How can I clean up an old custom to start over?

My fellow JCers,

Here's the deal. I have an old painted Storm Shadow that I'd like cleaned up. It was my very first custom and I wanted to make a Dragao Negro.

I feel I could do a much better job now than what I did at the time, so I'd like to use it and start over.

It's covered in black acrylic paint on most of its body. So far so good. Now where it gets tricky, there is also a coat of acrylic sealer. And on top of that, I added a thin coat of nail polish...

So what product could I use to clean it up safely (i.e. get rid of all the stuff I brushed on it) without damaging the plastic too much?

In the past, I have used Nail Polish Remover, paint thinner (via a very light application), and soap and water as well. As long as you don't douse the item in the chemicals and just dab, you should be okay. Be patient though and take your time. That is what works for me.

In the past, I have used Nail Polish Remover, paint thinner (via a very light application), and soap and water as well. As long as you don't douse the item in the chemicals and just dab, you should be okay. Be patient though and take your time. That is what works for me.

So nail polish remover and paint thinner won't be too strong for the plastic as long as I apply it lightly? That's good to know - thanks for the quick reply ronin!

I have had a ton of luck with Pine Sol. Well, it worked with spray paint, so I bet it would work with acrylics too once you've gotten the nail polish off.

I have had a ton of luck with Pine Sol. Well, it worked with spray paint, so I bet it would work with acrylics too once you've gotten the nail polish off.

I'm not very familiar with it - is it some kind of home detergent/cleaner?

The nail polish remover/paint thinner is a good idea for the start, best way to use it might be to apply some to a rag or cotton swab and rub it over the figure rather than dipping it in.

After that a good soap & water mix and scrub the heck out of it with an old toothbrush. Or, go to the drugstore (or any store with a drug section) and pick yourself up a bottle of 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol. It's usually right alongside the 70%, and is usually just a few pennies more (if that). Apply it with a cotton swab, rubbing lightly as you go. Just a word of warning--this can take off original paint, too, but in this case that might not be much of an issue. Afterward, wash it down well with soap and water.

I've restored a few customs this way (including ones initially done with enamel paint) and had great success.

Thanks Doc!

I actually had some isopropyl alcohol here and just tried, it seems to work fine, even for taking off the nail polish. I'll need to go get some more though, and free up some time to do this correctly This looks rather time-consuming!

Mineral spirits.

Thanks Doc!

You're welcome. Actual credit for the isopropyl idea comes from GITrekker, who pointed out how well it works about 2-3 years ago (I've been a fan of the stuff ever since.)

I actually had some isopropyl alcohol here and just tried, it seems to work fine, even for taking off the nail polish. I'll need to go get some more though, and free up some time to do this correctly This looks rather time-consuming!

I won't lie, it is, depending on how heavily the figure was painted up (longest clean up time for me averaged out to three days, allowing for soaking, etc. to get it all done). Another tip--keep some toothpicks handy for getting into narrow spots (particularly "folds" on clothes), once the paint is softened up these things are a boon to getting it out without scratching the heck out of the plastic.

I'll second the Pine Sol. Let the parts soak for a while and then use a soft toothbrush to scrub them. It may take a few tries but most of the paint will come off.

Thanks everyone!

I'll definitely explore the isopropyl option a little more as it already proved promising, and will try to get my hands on some Pine Sol - even though I'm not sure it is sold here in France

Thanks everyone!

I'll definitely explore the isopropyl option a little more as it already proved promising, and will try to get my hands on some Pine Sol - even though I'm not sure it is sold here in France

Good point. Here is there website, just in case there is a French equivalent
http://www.pinesol.com/

Thanks everyone!

I'll definitely explore the isopropyl option a little more as it already proved promising, and will try to get my hands on some Pine Sol - even though I'm not sure it is sold here in France

Good point. Here is there website, just in case there is a French equivalent
http://www.pinesol.com/

Thanks Matthew! I appreciate - I haven't found any direct equivalent but I'm sure Clorox (the company behind it) sells products on French soil.

In the meantime, I picked up some paint remover over lunch break - we'll see how that works!

Mineral spirits.

won't you die using that?




My advice, simple green if the sealant is weak, maybe nail polish remover(non acetone), I've never dealt with the stuff.

But when I want paint off and simply boiling it in the mircowave won't do. . . . brake fluid.

It gets paint off and won't damage plastic.

I know it takes acrylic off plastic, with no real residue, I have no experience with sealer and nail polish, but brake fluid is freakin miracle stuff, really.