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I recently figured out how to do awesome bases and want to do it to the rest of my naked bases. What would be the easiest way to remove the models from them? I used super glue on some and plastic cement on others, if that makes a difference.

Any models that are superglued to the base should just snap off with a bit of force. You could place these ones in a freezer as often it makes the superglue more brittle and easier to break.

As for the ones that are glued down with polycement, you will probably need to cut them off the bases and then trim down the points of contact.

If they're plastic models, and not pinned, then carefully slice them off the exiting bases with a sharp blade. Then sand/file the bottoms of the figures' feet to be perfectly flat, so they'll have the best gluing contact area on the new bases.

I discovered (accidentally) that nail polish remover will do the trick. Depends on the glue used, of course. For a bunch of my models, I soaked them a bit in nail polish remover to break town the tough base coat.

It softened the plastic a bit, but also turned the glue into mush, and the pieces came apart very easily.

Depending on the glue you use, try uncure. I use this line (Well, basically this line with a FLGS logo thrown on):http://www.amazon.com/Bob-Smith-161-Un-Cure-1oz/dp/B0000DD1QS
Its not designed for this, as far as I know, but it may work

Personally, I say that if the bases are too tough to remove intact, just rip 'em off. Slottabases can be had for pennies.

I would get a small metal tray, like a cake pan or equivalent, make a mixture of simple green and water, put the minis in the tray, and put enough simple green mix in to cover the base. It will take the texture off the base and the models feet, but I think it's better than trying to cut them away from the model and risking damaging the model. Unless the models are metal, I would avoid nail polish remover of any kind. It will destroy everything. The simple green may take a day or two, but it will weaken the glue bond enough that the model will come right off with a little nudge (if that). Hope this helps! Simple Green is great to have around anyway. You can usually find it in the automotive section of Walmart, Meijer, or such places (in the US).

I find that trying to slice or pry plastic models off of bases usually results in noticeable distortion of the feet. Superglued models can be popped off pretty easily after a freeze and thaw cycle or two (try carefully dropping them onto a table - a sharp blow can snap a brittle bond more easily than trying to twist or pull). If I want to preserve fused feet (solvent cement), I sacrifice the old base. Hack away at it with a saw, large clippers, etc. and carefully trim the remaining material flush with the sides of the feet. Now you can file or sand the extra thickness away, leaving the model pristine.

Never would of thought of the freezer trick! Great thing to try before using chemicals if it doesn't work... does this work on glued metal models too?

All awesome suggestions. I was able to pope off the super glued models fairly easily with the freezer method. Haven't attempted the cement ones yet. I have some riptides I have to take off and really want to avoid damaging those (one is super glued, the other is cemented).

jewels wrote:
Never would of thought of the freezer trick! Great thing to try before using chemicals if it doesn't work... does this work on glued metal models too?

Yes, works BETTER on metal models, actually. Due to the much greater temperature differential between the plastic base and metal figure.

I've had some success removing plastic models cemented on plastic bases with a razor saw, or even an Exacto knife (with a thicker, stiffer blade). You have to make sure to cut into the base, or you will just eat away at the model's soles, giving them skinny feet. It might be easier to use a Dremel and sand away the base from the underside!

Just hacking up the base and then cutting away all of the base except the bits under the feet might be the quickest and easiest way, though. The thin material of most bases won't really be a noticeable addition in height to the model when you put it on a new base.

If you use an exacto style knife, I stronlgly recommend the heavy chisel tipped blade, and of course, cutting away from yourself, downward and onto a hard surface.

If you want to be really carefull, DaButcha is right that the best option is to get a pair of snips and cut the base away from the figure until all you have left is an extra level under the feet. You can than sand or file away the remainder of the base from under the model. It will take more time, but will best preserve your paintjobs.