Stripping minis (Alcohol demo)

By MtnWook, in X-Wing Painting and Modification

Hello, everyone!

A couple of folks have asked me about stripping X-Wing minis with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, so I decided to take a few photos. I use Alcohol primarily because it is super cheap ($1/qt at Walgreens), biodegradable, non-toxic if spilled around animals and I can walk 2 blocks and pick it up from the market. I have also never had a problem with Alcohol eating my body putty or superglue while Simple Green has eaten both on some conversions, much to my frustration.

I will only go to the 1 hour mark with this mini as I don't really need to go all the way to base plastic to do the demo. 100% paint removal is achievable but would take an overnight soak and melt all of the glue as well. As you will see, even with just an hour dip, the peg popped out. This method is a great one for removing some paint you didn't like, and if you mess around with it you can get the timing down and only remove layers or certain areas. I did scrub the mini with a toothbrush to loosen the paint in the recesses between photos.

I hope this helps make your modeling more enjoyable, John :D

The original (a couple of layer of wash and accents with 1 coat of Dullcote)

07Q6VAO.jpg

After 2 minutes

3sAHgRx.jpg

After 5 minutes

1JobOIY.jpg

After 10 minutes (I took the turret off to keep from breaking it while brushing the mini)

LJnGFx3.jpg

After 30 minutes

Ml0Ydbi.jpg

Finally, at one hour (the peg dropped out at around 50 minutes)

nHbHWzN.jpg

At this point I am cool with it and it goes to priming and color blocking.

P.S. I went ahead and soaked it all night 'cause it took on a funky texture around 2 hrs. It removed all the base primer and ate all the glue. It actually will make the nacelles easier to finish, blind providence indeed.

Edited by MtnWook

Looks good! I'll throw one of mine in the "soup" later today.

I never thought ISP would touch the paint and varnish. Good to note. Thanks for the tip!