Stripping clix

[Chaos Wolf]

Has anyone found a way to strip off the factory paint jobs on clix figures?

[Heldrak]

Many of us avoid the whole question and prime on top of the factory paint-job, but our own Sundayhero has gotten some very good results using acetone (see his thread here):

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=34305.0

[Chaos Wolf]

Ah, ok. Thanks for that. I guess I'll give it a go.

[Elprez]

Thanks for the link, I'd missed that thread.
Some lovely paint jobs in there too, 

[FramFramson]

I have stripped clix figures often enough myself and can confirm that Acetone does the trick like nothing else but that you do need to be careful as some figures will overreact.

Use just enough to remove the paint and try not to overdo it. It's tough though, because you will need some soaking and friction to remove all the paint, especially from tight corners. If something is too deep or firmly lodged, I may sometimes leave it be to avoid destroying the figure.

Just use good judgment and do one figure at a time, I guess. Oh and wear something to protect you from fumes/work in a well-ventilated area!

[wellender]

Acetone is the only thing I have found that works too.

[Chaos Wolf]

Ok, I've got some Acetone and I'm ready to begin. Roughly how long should I soak the figures?

[zizi666]

Ok, I've got some Acetone and I'm ready to begin. Roughly how long should I soak the figures?

WOW ! hold your horses.
Dunno how they did it, but I'm guessing they just dipped it or used a lump soaked in acetone to remove the paint.
If you soak 'em you risk dissolving the figure and ending up with a puddle of molten plastic.

Look at the ladies (and the goths  ), they wipe of nailpolish from their nails with soaked cotton pads, I don't think you ever saw one soaking their fingers in acetone, did you ?

[FramFramson]

WOW ! hold your horses.
Dunno how they did it, but I'm guessing they just dipped it or used a lump soaked in acetone to remove the paint.
If you soak 'em you risk dissolving the figure and ending up with a puddle of molten plastic.

Look at the ladies (and the goths  ), they wipe of nailpolish from their nails with soaked cotton pads, I don't think you ever saw one soaking their fingers in acetone, did you ?

Seconding this! You may want a brief dip if the figure has lots of little crevices and holes, but it's gentle friction that'll get all your paint off, not sheer volume of acetone.

[bandit86]

Love what this guy does on his site he is very inspiring and had a semi tutorial on stripping clix with some of the odd stuff that occurs.  Plus his conversions are awesome!
http://gnotta.blogspot.com/

[wellender]

Dip them for a few seconds.  Use a soft bristled tooth brush or a soft sponge to wipe the figure.  You can sometimes dip the brush or sponge in the acetone and use it on the figure.  I usually dip the figure in the acetone for a few seconds to start and then dip the brush or sponge in the acetone as I go.  For sponges I was using cut-outs from a Chessex case.

Be very careful with the figure once it has acetone on it.  They can become very soft and will take a finger print or brush mark if you are not careful.  You really want a well ventilated area and a mask can't hurt.  Gloves too.  You should rinse the figure when your done.  I actually did a few times during the process.  It can be a long process depending on the paint on the figure.

[sundayhero]

I have stripped clix figures often enough myself and can confirm that Acetone does the trick like nothing else but that you do need to be careful as some figures will overreact.

Yes, I also ruined a few figures with that technic. But the overall result is good.



I dipped my figures in acetone for a few seconds, I wanted to be fast as I had to strip a lot of figures. But for my next projects, I thing I'll go with a dipped old toothbrush instead of the acetone bath (to avoid the problems we spoke about before).

What I do also when I have several figures to do in the same time, I've got a bowl full of clear water, once the figure is stripped I dip it in water and let it in during the time I'm stripping the other ones, trying to "stop" the acetone action.



Once everything is clean, I carefully wash the figures with soap and water.  Then I use boiling water (if needed) to make blades, weapons, etc... straight, and then I dip then in very cold water (with ice in it) to stop the reaction.

ANother thing that I noticed, is that some figures stay a little soft for a few days after the stripping. You can also "smell" the acetone on the figures for a few days (even after washing them).


And as it was said before acetone is a dangerous product (boiling water too), so be very carefull. Use at least protection glasses (especially when you use a teethbrush  : the acetone can be easily sprayed in your eyes).

[Roebeast45]

I picked up some HeroClix Judge Dredd figures and I'm amazed at how much goopy paint they put on them. The minis underneath are actually pretty detailed but you wouldn't know it under the paint. Thanks for the stripping tips. The LAF is such a great hobby resource.

Now back to rubbing Judge Hershey with a cotton swab.