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I'm planning to chuck a few models (metal) in acetone nail varnish for a couple days to strip them. I have a couple questions before I do.



This is the container i'm using, it fully seals but as you can see it is tall and narrow, so the models will all be stacked on top of each other. This cool?

Second, how many times can I reuse the acetone? I have a number of models to strip so being able to reuse would be nice.

Finally, how do I get rid of the nasty paint mixture? I have a plastic bin with plastic bag lining so doubtful it's a good idea to keep it there, and there's bushes outside my window so I can't pour it out like i do sour milk. Can I just throw it in the sink?

1. No problem.

2. 3-4 times is ok, but it will take longer time.

3. You are not supposed to pour it in to sink, but well...

That is a fine container.

You can reuse acetone until it is more paint than acetone.

Pour it onto kitty litter or newspaper, let it dry outside, put in bin.

Just for clarity, acetone will melt everything but metal.

I just tested some freshly arrived biostrip. Good gravy it's magic.

1) Acetone FREE nail polish remover!
2) I'd suggest a bigger container/go into poundstretcher and get a sealable freezer food container.Ideally about the size of a cereal bowl.
3) You'll get the acetone free stuff from superdrug for about £1.40 a bottle.Downside is that it stinks to high heaven.So will your room.And house.
4) Use a stiff wedge shaped brush to agitate the models while they are submerged;if you take them out while there is still paint on them you'll end up with sludge!
5) Get rid of acetone free stuff when you cannot see through it.Retain bottle and pour gunk into it,don't pour down the sink or even outside your house! Think of the environment!
6)You'll probably find that 99% of the paint comes off after 1 day or less if it is acrylic. Good luck if it is enamel!
7) Get a scalpel to to scrape away the remaining bits of paint in the recesses!

Slipstream wrote:
1) Acetone FREE nail polish remover!
2) I'd suggest a bigger container/go into poundstretcher and get a sealable freezer food container.Ideally about the size of a cereal bowl.
3) You'll get the acetone free stuff from superdrug for about £1.40 a bottle.Downside is that it stinks to high heaven.So will your room.And house.
4) Use a stiff wedge shaped brush to agitate the models while they are submerged;if you take them out while there is still paint on them you'll end up with sludge!
5) Get rid of acetone free stuff when you cannot see through it.Retain bottle and pour gunk into it,don't pour down the sink or even outside your house! Think of the environment!
6)You'll probably find that 99% of the paint comes off after 1 day or less if it is acrylic. Good luck if it is enamel!
7) Get a scalpel to to scrape away the remaining bits of paint in the recesses!

You've come a little late as I already submerged them but thanks for your advice as well. Also like to point out I'm stripping metal models only so acetone is fine for what I need and works quicker without any risk to the models, but again thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

I strip models using dot3 brake fluid in a jar not unlike that.

I just filter the paint crud out after I'm finished with the models (I use a coffee filter and a funnel into another jar). The crud stays in the filter paper, and it all gets thrown in the bin. The liquid gets reused until it stops working (4-5 times).

On the few times I've used acetone, The acetone can be drained off the sludge pretty easily and reused 3-4 times easily.

Shockingly, biostrip is better than dot3 from my initial tests - it even took the colour off the paintbrush as I was cleaning them