Restoring a 1/18 Model
Discussion
I have a UT Models McLaren F1 1997 GTR "Longtail" road version in black. While it's a great addition to my McLaren collection, it arrived in a bit of a state, which I have lived with for these last few years. The seller (yes, eBay again!) didn't pack it in the most secure way, and when I got it the rhs door (can't say driver or passenger side with an F1!) had came off, as the ball on the hinge thing had snapped off. The rear wing had obviously been detatched at some point, as there is evidence of it being glued back on; with contact adhesive rather than proper superglue, as there are 2 yellowish blobs where the wing joins the car. They have also used superglue to try and put the window of the broken door back in, as there is a "foggy" effect on the perspex, and the rhs door mirror obviously kept falling off, as there is more evidence of useless glue. All this could do with repairing if I am going to get decent money for it if times get hard and I have to sell up. I paid £50 for it in this condition, but I have seen ones in better condition hit £120.
There are also one or two minor paint chips, but because of the damage caused by the rubbish glue used to repair the mirror and rear wing, a respray is probably the best way to get it looking perfect again.
So, does anyone know of a professional person/company that could sort out this model for me, at a reasonable price?
There are also one or two minor paint chips, but because of the damage caused by the rubbish glue used to repair the mirror and rear wing, a respray is probably the best way to get it looking perfect again.
So, does anyone know of a professional person/company that could sort out this model for me, at a reasonable price?
I've got one of these too in orange 
good to hear its probably worth more than I paid for it! had it years, sat on a shelf in my room but kept clean, and I still have the box in good nick too! Unfortunately the rear spoiler has fallen off, any tips for re-attaching it? once thats done it may go back in its box and into storage
good to hear its probably worth more than I paid for it! had it years, sat on a shelf in my room but kept clean, and I still have the box in good nick too! Unfortunately the rear spoiler has fallen off, any tips for re-attaching it? once thats done it may go back in its box and into storage bumrar said:
I've got one of these too in orange good to hear its probably worth more than I paid for it! had it years, sat on a shelf in my room but kept clean, and I still have the box in good nick too! Unfortunately the rear spoiler has fallen off, any tips for re-attaching it? once thats done it may go back in its box and into storage
Unsure of superglue, as I said it's been used by the previous owner of my longtail and it's not gone well, but very very very careful application could make it work. good to hear its probably worth more than I paid for it! had it years, sat on a shelf in my room but kept clean, and I still have the box in good nick too! Unfortunately the rear spoiler has fallen off, any tips for re-attaching it? once thats done it may go back in its box and into storage And I have an orange one too! Paid £50 for it, have seen them go £120+ on eBay lately.
My complete 1/18 McLaren collection: Maisto F1 roadcar (silver). Paid £30, probably worth a little more.
UT F1 LM (Orange). Paid £50, probably worth £100 (ish). Same story with the longtail once I get the imperfections sorted, however I paid £60 for it in the current state. Also I have the rare Gwilo chrome plated F1 roadcar, which I got, in perfect condition, in a bargain deal for £45 at a time when they were normally pushing on for £100, so could perhaps get £120ish these days.
So I might have around £400 worth of McLaren's...nice
bumrar said:
its just come away from the body (metal body, plastic wing, it was attatched by plastic pegs into holes in the body, it has no pegs now 
.Wouldnt superglue leave a white, cloudy residue?
If you use too much, yes. .Wouldnt superglue leave a white, cloudy residue?A very small dot, making sure not to get any on the surrounding area, you'll be fine.
If you do get any white cloudy stuff it'll wash/polish off with a cotton bud. Very much a less is more type exercise.
If you still have part of the plastic peg in the body you can just about use a plastic adhesive such as liquid poly, but without seeing it it is hard to say which is the best method, hence erring on the side of the strong stuff.
Edited by Red Firecracker on Thursday 29th January 11:04
dpbird90 said:
Unsure of superglue, as I said it's been used by the previous owner of my longtail and it's not gone well, but very very very careful application could make it work.
From your description though, it was attempted by an ape with unopposable thumbs 
Superglue on the glazing sections is a big no no. Varnish or specialist Micro-Sol Kristal Klear are your friends when it comes to glaing.
bumrar said:
I'll try a dab of superglue with a pin this weekend on mine then, thanks for the advice. I dug the box out for mine last night, and was quite happy when I spotted the price tag on it (what I paid).....just £19.99! what a bargain
If you have it, use a gel type superglue, not the cheaper super runny stuff. You have a bit more control over it that way.bumrar said:
good point! Ive got some not-so cheap but very VERY runny glue for gluing RC car tyres to wheels. I wont use that.....
No don't use that at all, have you seen what it does to the paintjob on an RC car body? I accidentally spilled some on the inside of my previously incredibly gorgeous De Tomaso Pantera bodyshell, now there's some lines in it where the glue went!dpbird90 said:
bumrar said:
good point! Ive got some not-so cheap but very VERY runny glue for gluing RC car tyres to wheels. I wont use that.....
No don't use that at all, have you seen what it does to the paintjob on an RC car body? I accidentally spilled some on the inside of my previously incredibly gorgeous De Tomaso Pantera bodyshell, now there's some lines in it where the glue went!Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff