Hello everyone, as the title says, i need help stripping metal models. I know there have been a bizillion people asking this same question but i have searched the forums and have found no posts really helpful. Everyone seems to have a different product they use. I am stripping a ton of old metal night goblins and i want to get the paint off 100%. Does anyone have any suggestions that will work (besides break fluid). My preference would be a product that is not too dangerous to be breathing and is ok to touch. I live in the USA. If anyone could help that would be great! Thanks!!!
Stripping Metal Models
- Thread starter Aldmhac
- Start date
sanctuary13
New member
I\'ve read tons of methods, from soaking overnight in Simple Green or Pin-Sol to using mineral spirits. If you\'ve got a lot and want to just rip right through them, I\'ve found that using pure Acetone works the best. Let em soak for a couple hours, then scrub em with a toothbrush. be sure to remove plastic bits like bases first, Acetone will turn it into a sludge that can trap into the metal. Youll need gloves and its best to do it fairly ventilated, but its not like breathing in uranium. Simple Green is supposed to be non-toxic, so there\'s that.
DarkStar
New member
Since you live in the US, go down to the grocery store /walmart /target whatever is convenient and pick up some Easy-Off oven cleaner. Not the fume free kind, but the heavy duty stuff.
Put your minis in some tupperware that has a matching lid, spray the Easy-Off to cover everything, then put the lid on. Come back in a few hours or overnight and while wearing gloves and a respirator (easy-off is nasty stuff to inhale be safe) use an old toothbrush to start brushing off the paint from the minis. Run them under hot water and use some dish soap on the brush to finish cleaning them.
Try to trap the crud that falls off the minis and don\'t let it run down the sink. I\'ve stripped hundreds of minis this way, complete armies, resin figures and the like.
Then again, you want something safe to breathe and safe to touch, can\'t help you there from personal experience. Simple green I\'ve heard is a good \"friendly\" solution but I\'ve never seen any or used any.
Put your minis in some tupperware that has a matching lid, spray the Easy-Off to cover everything, then put the lid on. Come back in a few hours or overnight and while wearing gloves and a respirator (easy-off is nasty stuff to inhale be safe) use an old toothbrush to start brushing off the paint from the minis. Run them under hot water and use some dish soap on the brush to finish cleaning them.
Try to trap the crud that falls off the minis and don\'t let it run down the sink. I\'ve stripped hundreds of minis this way, complete armies, resin figures and the like.
Then again, you want something safe to breathe and safe to touch, can\'t help you there from personal experience. Simple green I\'ve heard is a good \"friendly\" solution but I\'ve never seen any or used any.
NGArtStudios
New member
And if you want to go with a bit of a more health and environment friendly way then pick up some Simple Green. Works just as well on both plastic and metal and it wont burn your skin off if you touch it, nor will it kill your brain cells if you inhale it. 
Einion
New member
But the answers in this thread are going to be just as varied as what you\'ve already read!!
There\'s nothing that\'s completely safe that will strip paint from metal minis very effectively. Simple Green or the Castrol stuff (Super Clean?) are probably your best bets on the safe side of things.
On the effective side of things a powerful liquid paint stripper from the hardware store or a strong solution of caustic soda probably top off the list. Both are toxic and hazardous.
Einion
Sauce Devil
New member
To get all the paint off you\'ll have to scrub them and then re-soak the minis. Some people leave them to soak for a whole month!
fiesta0618
New member
In a pinch, you can just use nail polish remover for metal models. Just another form of acetone, but available in pharmacies everywhere.
Saltofheearth
New member
Safe, easy and cheap.... Try rubbing alcohol. Might not work 100% but it is relavitely safe to use and won\'t damage any plastic bits. Soak scrub repeat. Hope that helps
Boing.
It entirely depends on the type of paint used and the laquer.
Toluene and MEK will remove ANY and ALL of the normal paints used on miniatures, leaving them looking like new, however, these products are for industrial use, are toxic and not available to most people. But they are the dogs danglies for the job.
I\'ve had limited success with pine oil based products, but the big problem seems to be that the paint turns into some kind of super sticky, runny chewing gum consistency, clogging brushes and covering everything in sight.
I\'ve not used oven cleaner, I\'ll have to give it a go.
It is for this reason that I try to stick to metal minis.
It entirely depends on the type of paint used and the laquer.
Toluene and MEK will remove ANY and ALL of the normal paints used on miniatures, leaving them looking like new, however, these products are for industrial use, are toxic and not available to most people. But they are the dogs danglies for the job.
I\'ve had limited success with pine oil based products, but the big problem seems to be that the paint turns into some kind of super sticky, runny chewing gum consistency, clogging brushes and covering everything in sight.
I\'ve not used oven cleaner, I\'ll have to give it a go.
It is for this reason that I try to stick to metal minis.
Mick that\'s fine for Adults, but teenagers will not be allowed to purchase it themselves under UK legislation.Originally posted by mickc22
this is about the 100th time.....
for metal minis...
Cellulose thinners
Plus Cellulose Thinners need care in their handling, being Toxic, Extremely Flammable and not easily (or legally) disposed of down the drain.
Torn blue sky
New member
I managed to strip a bunch in about 5 mins with car paint stripper.
Needs little scrubbing after and completely takes every trace of paint off!
(pitfalls are it\'s a pretty hazardous liquid, don\'t put plastic anywhere near the stuff, and always make sure your area is extremely well ventilated)
Needs little scrubbing after and completely takes every trace of paint off!
(pitfalls are it\'s a pretty hazardous liquid, don\'t put plastic anywhere near the stuff, and always make sure your area is extremely well ventilated)
I uses Dettol, the liquid kind not the bar soap, for both metal and plastics.
Soak them for 4 days and use a soft toothbrush to clear the remaining paint. Not 100% but almost 98% and its safe without the need to wear any protective gloves or gask masks or worry about any mutations.
Soak them for 4 days and use a soft toothbrush to clear the remaining paint. Not 100% but almost 98% and its safe without the need to wear any protective gloves or gask masks or worry about any mutations.
JojoTheFlamingMonkey
New member
I had used simple green in the past, but I found that it leaves some kind of residue on the metal. Works great for plastics though.
Now I use Goof Off original. Absolutely horrible stuff, but I haven\'t found anything better for stripping minis. Just remember to wear gloves and use proper ventilation. If you get it on your hands you\'ll experience this wonderful tingling sensation followed by numbness that lasts for a few days, so a good pair of thick rubber gloves are in order. Don\'t use on plastic. Found that out the hard way.
Now I use Goof Off original. Absolutely horrible stuff, but I haven\'t found anything better for stripping minis. Just remember to wear gloves and use proper ventilation. If you get it on your hands you\'ll experience this wonderful tingling sensation followed by numbness that lasts for a few days, so a good pair of thick rubber gloves are in order. Don\'t use on plastic. Found that out the hard way.
I use Lacquer Thinner from Home Depot. I just swirl the figure inside a glass bottle full of thinner for a few seconds and start brushing off the paint. I constantly dip the tooth brush in the thinner and brush until everything is gone. Then I wash the figure with soap and water.
