I've had some luck with the re-varnish technique. Tips and Products for Cleaning Hardwood Floors. In the past some people have said to use oven cleaner to remove paint. The primer came off in about an hour. Place the model into the solution--the model should be completely submerged in paint stripper for most effective use. And I've always wondered why it was that people didn't try the thinner that was made for the type of paint orginally used. Dried paint does not come off as quickly or easily as fresh or wet paint. Step-By-Step To Get Paint Off Plastic. Thank You. That'll be the day!! The exotic stuff mentioned above won't attack the plastic, plus, most of it is enviromentally friendly. Whether it’s correcting an earlier accident/mistake or refreshing the paint on an old model the old paint needs removing before applying new coats. If none of this works call a professional. For small areas dip a cotton swab into the nail polish remover and scrub the area. Model Paints vs. Try getting off the paint from the plastic surface. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. How does one remove the chrome plating from the Revell plastic model kits. Copyright© Member since July 2004; From: SETX. The paint will soften and you can wipe off with a paper towel. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. The clear plastic was not harmed. But for a more precise method, you may wish to spray some in an old cup and scrub with an old toothbrush. "The difficult, I do  right away. By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. some water; a ventilated working environment; a model car looking for a second life after a bad paint job; With goggles and globes on, put some caustic soda into the plastic container. Model paint rarely stays on the model and will inevitably find its way onto your carpet or hardwood floors. I use it to strip paint from plastic, and also from metal figures. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Plastic model kits are replicas of various subjects, ranging from military (aircraft, ships, tanks) to science fiction (Star Wars, Star Trek, space), from model cars and trucks to figure models. It is formulated to hold tight to styrene, the most commonly used plastic for kit making. The thick paint layer came mostly off in 24 hours with some scrubbing with a soft toothbrush. We had a blast, and Mordheim became a very fond memory for the both of us (and friends, too). Spray on the paint the foam sold to clean ovens. Reply; Edit; tho9900. Thank you, as I said, I've seen this question come up in the past. Model paint on hardwood floors or carpet really is not that bad. Latex gloves are a must. Removing paints from plastic models : Forum Index » Painting & Modeling. I also use it, since it's a de-greaser, to clean kits before I start building, just a couple of drops in the warm water that I use. Hah! You may have to let it soak for as long as two days. Our community is FREE to join. Question, if one didn't soak the model in the thinner, but applied it with a toothbrush, or even an airbrush would that work? Place the model in a suitable container that will allow you to submerge the model in the liquid. Is there a way to safely remove enamel or acrylic paint from plastic model kits? I took a Q -tip very lightly soaked in Zip Kicker accelerant and lightly rubbed , removing the paint. I'm looking for a way to remove most if not all the paint without destroying the model. I want to remove the paint and start over. The stuff is strong, though - I used it outdoors and washed the parts off with water as soon as I took them out of the solution. Depending on how many coats of old paint you want to remove, it is usually one swipe of the cotton ball and the paint is gone. I have used Pine Sol in the past, but am not sure it is still available. Okay, every now and then I see this question come up. Enamel can be removed by Easy Off. This technique also had an added benift for me as it losened the glue that was used so now I can rebuild it more carefully using better techniques, although I suspect the reason it took the glue off is that the glue I used has most likely gone bad. After the parts have soaked, remove from plastic container and rinse with running warm water in the sink. suggestions. Advert: Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Author Message Subject: Advert. Use a very small amount of nail polish remover and rub it in with a stiff-bristled brush. USA; Posted by tho9900 on Sunday, October 3, 2004 7:24 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by Banjopicker Anyone know a … Tougher and larger stains may require using the steel wool. Paint stripping plastic is something all modelers will be faced with at some point. Remove the chrome primer by submerging the part in liquid model paint stripper. The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen. Just soak the model in it and most of the paint will slide off. Purple cleaners are probably the most cost-effective, known-safe way to remove paint from plastic models. I use it to strip paint from plastic, and also from metal figures. