The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Evening all,

First post and a tip I was eager to share to save anyone doing this from toil and frustration

I'm a model maker and for some time Dettol has been lauded as the best way to strip unwanted paint from miniatures without damaging the metal or plastic they're made from

I knew this would work on old reels, so when I picked up this Speedia at a car boot for £2 I was itching to try it

1. Get a container deep enough to submerge the reel in it's two halves, wear some surgical gloves, Dettol neat dries your skin out badly [ caustic soda ]

2. Get a bottle of Dettol as shown, I paid £2.99

3. Pour the lot in or as much as you need to cover the entire reel, including the handles, it won't damage them at all, DO NOT ADD WATER

4. Just let it steep for 24-48 hours

5. With a toothbrush work off the loose bubbled paint and re-submerge if longer is needed

6. When all the paint is off, clean the reel in water, dry thoroughly, reassemble and oil/grease etc

I hope this has been useful

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Fascinating, Sir ... thanks for sharing !

Nice one Lee and welcome to the forum.

That's a new one on me. I have used the old type brake fluid before to give similar results but that is sure to give Dettol sales a boost.

Welcome to the forum LeeDobson

Wal.

LeeDobson wrote:"I knew this would work on old reels, so when I picked up this Speedia at a car boot for £2 I was itching to try it"

How Much !!

Welcome aboard Sir....and where did you say this carboot was ?

Lee welcome to the forum. Thanks for showing this – a great opening post! That Speedia has come up beautifully.

So Detol will strip Humbrol enamel from metal figures? I don't suppose you've ever thought of trying Detol in a sonic cleaner to strip figures have you? If it works it would save all the scrubbing but a Speedia might be too big to go in the Sonic cleaners they usually sell for home use.

No worries chaps, glad to share a tip

I've never used a sonic cleaner but it should work fine

The carboot was in a big field near RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, I was there visiting friends, believe me that was the only fishing gem I could find, mostly baby clothes and tat

What a superb opening post, welcome to the forum Lee

Not sure which was the most surprising a speedia for £2 or the paint stripping quality of Dettol, I have a Rapidex that I'll try this on, I'll take the handles off though as they look to be made of wood.

Hello, welcome and thank you for that most useful tip.