We all have them. A missed stroke, too many layers, or you've got an old one that's just plain nasty. Of course I am talking about painted miniatures, but there is a solution to bad paint job misery. I'm talking about Westley's Bleche-Wite. Take a glass jar; fill about 3/4 full of Bleche-Wite, put in any figure you want and leave overnight. In the morning (or whenever) just take an old toothbrush to the figure and presto! Just like magic most, if not all paint will come right off the sucker. How much would you pay for a bottle of this? I don't know either! It all depends on your fine local auto store.

Now onto the serious bit. Westley's Bleche-Wite is a spray-on tire cleaner that's got some pretty severe precautions on the back so it is probably a good idea to wear rubber gloves or at least give whatever it is you're cleaning a thorough rinsing before handling. Bleche-Wite is the most effective thing I've tried to clean off figures and it does a wonderful job on plastics and metal without warping or melting said figures.

Another good thing about it is that you can pack the jar to the gills with figures at least three times before the cleaning solution gets too polluted, but any more than that is pushing it. I haven't tried resin, wood, flock, or clear plastic yet, so you'll have to see for yourself there. Like most cleaning products it will eat up super glue and the like so be prepared to find your mini's in bits when you bring them out of the liquid.

If you can't find the Bleche-Wite, there are a few alternatives. Acetone, as in nail polish remover, can strip paint off of figures but it's the least effective thing I've tried. Pine cleaners will work a bit as well, again not as good as the Bleche-Wite but it does a creditable job. Again, with both of these you'll have to leave these in a jar over night for the cleaning to be effective, and watch out, these will warp, melt, and make plastic go soft for a loooong time.

Some suggestions I've heard but not used include spray-on oven cleaner and Castrol Super Clean, another toxic car cleaner. Again, if you try these use caution.

Good luck and good cleaning.