Fairy Power Spray. That's all you need. Does the job wonderfully and things don't stink like they do with Dettol.