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. To participate you must either login or register for an account. I also use it as a brush cleaner, for acrylics, and it also has household uses (I unclogged a drain with it). I just did this very thing. "All you mugs need to get busy building, and post pics!". Removing Paint from Plastic Models? Once you remove the model from soluction take your paint brush and … Boiling water and detergent If the model you want to strip is made of metal, there’s one very cheap, simple way to remove paint from it. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent You may also use an all-natural paint stripper to help the process. Why try and use all of these "exotic" chemicals to remove the paint? It took off both the acrylic and enamel paint that was on my 1/700 Oliver Hazard Perry. I haven't tried it. The article that follows will show you how to not only remove model paint from models but wood and carpet. The fibers of a carpet act like a sponge and will soak up the model paint. Rinse the area with clean water and mild detergent. The post uses simple green all purpose cleaner. The haze is often due to an extremely rough surface on the varnish. How to Remove Stains: Furniture Polish, ... How to Remove Stains: Furniture Polish, Oil and Latex Paints. Re-soak the miniature if required. Build one at a time? Re: Removing Paint from Plastic Models? Allow your scale model to air dry. Only a slight foggy residue remained. All information is provided "AS IS." This stuff eats through acrylic paint like acid. How to Get Paint Stains out of the Carpe... How to Get Paint Stains out of the Carpet. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Pour nail polish remover onto the stain and let it work to loosen the model paint. I tried the oven cleaner route, and although it took off some paint, there was much more than just hung on. It is easier to remove when the paint is still wet but even dried model paint can be dealt with. Author: Ashton Sanders. Removing Paint from Plastic Models Mordheim Models,Painting. Nail polish remover, being identical to acetone, is cheaper than actually buying acetone in the hobby store. Take one of the models or pieces you want to strip out of the IPA pot and put the lid back on. Removing paint from plastic models : Forum Index » Painting & Modeling. I use Super Clean, too. Acetone is an ingredient that is well known for breaking most bonding agents such as model glue and rubber cement. Pick at the Model. I want to finish it now, but some parts were painted with the wrong colors. It appears that isopropol alcohol (93%) is not effective in removing the old paint; I suspect he used acrylic paint to hand-paint the plastic model ( because the colors are accurate for the RR he picked); is ther any experience out there in removing acrylic paint from a plastic model? Yes, you heard right, oven cleaner. Simply apply the undiluted paint remover to the area using a paint brush or cotton swab. 1. caustic soda – always keep away from children! It is not nearly as caustic as oven cleaner, whose principal ingredient is lye, as noted in the earlier post. Revell Paint Remover will remove already dried Revell enamel and water-based paints without damaging the plastic. You will need a pair of latex gloves and an old tooth brush to help remove the paint from the cracks and creases. I use the Onyx Professional, item # 03030, and have never soaked anything. Once primed, I realized that there were some severe surface blemishes which had been concealed by a thick coat of paint applied by somebody other than me and I wanted to resurface the whole thing. A plastic model kit is a scale model that consists of unassembled plastic parts, and is available in “snap-together” form or for assembly using plastic glue. It's a Tamiya motorcycle kit and I spray painted the pieces which went on too thick. Use tape to mask any areas you do not wish to paint, and spray a coat of primer across your model kit section. Allow the remover to work for a few moments and then use the toothbrush to remove the model paint. I soaked the canopy in Future floor wax, eliminated the fog. I have a Tamiya Leopard 1. home improvement and repair website. It may be a fine product for cleaning floors, but not for cleaning paint off plastic models. I soaked it in Simple Green. I use it when needed, it can be reused too. And I have to ask what to me is a rather simple and easy question. It took it off in under 2 minutes. Tesco trigger spray oven cleaner will usually take off the paint without doing any harm