Used Models and Repainting (help da n00b!)

[Allandaros]

I just bought a bunch of used minis (both metal and plastic) for $3 (yay good deal!). But the previous owners had decided to paint directly onto the metal, without priming first. (They also did a lousy paintjob. )

Can I spray a black primer coat on and just paint on top of that? Or should I try and strip the paint first? If I should strip the paint first, what is a good liquid to use on both metals and plastics? (The sites I've seen have all said things like "And you should use X when stripping paint, it's great. Except you should never use it on plastics because they will melt into goo.")

Thanks!

 

[moloche]

I have had a lot of luck with Simple Green. Available from your neighborhood hardware store for $7-9 a quart. Works great. Let things soak overnight or longer. Make sure you check plastics so they don't degrade. When you clean the miniatures you can let the Simple Green wash down the drain with no environmental fuss. Brake Fluid $2-3 a pint also works well but can melt soft plastics if you are not careful. Submerge the miniature and it will strip almost anything though. The brake fluid can be reused time and time again with little loss of potency. Keep in mind that it cannot be disposed of in a residential sewage system. With both of these I have discovered that good hard plastics will not degrade, vinyls are a lot trickier. If the miniature does not strip with one soak clean it up (soap, water and a stiff brush) and repeat. The nooks and crannies are sometimes filled but can be cleaned out with a dental pick.

 

[CheesyRobMan]

If you're in the UK, Dettol Antiseptic/Disinfectant (the brown liquid) is a good alternative to Simple Green. Soak for a few days, then the paint should just rub off. One slight problem is that Dettol does *not* mix with water, so you can't use water to rinse the mini off unless it's clean and you just want to get rid of the Dettol. I recommend a pair of latex disposable gloves (you can get packs from the car-care section in your hardware store), and just rubbing the mini down with fingers or an old toothbrush in the Dettol bath, then rinsing with water once it's clean. I've never seen Dettol destroy any superglue, so the model should stay intact. Old plastic tubs from the Chinese takeaway are a good container to soak the mini in if it's small enough - good excuse for a Chinese too

Edit - just noticed you put the price in dollars, so chances are you're not in the UK, but I'll leave this for reference.

 

[mthomason]

Edit - just noticed you put the price in dollars, so chances are you're not in the UK, but I'll leave this for reference.

I for one am glad you did. Dettol is somewhat easier for me to get hold of than Simple Green

 

[Buggrit]

And in the US Dettol will probably be sold as Lysol disenfectant.

 

[Allandaros]

Glee!

Thanks, guys!

 

[High Sierra]

you might be able to get away with spraying over the previous paint job -
check the models out closely.

In the past I have done this with second hand models by checking them out carefully, if the previous paint job wasnt any good but didnt actually obscure any detail on the model then ~I would just spray over and start again.

but you must be careful doing this - alot of second hand models with terrible paint jobs are like that because they were the previous owners first attempts and so will have horrible clots of paint in the recesses etc. If its got that kind of paint job - strip and start again. If the paint job is just poor, but not obscuring any detail then respray.

Of course you should take care to cover the previous paint job completely without putting the undercoat on too thickly yourself otherwise you will end up stripping it anyway.

 

[EvilGinger]

Dunk the metal ones in Nitromors for an hour at least but have some new bases on hand since the ones on the figures are a dead loss. Then rise off with water and remove any sludgy remains of paint with a wire or nylon brush.

Plastic ones I would have a look at if the paint is not to thick as it is likely if the original painter did not prime it them but is sound not flaking or bubbling just over paint it starting with a base coat the best choice for this for MI would be Humbrol black enamel with Tamiya Black Green over the top. If the paint is not sound remove the lose stuff with the nylon brush before doing this.

I really would not worry that much about the thickness of the coats of paint already on as it is very likely not to notice when the figure is painted up and varnished. The only time you will generally get too thick paint is if the original painter got over enthusiastic with spray undercoat

Simon

 

[Shadow Queen]

paint thinners form a car shop like car mart is very good just make sure that you use soap and water then leave to dry. forgot to say use an old big brush.