Best Way Removing Paint from Metal Miniatures

[Masakik]

Just curious what you guys recommend I use to remove paint from my metal miniatures?

"Super Clean" I heard is good just curious if there's something better out there.

Thanks!

[optimusprime14]

For metal, you can use almost anything. Brake fluid, paint thinner/turpentine, etc. No much out there that is available to the general person can damage metal too much. My personal choice is nail polish remover. It tends to smell the least foul.

Plastic I stick with simple green which you could use on metal, I just find the other work faster.

[pixelgeek]

For metal, you can use almost anything. Brake fluid, paint thinner/turpentine, etc.

When I was a developer we used the phrase "cheap, fast or good: pick two" to describe pricing to clients.

When it comes to strippers you can say "cheap, fast or safe: pick one".

Almost anything that quickly and efficiently strips paint from metal is going to be slightly to very toxic. People talk about using brake fluid without realizing that many brake fluids are rated as carcinogens. People talk about using pine oil based cleaners without realizing that undiluted they can cause skin and lung damage.

The safest ways to take off paint from metal are cleaners like Simple Green but those take some time to work.

So you need to figure out if you want something done quickly or safely.

Don't go cheap no matter what option you choose. Cheap cleaners, fluids etc are cheap because they have less of the ingredients that ultimately strip the paint.

[Masakik]

For metal, you can use almost anything. Brake fluid, paint thinner/turpentine, etc.

When I was a developer we used the phrase "cheap, fast or good: pick two" to describe pricing to clients.

When it comes to strippers you can say "cheap, fast or safe: pick one".

Almost anything that quickly and efficiently strips paint from metal is going to be slightly to very toxic. People talk about using brake fluid without realizing that many brake fluids are rated as carcinogens. People talk about using pine oil based cleaners without realizing that undiluted they can cause skin and lung damage.

The safest ways to take off paint from metal are cleaners like Simple Green but those take some time to work.

So you need to figure out if you want something done quickly or safely.

Don't go cheap no matter what option you choose. Cheap cleaners, fluids etc are cheap because they have less of the ingredients that ultimately strip the paint.

Thank you very much. Yes, it doesn't have to be a quick job, I can leave it for a week+ soaking if I wanted too. Simple Green sounds like te safest route?

[pretre]

I use Super Clean in the purple bottle. Wear rubber gloves.

[pixelgeek]

Thank you very much. Yes, it doesn't have to be a quick job, I can leave it for a week+ soaking if I wanted too. Simple Green sounds like te safest route?

It is. Its biodegradable as well. Don't buy the Simple Green that has an anti-bacterial in it though. I had really bad results with it

[spiralingcadaver]

simple green all the way. It's a little slow, and you've got to watch for when it starts to fail (minis will just not strip), but it's the most reliable/safest and doesn't smell like death. I just dump minis in the vat and take 'em out when I remember. Fresh, and it'll be an hour or so; near the end and it's a day or two but still effective.

[kturock]

Purple power.
It removes everything, from plastic, metal or resin. It even breaks down super glue.

It's about $10 for a 3 gallon container from walmart. It's reusable. Put the it in a container with a cover, like an old pickle jar or margarine container and let it sit for a few days to a week. Scrub with an old toothbrush or ones you can buy in the dollar store under running water. Make sure you doing over a stainless steal sink or somewhere you don't care about the splatter going. [my wife got made at me when I stripped metal models using pine sol and the paint stuck to the painted bathroom sink. It took alot of work to scrub it clean.] Also, always use a staner to catch the small parts.

I've had it strip old Testor's oil based paint off plastic Eldar Guardians. It even broke up the super glue holding the models together.

Cheap, reusable and effective.

[kturock]

I've had PP take paint off the simple green left on..
Also, SG can melt plastic and resin.

[Masakik]

I've had PP take paint off the simple green left on..
Also, SG can melt plastic and resin.

Great to know, I'll have to get some soon. Thank you very much!

[tordeck]

I will 2nd what kturock said. Purple Power is what I have found to be the best cheap way to get things done. The only thing I have found it to not be so great with is when people decide to use that foul primer Gesso. That crap while being think and ruing of details of models also just doesnt like to come off. Especially when its been painted over.

[MagickalMemories]

I'd be more prone to stripping if the paint would just slough off without scrubbing. I don't have the time or desire to scrub!
I just bought, like, 90 "Mutant" models made from misc GW parts at an auction. I want to use them as cultists. I already have some that are similar to these that I assembled myself. The thing is, though... they're (poorly) painted.
I'm contemplating just painting right over the paint that's there.

There's your needed commercial service, folks.. "I'll strip your models for cheap!" LOL

Eric

[Masakik]

This is the Purple Power you recommend?

[tordeck]

Yep thats it. Though thats the smaller size bottle. You can get a gallon size as well.

[kturock]

MM. The paints sloughs off, mostly. There's always some scrubbing needed no matter what you use.
With PP, the longer you let it soak, the less scrubbing needed.