"Paint Stripping Miniatures with Dettol (Guide)" Topic

Hi all, just written up a guide for this including pictures and step by step instructions for anyone who hasnt done this before.

The guide can be found at this link:
gravengames.co.uk/stripping-paint-from-warhammer-and-other-miniatures-using-dettol

Before:

After:

Hope you find it useful!

cheers mate, useful article that.

used this method for a while now and I can say it's the only way I strip minis.

but this is a superb tutorial thanks for sharing

Thanks guys, glad it's useful.

Not wanting to sound confrontational in anyway, but why do so many people use stuff like this instead of things like turps or white spirit?

I might give that a go. I've used Nail Varnish Remover in the past but that can get interesting if doing for prolonged periods in a confined space! :)

Andy

This has been my preferred method of stripping miniatures for a while now. Works on metal and plastic, can leave them in for about a week with no ill effects on the models. (Sometimes undoes glue, but doesn't turn model into a gloopy mess)

My preferred method of stripping minis for some time now.

Tony

@ Angel Barracks – I'm guessing that it's mainly because Dettol and similar don't smell as nasty as turps/white spirit. I've used Tesco's own pine disinfectant quite successfully, but had to resort to nail polish remover for some very old Traveller minis that I'd painted up using enamels back in the early/mid 80s.

I'd probably consider using turps/white spirit if I had easy access to an outside area to do the stripping.

Angel, Dettol is just an antiseptic detergent which can be diluted and washed down the drain. Turps/white spirit is not so easy to correctly dispose of.

I use Dettol for most of my stripping but when the going gets tough (on metal miniatures only) I use Nitromors. It not only stripps the paint but also softens all the glues/putties making them easier to brush away.

Turps/white spirit is not as effective as Dettol.

My guide for stripping miniatures with Dettol

Take care

Andy

Thanks for the tutorial.
I have been using Dettol for some time now also and I thought I share with you my experiences.

Dettol will not unfortunately remove all kinds of paint.I bought a 2 batches of GW plastics from eBay. One batch was cleaned successfully but the other turned the paint (don't know what kind of paint it was) into a tacky substance which was very difficult to remove,even with fairy liquid and tooth brush. I had to use DOT3 brake fluid which also doubles up as a caustic paint remover. This is great for metal minis but will crackle the surface detail of plastics if left too long. CAUTION THIS IS CAUSTIC and so DANGEROUS so take precautions and read the instructions on the can.

In the past I had also used (though not any more) boiling water and caustic soda which is good for metals but will warp plastics and is VERY DANGEROUS so I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT.

I think that DETTOL cleans deeper than most and minis will only need a scrub with a toothbrush. Check out also those thin toothbrushes for those tricky parts.
Hope this helps
Z

I use this product.

Does nothing to plastic but eats the paint.

You can get it from Walmart here in the states.

Did all of my Eldar figures with this.

Its great

I picked up Dettol in the States at a South Asian grocer and have yet to try it out. There are a few minis in the lineup waiting for stripping, though, so I'll be sure to follow these instructions when I do get around to it. Thanks!

Another SUPER CLEAN fan here stuff is awesome!

Yup gets the paint off and does not harm the plastic.

Wear gloves though.