Examples of home-made acryllic paint removers?

Question

I play a game called Warhammer 40,000 where you build plastic and pewter models, and have been playing for 5 years. However, some of my older pewter models aren't up to scratch, and I was thinking of re-painting it. I've heard of car wash fluid, SimpleGreen, terpenoid, etc., but I would like to find a fluid more availible to the average home. Thanks,
Doug of DoomStalkerz

Answer 1

Are you sure that your pewter models have acrylic paint on them? Usually non-acrylic "enamel" paints are used on metal models. Those should come off with solvents like mineral spirits, turpentine, etc., if they weren't "baked" on at some point, but it might take quite a bit of work to remove them entirely (as opposed to just removing as much as possible then painting over). You might be more successful with sanding off as much as possible using sandpaper, sanding sponges, sanding bits in rotary tools, etc.

As for acrylic paints, they are water-soluble but only as long as they're still wet. For about a week they're not completely "cured" and it may be possible to soak them to remove the paint, especially if they were on a surface that doesn't accept acrylic paint well (like metal). After that time time, you'll probaby have to try scraping or sanding it off, or again just paint over it.

There may be some paint "strippers" that would work, but they're even worse for the lungs than mineral spirits, etc.


Good luck though,

Diane B.

Answer 2

Most acrylic paint is water soluble