Thanks for all the suggestions.  With the appropriate precautions ~40%
nitric acid worked well - and the paint remains on the bench top.
Thankfully the black paint was not required.
neralie

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                      neralie coulston
                      school of microbiology and immunology
                      University of New South Wales
                      Sydney, Australia
                      ph 9385 1081
                      fax 9385 1591

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