Archived from groups: rec.games.miniatures.warhammer (More info?)
I was bored. I'm also a cheap SOB.
I had read in several places (including this newsgroup) that brake fluid would
work as paint stripper for plastic miniatures. So I decided to do a little
experiment, based on what I had heard. I was quite pleasantly suprised at the
results. I also saved myself a whole bunch of money.
Experiment: Brake Fluid as Paint Stripper.
Components: ` Quart Brake Fluid, 1 Cheap Tooth Brush, 10 40k v2 Space Marine
Plastic Figures (painted in Blood Angels Colors), 1 Plague Marine Plastic
Figure 9In dark and metalic colors), 1 Space Marine Chaplain Metal Figure (in
Blood Angel Colors), 1 Space Marine Terminator w/Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
Metal Figure (in Blood Angels Colors), Semi-Hot Running Water, 1 large metal
Coffee Can.
First of all, I had read that the Brake Fluid should be Castrol. Unfortunately,
I could not find this locally, so I subsituted a brand called Albany Super
Heavy Duty DOT 3. I purchased a Quart for 2.99 US and a cheap Tooth Brush for
1.39 US for a total cost of 4.38 US.
First Test: 1 Plague Marine miniature suspended in Brake Fluid.
Length of Test: 2 Hours.
Results: After removal and scrubbing under water, much of the surface paint had
been removed, but many cracks and crevices had not. Miniature was not suitable
for repainting at this point. The was no harm noticed to the plastic.
Second Test: 3 Space Marines (plastic) suspeneded in Brake Fluid.
Length of Test: 6 hours
Results: After water scrub, much paint was removed including many crevaces.
With some small clean up with a hobby knife, these miniatures would be suitable
for repainting. No damage to plastic in evidence.
Third Test: 3 Space Marines (plastic) suspended in Brake Fluid.
Length of Test: 24 Hours
Results: After water scrub, approximately 99 percent of all paint was removed.
Miniatures only needed slight cleanup with hobby knife to be suitable for
repainting. Slight lightening in color of plastic was noticed.
Fourth Test: 4 Space Marines (plastic) 1 chaplain (metal), 1 Terminator (metal)
suspended in Brake fluid
Length of Test: 48 hours
Results after water scrub. Metal miniatures needed minimal cleanup with hobby
knife. Breakdown of adheasive (super glue) was noticed. Plastic miniatures in
same condition, but a more enhanced lightening of plastic was noticed, and a
slight etching effect was noticed. The features of the plastic miniatures seemd
less pronounced.
Conclusions: Brake Fluid is indeed a good source for stripping paint off of all
types of miniatures, but some care must be used. Plastic Miniatures should be
in suspension for no more than 24 hours. Metal miniatures can stay much lomger.
Be prepared to reapply glue to metal miniatures. I do not personally consider
this a bad effect.
Total Cost of experiment: 4.38 US plus tax.
Total Replacement Cost of Miniatures Stripped: 65.00 US approximately.
Bob
Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps.
I'm running low on supplies. SPAM me, and I substitute YOU for eye of
Newt......
I was bored. I'm also a cheap SOB.
I had read in several places (including this newsgroup) that brake fluid would
work as paint stripper for plastic miniatures. So I decided to do a little
experiment, based on what I had heard. I was quite pleasantly suprised at the
results. I also saved myself a whole bunch of money.
Experiment: Brake Fluid as Paint Stripper.
Components: ` Quart Brake Fluid, 1 Cheap Tooth Brush, 10 40k v2 Space Marine
Plastic Figures (painted in Blood Angels Colors), 1 Plague Marine Plastic
Figure 9In dark and metalic colors), 1 Space Marine Chaplain Metal Figure (in
Blood Angel Colors), 1 Space Marine Terminator w/Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
Metal Figure (in Blood Angels Colors), Semi-Hot Running Water, 1 large metal
Coffee Can.
First of all, I had read that the Brake Fluid should be Castrol. Unfortunately,
I could not find this locally, so I subsituted a brand called Albany Super
Heavy Duty DOT 3. I purchased a Quart for 2.99 US and a cheap Tooth Brush for
1.39 US for a total cost of 4.38 US.
First Test: 1 Plague Marine miniature suspended in Brake Fluid.
Length of Test: 2 Hours.
Results: After removal and scrubbing under water, much of the surface paint had
been removed, but many cracks and crevices had not. Miniature was not suitable
for repainting at this point. The was no harm noticed to the plastic.
Second Test: 3 Space Marines (plastic) suspeneded in Brake Fluid.
Length of Test: 6 hours
Results: After water scrub, much paint was removed including many crevaces.
With some small clean up with a hobby knife, these miniatures would be suitable
for repainting. No damage to plastic in evidence.
Third Test: 3 Space Marines (plastic) suspended in Brake Fluid.
Length of Test: 24 Hours
Results: After water scrub, approximately 99 percent of all paint was removed.
Miniatures only needed slight cleanup with hobby knife to be suitable for
repainting. Slight lightening in color of plastic was noticed.
Fourth Test: 4 Space Marines (plastic) 1 chaplain (metal), 1 Terminator (metal)
suspended in Brake fluid
Length of Test: 48 hours
Results after water scrub. Metal miniatures needed minimal cleanup with hobby
knife. Breakdown of adheasive (super glue) was noticed. Plastic miniatures in
same condition, but a more enhanced lightening of plastic was noticed, and a
slight etching effect was noticed. The features of the plastic miniatures seemd
less pronounced.
Conclusions: Brake Fluid is indeed a good source for stripping paint off of all
types of miniatures, but some care must be used. Plastic Miniatures should be
in suspension for no more than 24 hours. Metal miniatures can stay much lomger.
Be prepared to reapply glue to metal miniatures. I do not personally consider
this a bad effect.
Total Cost of experiment: 4.38 US plus tax.
Total Replacement Cost of Miniatures Stripped: 65.00 US approximately.
Bob
Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps.
I'm running low on supplies. SPAM me, and I substitute YOU for eye of
Newt......
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