Before you get started, you should get ready and pick out a time when you can spare about 2 to 3 hours for this project.
The methods I've used for this type of work has given me excellent results. If you are squeamish about doing this kind of job, then leave the work to someone else, since you are soley responsible for the outcome of the project.
Here are the supplies needed for the job!
- 1 Car with a crappy paint job,
- 2 plastic sandwich bags for soaking the car,
- 1 soft bristled tooth brush,
- 1 can of EOL Paint and Decal remover.
Granted, the paint and decal remover is the key to restoring the finish of the slotcar. Using it safely without ruining the slotcar by over exposure to the chemicals is the key.
Start by removing the glass, front and rear bumpers, and chassis from the slotcar.
Wash the slotcar in warm water with a dash of dish washing soap in it to remove any excess oil and other contaminates prior to placing it in the plastic sandwich bag. Dry with a cloth towel.
Now place the slotcar into the plastic sandwich bag and pour about a cap full of the paint and decal remover in the bag.
Close the zip lock bag and start to rub the sections of the remover on different sections of the slotcar until you start seeing the paint begin to orange peel and the layers will begin to loosen.
Once the paint is at that point, start using the tooth brush in small, controlled movements. Don't go too hard, because it could cause scratches in the plastic finish.
You can see the difference already in the crappy paint uncovering thanks to the elbow grease. The bag your using should be pretty nasty and thick with the old paint. You'll need to rinse the car in a mild, soapy solution and then rinsed again in plain warm water.
Place the car bag into a new bag with a fresh cap full of EOL and start concentrating on the areas with heavy build up. Use light passes and rinse the brush in the excess remover in the bag. The paint should come off with a little more elbow grease. The bumpers had excess paint left on them from not removing them during the painting process and they looked like heck. If the remover is still fairly clean and you are careful, the excess paint can be removed from the bumpers. You must understand that the bumpers have more than likely lost their electro-plating and during the paint removal process more will be lost. You can soak the bumpers briefly and then work them with the brush outside of the bag over a sink to control the amount of debris falling all over the place. I had to use a Silver leafing pen to cover the affected areas.
The car may need to be polished if the maniac that painted it, may have sanded it or to remove the old battle scars or discoloration from the old paint.
I had a freshened chassis ready to go and screwed it in place and the pictures show the end results.
By now you'll be putting the car back together. While this process does take some time and attention to detail, the finished product will make it worth the elbow grease and your newest part of your collection will be laying rubber on your track.
