Stripping paint from head sculpts - help!

[Commtech]

(Sorry, this has probably been asked before many times but I'm new here. I also tried searching and can't find a thread)

Can any of the customizing masters (Les, Shawn, Chris, etc.) direct me to a thread or give info on the best way to strip the paint from head sculpts? I'm about to strip the paint of a Sideshow Arnold T-800 and don't want to mess it up or have a super hard time doing it.

Thank you!

 

[elvis1976]

I use acetone to stripped the paint! I fill a cup with acetone and i put the head in it for 2 or 3 second then i gently brushed the head.

 

[duck of death]

Acetone is great, but don't use it if the sculpt is resin because it will melt!

Also, if you leave some types of plastic in acetone for too long (like hours, a few minutes won't hurt anything) it will cause the head to first expand and then shrink. So if you are having trouble getting the paint off, don't leave it in the acetone for two long. Put it in for 30-60 seconds, take it out and scrub off paint, put it back in, etc. until all the paint is off. It shouldn't take too long, but if the head has a lot of paint and a lot of detail it can take a little longer. You can also use a toothpick to get paint out of fiddly bits like the corner of eyes and recessed areas.

Make sure you are in a ventilated area so you don't dissolve your brain along with the paint.

 

[Commtech]

I read somewhere a while ago something about leaving the headsculpt in clorox for a while and the paint would come off? Is that true?

 

[Staggerly]

I've never tried a solid vinyl (?) head like Sideshow's, but I've removed paint from hollow vinyl heads using acetone and you've got to be very careful with it. Some I did the dip & soak method and it hardened the vinyl a bit, making it a little brittle, and another I just wiped with acetone a few times and after awhile the vinyl started to pit in spots and turn brittle in places like the nostrils. Also, it should be noted, that acetone will wipe off baked Super Sculpey! I learned that the hard way, too

 

[lieutenant dan]

I use cellulose thinners and a toothbrush to strip vinyl heads (including Sideshow ones) and it's nveer dnoe me any hram. I do do it outside and wear gloves and eye protection though.

 

[Platty]

What would acetone do to a plastic figure? I'm thinking your typical 7 incher from neca or mcfarlane...got 2 resident evil 5 Chris figures here, wouldn't mind having a go at repainting one.

Always got the 2nd if I screw it up! Cheers for any advice, anyone.

 

[paulcarson]

Anyone had any success with these methods ? I'm planning to strip a couple of heads this weekend.

 

[knucklefunger]

PineSol, let it sock for a few hours, scrub with dental brush & ooh, smells like the forest, but cleaner.

Do it outdoors, scrub the head...oh man, this could deteriorate