I've been trying to remove the paint markings on ver1 Tunnel-Rat to create a 'clean' version of the character and so far, nothing I've used has done the job. Before I waste a perfectly good figure, I've tried different cleaners/solvents on fodder with mixed results:

nail polish remover - regular remover is too harsh and melts the plastic, and the type without acetone still mars the plastic.
Goo Gone - not strong enough to remove any paint.
rubbing alcohol - is barely able to remove any paint.

All I have been doing is applying the solvent to a Q-Tip and applying elbow grease, but I'm starting to wonder if using a Dremel with a polishing tip might yield better results. Anyways, any tips on other solvents or cleaning methods would be much appreciated, since I could not find any clues in the JC-wiki site.

_________________

I've heard that oven cleaner (like Easy Off) works well to remove factory paint. Coat the figure, then put it in a Ziploc bag overnight, then wash thoroughly the next day.

Never tried it, so I can't say one way or the other. If anything, you can always try a junk figure first... CORPS! make excellent test subjects.

Not sure if this works on Joes or not, but Pine-sol works for Star Wars figures. Takes some work, but it might work for you. I know the darker the color the more work it takes and some never completely come off like black on white plastic never seems to get clean. You might even drop the part in for a day and then go at it with elbow grease. Old tooth brush is what I like to use, but you could try anything really. I wish you luck.
momaw nadon

_________________

scrape it off with an exacto?

hell of a lot easier than trying to rub off paint...and better control...with an exacto you won't loose an eye...at least not one of the Tunnel Rat figure.

_________________

If you're using rubbing alcohol, make sure it's 90% or higher (check the bottle--drug stores usually sell 70% and 90% in the same section but the bottles tend to look the same). It'll still take a bit but it will strip the paint off without damaging the plastic.

Another trick is to put the part into a wad of Sculpey Flex (Sculpey Bake and Bend) clay and let it sit. This slowly removes the paint, but again, takes time. I managed to remove the camouflage from a VvV Grunt head this way--problem is it also removed the paint from his eyes as they were face down in it as well.

One other suggestion--and this one requires a LOT of care--is Winsor & Newton Brush Cleaner and Restorer. The stuff smells awful (worse than nail polish remover) but it does work. Catch is it also softens plastic, so using too much can do more harm than good--but it's fast when it comes to removing even factory paint. I basically recommend dipping a Q-tip in it and rubbing, then washing the part and repeating.

_________________