if metho dioesnt work... heres what you do -

1. Soak in water overnight
2. go to bunnings and buy a no -name brand dremel type kit for about 20 bucks. as well as wet/dry sand paper
3. sandpaper the figure first using water
4. user the 'round wire' scrub tool and get rid of any excess paint that doesnt come off.

I have used this on figures which I have pinted and sealed using games workshop sprays.