Shite in Miniature II

[danthecapriman]

5 minutes ago, MVX11V said:

The red renner turbots all suffer from it.... White rust. Allegedly. I briefly searched it some time back and it can be anything from impurities and manufacture processes to material degeneration. As (allegedly) it affects just the red renners, it could be a batch material issue. A light neutral clean and some protection should see it settle, I'm thinking a basic oil may help the raw cast that is exposed. Tests need to be done first though.

If it’s zinc rot/Mazak rot/zinc pest or whatever you want to call it you can’t stop it. That condition is a known issue with diecast metal items of all sorts that use this type of alloy. It’s a contaminant inside the base material when it was molten. Once it’s like that unfortunately that’s it. 
Sometimes it can take decades to start showing, some Hornby and Triang toys from the 50’s and 60’s had it but didn’t show until many years later. Likewise though some can also show signs very quickly. Some will slowly react and start cracking/crazing. Some will quite seriously fracture into pieces and distort. Eventually though any casting that is affected will fall apart. 
Temperature extremes can slow or quicken it (apparently) but there’s nothing you can do to fully stop it unfortunately.

It’s possible though it’s not that and just a corrosion issue. If that’s the case try to sand it smooth and get rid of the powder/corrosion and either apply paint or varnish over it to stop air and moisture getting to the bare metal. That should stop it. Keeping it in a dry place will help too.

[sierraman]

I’ve yet to see a matchbox suffer from Zinc pest. 

[MVX11V]

Thanks for that bit of insight. Over the years of collecting, I learned about having to keep these things in a stable environment. About 25 years ago I went into the loft and it was unbearable heat up there.

It will be treated with the best intention of stopping it. It doesn't look too intrusive to the base material, so maybe corrosion.

There is that old internet image around of the MB yellow 300zx in the box that had shattered through fatigue.  (I can't find it these days). I haven't had that but I have had a couple of cases where the chrome plated plastics have turned to biscuit in unopened boxes. They first take on a dull appearance and then fall to bits at the slightest movement. The MB 57 Chevy being the worst example.

[Datsuncog]

18 minutes ago, sierraman said:

I’ve yet to see a matchbox suffer from Zinc pest. 

3 minutes ago, MVX11V said:

There is that old internet image around of the MB yellow 300zx in the box that had shattered through fatigue.  (I can't find it these days).

The supposedly MIB Escort Cabrio I found a few months back in the Smithfield model shop was pretty far along the path of total zinc pest disintegration...

Almost felt it was worth the tenner asking price to experience the horror?

Hope you get the R5 stabilised - sounds to me like it could be a paint issue rather than a metallurgy issue that's caused the corrosion over time. Never seen a red one, in any condition!

[MVX11V]

1 hour ago, sierraman said:

That’s odd, that said I have a mk4 MB56 Cortina that is corroded all along one side, I think it’s due to damp. Once you take the damp away it stops? 

I nicked this image off the sale ad, see rear light. It extends inside and a couple of flea bites on the rear arch.  

[warch]

14 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

The supposedly MIB Escort Cabrio I found a few months back in the Smithfield model shop was pretty far along the path of total zinc pest disintegration...

Almost felt it was worth the tenner asking price to experience the horror?

Hope you get the R5 stabilised - sounds to me like it could be a paint issue rather than a metallurgy issue that's caused the corrosion over time. Never seen a red one, in any condition!

That could have been a realistic play feature, Mk4 Escort with real sill and rear arch corrosion.

[MVX11V]

20 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

The supposedly MIB Escort Cabrio I found a few months back in the Smithfield model shop was pretty far along the path of total zinc pest disintegration...

Almost felt it was worth the tenner asking price to experience the horror?

Hope you get the R5 stabilised - sounds to me like it could be a paint issue rather than a metallurgy issue that's caused the corrosion over time. Never seen a red one, in any condition!

Wow, I would have bought it too! (And then swiftly placed it in a air tight lead box 😄 ) The 300zx I mentioned was similar, all the pillars had split.

