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How to Remove Paint from Plastic Miniatures

Plastic miniatures can be a time-consuming hobby; many enthusiasts spend hours searching for the exact piece they need, whether it be new or used. Often when the only miniature available to a collector is pre-owned, the piece is purchased even though the paint may be less than perfect. Plastic miniature collectors take great pains to re-create the authentic costume for each individual piece; often the process begins with removing an unsatisfactory paint job from the plastic miniature.

Things You'll Need

1 cup Pine Sol household cleaner
1 pint-sized jar with sealing lid
1 hard-bristled toothbrush
1 drop dish soap
Latex gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Pour 1 cup Pine Sol into a 1 pint jar.
- 2
  Place your plastic miniatures in the jar, making sure there is room for the cleaner to circulate around all sides of the pieces.
- 3
  Seal the jar and allow to stand 24 hours, shaking the jar periodically to redistribute the plastic miniatures in the cleaner.
- 4
  Remove the miniatures from the Pine Sol and scrub with a hard-bristled toothbrush. The old paint will come off immediately; rinse the piece and the toothbrush several times as you work.
- 5
  Pour one drop of dish soap on the toothbrush and scrub the plastic miniature once more. This will remove the cleaner and prepare the piece for a new coat of primer.
- 6
  Examine the plastic miniature. If any paint residue remains in cracks and crevices, repeat the process one more time.

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