Search fails me, how do I strip the new models of their "paint"?

**Lord_Ninja** · 10-05-2017 05:30

What is the best way to get these new-fangled decal "paint schemes" off of the miniatures. I've been trying to use "Green Power" but the process takes a lot longer and needs a lot of work. Has anyone had any luck using some other method or can I be directed to the post where this topic may have been already discussed to death?

**flash** · 10-05-2017 06:53

Check these threads Lucas:
Stevs has a suggestion here: https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...n-the-stripper!
Eric has a good suggestion in this thread: https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sh...ocess-Question
I found them by putting 'paint stripping' in advanced search

**Nellkyn** · 10-09-2017 06:35

Has anyone had any success with Dettol?

I've used it on plastic and metal models with no negative effects. 24 hours in the stuff, quick brush down with a toothbrush, back in for another 24 hours, second brush down for difficult to get to places and finally wash down in running water.

**flash** · 10-09-2017 09:46

Check the first link above Neil !

**Nellkyn** · 10-10-2017 02:40

Originally Posted by flash

Check the first link above Neil !

D'oh! I'm only four years late.

**Nightbomber** · 10-10-2017 09:01

As a "heavy" repainter I suggest - do not do that. Just paint them over. Stripping/scrapping the old paint requires a lot of trouble/effort/time and usually do not guarantee a satisfying effect. I tried it once with the ARES He 111 and after wings and rudder cut off now it may only serve as a terrible scenery on an abandoned Luftwaffe airfield.

**gully_raker** · 10-10-2017 15:54

Originally Posted by Nightbomber

As a "heavy" repainter I suggest - do not do that. Just paint them over. Stripping/scrapping the old paint requires a lot of trouble/effort/time and usually do not guarantee a satisfying effect. I tried it once with the ARES He 111 and after wings and rudder cut off now it may only serve as a terrible scenery on an abandoned Luftwaffe airfield.

Yes this is what I recommend as well!
Why go through all the time & pain when an overpaint will do the job!

**tikkifriend** · 10-11-2017 01:46

Originally Posted by Nellkyn

Has anyone had any success with Dettol?

I've used it on plastic and metal models with no negative effects. 24 hours in the stuff, quick brush down with a toothbrush, back in for another 24 hours, second brush down for difficult to get to places and finally wash down in running water.

Only on cuts and bruises

**Flying Helmut** · 10-11-2017 05:49

I overpaint as well.

I can see the value in removing crumpled decals etc, but not the paint.

**flash** · 10-11-2017 08:59

Originally Posted by Nellkyn

D'oh! I'm only four years late.

No worries, our memories are not what they used to be so it's good to mention it again

**Gallo Rojo** · 10-12-2017 09:37

I've repainted a few full squadrons already ...

Techniques I've used, from less agressive to very agressive:

-- Just overpaint! Buy a can of primmer in a hobby-store near you and spray the mini! Primmer will cover up anything and leave a good base to paint over. The con to this tecknique is that certain models have decals that are just a little too thick. If you can live with that it's the easier way.

- pure alcohol: leave the mini submerged in alchol for a couple of days. Then gently brush with an old toothbrush. I may remove the painting in some models -- Hanriots, Spads. It wont' work with green and cammo minis.
- Oven-cleaner: cover all the mini and leave it over-night. Then carefully brush it. Repeat if necesary. Leave for two days if necesary. Ware kitchen gloves to manipulate. Wash carefully the model with warm watter an detergent before all the paint is removed to take out any leftovers of oven-cleaner -- or else new paint may not take grip in certain ares

- Acetone: it will remove anything ... but could also melt the plastic, so be careful. What I do is rubbing the model with an earstick soaked in acetone. Rubb fast and carefully being carefull not to melt the plastic underneath. If the model you'll work on has a metal body (such as Albatros fuselage) it is the easiest and faster way of removing anything.

My advice:

A mix of them:

1) Get rid of the decals/national markins that are too thick -- try first with pure alcohol. If that fails, try with acetone and be very carefull not to remove too much. Wash the entire plane after that and leave it dry on a clean towell

2) Give the full model a primer coat using a spray-can you can buy on a hobby-store. Paint will gripp better on the primer coat than on the model itself and you'll need less coats too.

3) Paint!

on a side note: some people disassemble the entire minis before paintin. I do it some times. Advice: do it only if you need airbrush or mask your model, and even so keep it at minumum -- take out only the upper wing if you can. A 'safe' way to disassemble is getting the mini in the freezer for 15', then submerge it in hot (but not boiling) watter for 5' ... repeat the operation. That will soften the parts.