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Removing Metallic Paint - (Method A) by: Jeremy Beckett
Star Wars Custom Resource Page

 

Supplies

  • Acetone (finger nail polish remover)
  • Cotton swab
  • Oven cleaner (alternate)

Before you Begin:

  • Vintage and POTF2 droid figures' metallic paints can be removed with this technique.

  • Pay special attention that you are evenly working over the entire surface if you are trying for a metallic base. It is very hard to touch up metallic paint jobs.

Step 1

Apply finger nail varnish remover (acetone) to a cotton swab and rub it onto the figure. DO NOT soak the figure it the nail polish remover or it will melt the figure into a messy lump.

Step 2

As you rub gently the gold finish will fade to silver. You may wish to stop here, if for example, you want a silver 3PO unit.

Step 3

Continue rubbing until you get to the bare plastic - stop here since it reacts catastrophically with acetone. Be careful around joints since the acetone will seep into the joints and melt the plastic which will seize up the joint.

Step 4

Rinse the figure with water when finished.

Removing Metallic Paint - (Method B) by: Stan Seel
sseel74897@aol.com

 

Supplies

  • Easy Off
  • An old plastic container
  • Rubber gloves
  • Old toothbrush

Before you Begin:

  • The metallic "paint" on styrene pieces is not paint at all, but is a thin layer of metal elctroplated onto the plastic. In addition to the plating there is a thin layer of electrostatic barrier under the plating that makes the metal stick to the plastic. To effectively remove the metal plating, both layers must be removed. Easy-Off oven cleaner will quickly strip away both layers.

  • Easy-Off is unhealthy to touch. It will probably strip away paint too, so be careful using around any painted areas. Unlike acetone, Easy-Off will not harm the styrene one bit. The oven cleaner may leave a whte haze on the plastic but it will not harm details at all.

Step 1

Find a well-ventiated area. Spray a small amount of Easy-Off onto the part then with your gloved hands spread the foam over the entire part.

Step 2

Allow the piece to soak in the plastic container for a few minutes or until you can wipe away the metal with the rag.

Step 3

You should then be able to just wash the plating off. or gently scrub it away with a toothbrush. If the plating doesn't come off easily then let is soak for a few more minutes.

Step 4

Thoroughly rinse the part to remove any residual chemical.


Forgotten Force Ultimate Resource Guide