How to remove airbrush paint from raw wood?

[onmywayAgain]

A wood carver friend of mine carved a fish, then sprayed paint on it with an airbrush (water based paint). Unfortunately this filled in all the detail on the scales, so he has asked me to help him remove the paint and do it right. What's the best way to get the paint off without damaging he carving? Denatured alcohol and a rag or Q-tips? Then what kind of paint do I use to cover it without filling in the small details? Anybody have any experience with this? Thanks.

[optic]

Hi,

If I were your friend I would try two things:

. If it is possible he can patiently sand the fish with a very fine grit sand paper or some spongy sanding equipment like 3M ultra fine sanding sponge. Both of which can be used wet or dry.
. If the type of wood is possible to soak in warm water without bending or deforming afterwards, water based paint can be brushed off gently if the fish can be soaked in hot water for some while.

For fine details like scale marks etc. he may need a pointed metal instrument to remove the paint inside the grits without damaging the marks, paitence is needed I suppose.

When it comes to painting it again he may use diluted paints. Here is a link for an old thread about painting wooden bracelets by me: http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=372122#

If you search for some of my older threads you'll find some examples of painting wooden boxes, Spanish guitars, etc. which can perhaps help you to decide how to paint wood very thin.

Good luck...

Can

[onmywayAgain]

Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I am not sure what kind of wood it is, I will find out when I see him next. I am afraid it will be a tedious job getting the old paint out, but necessary. My biggest fear is doing damage to the carving after he spent so much time on it. I will try the wet sanding maybe very lightly to see if it helps, then I will try a little alcohol, unless someone else has a better suggestion. I think I have some dental picks I can use.

Your wooden bracelets were beautiful.

[gresaun]

Originally Posted by onmywayAgain

Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I am not sure what kind of wood it is, I will find out when I see him next. I am afraid it will be a tedious job getting the old paint out, but necessary. My biggest fear is doing damage to the carving after he spent so much time on it. I will try the wet sanding maybe very lightly to see if it helps, then I will try a little alcohol, unless someone else has a better suggestion. I think I have some dental picks I can use.

Your wooden bracelets were beautiful.

Is it possible to sandblast with a softer grit say glass beads or nut shells?

[onmywayAgain]

Don't think that is an option, firstly because we don't have the equipment, secondly because the detail is so shallowly carved, but thanks for the suggestion. He's coming over Friday morning so we will see what we can accomplish.
This is the first thing I have posted, so thanks for reading it and giving suggestions!

[hinddee29]

So what was the out come?? I know it's a little too late, but denatured alcohol and scrub brush will do the trick for sure. In my opinion wood should be stained not painted...

[onmywayAgain]

That's basically what I used, but I used a rag instead of a brush since the carving was detailed. That took most of it off, then I painted over it with thinned acrylics. Turned out well, thanks.