Everyone makes mistakes and needs to start over. I definitely do!
As a new artist, things don't always go as planned, experiments go awry, and I need a way to get the failed attempt off. Unfortunately "Easy-Off" is VERY toxic and it's in an aerosol container, making it hard to apply only to the model. Inhaling "Easy-Off" can seriously hurt your lungs, eyes, and it does burn your skin. If you use that, you MUST use a respirator mask and rubber/latex/vinyl gloves.
SO, why not try something slightly safer?
I read about this on Facebook and decided to try it out for myself.
Link to group where it was originally posted:
I'm not sure if I am allowed to post the original post with the name of the person here, without permission, and I don't know them. I don't want to bother anyone so feel free to join and check out the original post, can't miss it, it's lengthy! It's from July 5th. I am not taking credit for discovering this, just sharing my experience!
I slightly modified the directions to better suit what I had on hand.
I couldn't find any Purple Power at Wal-Mart, they must have been out. I did manage to get the last bottle at Lowes. It is more expensive at Lowes. This bottle (larger one, 1 gallon I think) was $8.00 compared to $5.00 at Wal-Mart.
I start by picking a resin that I feel needs a better paint job. In this case, it was too humid when I sealed my Snegir resin and the finish got bumpy and rough. That just won't due!
If your model has an air hole, fill it in with apoxie and redrill it after soaking. It will ruin your model if the mixture get inside.
Once you've picked a model that needs to be stripped, get a container/bucket that the model will fit in.
I used a tuberware container that was large and tall. I then put a 1/4 water to 3/4 Purple Power mixture in. I only diluted it so save the cleaner. It still worked perfectly.
Completely submerge the model in the mixture. Make sure to set it in gently so it doesn't break. This guys ears are phenomenally detailed but thin and pointy - I had to be careful with them!
I let him sit like this overnight, it was probably about 12-14 hours. I didn't touch him or check on him at all during that time. He is an artist resin and probably will hold up better than a Breyer. I've never tried this with a Breyer or Stone. Check on them frequently as that plastic is much more susceptible to damage I hear.
The next morning I got him out and check on him. You can see the white film, that's the finish that was dissolved. He was pretty goey and yucky to touch! Be careful, they do get slippery. You SHOULD use gloves, but I forgot. I then rinsed him in cold/luke warm water.
While you are rinsing, start scrubbing! I use an old toothbrush. I feel that the firmer the toothbrush the better. This one is old and over-used, it's too soft and takes a lot more scrubbing.
You will notice the paint will come off in flimsy flakes. You can go ahead and peel it off if you want, or just keep scrubbing it away. A rough sided scrubby/sponge will also do wonders.
There will sometime be a difficult spot. That would be this guy's face and fetlocks. Stick him back in, or only stick in the parts that need more soaking time. I did not make a fresh mixture, I just stuck him I'm in the same mixture, in a smaller container.
This is after he had been sitting in the mixture for about 6 hours. Even the primer on his belly was lifted, though it wasn't submerged.
Scrub it all away.
If you have soaked multiple times and some paint just won't come off, don't worry. You can sand it away with some fine grit sandpaper.
When you are satisfied, wash the model with cold water and soap to remove any of the product still there. It WILL react with your paint/primer and ruin the integrity of the paint work put on after. So give them a good cleaning!
If you scrub vigorously you should wear safety glasses or a mask. Little bits of the liquid will go flying while scrubbing and it can be inhaled/swallowed - that's not good.
It is a drying agent and will make your skin a bit dry. Use lotion before if you don't have gloves. Then wash your hands with soap and water after handling the model.
SAFETY FIRST, PLEASE!
When all is said and done, you should be left with a blank canvas ready for new, improved clothing!
This is such a lovely resin. The sculptor did a great job, I didn't want to ruin it and disrespect her artwork. He will get better clothing soon!
If you have any questions, feel free to comment them below and I'll do my best to help out!
Thanks!
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