Stripping Figures (Part 2)

(For Part 1, see here)

After leaving the figures to soak in the Dettol solution for a day and a half, I decided that they were ready to clean up. Unlike paint stripper or petrol, Dettol does not dissolve the paint but loosen it so it requires some work to get the paint off. Also, this loose paint is a sticky substance that can be rather tough to get off your skin (as I know from previous experience) and the methylated spirit is not nice on your skin so make sure you wear gloves when performing this stage of the stripping process.

Taking off the Paint

 
Remove the figures from the Dettol solution (do not pour the Dettol down a drain, put it in a water tight container and dispose of in a skip or something so it doesn't contaminate the water supply) and place in an old dish or container that you don't mind getting dirty.
Then cover the figures in methylated spirits (whatever you do, don't pour cold water onto the figures as this can cause the paint to harden back up and be even tougher to remove).
Scrub off the paint residue with the toothbrush, making sure to get into all the cracks and groves. Depending on how long the figures have been soaking depends on how long it takes for the paint to come off.
Once done, pour the methylated spirits into the same container you poured the Dettol, do not pour it down the drain.

Cleaning Up

 Once the figures have been sufficiently scrubbed, you must then make sure to clean off any of the methylated spirit that remains on the figures.
Fill the container back up with hot water and a little washing up liquid (with metal figures, you could probably use from a kettle but with plastic, to prevent melting or warping, best use water from the hot tap). Make sure the water is not too hot to cause injury.
Then scrub the figures to remove any remaining spirit and place on some kitchen roll or similar to dry out.