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First post on Dakkadakka (if this is in the wrong sub-forum I apologize).

I am currently stripping some old marine minis in superclean. It worked wonders and it stripped all the paint off with no problem.

The only issue is after I brush them off and such they get this white residue left over on the mini, which I have tried washing off.

For some context these models are near (if not) 10 years old, and were dipped in what I think was house paint (my friend was young and lazy).

Does anyone know what is going on here, and why the residue is there and most importantly can it be removed?

I haven't used superclean (I generally go with Simple Green instead) but I would guess it's just the cleaner reacting with paint residue or the surface of the mini.

A good scrub with a stiff toothbrush in warm soapy water, and then a new spray undercoat and they should be fine.

Yeah they mostly look okay, is there a possibility the residue would mess up the priming and painting if I can not get it off?

That's odd... I've never had that issue using Super Clean and I've left models sitting in excess of six months and I've used it to strip clean parts as well. Maybe try using a strong detergent to scrub it off?

Do you have a picture of what you're talking about?

if in doubt, try priming one and see what happens.

What happens if you scrape it with a knife, is it softer than the normal plastic? it sounds like discolouration, may even be fumes from superglue (if that's what they were stuck together with).

If it feels hard, not greasy and doesn't obscure any of the detail I wouldn't worry, just test one and leave it a day or two, if it's fine, don't worry about it.

Here is a photo of what it looks like. Essentially look at the right side of the shoulder pad (which is relatively clear) versus the left side (which is the residue I am talking about). Whatever plastic GW used 10 years ago or so must have been different, because the color is much lighter than the new plastics which are a darker grey (at least that is what it looks like, I have only been playing 40k the past couple years)

Here is another, some white residue at the bottom of the feet that might be related, possibly the superglue idea?

I would make sure I clean it good with some soapy water. If the white residue has a texture, it may obscure the detail. What color primer did the previous owner paint the model? Prime one and check. I got that from time to time when I stripped my OLD metal figs with Super Clean. I haven't had any issues and its been nearly 6 years since I painted them. I also sealed the models with a light varnish and dullcoat thought. That has helped my models quite a bit.

From a mutual friend I heard he dipped them straight in to blue house paint (for ultramarines), no primer whatsoever.

lioneljonson wrote:
Whatever plastic GW used 10 years ago or so must have been different, because the color is much lighter than the new plastics which are a darker grey (at least that is what it looks like, I have only been playing 40k the past couple years)

Yeah, they changed their plastic during 4th edition to a darker, softer material. Easier to work with, but softer detail than the 3rd edition (lighter grey) plastics.


If they had been pried, I would have said that was just leftover primer that the superclean hadn't removed... But without that, from the look of them, I'd be leaning towards my first guess - the house paint reacting to the cleaner.


So at this point, I'd go with boyd's suggestion - give them a good wash, and try spraying one and leaving him for a week or so to see what happens. If it doesn't go nasty by that point, you're probably fine... If you get a good enough seal with the spray, and it doesn't react straight away, it's unlikely to come up later.

Okay cool! I will give you guys an update then.

Its probably some reaction from the house paint (if latex) at worst its lead based paint (dont forget to wash your hands )

If its smooth priming over them shouldn't be an issue.

Update: I threw them back in superclean and got a spin brush for clean up. The models still had some of what i was talking about earlier. Although there wasn't a residue. The whiteness only came out after the model dried off, is it possible that the superclean dried out the plastic in some way?

Either way I don't think it should be an issue, here is a picture of one of those models spray-primed black.