1:24 Tamiya model restoration... some tips!
Discussion
Gents,
Been doing a fair bit digging on this subject but struggling a bit.
I've just picked up a Tamiya 1:24 model, built up but not that well (rich coming from me, who has never built one!) but it's got the wrong stickers and the lights / indicators / interior parts have been hand painted.
I've since managed to find an original sticker set and it's en route from Hong Kong so will be here in about 3yrs no doubt... but in the meantime I want to strip the body and interior back to as was.
The shell is gloss white resin and that's the correct base colour for the car so trying to figure out how best to remove the existing stickers and the paint without damaging the plastic? Ie, figured best not to use any strong solvents that could melt the plastics but would need to be something that'll work!
Struggling to find a definite answer so hoping somebody can advise.
Thanks
Been doing a fair bit digging on this subject but struggling a bit.
I've just picked up a Tamiya 1:24 model, built up but not that well (rich coming from me, who has never built one!) but it's got the wrong stickers and the lights / indicators / interior parts have been hand painted.
I've since managed to find an original sticker set and it's en route from Hong Kong so will be here in about 3yrs no doubt... but in the meantime I want to strip the body and interior back to as was.
The shell is gloss white resin and that's the correct base colour for the car so trying to figure out how best to remove the existing stickers and the paint without damaging the plastic? Ie, figured best not to use any strong solvents that could melt the plastics but would need to be something that'll work!
Struggling to find a definite answer so hoping somebody can advise.
Thanks
If it's a plastic (polystyrene) shell, I'd start by putting it in a container full of cheap brake fluid for a week and see if that strips it. Failing that, Mr. Muscle oven cleaner all over it then place in a sealed plastic bag for a few days. Or Modelstrip paint stripper. All are pretty nasty, so wear appropriate gloves, goggles etc. And wash the shell in hot water and detergent after stripping.
TBH I've stripped a few old models, sometimes it works easily, sometimes it's impossible. Seems to depend on the type of paint and primer used. There's a thread somewhere on here about my strip down and rebuild if a Tamiya McLaren MP4/6, which might be of some use. Good Luck!
TBH I've stripped a few old models, sometimes it works easily, sometimes it's impossible. Seems to depend on the type of paint and primer used. There's a thread somewhere on here about my strip down and rebuild if a Tamiya McLaren MP4/6, which might be of some use. Good Luck!
It's a hard plastic shell, one of those build up Tamiya kits.
The existing stickers have come off, finger nail... they were so thin and almost flaked apart so unsure if just old or not well placed initially.
The body is white, ie the plastic is white... that's the base colour it'll remain so as long as I can get the rest of the stickers of clean, should be ok.
The mirrors, repeaters and door handles have been painted so I'm think cotton bud and some sort of solvent that won't melt the plastic.
Will the above techniques be ok for a bit over kill for a couple the small areas stated only?
Wheel also fell off... assume they glue on / don't spin!
Cheers
The existing stickers have come off, finger nail... they were so thin and almost flaked apart so unsure if just old or not well placed initially.
The body is white, ie the plastic is white... that's the base colour it'll remain so as long as I can get the rest of the stickers of clean, should be ok.
The mirrors, repeaters and door handles have been painted so I'm think cotton bud and some sort of solvent that won't melt the plastic.
Will the above techniques be ok for a bit over kill for a couple the small areas stated only?
Wheel also fell off... assume they glue on / don't spin!
Cheers
What model is it? Stripping an old model is never easy, and the results will usually be worse than if you'd just bought a new one and started again
If you strip a plastic body, you'll always get some residual crud and discolouration in various places. Even without that, you'll get the tell-tale waxy finish of unpainted plastic. IMO you'd be better off getting some white plastic primer rattle can (Tamiya) and some gloss white top coat - Halfords appliance gloss white at a push. apply a few very thin coats and let them harden, and the result should be Ok. Always test unknown paint combinations on scrap plastic by the way!
ETA you could try Mr Muscle locally on the small parts to be stripped, but keeping it in place for a few days might be tricky.
If you strip a plastic body, you'll always get some residual crud and discolouration in various places. Even without that, you'll get the tell-tale waxy finish of unpainted plastic. IMO you'd be better off getting some white plastic primer rattle can (Tamiya) and some gloss white top coat - Halfords appliance gloss white at a push. apply a few very thin coats and let them harden, and the result should be Ok. Always test unknown paint combinations on scrap plastic by the way!
ETA you could try Mr Muscle locally on the small parts to be stripped, but keeping it in place for a few days might be tricky.
Edited by dr_gn on Monday 25th September 23:23
It's a Tamiya 1:24 Volvo 850 BTCC
The stickers aren't leaving any residue, weirdly they just flaked off having been scraped with my nail and there's no adverse effect on the body.
