Paint stripper

[stryker]

Does anyone have any ideas about stripping the paint from metal miniatures? Thanks in advance.

[grant]

For metal minis, I use pure acetone. A soak for about 1 hour, and then a rinse under hot water and a toothbrush to scrub them is all you need.

Acetone will melt plastic.

[Darkwing Duck]

nail polish remover or paint stripper

[Cubster]

I use Dettol. The combination of the isopropyl and pine oil is apparently what does the job (I think someone said that Lidl do an own-brand version with the isopropyl and pine oil, which is cheaper).

You soak them overnight immersed in it and brush with a toothbrush. Don't rinse with water though until it's all gone.

Some people don't like the Dettol smell and it isn't a quick method. The advantage is it's cheap (I think Wilkinson's gives the cheapest deal and you can filter it through kitchen paper and reuse it for paint stripping again), it's relatively safe on the skin and can also be used on plastics with a little caution.

[pbeccas]

I endorse Dettol as well. Very good stuff and your miniatures smell like a hospital afterwards.

[shadegate]

I can vouch for the Lidl stuff as well. Does things it doesn't even mention on the tin. (Like strip minis)

[Lovejoy]

Not sure if you can get it where you are, but brown dettol definitely works!
I've cleaned hundreds of minis, both metal and plastic with it and the results are fantastic even on the terrible 20 year old enamel paint jobs I did as a nipper. A toothbrush will remove any stubborn bits left over in crevices, obviously. The only downsides are that it weakens glue on plastic minis, and the smell will tend to pervade a bit. Sealable containers come in handy. It works incredibly well and doesn't seem to damage either metal or plastic though.

[garth]

I suggest using rubber cloves as it will burn, or at least thats what I have found.

Secondly dont do too many figures at once otherwise the detol ends up being a black gue, and watch your sink if your using one as its can be a devil to clean.

Apart from that this will clean your figures no problem.

[Klingsor]

If Detol fails try cellulose thinners. Horrible, dangerous stuff but it works when nothing else will.

[grendels father]

I'm impatient and find that LACQUER THINNER works immediately (seconds) on metal. It will also work on resin but will melt your plastic minis.