How to Strip Metal Figures

[Bailey]

I want to strip a metal figure (well part of one... but the part is not attached to anything I want to keep). I've never done this before so I was hoping for some advice and perhaps a step by step guide to striping acrylic from a metal figure.

What solvent do you recommend for taking acrylic off metal? (Hopefully available in the US)
If I soak it, generally how long should I leave it submerged?
Are there any risks that I might damage the figure?

The figure has been primed and painted within the last few months and it is covered partially with vallejo gloss varnish (if that makes a difference). I'm a complete newbie at striping so please assume I know nothing about it! Thanks!


David

 

[Bailey]

Also, if you're recommending a solvent, can I use it indoors or will the fumes be a problem?

 

[housecarl]

There's a bit on here David, although it's resin. http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42036&highlight=stripping
Carl.

 

[Gary D]

Hi David. I use a product called Super Clean. You can buy it at Walmart in the automotive section as it is in fact an engine degreaser. It's very popular amongst plastic car model builders as they strip paint all the time. A jug will last you for years. It's excellent for stripping paint off of styrene plastic models,resin or metal figures. Just soak it for a couple of days in a plastic container (like tupperwear or a margarine container) and then wash your model/figure off under the tap gently with an old toothbrush. The paint will slip right off. It's biodegradable to boot but you can keep the same plastic container and use it over and over again. It will leave a stain where your primer was but that's not big deal as you are going to prime again anyway. Make sure you have a fine screen on the drain when washing your fig under the tap as this stuff will loosen glue joints. Wear disposible gloves as it will really dry your skin out. It's safe to use as there aren't any fumes etc to worry about. Of course like any product read the label.

I've used it on enamels, acrylics, and artist oils and have had no problems.

Good luck.

gary

 

[Steve]

Easy off oven cleaner. There are fumes but not overpowering. Takes about an hour.--

 

[Hans]

Any alkaline / basic substance will do it. Just take a dish washer tab in a small container, solve it in hot water and place the figure in it and leave it alone for the night. That's it. Rinse and dry the next day, maybe you need an old toothbrush for the smallest corners.

H

 

[Showlen]

I use "Dawn Power Disolver" which is available at Wal-Mart. This works great, as I've used it many times for metal and resin with damage to detail.

 

[combatartist]

Go to a dollar type store and buy a bottle of 90% isopropyl alcohol and a stiff tooth brush-acrylics will come right off. Worked for me.

 

[theBaron]

I'll second Gary D, try the SuperClean. Made by Castrol, sold at WalMart, and maybe at auto supply stores.

I used to use oven cleaner, but it was a pain to use. I heard about SuperClean over at AgapeModels, to remove chrome from chromed parts. I bought some and tried it, on the chrome fret from Monogram's Red Baron hot rod. After 2 minutes in a bath of SuperClean, the chrome was completely removed. On top of that, all mold release compounds were also removed--it is a de-greaser, after all.

I've since used it for paint removal, on metal figures as well as on styrene and resin. I have not found it necessary to wait a couple of days, however. Half an hour seems to be sufficient to make the paint slough off like a snake shedding its skin. I take the figure out of the bath and use an old toothbrush, then, to scrub the softened/dissolved paint away.

The instructions do say to use gloves, which I had anyway, for use with the oven cleaner. I do not notice any fumes, which doesn't mean that there aren't any, but it's certainly nowhere near as caustic as the lye-based oven cleaners.

Gary is also correct, that you can re-use a batch of it. I use larger glass jars as baths for figures or parts, and re-use the liquid for several jobs. Once it looks like there's too much sediment in it, you can pour it down the drain--the label lists "drain cleaner" as one its uses.

And at around $8 a gallon jug, it's a great deal.

Hope that helps, prost!
Brad

 

[Einion]

Another plug for SuperClean - it's the thing to use if you can easily get it, works incredibly well on a host of paints and is safe enough to use on many plastics too.

If you had to use a solvent I'd recommend either acetone or a liquid paint stripper, which are both safe to use if you take common-sense precautions.

Einion