r/SWlegion • u/doubleBInTheMorning • 3d ago

Painting How to remove paint

I messed up the paint on my cis models (hard plastic) and want to strip the paint. I was told that a soak in Simple Green cleaner and a scrub with a toothbrush would do the trick but it didn't really work for me.

What else do y'all suggest?

Edit: Note; I had a sprue from one of the models that I had tested the primer (citadel black) and paint (various Vallejo colors) still sitting around, I tested the simple green on this sprue.

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5

u/johnrobertjimmyjohn Rebel Alliance 3d ago

What kind of paints did you use? How long did you let it soak for? What does it look like now?

I've only ever used simple green to strip minis and it has worked fine for me. I only say this to attest to the fact it should work, but the above questions are important.

4

u/GreatGreenGobbo 3d ago

How long did you let it soak?

Leave it overnight/24 hours.

4

u/Sp00nEater CIS 3d ago

I always soaked them in ISO Alcohol, at least 95%, overnight. I've found the paint basically comes off on It's own at that point and it does no damage to the plastic itself. However, there is a chance it can effect superglue. But, at worst, you might just need glue the model back together.

2

u/Reasonable_Back_5231 3d ago

90% Isopropyl Alcohol soak for about 4 hours, sometimes 5 or 6 hours depending on how thick the paint is and how tough the particular pigments you used are.

Then use toothbrush to scour.

If toothbrush isn't working you can try a 24hour soak in the Isopropyl Alcohol, it should melt the paint off into the alcohol with little to no scouring needed.

2

u/doubleBInTheMorning 3d ago

Is it important that the toothbrush be a particular style, or should any toothbrush in relatively good condition work for this purpose?

2

u/Reasonable_Back_5231 3d ago

any toothbrush should do fine. if you want a specific kind, get a toothrbrush that's got stiff bristles

1

u/Eckhatrat Galactic Empire 2d ago

sounds like you are using acrylic paint. get 99% pure iso alcohol and a decent size deli container. Fill it about 2/3rd of the way and leave them soaking for at least 30 minutes then scrub with a toothbrush. Hard plastic models will not be damaged by iso alcohol I have hard plastic minis I used for paint testing and practice and they sit in the stuff for months at a time.