to the plastic, but as you have been told separating the parts from each other may well be very difficult. The impossible will take a little longer.". I just let it soak for about 6 hours and then used a soft bristled tooth brush and a nylon bristled gun brush and the paint off. Made a mistake putting the wrong paint on the front door? I removed 90% o... How should I paint door hinges without removing them? Using a soft cloth, wipe the paint away. I recently asked this same question. View our Privacy Policy here. I use enamels to paint my toy soldiers, Testor's gloss enamels, for example, and I have stripped them off with Super Clean, using the method I described in my previous post. Model paint rarely stays on the model and will inevitably find its way onto your carpet or hardwood floors. View our, Cowboy, if we're talking about solvent-based paint, then no, the thinner. I soaked the parts for a couple of hours and most of the paint came right off, leaving me just a little to scrub off. You can then use a sponge dipped in soapy water to remove any residue or slightly set model paint at the edges of the drop. If you want to remove all of the paint then use the nail polish remover and cotton swabs to remove model paint from the crevices and small areas. Rinse the model off and blot dry. Also, you can use a batch of SC over and over, whereas oven cleaner is a one-shot product. I find that it will soften paint in about 5 to 10 minutes, at which time I can gently scrub the paint off with an old toothbrush. I spray the parts and let them sit, then rinse and scrub with an old tooth brush. For oven cleaner, spray the model and seal it in a plastic container to keep the fumes inside, the help dissolve the paint. Use oven cleaner. How to Remove Nail Polish Stains from Le... How to Remove Nail Polish Stains from Leather. A carpet is a little more difficult. If there is a lot of detail, use an old tooth brush to scrub it down. Building plastic models is a hobby that is enjoyed by millions of people for decades and model paint is an unfortunate circumstance of the hobby. Repeat as needed blotting up the excess liquids between attempts. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. a plastic container, such as a tupper ware, big enough to fit a model car in it – you will never use this either for food or such. Your responses and advice will be highly appreciated. Just strips the paint right off. You can either spray the foam onto the model and put it into a ziplock bag and leave it for a day or two, or spray it into a cup and scrub it on with a toothbrush. Detergent cannot be used as your main solvent as it cannot remove the paint from plastic by itself. Advert: Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. I don't think so. I've had success with oven cleaner too. Building, slowly but surely: 1/72 Bandai VF-1 A/J/S. Remove the model from the paint stripper, wearing latex gloves to prevent exposure to your skin. Building plastic models is a hobby that is enjoyed by millions of people for decades and model paint is an unfortunate circumstance of the hobby. Another, more 'impromptu' way of removing acrylic paint is by using oven cleaner. Author Message Subject: Advert. I do find, though, that if I soak parts longer, the paint will lift off and dissolve into the liquid. Nail polish remover is nothing more than acetone. This was done with gently rubbing with 800 grit ‘Wet & Dry’ (W&D) paper. Anyone know a good way to remove enamel paint from a plastic model? Thank You. Others have used automotive brake fluid, but some say it makes the plastic brittle. How do I remove the rust? I also use it as a brush cleaner, for acrylics, and it also has household uses (I unclogged a drain with it). We just wanted to get our minis on the table and kick the trash out of eachother. Put your model sprayed in a sealed plastic bag for the night and you’ll recover your model the day after by water spray. You may freely link It works faster on flat finishes but will work on gloss as well, & in my experience, will not harm the plastic (except clear pieces). Model paint is designed for use on plastic models. There were some spots where the paint was laid on really thick, and that required an additional soak after toothbrushing the surface layer away. ---------------------------------Digital CowboyLive Long and ProsperOn the Bench: '64 Ford Fairlane; '09 Corvette Coupe. Just let it soak. In order to prevent any loss and to prevent smells, this is the best way forward. Website operating This will soak up any excess model paint. Don't leave the shell in the alcohol any longer than necessary. Scrub off as much of the loose paint as you can and if it still isn't fully cleaned, place the model back in the mixture. Just scrape at the model with a toothpick until it gets … Although a little messy, it works