"How to clean some bases" Topic

I am not 100% sure this goes in this forum but it seemed the best fit. I have a nice Macedonian army I got in trade but the models are flocked up to the ankles which just doesn't look all that good. How can I get this off there without doing significant damage, or if I can't prevent that, hows the best way to go about clearing these bases?

Two things I have tried.

Just scraping with a dull Xacto knife. The shoes need repainting with at least a dark wash.

Soaking all in very shallow pan of water to remove the flock but keep the paint. Toothbrush to remove flock. Many times the paint goes with the flock. This method depends on what adhesive was used on the flock.

Yep, agree with Religon. Perhaps do a test soak in water, leaving one figure/base in for an hour or so until the glue turns white and loosens (the longer the better). If it's white glue a toothpick applied gently should remove the glue and flock and you can take it from there with whatever tools you desire. If the paint was sealed before flocking, and if you leave it in water long enough, the paint should not be affected by your mild scraping.

But if the flock was put on with something other than PVA or the figure was not sealed, you may have to go for some of the other less desirable options. Good luck!

Dental tool(s) and lots of patience? Soaking them to the ankle or knee and repainting from there down would probably be a lot easier.

Doug

I have soaked figures in water many times in order to rebase (not just remove flock), and I usually have had no issue with paint coming off. It will really depend on how well the sealer attached to the feet of the figure, I guess.