6 replies to this topic

[tbone]

Currently I am restoring two old worn beaten and abused Blackfoot bodies. But I have reached a snag. I am wondering if there is anyway to reduce the appearance of scratches on the tinted glass pieces. It doesnt need to be perfect it just needs to be reduced a bit. Is there some kind of rubbing compound or something that I can use guys? Please let me know

[Shodog]

Try sanding them with 600 grit paper and work up to rubbing compund. Finish it off with a good car wax.

Jim

[Razer]

Didn't someone say they used Brasso with success to shine up old plastic parts?

[tbone]

Thanks guys I will give it a try. They are transparent pieces (tinted glass) is it wise to sand them?

[miramar]

As for sanding transparent plastic, your suspicion is partly justified tbone! Some Tamiya hard plastic bodies have very tough plastic in their transparent parts (with a "soft" surface), and if you sand them, the plastic will raise small "hairs" of plastic which are virtually impossible to remove.

The Blackfoot windows are of rather brittle and hard plastic though, so I agree with Shodog. Start with the coarsest paper you need to remove the deepest scratches (anything coarser than 600 is unlikely), then move on with finer sandpapers in small steps. If you can get hold of 2000 paper, you should use it for the last sanding, but 1200 will probably do. Don't sand in circles and don't use water! Sand in linear movements, and don't put much force in it. For each change to a finer paper, change the direction (90 degrees). When you're satisfied with the result with the finest paper, rub the parts with really soft tissue paper and rubbing compound, then use a good quality wax. Tamiya rubbing compound (87021) and modelling wax (87036) are great products for this. If you can't get these products, other rubbing comounds and waxes will do, but make sure they don't chemically attack the plastic (more likely with transparent plastics), or otherwise you may end up with fogged and/or cracked parts.

[tbone]

Your information is so extreemly useful and detailed it comes quite apprecitated at this moment of restoration. You should check out the bodys under misc if you want to see the seriousness of this project .....Tbone showroom

[tbone]

I now need some further help. I stripped the paint with easy off oven cleaner as has been suggested by numerous sites on the internet but now there is a while film all over the body. I've tried soaking it but it does not come off. I tried soap but it didn't work either. Any ideas?[]