I think I'll get away with not painting it, 90% of the body is nearly back to how it would be out the box, just to mirrors, handles and lights that have been painted by hand and thus I'd like to try and get that paint off.
Will perhaps try a blade first, paint looks quite thick so hoping it may chip / flake off but perhaps some acetone on a cotton bud?
The interior may be more of a challenge however so will try the oven cleaner etc methods.
Thanks!
The stickers aren't leaving any residue, weirdly they just flaked off having been scraped with my nail and there's no adverse effect on the body.
I think I'll get away with not painting it, 90% of the body is nearly back to how it would be out the box, just to mirrors, handles and lights that have been painted by hand and thus I'd like to try and get that paint off.
Will perhaps try a blade first, paint looks quite thick so hoping it may chip / flake off but perhaps some acetone on a cotton bud?
The interior may be more of a challenge however so will try the oven cleaner etc methods.
Thanks!
My stickers have arrived from Hong Kong in remarkably quick time... and have sat on the desk ever since as I'm too nervous to have a go!
Will need to invest in a cutting mat and scalpel and such like - this could prove dearer than the real thing!
Any tricks for applying the stickers for an utter beginner?
Will need to invest in a cutting mat and scalpel and such like - this could prove dearer than the real thing!
Any tricks for applying the stickers for an utter beginner?
So am I reading right? The body hasn't actually been painted and the decals were just stuck on the plastic?
If so you have a good starting point.
Rough plastic with 800 grade, primer, white acrylic spray can. Halfords range are very good quality and up to the job.
Decals will go much better with a decal softner (Microscale blue)
Cut out each one seperatly, dip in water for 10 secs, but to one side till soft and slide from paper on to model with tweezers.
Damp kitchen roll does a good job of soaking up the wet, just place it over the decal, don't rub.
If so you have a good starting point.
Rough plastic with 800 grade, primer, white acrylic spray can. Halfords range are very good quality and up to the job.
Decals will go much better with a decal softner (Microscale blue)
Cut out each one seperatly, dip in water for 10 secs, but to one side till soft and slide from paper on to model with tweezers.
Damp kitchen roll does a good job of soaking up the wet, just place it over the decal, don't rub.
Still haven't attempted this yet!
But yes, the bodyshell is white plastic (glossy) and that's the base colour so now that I've got the old stickers off, I'm left with shiny white shell that would be as it was from brand new... so no prep needed aside for removing the little painted details like the door handles and repeaters. Then I guess I can wipe the shell with degreaser / panel wipe and then apply the new stickers I received.
The shell isn't to be painted a base colour, it's white plastic from the factory so it's more a case of returning it to a "as new" shell then reapplying the new stickers... no painting needed but the sticker set looks bloody complicated and given the original ones just flaked off, just worried that my technique will cause the same but never considered a clear coat to seal them... good shout.
I'll get some images up ASAP but currently investing in a craft knife, good scissors, some needle nosed tweezers and patience pills.
Cheers
But yes, the bodyshell is white plastic (glossy) and that's the base colour so now that I've got the old stickers off, I'm left with shiny white shell that would be as it was from brand new... so no prep needed aside for removing the little painted details like the door handles and repeaters. Then I guess I can wipe the shell with degreaser / panel wipe and then apply the new stickers I received.
The shell isn't to be painted a base colour, it's white plastic from the factory so it's more a case of returning it to a "as new" shell then reapplying the new stickers... no painting needed but the sticker set looks bloody complicated and given the original ones just flaked off, just worried that my technique will cause the same but never considered a clear coat to seal them... good shout.
I'll get some images up ASAP but currently investing in a craft knife, good scissors, some needle nosed tweezers and patience pills.
Cheers
No, had not intention of painting it gloss white when it's already gloss white from the mould... and the more steps in the process, the more chances of it going wrong I figured. The decals cover 90% of the white plastic so figured as long as the shell is clean, contaminant free then it's just a case of getting the stickers on and then sealing them with a dusting of clear coat perhaps. The figure out how to tackle the interior etc.
Not my images and mine isn't brand new... but it's this kit and the shell gets the stickers added unpainted as far as I can tell.
Not my images and mine isn't brand new... but it's this kit and the shell gets the stickers added unpainted as far as I can tell.
You really should paint it white and put the decals on top. This is why the old decals just flaked off in the first place. That white plastic no where near white and is not a good surface for applying decals.
It will look cheap and shoddy if you just apply them to the bare plastic shell, that's not how it is normally done.
But you seem insistent so carry on and show us how it turned out.
It will look cheap and shoddy if you just apply them to the bare plastic shell, that's not how it is normally done.
But you seem insistent so carry on and show us how it turned out.
Not insistent out of spite however from what I can deduce from some Googling, there's nothing to suggest it should be painted but then again it's not an new model out the box so if I've missed something here then that's fine. I just assumed as it was gloss white, painting would increase the chances of failure and may also reduce some of the detail? Happy to be advised but wasn't sure if a) painting was required or b) my initial wording gave the impression the shell had been over-painted and thus I was trying to strip it all off, which isn't the case.
Cheers
Cheers
It’s a tricky one though: If he’s never built/sprayed/decalled/finished a car model before, spray painting in itself is going to potentially give him a worse result (runs, orange peel, torn decals if it’s not fully cured etc) than if he’d left it. The size of those blue decals could be tricky to apply well, and will really need Micro Sol, which in itself can be a bit of an art. It then needs clear coating with all that can involve. All this is neglecting the fact that those tricky to paint window seals and the rest of the model needs detailing too.
I’d have to say that ideally a few cheap kits with large decals would be better under his belt as practice, before trying these hard to get ones, but appreciate it’s a drag.
At the end of the day, getting a great result on a model like this takes practice and dedication, unless you’re exceptionally talented at this kind of thing (which is entirely possible), or lucky.
There are loads of “how to” websites on building cars, and dedicated forums such as F1M. I’d look through and digest those and make a start.
I’d have to say that ideally a few cheap kits with large decals would be better under his belt as practice, before trying these hard to get ones, but appreciate it’s a drag.
At the end of the day, getting a great result on a model like this takes practice and dedication, unless you’re exceptionally talented at this kind of thing (which is entirely possible), or lucky.
There are loads of “how to” websites on building cars, and dedicated forums such as F1M. I’d look through and digest those and make a start.
Look at robmcdonalds Corvette build. First posts clearly show the difference between coloured yellow plastic and painted yellow plastic. If you can’t see the difference, then there’s no problem; don’t paint your shell...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Dr_gn, I couldn't agree more. But sticking the decals on an unpainted plastic shell won't work anyway, there is nothing for the decal adhesive to bite into, so our advice would be to paint it surely?
Could buy a few cheap revell cars and practice spraying those perhaps before tackling a lovely rare kit like the Volvo?
BTW, I've built the saloon and Estate versions of this kit and did have trouble with the decals crazing under acrylic lacquer from halfords on the saloon. I'd recommend Mr.Hobby Water based clear coat as it won't damage the decals if sprayed in light coats.
Davie, if you want guiding through each step I'm sure we'd all be happy to help?
Could buy a few cheap revell cars and practice spraying those perhaps before tackling a lovely rare kit like the Volvo?
BTW, I've built the saloon and Estate versions of this kit and did have trouble with the decals crazing under acrylic lacquer from halfords on the saloon. I'd recommend Mr.Hobby Water based clear coat as it won't damage the decals if sprayed in light coats.
Davie, if you want guiding through each step I'm sure we'd all be happy to help?
Edited by Guiddy on Sunday 8th October 17:20
I think all the advice here is to paint it, I was just thinking it’s not necessarily easy for a novice to get a good result. Halfords white plastic primer followed by appliance gloss white applied in very very very light coats would be my advice in the absence of an airbrush. Just cover the plastic and don’t worry about a mirror finish.
I’ve got a McLaren MP4/4 with decals straight on to plastic, coated with Humbroll gloss, and they’ve been on since about 1990! Even back then, when I didn’t have OCD, I regretted not painting it white.
Clear coats are another can of worms, some can attack decals, others just aren’t very glossy. I ended up using 2k clear on my MP4/6, but that’s a bit dodgy from an H&S viewpoint. I’ve heard Tamiya Clear gloss is very aggressive, but got away with it on my XJR9LM somehow...
ETA this looks very good advice for rattle can painting :
http://www.themotormuseuminminiature.co.uk/how-to-...
Worth a read?
I’ve got a McLaren MP4/4 with decals straight on to plastic, coated with Humbroll gloss, and they’ve been on since about 1990! Even back then, when I didn’t have OCD, I regretted not painting it white.
Clear coats are another can of worms, some can attack decals, others just aren’t very glossy. I ended up using 2k clear on my MP4/6, but that’s a bit dodgy from an H&S viewpoint. I’ve heard Tamiya Clear gloss is very aggressive, but got away with it on my XJR9LM somehow...
ETA this looks very good advice for rattle can painting :
http://www.themotormuseuminminiature.co.uk/how-to-...
Worth a read?
Edited by dr_gn on Sunday 8th October 17:55
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