Stripping Miniatures – How to Remove Paint From Models

How to get paint off miniatures

Everyone has their preferred method for stripping paint from miniatures, all come with a variety of pros and cons. Now we may be a little biased here but Biostrip 20 is an excellent way to get that old paint shifted without relying on harsh chemicals.

Water-based, non-toxic and easy to use Biostrip 20 is quickly becoming the go to product for stripping miniatures.

There are a couple of different ways to strip miniatures depending on your patience level.

One method is to pop the desired miniature into a container containing Biostrip 20 and leaving it to soak until the paint comes off freely under running water. This may be the preferred method if you’ve got entire armies to strip and don’t want to spend time scrubbing individual models.

However, if patience is not your forte do not fear. Simply place the model in a pot of Biostrip 20 ensuring good coverage then begin scrubbing with a toothbrush. With a good scrub, the paint should immediately start to lift.

Our recommended method is a healthy mix of the first two. Place your miniature in a container of Biostrip 20 ensuring full coverage and simply leave it a while. Maybe make a brew or grab a bite to eat. There should be fairly minimal scrubbing required after around 30-60 minutes. If any paint remains it can simply be placed back in the Biostrip for a little longer.

FUZE hot tips for stripping miniatures:

• Biostrip 20 can be reused so don’t think you need fresh product every time you want to strip a model.
• Use a toothbrush to ensure the Biostrip 20 gets into all the hard to reach places.
• Wear gloves.
• Ensure a plug is in the sink when you rinse the model. We don’t want you losing parts down the plug hole! 
• Strip times can vary massively depending on paint type and thickness so you may need to vary your stripping method.
• Got an old brush that you just can’t get clean? Don’t throw it away, try Biostrip Brush Restorer 

FAQs

Is Biostrip 20 suitable for removing old paint from Warhammer miniatures? Yes, it is very effective at restoring Warhammer models however we have not tested it on every type of miniature/paint/primer combination! Great results have been reported with Warhammer, Warhammer 40k, Age of Sigmar and other wargaming models This video and also this one specifically describe the use of Biostrip to remove paint from Warhammer minis.

Can I leave miniatures to soak over night? Shorter soaks are recommended but overnight is generally fine. We have reports of models being left for over a week with no significant damage.

Can I paint Biostrip 20 onto larger models rather than dipping them? Yes, Biostrip 20 paint stripper is ideal for painting onto larger objects or models. A plastic bag can help prevent drying out.

How about stripping paint from resin models? We have reports that Biostrip 20 works well for removing paint from resin models but only when left for short periods. As always, we suggest that you test it first on a sample and recommend dunking or very short soaking times, and gentle scrubbing to and check the progress of the paint removal. We suggest that you avoid extended soaking times with resin models.

Can I use Biostrip to remove paint from epoxy modeling putty such as Green Stuff? We have reports that Biostrip 20 works well for removing paint from Green Stuff models and other types of epoxy modeling putty. As always we suggest that you test it first on a sample and recommend short soaking times, and gentle scrubbing to and check the progress of the paint removal rather than extended soaking.

Does Biostrip work to remove paint from metal? Yes. Biostrip is non-corrosive so ideal for use on metal including older pewter models.