"How do you remove a single layer of paint???" Topic

I feel a bit embarrassed not knowing the answer.

I'm talking GW Citadel base and layer paint. I know to use Dettol and such as striper, but wouldn't that destroy the under layers?

I could do a test, but thought someone here would know.

It's important and will save a lot of repainting.

I guess I could use dilute Dettol on a cotton ball/bud, then wash with water once I have removed enough. Haven't tried it though.

I certainly look forward to learning how and adding it to my bag of tricks.

Thanks for any help.

Paint over it. Trying to remove the paint will take all the paint and primer off.

You only remove one layer of paint if you think someone painted over a Rembrandt. For that, you hire an expert and pay a fortune. For a miniature, you strip completely, paint over or buy a new miniature.

Might be some hope if you'd painted acrylic over oils or the other way around, but even then I doubt it would be worth the time and trouble. Using acrylics throughout, it's hopeless.

Regarding the Rembrandt comments, the technician uses a Q-tip soaked in a mild solvent, lightly rubbing the layer of paint/whatever they want to remove. You can try it, but I would follow the recommendations already given: paint over, strip and start over, or buy a new mini and start over on that.

If you are planning on stripping it, you have nothing to lose, so grab a Q-tip, an appropriate solvent, and give it a go. Cheers!

It is easy to remove "a single layer of paint." Unfortunately it will be the bottom layer…

A vote here for painting over it, having attempted to strip yellowed varnish off 30 year-old figures before. Time-consuming disaster. The only alternative I can see is to strip it all back and repaint from scratch.

Maybe there's not such a hole in my knowledge after all. Thank you all.

It's a rather large miniature (terrain) and it's only a portion that needs attention.

I may try an experiment or two. If I can get the worse off, I can touch up any remaining unwanted paint/damaged underlayers.

I'll point out it was not my mistake, so I'll get paid whatever I do to fix it. However I'd still like to find the quickest/cheapest option for the client. The paints were mixed colours, so repainting will be time consuming, but perhaps necessary.

Touched up many, probably tossed more into the stripper

I'd just paint over it.