Shite in Miniature II

[Split_Pin]

I restored a Riley Pathfinder about 25 years ago into Ford Sunburst Red. There was quite a bit of paint on the windows and they obviously went cloudy when I buffed that off.

 

However, I tried some cif on a pair of 1/18 headlight lenses which had met the same fate after I removed the pegs which held them on. It took a while but I got there in the end. Im not sure on how to get the paint off though.

 

I havent restored any more of the Dinkys and Corgis my Dad gave me as I think I would regret erasing the model's story and link to him when the day comes when he is no longer around.

[eddyramrod]

Yes, I think my Riley was originally red, so that might work.  I know the Volvo was white, and the Rover and Triumph were shades of metallic blue/green.  The Zephyr could be interesting as I'm sure it's supposed to be two-tone.  I might spray it one colour, then touch in the other by brush; haven't decided yet.  It seems to have been pale blue, mostly.

[Split_Pin]

I have that Rover and whilst I think it came in many colours, mine is light metallic blue. You might be able to date it if you could find out in what years the models with the transo-o-lite headlamps were made. I think later ones had a glass roof.

[eddyramrod]

That's right.  The early version with the Trans-o-Lites came in metallic blue, or as a rally car in maroon with a white roof.  Later came the Golden Jacks version, updated to a TC, in either white or metallic green with a spare-wheel carrier on the bootlid and a (usually orange) sunroof.  This one I'm working on is definitely the early version, and was clearly metallic blue from new.  I'm pretty sure it should have an interior, either in red or lemon yellow, but can I find it? 

[Split_Pin]

Yes mine has a red interior. I think there was a late version which was purple too?

[Split_Pin]

This is mine.

[eddyramrod]

You may well be correct.  My TC was green, and may even still exist if I can dig deep enough.  Your Trans is lush!

[mercrocker]

Jack-off P6s were all TC models in  metallic green and less commonly in white.   They updated it to Series II (still with triplex roof) but with Whizzwheels and these were purple.   

 

All the single carb Corgi releases were fixed axle and had Trans-o-Lite.   Metallic blue usually but a much less common maroon variant with yellow seat moulding was also sold. 

 

Monte Carlo rally cars were a darker maroon with white roof and there was a Sun Rally version in white but I don't think I have actually seen any of those!   

 

I was interested to see the Trans-o-Lite tubing laid bare in Eddy's picture - this really was the high point of Corgi, the P6, the Monte Carlo stuff and the Golden Jack era.

[eddyramrod]

 this really was the high point of Corgi, the P6, the Monte Carlo stuff and the Golden Jack era.

Agreed!

[Split_Pin]

Ha yes they are sort of working in that picture. I have a Buick Riviera which has front and rear transolite lamps and wire wheels, decadence!

[Split_Pin]

Agreed!

Seconded!

[eddyramrod]

I have two or three of those Buicks.  I think at least one might make it into the next batch for restoration, assuming I can find it.  They would have been gold or pale blue from the factory.  Or white with black doors if Derek Meddings got his hands on them!

[junkyarddog]

I posted photos of my transolite Rivera that I restored a while back,

but they got lost in the photobucket fiasco.

 

As for cleaning the glazing I find a sharp blade to scrape off paint,

followed by very fine wet n dry if the glazing is heavily scratched then some rubbing compound to finish.

A dremel helps but is not essential.

Brings them up a treat.

[Split_Pin]

I took this picture of mine some years ago now and I didnt realise that the conditions were semi-favourable to demonstrate the lamps!

[Junkman]

Any offers as to what I can use on the windows?

Best thing is to also throw them into the caustic soda soup once it has cooled a bit.

Takes any paint and dirt right off, but leaves the plastic completely intact.

 

If they aren't cracked, they can be reused. I polish mine with a Millenium Polishing Kit,

then dip them in Kleer.

[64A60]

Nice selection Eddy, you don't see the Dinky Triumph Vitesse everyday. The Corgi Zephyr would have been two tone blue, the same colour scheme was offered on the 1:1 Zodiac Farnham conversion.

 

 

[eddyramrod]

Best thing is to also throw them into the caustic soda soup once it has cooled a bit.

Oh I never thought of that!  They can go in with the next batch (yes, I've been sorting out some more already!).

 

Nice selection Eddy, you don't see the Dinky Triumph Vitesse everyday. The Corgi Zephyr would have been two tone blue, the same colour scheme was offered on the 1:1 Zodiac Farnham conversion.

 

 

Yes I thought so.  I might go back to the blue-on-blue, or I might not, I haven't decided yet.

[eddyramrod]

Further to the above: look how those photos show up the lines of the model Zephyr.  Corgi got things so right back then, didn't they?

[Bren]

I have the golden jacks and whizzwheels P6 - the whizzwheels paint has seen better days but is a very nice model.

[MarvinsMom]

having been inspired by Junkman's and Eddy's recent forays into restoring old diecasts, i've finally put some paint on the Vauxhall Viva HA that has been an on going project for a while

 

 

depending on how it turns out will depend on whether or not i post more pictures of it!

 

[mercrocker]

Looking pretty good so far......

[Split_Pin]

Thats one of my favourite UK Dinky models. Mine perhaps needs a bit of paint too.

[Junkman]

by brush;

 

Do not even attempt to brush paint model cars, unless you want to strip and repaint them again.

It'll inevitably turn out shit. It hasn't worked once. For nobody.

 

I repeat it here for the protocol:

 

You cannot brush paint model cars.

[Junkman]

Some dead rare Siku shite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[junkyarddog]

That is fantastic!!

[andrew e]

As a Siku perv I can say Junkman has done very well there getting the full garage, hats off!

[MarvinsMom]

fiiiiiin-iished.......

 

 

i'm quite pleased with how it has turned out.

especially considering what a horrid black and red thing it was when i paid a whole £1 for it, and it had no bonnet or boot lid (them fitted are reproductions, as is the glazing) and with only 2 tyres (again modern replacements fitted) so even my attempts at restorations is an improvement! the dents in the roof are courtesy of a previous owner.....

 

 

and with some others on the dresser (and on its side for some reason....)

 

[mercrocker]

Ooooh...Dinky Vogue.  Very nice!

[MarvinsMom]

Ooooh...Dinky Vogue.  Very nice!

 

thank you, its a rough old thing really, but not that rough i want to pull it to bits and repaint it!

 

plus it wasn't many £'s to buy....

 

[eddyramrod]

Another gorgeous casting from the Golden Age.  After many repaints, I modified mine to represent the Super Minx we had in 1983; I probably did it in 83 too!  Wouldn't mind finding another one now, preferably a repaint project.