Stripping resin figures

[mikechase]

What is the best solvent for stripping acrylics from resin figures? I've tried acetone which is a bit too aggressive and xylene which wasn't quite aggressive enough. Would caustic work? Any suggestions would be welcome, I have got access to any chemicals you can think of (I work in a lab).
Cheers, Mike.

 

[Einion]

Solvents aren't usually the best way to go for resin. Caustic soda and products that contain it (e.g. Easy-Off oven cleaner) are often a good bet.

If you could find it Castrol Super Clean may be the best all-round stripper since it's extremely effective and won't damage even cheap styrene with a long exposure.

Einion

 

[gordy]

You will be surprised how well denatured alcohol will work on acrylics , airplane guys use it on clear canopies it's that gentle!

Note: denatured alcohol is NOT the same as rubbing alcohol.

You can find denatured alcohol in any hardware store

 

[Gary D]

I'm all for using Super Clean. You can find it in the automotive section at Walmart in a purple jug.
It's an engine de-greaser liquid that you can use over and over again. It's also biodegradeable. Just soak your figure for a few hours (I leave mine overnight). Then wash with soap and water. Super Clean will take off the paint and primer but will leave a stain on the resin from the primer. No matter as you will be priming over it again anyway. This stuff is also excellent on stryrene plastic so if you have a couple of old model cars or tank kits lying around, try it! I did and was amazed how the paint seemed to slide off and the kits looked brand new. Note that it will soften glue joints so you might have to do some re-glueing.

good luck!

Gary Daugherty

 

[mikechase]

Thanks for all the info, I know where I can get hold of most of the stuff plus I'm an alcohol expert
Cheers,
Mike

 

[gordy]

Thanks for all the info, I know where I can get hold of most of the stuff plus I'm an alcohol expert
Cheers,
Mike

A good many of us are too!

 

[Hans]

The best solvent for acrylic acid ester (the base of acrylic paints) is ammonia. Any solution around max. 10% in water (in Germany we call this Salmiakgeist, that's the standard household ammonia available in any drugstore) will do it. Another very good fluid is Revell Airbrush Cleaner, but I am not sure it this available in the US.

 

[PhantomMajor]

the last resin kit i stripped, i used Mister Muscle oven degreaser... it strips acrylic paint no problem

 

[IIICorps]

Automotive brake fluid will eat paint. Be careful with where you use it.

 

[Showlen]

I stripped my Red Baron bust just last night for like the 20th time. Anyway, I use Dawn Power Dissolver which I purchase from Wal-Mart. This was suggested to me awhile back and it works great. I spray it on, covering the miniature, and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes and then scrub with a toothbrush. Sometimes I'll repeat the process if it's a larger mini or has a lot of recessed surfaces. I've used this method both on resin and metal and have not damaged a mini yet as a result.