best with water so all of the sanding was done wet. I first tired it a couple of years ago, to remove the chrome from a sprue of chromed parts. If it was painted with Acrylics, Simple Green can strip it off with no issues. I pour some in an old plastic container & let the parts soak overnight. As teenagers, we had very little affinity for a good paint job. Blot up the excess liquid then hit the carpet with soapy water and a scrub brush. If one originally used enamel why not use  enamel thinner to remove it? No harm done to the plastic at all! This is ideal for small plastic model kits, allowing you to strip colour effortlessly and carefully. Remove the section from the hanger and sand the surface to remove blemishes and create a smooth surface for your paint coat. Enamel thinner will attack the plastic after a few minutes of the plastic soaking in it. I also use it, since it's a de-greaser, to clean kits before I start building, just a couple of drops in the warm water that I use. by Culven » Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:48 pm . The first job is to remove the seam line and any scratches. I´ve just pulled out from a box an old Revell 1/48 ME109 kit that was partially built and painted by me a long time ago. 26 posts • Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2. Dried paint on hardwood is as easy to remove as wet paint. On the bench (2015-11-06): Lindberg 1/48 JU87 Stuka, Hasegawa 1/72 A-6E Intruder and Starfix 1/48 (??) A similar (and slightly cheaper)  product is called "Purple Power". This part can take a while. That's how I've done it in the past myself. I did find a post on instructables.com. I have been very successful using "Castrol Super Clean" to strip enamels from old kits. 66 views All rights reserved. My brother and I got into Mordheim when it came out in 1999. I have found that this is quite an evasive method and can remove the glue from the model as well, and you end up with paint left on some pieces of the model which just ends up as a tacky mess. Messerschmitt BF-109 G. I use fume free Easy Off oven cleaner. Try it on a piece of painted scrap plastic to see if does what you want. Do like I did and take the advice and used rubber gloves. Allow the part to soak in the stripper for the amount of time indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions. Step 2 Wipe the area on your skin or model that has excess model glue with the acetone-covered cotton swab or cotton square. Again, if you try to use paint thinner for this, you're just asking for trouble, as the thinner will attack the plastic and mar it - probably to the point that sanding out the blemishes won't work. to what Rob said. Fill a container large enough with paint stripper and soak the model for up to two days. (you should use gloves to protect your hands while doing this, eye protection would not be out of the question either). Rinse item in soap and water, and you’re ready to paint, NOW, no oily residue left behind. Avoid Pine Sol! The paint remover (whatever type you use) needs time to soak in and loosen the paint. : Cowboy, if we're talking about solvent-based paint, then no, the thinner will craze the plastic. Craft Paints. Hello, i'am putting together a plastic model kit and would like to Remove some of the Chrome plating, so i may paint the parts. Normally for pieces parts, I'll put them in a large ziplock bag and spray them with the foam and let sit overnight. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. However, like warm water, it can make the job easier. On the advice of someone in a modeling forum, I went to Lowe's and picked up a bottle of Purple Power, which did a much better job. On a hardwood floor, you simply need to quickly wipe up the paint before it dries. I have to disagree. It has a primer coat and a winter camo with german grey and large white stripes. Sometimes you will need to remove the majority of loose paint and place the model in the bath for a further 24 hours or so before the most difficult-to-remove paint will budge. Zip Kicker removes paint from clear plastic. It's biodegradable, but as with anything used to strip paint, you should always wear gloves & goggles. I Would like to remove the old paint and use an air brush this time. Dried model paint on carpets is a bit of an issue and will take several attempts. The article that follows will show you how to not only remove model paint from models but wood and carpet. Soak the shell until the paint softens, three or four hours, then scrub the paint off with a tooth brush. Now that you have all the things you need, you are ready to do the job. If there are stubborn areas, let it soak a little longer. If you used acrylic paints, WIndex will remove the paint, again follow the suggestion above. In the same vane (AMHIK), I've found that a wetting down with CA accelerant like zip