A Son of Sanguinius Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 Curiosity has gotten the best of me so I went to Harbor Freight Tools and picked up this model: http://www.harborfreight.com/ultrasonic-cleaner-3305.html basket dimensions are 5 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 2" deep I tested the following three items, 1) a metal backpack set from a scout biker which was sprayed with GW Blood Angels Red primer back in 3rd edition 2) a Death Company jump pack sprayed with Army Painter black primer 3) an Imperial Guard trooper who was primed with Army Painter white primer, base coated with foundation paint which was airbrushed, then painted with thin layers of paint I used isopropyl alcohol in the unit and ran it 4 times (it is preset to 3 minute run times, not adjustable) cleaned with a firm brush one more run for 3 minutes cleaned with the brush again. The following pics are the before and after shots. I didn't clean with a dental pick so you can see how well everything worked. http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p644/ChrisO33/beforepic_zpsb17d8f75.jpghttp://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p644/ChrisO33/packclean_zps96130b02.jpghttp://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p644/ChrisO33/jumppackclean_zps697fba7f.jpghttp://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p644/ChrisO33/guardclean_zps95d8b90b.jpg The metal pack and the jump pack came out great. To be honest, the jump pack needs no additional cleaning. The guardsman came out ok. It is clean enough that after some picking it can be reprimed, but the foundation paint is not coming off everywhere unless I scrape it with a hobby knife. I wonder if it is because it was airbrushed on? In my opinion, this cleaner is worth the money, and I will be using it again for more models. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3595414 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kastor Krieg Posted February 16, 2014 Author Share Posted February 16, 2014 In my opinion, this cleaner is worth the money, and I will be using it again for more models. Very glad to hear! :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3595835 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Son of Sanguinius Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Kastor - thank you for bringing this up, it's always great to see when someone finds a new way to make things easier. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3596015 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zopha Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I got an ultrasonic ages ago for cleaning out ebay mini's and stupidly thought water would do the job. It didn't of couse and I was too afraid of using dettol or fairy power spray in it, both foam up so I imagined an overflowing nightmare. IPA looks like the perfect subsitute. How long does the IPA last and can it stored and used again? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3596304 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Belgae Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I've been using a soda blaster intended for automotive use really. But I tried it on a plastic rhino and a metal chaplain. Paint and undercoat came off beautifully. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3596384 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fibonacci Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I got an ultrasonic ages ago for cleaning out ebay mini's and stupidly thought water would do the job. It didn't of couse and I was too afraid of using dettol or fairy power spray in it, both foam up so I imagined an overflowing nightmare. IPA looks like the perfect subsitute. How long does the IPA last and can it stored and used again? I picked up the linked cleaner this weekend and used straight Purple Power (the USA version of Faeiry Power Spray) with zero problems. The vibrations from the cleaning cycle are not enough for it to cause any foam. What you get are a lot of tiny, fast moving ripples. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3596437 Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Son of Sanguinius Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 When I used the isoprophyl alcohol it gets dirty after a few runs. Definetly not a solution to use over and over but it isn't expensive either. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3596502 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted March 1, 2014 Share Posted March 1, 2014 When I used the isoprophyl alcohol it gets dirty after a few runs. Definetly not a solution to use over and over but it isn't expensive either. Do you mean the alcohol gets dirty and needs replacing, or the machine? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3606333 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kastor Krieg Posted March 1, 2014 Author Share Posted March 1, 2014 The alcohol. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3606382 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doghouse Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 If you are in the UK Fairy Power Spray is the best stuff I've come across and is easy to get hold of. