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Title says it all...

I am currently soaking my old Orlock gang + bounty hunters from the early to mid 90s in Simple Green cleaner, based off of posts online. This is working, but it is working super slow. I have been soaking them for just under 3 days at this point in time and there is still paint on the models that is not easily coming off. These models were also painted and sealed with matte spray in the mid 90s, so 25+ years ago lol. I am honestly slightly impressed with how the sealant has kept the paint on these minis so long for so many years. About 12ish years ago I got into the war gaming hobby again (been off and on since 1991) and previously I had used Super Clean de-greaser and this seemed to work better from my memory.

I need a drain safe cleaner that can strip paint off of plastic and pewter models. This Simple Green cleaner may not be the right type, I purchased it from the hardware store and perhaps I grabbed the wrong one as google searching they have more than one product. So, if you were to strip all your old hammer models (both plastic and pewter) with something that is safe to pour down your drain or dump in your back yard, which cleaner/stripper do you recommend?

Right now I am trying to fully strip the paint off of Bonnie Anderson, the limited edition tournament only bounty hunter from OG Necromunda as i want to use her in my Escher gang I got going for the new Necromunda system.

Thanks in advance my war gaming homies

Why did you switch from Super Clean??? It is the best stripper not named Brandy-Sue that I have ever found.

General Hobbs wrote:


Why did you switch from Super Clean??? It is the best stripper not named Brandy-Sue that I have ever found.

Mainly because the hardware store I went to did not carry it, but they did carry simple green. I can order it online or go to a different hardware store. From my google searches many folks mentioned Simple Green was good for this, but it I am finding it a bit lack luster. So, I guess I should go back to super clean then haha

Thanks

Are you in the US? Walmart carries Super Clean in the automotive section. I have tried all the of the recommended strippers and it is the best.

General Hobbs wrote:


Are you in the US? Walmart carries Super Clean in the automotive section. I have tried all the of the recommended strippers and it is the best.

Yup in the US, but I just hate going to Walmart. I can run the Walmart near me though soon and pick some up. I just haven't had to strip paint off of models in like 13 or so years so I was trying to remember how much better Super Clean was compared to this Simple Green stuff I picked up

Isopropyl Alcohol. Don’t pour it out, but leave it open to the air and it will evaporate in a few days (just make sure it’s a well ventilated space!). Alternatively, keep it covered and let the paint residue settle to the bottom and then gently decant the clean IPA off for future use.

I find that if you have models that are resisting stripping, put on some rubber gloves and eye protection and give them a good scrub with a toothbrush, preferably still in your cleaning fluid. It will get rid of the paint that has started to lift off and expose more layers to the fluid.

I use AK Paint Stripper, excellent for metal minis! Makes em look like they came straight off the blister

The last time I stripped metal models (15+ years ago) I used brake fluid. I don't think I've ever stripped plastic ones.

Generally the best thing I have found is bio strip 20.

However for metal models acetone free nail polish remover is brilliant. You can put your models in a ziplock bag or equivalent with the liquid and it will melt the the paint (and superglue) right off (eventually).

It’s dead cheap aswell and you don’t have to change the solution everytime

picked up super clean and am soaking both metal and plastics right now will check them tomorrow

 Jadenim wrote:
Isopropyl Alcohol. Don’t pour it out, but leave it open to the air and it will evaporate in a few days (just make sure it’s a well ventilated space!). Alternatively, keep it covered and let the paint residue settle to the bottom and then gently decant the clean IPA off for future use.

I find that if you have models that are resisting stripping, put on some rubber gloves and eye protection and give them a good scrub with a toothbrush, preferably still in your cleaning fluid. It will get rid of the paint that has started to lift off and expose more layers to the fluid.

I'd second this. 99% Iso if you can get it. A bit harsh on plastics but had worked flawlessly in my experience with metal. Soak then scrub and repeat if needed.

I still need to dig into the crevices to get some of the bits of paint out, but this is a 24 hour soak and light tooth brush scrub with Super Clean. I found some at the local Walmart since my local hardware store did not carry any.

I think they changed the formula of SImple Green sometime in the last few years, so it doesn't work as well. I've found that LA's Totally Awesome works well on plastics.

I use Citristrip because it's what I have on hand, but it takes a few goes and some brushing.

Edit: on lead and white metal. Not sure on plastic.

 Pariah Press wrote:
I think they changed the formula of SImple Green sometime in the last few years, so it doesn't work as well. I've found that LA's Totally Awesome works well on plastics.

What is "LA's" exactly again?

thanks

 Crom wrote:

 Pariah Press wrote:
I think they changed the formula of SImple Green sometime in the last few years, so it doesn't work as well. I've found that LA's Totally Awesome works well on plastics.

What is "LA's" exactly again?

thanks

That's the actual name. LA's Totally Awesome.

I've found that Simple Green doesn't work like it used to, either, so something must have changed over the years.

I've found some success with nail polish remover mixed with water in an ultrasonic cleaner. Still needs a bit of toothbrush scrubbing, but loosens things off quite nicely.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:

 Crom wrote:

 Pariah Press wrote:
I think they changed the formula of SImple Green sometime in the last few years, so it doesn't work as well. I've found that LA's Totally Awesome works well on plastics.

What is "LA's" exactly again?

thanks

That's the actual name. LA's Totally Awesome.

I've found that Simple Green doesn't work like it used to, either, so something must have changed over the years.

ohhh that is the name hahahaha derp. Cool, and it is pretty fairly priced. I went back to Super Clean as I used that 12 years ago last time I dug out my minis and started painting/playing again. I will try this stuff next. Super clean does really well on pewter models, but on plastics it seems to always leave a bit in the cracks/crevices of the models.

Thanks!

We used to hose them down with EZ Off oven cleaner. This is not an endorsement of that method.