From: Doberdog (EOH) [#1]
28 Apr 2006
To: ALL
Anyone have any hints on stripping the gold off of plastic figures down to silver? I haven't done this before and have been requested to use silver figures and trims on some trophies.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#2]
28 Apr 2006
To: Doberdog (EOH) [#1] 28 Apr 2006
Gold Plastic Figure to Silver = Dipping the Figure in Acetone.
It's been a long time, but that's how I remember it.
From: Rodney Gold (RODNEY_GOLD) [#3]
28 Apr 2006
To: ALL
We use meths , acetone works ok too but just be careful , both will start attacking the silver if you do it too long. We have a bath of water next to the solvent and dunk the stripped figs in there to immediately stop further stripping.
From: logojohn [#4]
28 Apr 2006
To: Doberdog (EOH) [#1] 28 Apr 2006
We sell around 30-40% silver figures and trim.
For large orders and common figures we just order them in silver from
a pdu distributor.
We do dip some in acetone if we need a few in a hurry. You do need to rinse thoroughly in water soon after dipping.
.
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#5]
28 Apr 2006
To: logojohn [#4] 28 Apr 2006
I dip them in rubbing alcohol, that works on most brands like PDU, there have been some brands the alcohol does not work on, I have not had acetone to try, but now I do, so I will try that next. I figured alcohol was a little safer than acetone.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
28 Apr 2006
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#5] 28 Apr 2006
John,
As others have pointed out, removing gold dye from a plastic figure requires only a quick "dip."
Soaking the figure in acetone is a recipe for taffy.
:-)
From: Doberdog (EOH) [#7]
28 Apr 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6] 28 Apr 2006
I tried the acetone and it appears that the timing is critical - too short and it leaves a gold tint, too long and some areas strip to the base (black). Haven't got to the taffy level yet. I'll keep expermenting, maybe with a stop watch, to determine the critical timing. Thanks everyone for your input.
From: Myyk [#8]
28 Apr 2006
To: Doberdog (EOH) [#7] 29 Apr 2006
I have used Meths (like Rodney) Denatured Alchohol to you Americans, I think.
From: UncleSteve [#9]
28 Apr 2006
To: Myyk [#8] 28 Apr 2006
Yes, denatured alcohol is MUCH better than "meths"..... Here in America the "meths" usually come in the "crystal" variety....
From: Myyk [#10]
28 Apr 2006
To: UncleSteve [#9] 29 Apr 2006
Depends what you want to use it for, I guess. "Meths" is short for what we call Methylated Spirits
From: UncleSteve [#11]
29 Apr 2006
To: Myyk [#10] 29 Apr 2006
On this side of the pond:
crystal meth
(crystal methamphetamine, tina, crystal meths, krank, tweak, ice)
Crystal meth is an intensive stimulant with disinhibitory qualities
Guess it loses (or gains?) something in the translation....
From: Frazee1 [#12]
30 Apr 2006
To: Doberdog (EOH) [#1] Unread
Be careful on which figures you dip. The PDU made in China will not strip. The PDU made here in the USA will strip with acetone. I buy it from beauty supply stores by the gallon. I reuse the same gallon until it has so much dye accumulated that it doesn't work as well. The only other brand I tried was Freeman from Southeastern. They told me to use denatured alcohol which looked great at first so I did a very large batch. After they dried, they turned off color so bad I had to throw them in the garbage! Lesson learned!