So the paint is chipping off on my sir Lancelot clone, can I use nail polish remover to take it off and have the copper showing? Or would I have to coat it with something after. Just curious if the paint has another purpose other than aesthetics.
If it's copper underneath and you want shiny, you will either need to polish it all the time or you could clear coat it. Removing the paint won't effect the function. Whiskey's link above has some great details about what kinds of clearcoats, etc that people use.
Aircraft remover is the stuff, but make damn sure you remove all insulators, delrin spacers, aluminum parts and anything otherwise not metal before you even open the can!
and wear gloves, goggles and long sleeves. even a spec of this stuff burns. I have had it splash tiny droplets on my arms and it stings a little but I just wash my arms and it goes away but avoid contact.