gold plate flaking re plate help ?

[biggamehunter]

hi all , im trying to find out if theres a way of re plating or repairing the gold chrome on tamiya wheels successfully i have read many threads on here about this subject but many are old/ outdated and very vague , i was thinking for small area repairs real gold leaf , as used on external regal iron work and antique picture frames , or is there any paint markers or model paints that can be brushed on with very high metalic content that could work or even propper full on gold re chromers in the uk , thanks in advance for any input

shaun

[BadWagon]

I'm in the us, so not much help with local shops. I have heard that rechroming is expensive.

Which model is this for, the Fox perhaps?

[TA-Mark]

Nothing will restore the gold plating perfectly as it is electro-plated. To get perfection you would need to strip all of the plating off, then send them to a company that will electro-plate plastics. Most times it's cheaper to just buy another set of plated wheels and keep the good ones for the shelf and the damaged ones for running.

Anything else you try to do with gold paints, gold chrome spray, or gold leaf, or silver paints with yellow clear over, will only make it look better and less obvious that it has peeled, but it will not match the plated section.

One thing I found that works well is to buy shiney alloy wheels and give them a coat of Tamiya clear yellow. This looks just like plating and doesn't peel, but it will scratch being paint.

Most times, the plating peels because it's a non-flexible material coated over a flexible plastic wheel. The plastic wheels do flex a lot when you run a model.

[kontemax]

Yes, plated wheels are just for display models.

Max

[biggamehunter]

thanks greatly for your input guys , the wheels are for a fox shelfer , the car is completely unused , but there were no wheels for some reason and the only ones i can get my hands on have slight flaking on the fronts , which always go more than the rears because of the increased flex , i cant locate new old stock anywhere , so toutching up the old ones for now until i come across some better ones was my plan , but i still want them to look good , thanks again , any input much appreciated

[twisty]

You could try Tamiya X-12 Gold leaf paint,it will be a more matt finish compared to the orginal finish,but should hide and slow down the flaking any further untill you can find some new wheels.

Good luck,

T.

[biggamehunter]

You could try Tamiya X-12 Gold leaf paint,it will be a more matt finish compared to the orginal finish,but should hide and slow down the flaking any further untill you can find some new wheels.

Good luck,

T.

that sounds like a plan twisty , thanks for your input

[kontemax]

I've a good new for you.

The Fox will be rereleased soon.

Max

thanks greatly for your input guys , the wheels are for a fox shelfer , the car is completely unused , but there were no wheels for some reason and the only ones i can get my hands on have slight flaking on the fronts , which always go more than the rears because of the increased flex , i cant locate new old stock anywhere , so toutching up the old ones for now until i come across some better ones was my plan , but i still want them to look good , thanks again , any input much appreciated

[biggamehunter]

I've a good new for you.

The Fox will be rereleased soon.

Max

thanks max , i have read the re re fox thread here , the nova fox , just wondering if this is the first re re to have the name changed , it makes me wonder what else they will change (wheels, decals, etc?) , i was thinking of a gold paint marker or the tamiya x-12 gold flake paint pots ?

[BadWagon]

It's not the first re re to have it's name changed; the rough rider > buggy champ, supershot > super hotshot, etc.

I'm stocked for the flood of gold fox wheels on eBay once this model hits.

Post up pics of the fox!

[biggamehunter]

looks like its going to be a touch up job for now then badwagon ,lol