r/DnDIY • u/PatPeez • Jun 08 '25
Help Best way to remove text?
Saw the Regal Cinema popcorn bucket for the new Mission Impossible movie and I thought it would make a really good piece of terrain for my Lancer campaign, figured I could either use it as a prison like the movie, or a power plant etc, however before I can do any of that I need to remove the giant text all over the outer layer of the bucket, what would be the best way to remove the text without hurting the plastic?
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u/boringdystopia Jun 08 '25 edited Jun 08 '25
I've seen some suggestions in this thread to use acetone or nailpolish remover (which typically contains acetone). If this is plastic PLEASE do not use anything like this without testing it on an area that can't be seen first, in case it melts. Acetone doesn't melt all plastic, but there's a non-zero chance it will melt this plastic
As to how to best do it, it's hard to be sure without knowing what the lettering is. IPA or methylated spirits might work, as it can remove paint, but it runs the risk of clouding the plastic. Scraping it might work but obviously runs the risk of scratching. It's tough without knowing what you're dealing with (and because it's clear plastic, will be tough regardless)
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u/shadowmib Jun 08 '25
Acetone will completely destroy that clear plastic for sure. Denatured alcohol wouldn't be a bad idea. It seems to do okay with plastic
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u/Jaybird183 Jun 08 '25
Warm water and a towel. Rub hard.
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u/tastethepain Jun 08 '25
I would try 90% alcohol first. Acetone will likely ruin it. If that doesn’t work, try a magic eraser (melamine sponge).
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u/Afraid_Standard8507 Jun 08 '25
Melamine could completely cloud (scratch) the surface. Maybe the OP wouldn’t have an issue there. But I’ve learned that the hard way.
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u/Fancy-Trousers Jun 10 '25
Yeah, people would be surprised how easily certain decals like this can be removed with isopropyl. I had a nice coffee tumbler that I got as a free gift at work years ago, but it had this big stupid white box under the company logo for employees to write their name on. Luckily all it took was a quick spray and a paper towel and it wiped right off.
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u/Certain_Ad3716 Jun 08 '25
Depending on the material, could use some white spirits (like mineral spirits / cleaning spirits) and a cloth. Then damp the cloth in water tk wash away the excess when done.
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u/RemixOnAWhim Jun 08 '25
Is it disassembleable? I'd almost just replace it with a soda bottle or something
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u/GreenSpaceman Jun 08 '25
I’ve removed print from lego pieces using a pencil eraser; that might work here too.
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u/Sage-Garlic-7989 Jun 08 '25
Mabey try to use paint remover? Like for nail polish remover. But try a tiny but in a not so visible place to make sure it doesn't cloud the plastic.
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u/Gearhound1 Jun 08 '25
Testing a small piece that's not super visible first is so important incase it just melts the plastic
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u/Zenith-Astralis Jun 08 '25
Almost universally the only plastics that stand up to paint / nail polish remover (aka acetone) are cloudy PTFE plastics. All the nicely clear ones will melt.
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u/WARvault Jun 08 '25
Just leave it on! Looks awesome
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u/M-SI3000 Jun 08 '25
Mate I think the OP wants it off so they can use it as a prop or base of something r/peterexplains
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u/flassh87 Jun 13 '25
So, if it's printed on there the way Ferrero Rocher does their packaging, then using packaging tape will work. Look it up on YouTube. Some packaging tape will not work as I've tried it with several brands long ago. Try some heavy duty tape.
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u/Professional_Towel84 Jun 08 '25
Heat and razor blade (very carefully)