How to Remove Paint From Warhammer Models: Warhammer Paint Stripping Guide

Whether you scored some secondhand Warhammer 40k miniatures or you're not happy with an old paint job, knowing how to remove paint from Warhammer models is one of the most useful skills in the hobby. 

Warhammer paint stripping sounds like a big deal, but it's honestly super easy once you have the right supplies - Soaking in a stripping solution and using an old toothbrush will get most models back to bare plastic without losing any detail. Then, they’re a blank canvas for you to repaint!

Here's the full breakdown on how to strip Warhammer models so you can strip with confidence and start fresh. And when you’re ready to stock up on fresh Warhammer paints for the do-over, look no further than our selection here at Danireon!

Key Takeaways on Warhammer Paint Stripping

• Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) is the best Warhammer paint remover for plastic, metal, and resin models.
• Soak times range from 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on paint thickness and what you use.
• The best way to remove paint from miniatures is to soak, scrub with a toothbrush under warm water, and repeat until clean.
• Never use acetone on plastic - it dissolves polystyrene on contact.
• A good Warhammer paint stripper won't damage surface detail as long as you let the solution do the work instead of forcing it with pressure.
• Danireon has you covered with authentic paints for Warhammer, miniatures, and more!

What You'll Need to Strip Models

Gather everything in one spot before you start Warhammer paint stripping:

• Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) - the go-to Warhammer paint remover. Lower concentrations still work but need to soak longer.
• A sealable container (plastic or glass) large enough to completely submerge your models.
• An old toothbrush with medium to stiff bristles. This does most of the hands-on work.
• Rubber or nitrile gloves (IPA dries out skin).
• Paper towels and a work surface you don't mind getting messy.
• Clean water for rinsing between scrub passes.

Simple Green and LA's Totally Awesome are popular alternatives if you want to skip IPA. Both work as a Warhammer paint stripper but need longer soak times - 24-48 hours compared to IPA's 30 minutes to a few hours. 

Simple Green is the gentler of the two, so it might be your best bet for resin models you’re worried about causing damage to or if you'd rather avoid fumes altogether.

How to Remove Paint From Warhammer Models

Learning how to remove paint from Warhammer models is mostly about patience. The actual steps are simple. Here’s how to strip Warhammer models the right way.

1. Disassemble what you can. Pull off any removable parts if your model has them - arms, weapons, backpacks, etc. More exposed surface means the solution reaches everywhere.
2. Submerge. Put everything in the container and pour in enough IPA (or alternative model stripper) to completely cover the models. Nothing should be poking above the surface.
3. Soak. Check after 30 minutes if the model only has 1-2 thin coats and you’re using IPA. Thicker paint jobs or heavy primer need 12-24 hours. Give it a full 24-48 hours if you’re using Simple Green or any other gentler alternative.
4. Scrub. Pull a model out and work it with your toothbrush under warm running water. Get the bristles into recesses and around raised details. Paint should come off in flakes or soft sheets. The model needs more time in the solution if it's still gripping. Don't compensate with harder scrubbing. You’ll only wear down fine detail over time.
5. Repeat. Heavy paint jobs, especially anything with multiple primer coats, often need 2-3 rounds of soaking and scrubbing. Patience is a virtue! 
6. Dry fully. Thoroughly rinse and let models air dry before repriming. Moisture trapped under new primer causes adhesion problems down the road.

Tips For Stripping Specific Types of Models

As for how to strip Warhammer models made of resin specifically (like Forge World kits), the same IPA method applies. Just handle resin with a bit more care since it’s more brittle than standard injection-molded plastic. Heavy-handed scrubbing can snap antennae, sword tips, or other thin parts. 

Metal models are the most forgiving to strip. Almost any Warhammer paint remover works on metal, and you can go harder with the toothbrush without stressing about damage.

One thing to avoid across all materials: acetone and nail polish remover. Both dissolve polystyrene on contact, and they're unnecessarily harsh (even on metal) when IPA does the job just fine. Brake fluid is another old recommendation you'll see in forums. It works, but it's messy and hard on skin. Stick with IPA or Simple Green.

No matter the material, our advice on how to remove paint from Warhammer models comes down to the same cycle: soak, scrub, rinse, repeat.

What Now?

Now that you know how to remove paint from Warhammer models, your stripped minis are back to a blank canvas. Hit them with a thin coat of spray primer in a well-ventilated space. Grey or black works for most color schemes. Keep the passes light from 8-10 inches away so you don't bury the detail you just uncovered. 

Let the primer cure all the way before painting. If Warhammer paint stripping felt like the hard part, the repaint is where it pays off. A stripped model takes new paint WAY better than one caked in old layers.

Stripping also opens up the secondhand market in a major way. Pre-painted armies go for less than new-on-sprue kits, and someone else's color scheme stops being a dealbreaker once you know how to strip Warhammer models. 

Just getting started? Our blog has plenty more tips on how to start Warhammer 40k, including the easiest Warhammer 40k model to paint and how to paint Warhammer 40k models from the ground up. 

But at this point, all that’s left to do is put what you’ve learned into action and start stripping Warhammer models with ease. Before you get to work, head over to Danireon and stock up on all the paints and other essentials you need to bring your vision for your army to life! 

Final Words on How to Strip Warhammer Models

Warhammer paint stripping doesn't need expensive products or specialized equipment. A bottle of 90% IPA, an old toothbrush, and some patience are all it takes to get back to square one. 

Whether you're rescuing a used army or giving your own models a second pass, the cycle is the same - soak, scrub, rinse, repeat until you hit bare plastic. Then, you have a blank canvas ready to be painted fresh!

Stock up on everything from Warhammer paint brushes to the paints and miniatures themselves, right here in our Warhammer shop. Discover why Danireon is the #1 choice in North America today.