Stripping paint from pewter models

I recently inherited several not so greatly painted Sisters of Sigmar (the originals, not the recasts) from a friend of mine, but they are very much in need of having the paint stripped off them so that they can be repainted. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to strip the paint and ink (I am pretty sure both are GW products) off of pewter GW models? The search function on this forum turned up nothing, so I thought a thread on stripping paint might come in very handy to other forumites as well.

Thanks,
Eric

I use Fairy Power Spray (oven cleaner). Soak a model in it overnight then scrub witha toothbrush. Works on metal, plastic and resin models. Plastic models sometimes need a second soak and scrub. Be careful when scrubbing the resin ones as they often have lots of small fragile components.

catferret wrote:

I use Fairy Power Spray (oven cleaner). Soak a model in it overnight then scrub witha toothbrush. Works on metal, plastic and resin models. Plastic models sometimes need a second soak and scrub. Be careful when scrubbing the resin ones as they often have lots of small fragile components.

Thanks for the quick reply catferret! I have never heard of that material before. I guess I should add, I need to be able to purchase this product in the United States, specifically North Florida. Any idea if I can get Fairy Power Spray over here?

I think over here it's called Easy Off. I just soak the minis in ammonia & scrub...gently with the resins as Cat pointed out. I'll have to try the oven cleaner now though.

Joker2and53 wrote:

catferret wrote:

I use Fairy Power Spray (oven cleaner). Soak a model in it overnight then scrub witha toothbrush. Works on metal, plastic and resin models. Plastic models sometimes need a second soak and scrub. Be careful when scrubbing the resin ones as they often have lots of small fragile components.

Thanks for the quick reply catferret! I have never heard of that material before. I guess I should add, I need to be able to purchase this product in the United States, specifically North Florida. Any idea if I can get Fairy Power Spray over here?

Ah, I should have checked your location.

In that case use Simple Green. It's hard to find in the UK but it's apparently really common in the States. Can be used on any of the materials used in model making without damaging them. I've not used it but it's the most commonly recommended product for paint stripping on other forums.

Another option is dot4 brake fluid. It has disposal issues however. You can't pour it down the drain, it must be taken to a garage or proper disposal site.

Actually, I found a really great article I thought I would share with you guys pertaining to stipping models. For anyone looking to strip the paint off old models, click here.

Huh, I always thought brake fluid would wreck plastics, but that article says otherwise. Interesting!

Simple Green works great and will not harm plastic models. As an added benefit it is non-toxic and biodegradable. Put the models in a container of simple green and let it soak overnight. Then scrub with a toothbrush under the cold water tap. Repeat if necessary.

http://www.simplegreen.com/

Hi!

I used lantern petrol - this liquid that burns quickly - on my metal models.. Time and effort are needed, but it worked good. I let my minis some weeks in it and rubbed with an old brush. I think it could work on plastic models, as my plastic bases were still there after all the time spending in that liquid.

hi

I don't live in the US, but have been looking for methods a while ago.
Simple Green came out best (of all the articles I found)

Personnaly I use Dettol, which is a desinfectant over here. Smells not so good, but had great results both on plastic and metal mini's. Haven't tried it on pewter metal though.

cheers

Simple green is safe, easy, and effective.