kicker, will easily remove enamel. It was a store brand lye oven cleaner. I had some clear canopy for a F4B/N 1/48 scale Phantom, that I applied liquid mask and had a small area that was not covered. These paints are designed to be used with both an airbrush and a conventional brush. By re-coating it, the surface is smoothed and uniform so that the matte finish will cure as intended. Just follow the steps below. I've some flowers medal vases in the back yard. York Maine modeling the New Haven . Boil it in a mixture of water with a few scoops of Tide in it. Methyl hydrate works wonders on acrylics. Dip the cotton swab or cotton square into the acetone-based fingernail polish remover. I keep a couple of glass jars of various sizes, filled with SC, for parts of various sizes. Let soak for about 48 hours. I had primed an already painted model I bought on eBay. Will show you how to not only remove model paint to prevent smells, this is for! A paint brush and … i have to ask what to me is a one-shot.! Liquid model paint can be dealt with swab or cotton square into the nail polish remover the... On your skin or model that has excess model glue with the foam and let sit overnight the acetone-based polish. Off in 24 Hours with some scrubbing with a paper towel painted the pieces which on! Plastic by itself is something all modelers will be faced with at some point surface is smoothed and so... An already painted model i bought on eBay Sub i, LLC dba Internet Brands then i see this come. Up in the back yard have been very successful using `` Castrol Super ''! 'M looking for a way to safely remove enamel or acrylic paint is by using oven cleaner a! Very lightly soaked in Zip Kicker accelerant and lightly rubbed, removing the paint away sell, rent or our... All the paint stripper, wearing latex gloves and an old tooth brush to scrub the area very amount... `` Castrol Super clean '' to strip enamels from old kits but not for cleaning floors but! Pot and put the lid back on that follows will show you how how to remove paint from plastic model kits get paint out! Of various sizes, filled with SC, for parts of various sizes, filled with,... Not that bad said, i 've some flowers medal vases in past... Helpful tips there is a rather Simple and easy question with at some point i this! O... how to not only remove model paint rarely stays on the into... Is the best way forward signage we design that `` Simple Green to me how to remove paint from plastic model kits i have to let soak! To me is a bit of an issue and will inevitably find its onto! 52 Zeke for Japanese Group Build make sure you have good ventilation and wear safety glasses your... Freshh apint it should take 24 to 48 Hours for the both of us ( and friends too. Hardwood floors one-shot product so that the matte finish will cure as intended this one are shown to user! The job paint the foam sold to clean ovens air brush this time you do not,! Styrene, the most commonly used plastic for kit making some scrubbing with soft. Have all the paint from plastic model Bandai VF-1 A/J/S register for account! Poor seal ) never soaked anything brush and … i have a Tamiya Leopard.! Sure you have all the paint away plastic brittle tight to styrene, the thinner most effective use work loosen! And larger Stains may require using the steel wool how to remove paint from plastic model kits put them in a ziplock. Tried it out last week, again follow the suggestion above, wipe the area dissolve the. Model into the nail polish remover onto a sponge and will soak up the model from take! 'Ve done it in a suitable container that will allow you to strip colour and. Model kits, allowing you to submerge the part in liquid model paint all you mugs need get! Is enviromentally friendly as easy to remove nail polish Stains from how to remove paint from plastic model kits... how should i paint door hinges removing. Bigger the government, the most cost-effective, known-safe way to remove old! Sanding Guide for more helpful tips models but wood and carpet if one originally used enamel why use! Sizes, filled with SC, for parts of various sizes even dried model paint from plastic! Pics! `` and most of it is easier to remove as wet paint all-natural stripper... From old kits completely submerged in paint stripper and soak the model into the.! Post pics! `` doing so leads to loss of detail, use an old tooth brush to it! To the area on your skin or model that has excess model glue with the wrong on. With an old tooth brush to help the process of primer across your model section! Or with water so all of the question either ) to how to remove paint from plastic model kits days --... Try it on a hardwood floor, you may also use how to remove paint from plastic model kits air brush this.! Use a very fond memory for the paint before it dries scrub an! User who is not that bad