Edit: was the metal base affected at all?

[danthecapriman]

14 minutes ago, MVX11V said:

Thanks for that bit of insight. Over the years of collecting, I learned about having to keep these things in a stable environment. About 25 years ago I went into the loft and it was unbearable heat up there.

It will be treated with the best intention of stopping it. It doesn't look too intrusive to the base material, so maybe corrosion.

There is that old internet image around of the MB yellow 300zx in the box that had shattered through fatigue.  (I can't find it these days). I haven't had that but I have had a couple of cases where the chrome plated plastics have turned to biscuit in unopened boxes. They first take on a dull appearance and then fall to bits at the slightest movement. The MB 57 Chevy being the worst example.

Usually the first sign you’ll see of zinc pest is very faint crazing on the surface. I had a Hornby model locomotive made around 2005 that had it. It was a know problem on this particular model so I checked mine. On the plastic body shell I noticed a few hairline cracks to the ends, then trying to take the body shell off it was insanely tight. Got it off in the end but then looking at the diecast chassis block there were loads of tiny hairline cracks all over it. It actually looked like crazy paving! 
It’s the base metals not chemically bonding properly and because of the contaminant in it they try to separate from each other. What that happens they expand as they break apart which is why the body shell on my model was tight fitting and had cracks in it. The chassis block expanding had actually pushed the plastic shell out! 
If I hadn’t caught it when I did the plastic shell would eventually have just snapped and broken into an unusable state.

As it was, I saved the body and got a new chassis under warranty. 

[danthecapriman]

8 minutes ago, MVX11V said:

I nicked this image off the sale ad, see rear light. It extends inside and a couple of flea bites on the rear arch.  

That does look more like a paint issue and general corrosion to the metal than zinc pest. I reckon if you clean it back and stabilise it with a bit of paint or varnish it’ll be fine.

One thing to consider if it does start resembling zinc pest though, is the red base will end up distorting too as the body expands and distorts so if it does, remove the chassis before it gets trashed! That way you can transfer the genuine red chassis onto a normal non zinc pest affected R5 body and it can be made into a replica.

[MVX11V]

When it turns up next month (seller away), I'll get some decent images. I only bought it assuming corrosion, and minor/ can be dealt with at that. 

[danthecapriman]

Just now, MVX11V said:

When it turns up next month (seller away), I'll get some decent images. I only bought it assuming corrosion, and minor/ can be dealt with at that. 

I’m sure it will be fine looking at that photo. It’d be a crying shame though if it did start going funny from zinc rot as it’s a nice and rare variant.

[danthecapriman]

I found this in the bottom of a box of other junk the other day.

Ive had it from new. Originally that bright yellow colour, little me decided to give it a repaint! Very very badly as kids do! 
Since I’ve had it so long I think I’ll restore it. 
Did these Transit’s ever have clear windows?

[quicksilver]

3 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

The big Corgi one was always my favourite. 
Mainly because it represented a ‘normal’ Sierra rather than the sporty 3 door. To me it just looked a better shape too, although the detail on it was much more basic compared to Matchbox. Corgi’s earlier wheel design was better too imho, with those Ghia style wheels. It’s a pity they decided to ditch them on later versions though, presumably cost cutting?

It’s probably the same story with the smaller scale ones. Matchbox is nice, but I think I prefer the more basic Corgi Jr’s casting. 
I don’t think I ever had the Majorette Sierra.

Who did the best 1:64 ish sized ones then??

I don't know who did the best but Hornby's has to be the worst attempt at a Sierra.

Probably easier to point out the few things right with it than everything that's wrong.

With a lot of work, I made one into a half-decent representation of a certain famous Sierra.

[matt79]

22 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I found this in the bottom of a box of other junk the other day.

Ive had it from new. Originally that bright yellow colour, little me decided to give it a repaint! Very very badly as kids do! 
Since I’ve had it so long I think I’ll restore it. 
Did these Transit’s ever have clear windows?

