JC Lira | 06 Jan 2017 6:32 a.m. PST |
link Dang it, I can't figure how to make that a clickable link. Sorry. Someone, somewhere (on Facebook?) suggested that one of these could be an invaluable tool for quickly stripping paint from a bunch of old minis that I painted years ago and now don't quite meet my standards. But before I invest $30 USD hard earned dollars in one, I was hoping some of you would share your experiences working with a tool like this. What do you put in it to use as a solvent? Do you still have to carefully scrub the mini after it comes out of this device? |
John Armatys | 06 Jan 2017 7:11 a.m. PST |
It looks to be tap water: PDF link It warns "1. Only use machine for its intended uses as described by this manual." I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried these machines. |
coco the clown | 06 Jan 2017 7:36 a.m. PST |
I've had ultrasonic cleaner for about 5 years. What I do with stripping figures is to put figures in a glass jar filled with the solvent and fill the main tank with water, making sure that you don't flood over! This allows me to use the main tank for cleaning plastic figures with water and washing up liquid before painting. The type of cleaner I have has a spring loaded lid which has to stay open whilst in use but doesn't cause a problem. I use Vallejo airbrush cleaner to strip metal figures and clean airbrush parts using glass jar method. Hope this is some help |
JimDuncanUK | 06 Jan 2017 8:11 a.m. PST |
I used to use one of these many years ago. The recommended water was 'distilled water'. Tap water varies from location to location with varying soft/hard qualities as well as differing chemical add-ons. |
Cyrus the Great | 06 Jan 2017 10:53 a.m. PST |
I have posted here several about using an ultrasonic cleaner for stripping paint. Put the miniatures in and fill to the line with Simple Green and run. I run it several times over 2 days. It comes off with a toothbrush without much effort. |
JC Lira | 06 Jan 2017 11:26 a.m. PST |
Cyrus, when you say you used it several times over two days, you are saying you leave one group of minis in the tank for 2 days, running the cleaner several times before they are done? |
Doctor X | 06 Jan 2017 1:20 p.m. PST |
I have used the same process as Cyrus with excellent results. |
Black Cavalier | 06 Jan 2017 2:33 p.m. PST |
I've had the same results using simple green without the ultrasonic cleaner. So you might want to try simple green on its own first. |
Bobgnar | 06 Jan 2017 3:42 p.m. PST |
Ditto to black cavalier. I have tried an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with various solvents number of them worked on real paint especially if it was primed. Soak for a day, scrub with a toothbrush (electric is best), rinse with soap and water. Save $70. USD |
JC Lira | 06 Jan 2017 3:48 p.m. PST |
Oh, a couple days' soak in Simple Green is what I'm doing now. I find it a hassle to scrub the paint off after soaking in SG… like, it takes 20+ minute per figure and even then sometimes isn't TOTALLY clean. I'm wondering if I'd get better results with an ultrasonic. |
Cyrus the Great | 06 Jan 2017 9:46 p.m. PST |
@JC Lira, That pretty much sums it up. I run it 8 minutes at a time, whenever I get to it. I don't devote a lot of time to it. |
Cailleach | 12 Jan 2017 5:24 a.m. PST |
Works wonderfully, a degreaser is the best medium for the cleaner. Experiment to find the best option. YouTube link |