Removing paint from frontline/altaya figures (1 Viewer)

[jomartvr]

Hello,
I am repainting an Altaya/Frontline figure. What type of paint removal product works well on metal figures?

Thanks
Benjamin

 

[Obee]

Hello,
I am repainting an Altaya/Frontline figure. What type of paint removal product works well on metal figures?

Thanks
Benjamin

I use paint stripper on any metal figure to bring them back to what looks like a casting.

Then undercoat and start again,

John

 

[theBaron]

Hi, Ben, I use the automotive de-greaser SuperClean to strip paint from metal figures. You can find it at WalMart for eight bucks and change for a gallon. It used to be made by Castrol, and you might also find it at automotive supply stores like AutoZone.

I like it because it can be used in batches, over and over again. I use glass jars of various sizes to soak the pieces. After about 5 minutes, the paint is often softened and dissolving into the solution. The longer the soak, the more the paint dissolves and softens. I use an old toothbrush then to scrub the softened paint away gently, rinsing under the tap.

Some people use oven cleaner. I used to use that, too, but it has drawbacks. One is that it's once-and-done, that is, you spray a figure with oven cleaner, let it work, then rinse it off and that batch is gone. Another is that it's very caustic-its active ingredient is lye. You need to work in a well-ventilated area, and gloves are also a good idea.

SuperClean also has lye in it, but it doesn't seem to be nearly as caustic. It's still a good idea to work with ventilation, and gloves, but I don't usually use them with SuperClean.

And it has household uses, too, for cleaning grease, etc. That appeals to my sense of frugality. And it can be used with metal, resin, or styrene.

Hope that helps!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Obee]

I use an old toothbrush then to scrub the softened paint away gently, rinsing under the tap.

Prost!
Brad

Yes, same technique that I use with paint stripper.

Another good thing is that the stripper softens Supa Glue, so if they are in kit form you can take the figures apart to get out all of the old glue and hard to get places that the tooth brush can't get, or over spills of glue, so you get a nice clean 'as new' casting.

John

 

[theBaron]

Yes, same technique that I use with paint stripper...

What paint stripper do you use, John? For example, is it mineral spirits, and a particular brand? Or some other solvent?

Prost!
Brad

 

[jomartvr]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the suggestions.
Benjamin

 

[Obee]

What paint stripper do you use, John? For example, is it mineral spirits, and a particular brand? Or some other solvent?

Prost!
Brad

Brad,

the paint stripper is a caustic gel solution made by a local manufacturer. There are a couple of brands available, and works best on enamels which bubbles and so can be brushed off easily under running water, but also works on acrylics.

John

 

[hotel3alpha]

Acetone gents, which is nail polish remover. Steal some from your wives nail drawer, if she has any. However, no smoking and joking while you are using it as it is flammable...at least the stuff we sell.

John from Texas

 

[Tinsoldier]

I use brake fluid, it works with plastic figures as well. Just fill a jar, drop the figure in and leave for some time, use a soft tooth brush to remove. You can put the figure in several times depending of how thick the paint is. It will also attack certain glues so that removal of parts is easy.

Don

 

[jomartvr]

Hi Don,
I ended up using Brake clean to remove the paint. I took a while but it worked.
Benjamin

 

[Tinsoldier]

Your welcome.

I have used it on historex figures, plastic figures and metal. Only difficulty is if the are metal plated. Then you are in trouble. Brake fluid is cheap and recicleable.

Don

 

[jomartvr]

Here is the finished product. The flak jacket is probably incorrect for the SADF, but I can live with that.

 

[Mirof]

I use brake fluid, it works with plastic figures as well. Just fill a jar, drop the figure in and leave for some time, use a soft tooth brush to remove. You can put the figure in several times depending of how thick the paint is. It will also attack certain glues so that removal of parts is easy.

Don

Yes good product :
But keep in mind : strong irritations for the eyes
Very bad fume, destroying your kidneys
Not to dispose simply in the sink, toxic material
Keep far from children
Insure a strong ventilation when using
Wear gloves

Best

 

[HAWKEYE]

Boy these are great ideas, because i was thinking of buying some wwii germans from collectors showcase that come with a horrendous version of german camo and repaint them myself. Whats the bestprimer for metal figures?

 

[theBaron]

Boy these are great ideas, because i was thinking of buying some wwii germans from collectors showcase that come with a horrendous version of german camo and repaint them myself. Whats the bestprimer for metal figures?

It depends on your taste. You can use automotive primers, like Walmart's store brand, or Rustoleum, but they will have a grainier texture than modeling primers like Tamiya's Fine Surface Primer. I use both Rustoleum primer and Tamiya primer, depending on the quality of the figure and the kind of finish I want. But both with provide a good "tooth" for your finish color coats.

Prost!
Brad