I think the Transit breakdown truck (from the BP giveaway series) does (uses the same cab casting iirc)

[warch]

56 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

I found this in the bottom of a box of other junk the other day.

Ive had it from new. Originally that bright yellow colour, little me decided to give it a repaint! Very very badly as kids do! 
Since I’ve had it so long I think I’ll restore it. 
Did these Transit’s ever have clear windows?

I've got a pretty good one of those, think they were sold as a budget Corgi set during the mid-late 80s (iirc they sold sets to people like Boots and the ELC) for small children. I got mine for Christmas from my Grandma (seems odd kids having diecast toys now). Think it came in a five pack with something like a Landrover breakdown truck and some others I can't remember.  

[bunglebus]

Very common find, probably got some knocking about if you need a donor

[bunglebus]

Blue glazing

Black

Yellow

[FakeConcern]

A book on die cast tat I read said coat the inner surfaces with resin to bring the corrosion under control. Not tried it myself...

[danthecapriman]

57 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

Very common find, probably got some knocking about if you need a donor

Yes please!

As long as it’s got decent clear windows that’d be perfect. If you got ant that are damaged - missing the crane or whatever then even better as I’d hate to strip one that’s otherwise good!

Let me know what you want for it too… I can trade too if there’s owt your particularly after?

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, warch said:

I've got a pretty good one of those, think they were sold as a budget Corgi set during the mid-late 80s (iirc they sold sets to people like Boots and the ELC) for small children. I got mine for Christmas from my Grandma (seems odd kids having diecast toys now). Think it came in a five pack with something like a Landrover breakdown truck and some others I can't remember.  

That’s most likely where mine was from. Although I can’t remember the others from the set. 
That mk2 pickup was one I remember well though as it was a type of truck I’d see in real life regularly at the time. God knows why I decided to paint it like that though.

[Tenmil Socket]

6 hours ago, Datsuncog said:

The supposedly MIB Escort Cabrio I found a few months back in the Smithfield model shop was pretty far along the path of total zinc pest disintegration...

Almost felt it was worth the tenner asking price to experience the horror?

Hope you get the R5 stabilised - sounds to me like it could be a paint issue rather than a metallurgy issue that's caused the corrosion over time. Never seen a red one, in any condition!

You know what, I thought them cracks were hairs on the packaging at first. I’ve never seen a model in real life with zinc pest. 
 

[bunglebus]

Last of the boxed stuff out of my job lot, and quite an impressive one

Mr. Ed present and correct 

Quite happy to find a sealed Siku bug too

I don't think I have a boxed Zylmex Beetle

Definitely have other Boom Bugs though

Into a tray of loose stuff next, and another Dinky Transit. Took this apart to refit an axle, then spend 10 mins fighting to get four doors, the interior and base back in the right places at the same time - I have a lot of respect for the people who assembled Dinkys when they were new!

Lever inside is meant to wind in the hose I think, but the mechanism isn't working 

Hose is looped in the back instead 

This one's pleasing, although I did think this Dinky Amazon was a Spot On for a moment 

Might repaint that one, it's all there. Karrier is getting sold though

Minty Matchbox can stay and go on a trailer

Corvette is definitely past its best

Citroen Safari in the "keep" pile

Folding seats are useless but fun

Anyone after another MK3 van?

[FakeConcern]

That Solido Pug 504 Gift Set is really nice!

I have two examples of the 504 and thought something should slot into the back of it, but yours doesn't seem to have anything there...

[Datsuncog]

8 hours ago, MVX11V said:

Wow, I would have bought it too! (And then swiftly placed it in a air tight lead box 😄 ) The 300zx I mentioned was similar, all the pillars had split.

Edit: was the metal base affected at all?

Couldn't really see the base properly to be honest - but the axles don't seem to be in the right place, so I'd suspect something's not quite right.

As can be seen, the front wing had detached - and also the A-pillar and part of the windscreen surround top had come away. 

I daresay if I'd dropped it, then it would have shattered; chances are the mildly tetchy fella who owns the place would have made me pay for it, though!

