How to strip minis.
Hello, all once again!
Today I thought I'd post up a tutorial on how to strip Warhammer 40k miniatures. Of course this can be used for most any other wargaming miniature as well, I've only ever collected 40k so that's what I'll be using in this tutorial. Before I begin let me clarify that this is not scientifically backed up, it is simply what I have experienced over years of collecting/stripping Games Workshop models.
For those of you searching for a material to strip painted models without melting the model itself I use acetone based nail polish remover, I've tried acetone free but found it's results far less satisfying and quite a bit more damaging to the models as they need more time to soak before they can be stripped.
First of all you'll need to find an an old plastic cup (or container depending on the type on mini being stripped). Only fill enough of the cup to cover a single mini.This is because in the past, to my saddening detriment, that soaking an entire squad overnight like recommended by some who will go unnamed, that my models had become softened and 70% of the detail had been lost, what it even more heart-wrenching was the fact that this was a devastator squad with missile launchers and heavy bolters; an expensive mistake to make. So when I tell you soak one model for a few minutes, believe me when I say that it will be enough.
By soaking a single mini at a time, you completely avoid the potential for soaking too long, and losing any amount detail becomes almost nil. Of course there's always room for error, but after years of experience with this method, I haven't lost any detail on any model I have stripped since that last mistake.
You only need to soak the mini for about one to five minutes, dependent on the size of the part being stripped.
Next you'll need a firm toothbrush or something akin to it, and vigorously and quickly brush away the paint, I emphasize scrubbing quickly because you only have a few precious seconds in which to strip as much as possible before the mini dries and you have to re-submerge the model for another minute or so.
I also use a pair of flat tweezers with thin rubber strips glued on the ends to avoid damaging the detail while gripping and dipping my fingers into the nail polish remover (if you've ever done this and then eaten, you know what I'm talking about, for those of you about to try this without tweezers or something else to grasp your models while stripping, get some tweezers.) Repeat this process for each mode until it's completely stripped of all previous paint.
When this is accomplished, you may then base/paint your own, pretty much brand new minis for a fraction of the price to buy them brand new. It works every time for me, it's just a little more time consuming, but if you're willing to put in the time, it's a very rewarding process.
In this tutorial I'm depicting the stripping of a Predator tank. What I used was an ice cream container and filled it enough to cover the tracks of the Predator when laid on its side (around a centimeter).
Thanks for looking through (if you're looking for a post on how to strip infantry, that will be up on my next post when I've finished painting them). I hope this post has helped you to learn how to strip your own GW minis, or whatever it is you collect!
Today I thought I'd post up a tutorial on how to strip Warhammer 40k miniatures. Of course this can be used for most any other wargaming miniature as well, I've only ever collected 40k so that's what I'll be using in this tutorial. Before I begin let me clarify that this is not scientifically backed up, it is simply what I have experienced over years of collecting/stripping Games Workshop models.
For those of you searching for a material to strip painted models without melting the model itself I use acetone based nail polish remover, I've tried acetone free but found it's results far less satisfying and quite a bit more damaging to the models as they need more time to soak before they can be stripped.
First of all you'll need to find an an old plastic cup (or container depending on the type on mini being stripped). Only fill enough of the cup to cover a single mini.This is because in the past, to my saddening detriment, that soaking an entire squad overnight like recommended by some who will go unnamed, that my models had become softened and 70% of the detail had been lost, what it even more heart-wrenching was the fact that this was a devastator squad with missile launchers and heavy bolters; an expensive mistake to make. So when I tell you soak one model for a few minutes, believe me when I say that it will be enough.
By soaking a single mini at a time, you completely avoid the potential for soaking too long, and losing any amount detail becomes almost nil. Of course there's always room for error, but after years of experience with this method, I haven't lost any detail on any model I have stripped since that last mistake.
You only need to soak the mini for about one to five minutes, dependent on the size of the part being stripped.
Next you'll need a firm toothbrush or something akin to it, and vigorously and quickly brush away the paint, I emphasize scrubbing quickly because you only have a few precious seconds in which to strip as much as possible before the mini dries and you have to re-submerge the model for another minute or so.
I also use a pair of flat tweezers with thin rubber strips glued on the ends to avoid damaging the detail while gripping and dipping my fingers into the nail polish remover (if you've ever done this and then eaten, you know what I'm talking about, for those of you about to try this without tweezers or something else to grasp your models while stripping, get some tweezers.) Repeat this process for each mode until it's completely stripped of all previous paint.
When this is accomplished, you may then base/paint your own, pretty much brand new minis for a fraction of the price to buy them brand new. It works every time for me, it's just a little more time consuming, but if you're willing to put in the time, it's a very rewarding process.
In this tutorial I'm depicting the stripping of a Predator tank. What I used was an ice cream container and filled it enough to cover the tracks of the Predator when laid on its side (around a centimeter).
Original model:
After two soaks per side (top, bottom, left and right):
After a total of five soaks per side (top, bottom, left and right):
As you can see there is still a faint layer of stained purple underneath, but I think that was due to the paint on the model being so old and thick and mixed with the acetone, that it soaked into the plastic. But, as you can see in the above pic, there is no detail loss and I now have a predator ready to painted into my own color scheme.
As I collect chaos, it was a small matter to go through my bits box and apply a myriad of pointy, chaosy bits to really bring this Predator to life. The finished result is one to be proud of; the paint is no longer caked on and apart from a few areas that need touch ups, I have a table-top ready tank to field and all for only $25 NZD, and a few hours of my personal time; a fraction of what it costs to purchase brand new here.
Thanks for looking through (if you're looking for a post on how to strip infantry, that will be up on my next post when I've finished painting them). I hope this post has helped you to learn how to strip your own GW minis, or whatever it is you collect!
Comments
Post a Comment