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3609642 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I already have some Fairy power spray and my new ultrasonic cleaner is in the post. I'll let you all know how I get on. :tu: Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3610096 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aqui Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I already have some Fairy power spray and my new ultrasonic cleaner is in the post. I'll let you all know how I get on. That will be appreciated, as the second hand minis I got a while ago have been far harder to strip than I'd like. I can definitely see an Ultrasonic cleaner as being the way to go Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3610098 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reldn Posted March 6, 2014 Share Posted March 6, 2014 Hmmm...Definitely going to have to get one of these. With the way I paint, a lot of miniatures get Simple Green baths. If it'll speed up the process and get me back to screwing up in less time I'm there! :P Thanks for this info, looking forward to trying it out! Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3612191 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cactus Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Before: http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb440/Cactus-/20140309_205150_zpsca813a00.jpg After about six minutes in the Fairy power spray ultrasonic cleaner combo, and five minutes (total, not per model) lazy scrubbing with a cheap toothbrush: http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb440/Cactus-/20140309_225407_zpsa3f83f67.jpg There's still paint in the crevices but a longer bath or some poking with a toothpick should sort that out. One of my friends - who has experience with using these cleaners in the chemistry lab - suggested putting the cleaning solution and model in a ziplock bag. This will definitely make cleaning up afterwards a lot easier! I'll get hold of some ispropyl(?) alchohol for a cheaper option. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3626933 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Res Ipsa Loquitur Posted May 11, 2014 Share Posted May 11, 2014 Isopropyl alcohol where I live is ca. $9 for 16oz, which somewhat ruins the point of picking cheap stuff up on ebay, IMO, so I looked elsewhere. At first I tried Walmart's Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover in solutions of 480ml water and 20ml NPR. Very little effect. 280ml water and 20ml NPR, ditto. 200ml water and 100ml NPR completely melted the miniatures. Pro-tip, just because it says Acetone-Free doesn't mean it won't melt your dudesmen. I reconvened today to try again. I got some A-F NPR from Pharmasave, put some in a shotglass and whacked a backpack in to see what happened. It did go soft, but only after submersion for ca. 15 minutes. I did some research also and discovered that A-F NPR's density is lower than that of water, which means that the solution just separates and the NPR floats on top of the water. So I filled up my ultrasonic cleaner with pure A-F NPR and prepared my volunteer. http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb368/res_ipsa1/Mobile%20Uploads/20140511_135402_zpspzyzvyix.jpg http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb368/res_ipsa1/Mobile%20Uploads/20140511_135357_zpsr0tohvx2.jpg I have no idea what that yellow stuff is but I do know that Simple Green doesn't touch it, even after a month-long bath. Anyway, one three-minute cycle later; http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb368/res_ipsa1/Mobile%20Uploads/20140511_135733_zpsmhfjjp4k.jpg http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb368/res_ipsa1/Mobile%20Uploads/20140511_135727_zpsi8e6jard.jpg Great success! EDIT - Pharmasave A-F NPR is $2.49 for 300ml and so far I've cleaned duder above, seven terminators, twenty-six marines and twelve scouts with one bottle. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3683534 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kastor Krieg Posted May 12, 2014 Author Share Posted May 12, 2014 This is so awesome seeing you guys take off with the idea! Happy reviving your dudesmen! :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3684029 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted May 12, 2014 Share Posted May 12, 2014 Can't help but read IPA as Indian Pale Ale. Going to have to add one of these onto my to buy list alongside an airbrush. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3684068 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gab Posted May 17, 2014 Share Posted May 17, 2014 I can get Simple Green here in Australia, although it seems we might be a bit spoilt for choice. http://www.bunnings.com.au/search/products?q=simple%20green Which one should I use? Just the multi-purpose cleaner? Have used brake fluid on metal before but would prefer a more child and apartment friendly product. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3690650 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulweih Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Hail brothers, I'm happy I searched for this and found it, reassures me greatly and lends insight from a different angle. Thank you brother Krieg for starting this thread. I was thinking about getting an ultra sonic cleaner for weeks now, but not for stripping the minis (which is a huge and welcome bonus) rather than cleaning my sanded and filed models from the residual matter that tends to stick to them after those preparations. I recently built two Land Speeders and the plastic residue from the sanding process is everywhere in the cockpit and after drying up (because I use watered tools) it sticks fast. So I figured an ultra sonic cleaner might work to clean them up, what's your take on this brothers? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/284616-all-your-mini-stripping-woes-are-gone/page/3/#findComment-3719634 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.