1 hour ago, Tenmil Socket said:

You know what, I thought them cracks were hairs on the packaging at first. I’ve never seen a model in real life with zinc pest. 

I've only had a couple, fortunately - a Soviet-era Lada police car which fell to bits in its box, and a Dinky Massey Harris muck spreader trailer where the solid-cast wheels just cracked and disintegrated while sitting quietly on a shelf. 

[Split_Pin]

Ive had a few succumb to the old zinc worm:

Soviet ZIL car

Soviet Lada Riva (left on a shelf in the loft to see what else happens!)

Rather expensive Norev 1/18 Audi A6

Britbus Glasgow Scania (that make are really bad for this)

Anson BMW 2002

1/18 Astra Coupe DTM car (I can't recall the modelmaker)

Very annoying!

[SilverMachine]

10 hours ago, sierraman said:

That’s odd, that said I have a mk4 MB56 Cortina that is corroded all along one side, I think it’s due to damp. Once you take the damp away it stops? 

Can the corrosion not be stopped or removed with a vinegar or other fluid bath? 

[andrew e]

10 hours ago, MVX11V said:

The red renner turbots all suffer from it.... White rust. Allegedly. I briefly searched it some time back and it can be anything from impurities and manufacture processes to material degeneration. As (allegedly) it affects just the red renners, it could be a batch material issue. A light neutral clean and some protection should see it settle, I'm thinking a basic oil may help the raw cast that is exposed. Tests need to be done first though.

Might work?

https://www.rustins.ltd/rustins/our-products/shieldtechnology/shield-technology-toolguard-vci

[FakeConcern]

Talking of Sierras I've never seen a Norev one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/389117187424?itmmeta=01K89EQ383K4E62H2ECWRXGBNJ

[Datsuncog]

1 hour ago, FakeConcern said:

I have two examples of the 504 and thought something should slot into the back of it, but yours doesn't seem to have anything there...

A flick through my 1978 Solido catalogue indicates the 504 estate was also available as an ambulance, and as a rally support car (towing a stickered-up R5 on a trailer) - wonder if they came with something in the boot that would have fitted into those slots?

[Split_Pin]

I took delivery of a FakeBox yesterday. Dreams/reality means I can't recall if these were flagged on the WhatsApp or here but great finds by Peter and I'm very grateful for him taking the time to photograph them and tag me (same goes for the rest of you aswell). You chaps south of the border are lucky with the range of Toy Fairs/boot sales and flea markets on offer. 

The star of the show was this Pilen 14.

I've been after this one because, again, in that  'Toy Cars' book from the late 80s/early 90s there was a page dedicated to Dinky Toys Spain, 1970s and I have wanted to add one to my collection since then. I have found just one real French Dinky in my lifetime (glad to say it was the Citroen 3CV which was top of my list back then) and have added several Atlas copies of other French models but the Spanish range has eluded me. I already have a Pilen but its a Seat 124 Coupe which is an original to the latter manufacturer so it doesn't really count. This one however is an ex-Dinky casting. I'm really pleased with this one.

Next is another 1/36 Corgi model that I missed out on as a kid, Mustang Cobra.

I had the Juniors version and my pal had this one and I always liked it. Its a bit on the light side as the base is plastic and accounts for about 50% of the bodyshell however the badges make up for that.

The engine detail is confusing and I can't make out if its a five-oh or a 4 pot turbo. I love the front headlights and overall its a great rendition of the real car.

3rd is this no-name Datsun, probably Fabbri though as they made some partwork cars.

Had it been 1/43 I wouldn't have bothered but this 1/24 upscale rendition of an oddball car has excellent detail. I couldn't get the doors open so this Facebook Marketplace - style photo of the interior will have to do.

Check out the dashboard!

..and an example of the super-fine detail all round.

I also got a 1/24 Bburago Fiat Uno from the 1987 'Super' range but its got masking tape across the bonnet while the glue on the peeling sticker dries so no photo. I'll never say no to a 1/24 Bburago from the 70s or 80s!