How to Remove Paint from Metal and Plastic Models with Dettol

Co-authored by Alessandra Mendes

Last Updated: May 23, 2024 Approved

Using Dettol is an easy way to strip paint off of models quickly and without damaging the structure of the models. The process involves mixing your Dettol solution, soaking your model, and rubbing off the paint. Read on to learn more!

1

Gather your ingredients and equipment.

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You will need the following:
- An original bottle of Dettol solution, which is a liquid disinfectant available from most supermarkets, pharmacists or general stores. Do not get any variation of the Dettol solution or your results may vary from those intended.
- Two old toothbrushes, preferably hard or medium in strength, as soft toothbrushes fail to remove as much paint.
- Some sort of fine object, such as toothpick, pin or paper clip. These will come in handy later on in the process.
- A large container, about the size of a gherkin jar or larger. Glass or plastic will suffice, but make sure it is one you can do without as it will not be usable after the process.
- Several rags or cloths, preferably thin so you can feel models through them. Again, make sure they are old and unwanted.
- Two rubber gloves. Dettol, while not dangerous, does dehydrate skin and can cause peeling and discomfort on areas exposed to it for too long. Wearing thin surgeon's gloves, or similar, will help you avoid this problem.^{[1]
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- Access to running water, preferably where you are working with the process.
- Newspapers or covers for the area you will be working with, as it can get quite messy and the paint that you remove will be hard to get off any surfaces should it fall onto them.
- A well ventilated room. The mixture can give off a lot of fumes, which although harmless, can be a bit overwhelming in a confined space. An open door or a few open windows should allow sufficient airflow.

2

Create the Dettol solution.

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You can also vary the concentration. Generally, a 1:1 ratio of Dettol to cold tap water in the container you have brought will give you the best result in 24 hours. You can make the mixture with more water, for example a 1:2 ratio, but the models will need to rest in the solution for longer. So if you have bought a whole bottle of Dettol, the easiest thing to do is simply pour the bottle in and then mix in an equal amount of water, and add more if you wish. Nothing else needs to be done to the solution.

3

Choose the models from which you wish to strip the paint.

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This solution works with both plastic and metal. It also works on both heavily painted and partially painted models. The mixture does loosen joints of "green stuff" modeling putty and occasionally super glue, so do not soak any models where you wish to keep the miniature in once piece with these adhesives.^{[2]
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4

Place the models carefully in the Dettol bath.

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5

Leave the models in the bath for approximately 24-48 hours.

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^{[3]
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6

Remove a model from the mixture.

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First, remove the container cap and put on your gloves. The mixture should be almost opaque, maybe milky or brownish, and paint should have formed a loose slime covering on the models and with one of your toothbrushes, will be very easy to flick off onto your newspaper.

7

Brush off all the loose paint onto the newspaper with your toothbrush.

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Flick away from you at roughly a 45 degree angle to the model's surface. Keep scrubbing away in all the grooves and areas until the paint is gone. If it won't budge, read further on.^{[4]
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8

Clear off clogged paint with the Dettol mixture.

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This is true for any of your equipment (i.e., your gloves if they are getting paint back on your clean model, you model if it still has loose paint etc.). This is very important - if you place the mixture with loose paint into water, it will clog up your brush and the model, and anything else it touches and make it near impossible to continue. See the tips and warnings sections for more information.^{[5]
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9

Re-soak the miniature if required.

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However, sometimes you will need to remove the majority of loose paint and place the model in the bath for a further 24 hours or so before the most difficult-to-remove paint will budge. Scrub off as much of the loose paint as you can and if it still isn't fully cleaned, place the model back in the mixture. Repeat these steps as many times as needed until you are happy that all the paint is gone.

10

Place the cleaned models on the towel or cloth you have placed down.

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However, there are a few more steps to go - paint can still be lurking in the recesses of the model and can obscure detail or even weaken layers of paint on top of it later in your painting.

11

Rinse the models.

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It is safe to take your gloves off now as most of the mixture will be washed away. Rinse the models under the water until you can feel they have lost their "slimy" feel on your skin. Place them back on the cloth.

12

Taking another cloth, "polish" the models.

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You will be surprised how much paint is still left on the model. This will also help dry the model fully for the next step.

13

Remove straggling paint.

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You can use your second toothbrush and the hard, slim object you have (i.e. paper clip, toothpick etc.). There is no need to get this brush into the mixture. Really look to force the toothbrush into the gaps and recesses to make sure there is no paint in them.

14

Rub the models down one last time with your cloth.

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After this time period, the model should hopefully be ready to be painted on and of course, all your paint will have been stripped in a non-lethal, easy way!

15

Reuse the mixture if you want.

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However, generally, it begins to lose its effect after the second use. It would be advisable to throw the mixture away in a safe environment, clean the container out and then remake a new batch of the solution.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Should I be scared that a hand cleaning product can be used to remove paint?

Community Answer

No, not at all. Though its ingredients happen to have solvent properties, it's not dangerous as a disinfectant when usage directions are properly followed. Though not as strong, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, and even water can also be used as solvents.

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Tips

If you are unsure of the ability of the mixture, or if you don't think you have mixed the solution correctly, simply take an old, less-valued miniature and use it as a test case. The mixture will hardly be affected by one model and you will gain the knowledge of how your mixture is going to affect your more prized models.^{[7]
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Alessandra Mendes
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Never ever get your brush with the loose paint and mixture wet under a water tap. It will turn the solution on your brush into a thick, gooey mess and you will not be able to scrub the paint off your models with it, and will in fact get harder to remove paint onto your models. To solve this, stop what you are doing, place the toothbrush and anything else affected (like your gloves) into the mixture and leave them overnight, exactly as if models themselves. Then pick up where you left off the next day.

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Paint on model glue is harder to remove, as it literally bonds to the glue, turning it black or brown or sometimes another colour. Do not try to scrub these areas away, but leave them to dry with the rest of the model and then chip them off afterwards with your modeling tools.

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Warnings

Be aware of the laws where you live of disposing of chemicals and paints down drains. Dispose responsibly!

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As mentioned in the main article text, Dettol dehydrates skins rapidly. Always wear gloves when using it for prolonged periods and always keep a bottle of moisturizer handy for when the process is complete.

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Always perform this process in an environment with good air-flow. Dettol can give you headaches and be overwhelming if you breathe too much of it.^{[8]
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