Removing unwanted tampos without damaging paint underneath

Discussion in 'Creative General Discussion' started by Weezie, Dec 19, 2015.

  1. Weezie

    Weezie Well-Known Member

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    Hello
    I have discovered a way to remove tampographs without damaging the underlying paint. Most people try to remove tampos with alcohol but this will also remove the paint underneath, which we don't want. This could be particularly useful for removing faction symbols from MP Diaclone style figures.

    You will need:

    -The figure to remove the tampo/paint from. I am using Classics Cyclonus as our guinea pig here.

    [​IMG]

    -Cotton buds/Q tips. The ones with fine, pointed tips are preferred, because you have more control with them.

    [​IMG]

    -Windex. This is an American brand of window cleaner. It's easily recognisable by its pretty blue colour. Make sure it is the ammonia d based version. I have not tried the version without ammonia so I don't know of its effectiveness.

    [​IMG]

    -Elbow grease and patience

    Soak your cotton swab tip with Windex and rub against the part you want to remove. Slowly it will wear away. Because it works so slowly, you will not take off the underlying paint unless you make a concerted effort to do so.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    When you are done the Windex will evaporate away by itself, but if you're paranoid just wipe the figure down with a damp cloth.

    Here is MP Bumblebee with his foot tampo removed (I know he's mistransformed- too lazy to go back and retake the photo ;) )
     

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  2. G60Force

    G60Force World Smallest Mini-Con

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    for symbols indeed it works, for whole figs which i did b4 require serious motivation te finish lol i gave up 2 times already ;)  lol
     
  3. Weezie

    Weezie Well-Known Member

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    Yep, it's too weak to use for stripping entire figures. Just use it for tampos and small things :) 
     
  4. The13Primes

    The13Primes hot shot fanatic

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    Hm thanks now to find a way to strip massive areas
     
  5. Hotpiece

    Hotpiece Blazechaser

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    Has anyone tried soaking the figure in Windex? Maybe using a bigger cotton swab?
     
  6. rumble619

    rumble619 Well-Known Member

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    You could also use a pink eraser for this as well.
     
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  7. Boy Blunder

    Boy Blunder Terrorcon King

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    My question is, does it work on the ugly black identification numbering that's stamped on some figures?
     
  8. Weezie

    Weezie Well-Known Member

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    Hmmm, I don't own any figure like that so I don't know. Is it an American Hasbro thing?
     
  9. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

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    I'd like to see this tried on a figure that has paint underneath a coat of paint. BIS Cyclonus' chest is unpainted plastic (it's dyed that purple color).
     
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  10. shadeozero

    shadeozero Well-Known Member

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    was going to say the same about cyclonus, but he did it to mp bb
     
  11. calvin0

    calvin0 Well-Known Member

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    i read this as "removing unwanted tampon"... stupid brain...
     
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  12. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

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    Yeah, I see that now that I reread things. I'd rather see the step-by-step done on a figure like it at least, for our tutorial purposes at least.
     
  13. Weezie

    Weezie Well-Known Member

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    I am going to test more figures. I have plenty of junkers lying around. I'm a girl btw.
     
  14. UTF

    UTF Manifestation of /toy/

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    Any idea if it could strip off the silver "windows" on CW First Aid's chest and leave the red paint underneath intact?

    I'm assuming it was white plastic completely painted red and the silver was added last.

    [​IMG]
     

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  15. Superquad7

    Superquad7 OCP Police Crime Prevention Unit 001 Super Content Contributor

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    The more figures tested, the better. Also, if some of you other guys wanna try it, by all means post your experiences and results here.

    Ruizu, thanks so much for sharing here!
     
  16. Insane Galvatron

    Insane Galvatron is not insane. Really!

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    I had used Alcohol ( 70% ) to remove tampos back when I did NASCAR custom cars. I would dip a paper towel in it and just rub away. It would take off the tampos without removing any of the base paint underneath. I only started getting 90% stuff when I started customizing Transformers. I've also found it varies per figure. I've removed tampos from painted areas on some figures with no trouble, but others, it's impossible. I tried removing the "Racing" tampo from the windshield of CW Breakdown, but the black paint of the windshield was just easier to remove so it was coming off first. I just painted over it in the end. Never tried Windex, so I'd be curious if it works better than the 70% alcohol.
     
  17. bad andy

    bad andy Well-Known Member

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    Sorry to revive this from the dead, but I may be looking to remove a tampo or two in the future. Specifically, the ape insignia on MP10r (bape) shoulder. Any body tried the above technique a bit more and have some observations?

    Thanks
     
  18. Venixion

    Venixion Its always the middle of the night in Moonside

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    I misread the title.
     
  19. Mizzinno

    Mizzinno Merc With A Mouthplate

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    I heard Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work, is this true?
     
  20. Oheretic

    Oheretic Well-Known Member

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    Just used good old surgical spirit and cotton buds to remove those god awful flames from Generations Nightbeat as part of his Beezleboss upgrade.

    Worked like a champ - and yes it does remove the stupid Hasbro toy numbers as well :)