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Author Topic: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?  (Read 1258 times)

Offline Garanhir

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 476
Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« on: April 07, 2018, 02:01:57 PM »
Hi all, I'm based in the UK and I need a wire brush to help with prepping and stripping metal minis many being older lead-based. I want to make sure the surface is clean but I don't want to rip detail off. I'm conscious of budget.

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Offline HerbyF

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1981
  • Why fear nightmares when you can be one
Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2018, 08:56:19 AM »
I just use my old tooth brushes. Have plenty of them. They work just as good as any wire brush I used in the past, and don't mar the figure like wire brushes do.
LHV 2015 +200 2016 +770 2017 +636 2018 +888 2019 +1015 2020 +656 2021 +174 2022 +220 2023 +312 2024 +95

Offline MachinaMandala

  • Librarian
  • Posts: 139
Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2018, 10:33:04 AM »
No need for a soft wire brush.

Buy this: http://www.wilko.com/wallpaper-paste+preparation/wilko-paint-and-varnish-stripper-all-purpose-500ml/invt/0299049

Leave anything (DO NOT DO RESIN) in there for 30+ minutes and the paint will come off with a cheap toothbrush.

Offline MagpieJono

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 262
Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2018, 12:05:58 PM »
I'd be pretty wary about using a wire brush on old miniatures. Especially ones containing lead with it being quite soft. I've known old miniatures smooth off just from handling.

I second using an old toothbrush after a good soak in something nasty!

Offline grant

  • Galactic Brain
  • Posts: 4167
Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2018, 10:14:31 PM »
Acetone bath, toothbrush while rinsing. No paint left, easy!
It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words - Orwell, 1984

Offline bishop odo

  • Bookworm
  • Posts: 59
Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2018, 02:34:53 AM »
I use ultra fine steel wool, and I were latex gloves.  The steel wool polish metal, removes paint in the high spots, removes most scratches, but on plastic it removes those burs that files leave sometimes, giving you a nice transition that scraping can't do.

Offline dampfpanzerwagon

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 2791
Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2018, 07:33:44 AM »
I use a small wire and nylon brush that is used by golfers to clean their balls. you can usually find them on e-bay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Golf-Cleaning-Brush-Durable-3-In-1-Club-Ball-Groove-Cleaner-Clean-Tool-W-Clip/302503141895?epid=863293159&hash=item466e97a207:g:uGsAAOSwZPZZ8xYF

Tony

Offline Mindenbrush

  • Supporting Adventurer
  • Mastermind
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  • Posts: 1287
Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2018, 10:42:03 PM »
I bought a 3 brush set from the dollar store - 1 with plastic bristles, one with brass and one with steel bristles. I use the brass one a lot to buff up the surface after removing flash/mold lines.
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Offline Argonor

  • Elder God
  • Posts: 11336
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Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2018, 09:22:50 PM »
I bought a 3 brush set from the dollar store - 1 with plastic bristles, one with brass and one with steel bristles. I use the brass one a lot to buff up the surface after removing flash/mold lines.

I use those, too, effective and dirt cheap!
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Offline vodkafan

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3510
Re: Can Anyone Recommend a Decent Soft Wire Brush?
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2018, 03:49:21 AM »
I tried a soft wire suede brush bought from a local cobbler. But actually it turned out inferior to a toothbrush for cleaning miniatures straight out of the Dip. And it also surprisingly didn't last long. So I would go with a toothbrush.
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