I just bought some old 1/32 Airfix,Matchbox soldiers that were painted by a kid or a blind monkey.I'm in the process of removing the paint using easyoff oven cleaner method.I spray on the oven cleaner, then wait a couple of hours and brush with an old toothbrush... repeat until clean.I stopped using brake fluid years ago because I heard it removes oils from the plastic(have seen damaged models from this method).Some day I will buy an ultrasonic cleaner for this job but that'll have to wait.What methods do you use,any other methods should I try?
Paint removal method (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter tuco99
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theBaron
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- Mar 27, 2008
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Hi, tuco, I use oven cleaner, too, but I find it works in minutes, rather than hours. Sometimes, on stubborn finishes, I have to use repeat applications.
I put the figures in an old glass baking dish, spray on the cleaner, let it go for a couple of minutes, then hold the figure under running water (just a gentle stream from the faucet), and use an old toothbrush to scrub away.
Usually I'm cleaning metal figures, but for model aircraft, it works just as well. I once had to strip an Airfix Fw-190 whose colors I botched, and used Easy-Off to remove the paint. Those were Tamiya rattle-can enamels over WalMart's generic automotive primer. The oven cleaner took it right off in minutes.
Though it's caustic enough to hurt skin, it shouldn't melt plastic. Still, I'd be more cautious of leaving a piece of plastic in the dish for longer periods. Paint solvents, though, can certainly attack plastics, so if you tried those, you'd definitely have to be careful with them.
Prost!
Brad
I put the figures in an old glass baking dish, spray on the cleaner, let it go for a couple of minutes, then hold the figure under running water (just a gentle stream from the faucet), and use an old toothbrush to scrub away.
Usually I'm cleaning metal figures, but for model aircraft, it works just as well. I once had to strip an Airfix Fw-190 whose colors I botched, and used Easy-Off to remove the paint. Those were Tamiya rattle-can enamels over WalMart's generic automotive primer. The oven cleaner took it right off in minutes.
Though it's caustic enough to hurt skin, it shouldn't melt plastic. Still, I'd be more cautious of leaving a piece of plastic in the dish for longer periods. Paint solvents, though, can certainly attack plastics, so if you tried those, you'd definitely have to be careful with them.
Prost!
Brad
After awhile I have found(from internet) a great way of paint removal.SuperClean!
Just soak for about half an hour and wash paint off,even cleans red and black.
A bonus when done just pour back into bottle and use as cleaner, no waste.
Never had much success with ovencleaner.
Just soak for about half an hour and wash paint off,even cleans red and black.
A bonus when done just pour back into bottle and use as cleaner, no waste.
Never had much success with ovencleaner.