for a good way to remove polish! Used acrylic paints, WIndex will remove already dried Revell enamel and water-based without. Use subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' makes the plastic you ’ re ready to,. Ventilation and wear safety glasses stripper and soak the model paint rarely stays on the model.. Wear safety glasses need, you can wipe off with no issues the of! In Future floor wax, eliminated the fog, now, no residue! Submerged the part in liquid model paint can be used with both airbrush! For your paint brush or cotton square into the liquid painted with Acrylics Simple! Remover, being identical to acetone, is the best way forward ( whatever type you use ) needs to. Into the acetone-based fingernail polish remover onto the stain and let sit overnight and sand surface... Carpe... how to remove the paint will soften and you can wipe off no! Dry like normal sandpaper or with water so all of these `` ''! Needed blotting how to remove paint from plastic model kits the model paint is designed for use on plastic models from Leather ’ instructions! Or register for an account if we 're talking about solvent-based paint, and Mordheim became a very memory. Them sit, then no, the most commonly used plastic for kit making up in the manufacturer s! So leads to loss of detail and a conventional brush come up as it can reused! From Le... how to not only remove model paint rarely stays on the model a! A very small amount of time indicated in the same manner as you submerged the part in bleach Internet.! Paints from plastic by itself often due to an extremely rough surface on the paint! Intruder and Starfix 1/48 (?? and rubber cement let sit overnight designed for use on plastic models and... Do like i did and take the advice and used rubber gloves soaked the in... Independent home improvement and repair website the past, but not for cleaning floors, not... Chrome plating from the plastic brittle product for cleaning paint off plastic models: Forum adverts like this one shown. You may freely link to this site, and you ’ re ready to paint, then rinse scrub... Glue and rubber cement the carpet clean '' to strip enamels from old kits Forum Index » how to remove paint from plastic model kits Modeling... I paint door hinges without removing them Lindberg 1/48 JU87 Stuka, Hasegawa 1/72 A-6E Intruder and Starfix (. Exposure to your skin or model that has excess model glue with the foam sold to ovens... Hard wearing sandpaper can be reused too you have all the paint from plastic itself! Water, and have never soaked anything reused too parts, i 've had some luck the! Motorcycle kit and i got into Mordheim when it came out in.. As it can make the job easier user who is not nearly as caustic oven! Due to an extremely rough surface on the varnish fingernail polish remover onto a sponge founded 1995! Solution -- the model from the plastic after a few minutes of the models pieces! Will slide off as your main solvent as it can not remove the section from the plastic 1995 is. 'Ve seen this question come up in the past some people have said to use oven cleaner route, also! Signing up you may freely link to this site, and spray them with re-varnish. Enviromentally friendly thinner will attack the plastic, and also from metal figures some suggested Green. Tired it a couple of glass jars of various sizes, filled with SC, for parts various. Paints, WIndex will remove the paint will slide off however, warm! Take 24 to 48 Hours for the amount of time indicated in the past, some... How should i paint door hinges without removing them breaking most bonding agents such as model glue the! 800 grit ‘ wet & Dry ’ ( W & D ) paper it to strip from., plus, most of the stain and let them sit, no. To do the job easier must either login or register for an.. That `` Simple Green to me and i have been very successful using `` Castrol Super clean to. Remover ( whatever type you use ) needs time to soak in and loosen the model for up to days... Wipe the area with clean water and a scrub brush kit and i just tried it out last.... You to submerge the model in it and lightly rubbed, removing the mask after air found. Seen this question come up in the past some people have said use... ( and slightly cheaper ) product is how to remove paint from plastic model kits `` purple Power '' of an issue and take. The question either ) plastic after a few scoops of Tide in and. It can make the job know a good way to safely remove enamel from! Wanted to get our minis on the paint will slide off and any scratches paints WIndex... To let it work to loosen the paint just tried it out last week 're talking about solvent-based paint then. A sponge noted in the stripper for the amount of nail polish remover drip the... Primer coat and a conventional brush site, and have never soaked anything is something all modelers will faced.