Calling all diecast car experts :-((((((

[Split_Pin]

Ok, this isnt really shite related, but I'm all arse for tit just now and I know there are a few diecast experts on here

 

I was putting up some new shelves today for my model cars and I had to remove my 1/18 cars so they didnt get dust over them.

 

I was putting them back and noticed that the bootlid on my 1/18 Norev Audi A6 wasnt sitting quite right.

 

I opened it up and the hinges just snapped right off, like chocolate. On inspection, this has happened:

 

 

 

 

The bootlid has swollen and the surface kind of looks like slate.

 

There is also an orange-peel effect over the roof of the car and other patches elsewhere, although no buckling.

 

It looks like the alloy has become 'corrupted' ???

 

I am quite upset as this is one of my prized models. It cost me nearly £50 in November 2007 from an E-bay seller Modellisimo.

 

Will this get any worse and the car literally crumble to dust? Do I have any claim of sorts against Norev?

[RedSparrow]

I'm no metal expert but it looks more like it's been dropped or something, or the boot lid was a bad fit and jammed on. I don't see how even cheap metal could warp like that on it's own in normal conditions.

[Split_Pin]

The bootlid looks buckled, like it has become unstable or something? Dont think its been dropped as all my cars are in my 'den' and its only my wife and I are in the house, she doesnt touch them at all.

 

I have collected nearly 1000 model cars over 30 years, many of them likely to be made from seriously shoddy alloys like the Russian ones etc and this has never, ever happened to me before.

 

I have heard of this happening to pre-war ones, but not modern, supposedly top-end ones like this?

[vulgalour]

Looks for all the world like it's been near a heat source, but even then it shouldn't have caused what's happened there. How very odd. I've never seen anything like that on a model before.

[eddyramrod]

I'll be interested to find out, as I have a brand-new 1/43 Volga police car with a five-piece chassis that's supposed to be one-piece!

[RedSparrow]

I snapped the boot off at the metal hinges off this model cadillac I had as a kid, but only because I played with it constantly and it was knackered.

[Split_Pin]

Blimey Eddie, I have a Volga Taxi thats been in its box for a bit, I hope it doesnt turn to dust, M&M advert style when I remove it.

 

The car has been on a shelf with all my other 1/18's, away from heat and direct light. I've moved it inside a glass cabinet for now.

 

Worried.

[eddyramrod]

I have a Volga ambulance that I've had for a while, which seems to be ok, so maybe it's just from a faulty batch. When I get it back to Barrow I'll see about fixing it.

[bigstraight6]

Made in China?

[Split_Pin]

Yep, but they all are?

[Split_Pin]

Yep, but they all are?

[Lord Sterling]

I have collected nearly 1000 model cars over 30 years

 

- You wouldnt happen to have a 1/24 Sterling amongst that lot would you? I once got outbid at £270 for one on ebay. (Only 100 of them were ever made)

 

I've had this happen to me before where the supposed metal has come away or snapped, mostly this happens to car bases where I've been trying to prize them off to change wheels/paint them etc...

 

Is it possible that the corruption of hinges might make the boot look buckled? I've also had this happen to one or two cars I've got. To be honest I dont think any manufactuere uses diferent metals, I think the higher price of models comes from the brand anmes and the amount of detailing they put into it, otherwise pretty much all models would be the same.

 

I really dont know how to put them back together again, I've seen people using stuff like superglue which havent been to bad a fix. I'd be interested to see if its possible to fix them permanently using other better methods.

[Split_Pin]

It looks like the hinges are the worst affected. TBH, if it doesnt get any worse I dont mind as the bootlid is back on ok. Just dont want it to warp the roof where the orangepeel effect is.

 

The 1/24 Sterling is a new one on me, going to Google image that now! I've only got the Matchbox model and the 1/36 Corgi Police one. I'd love the grey civilian one Corgi did, I dont understand why they were mostly Feds examples.

[RedSparrow]

That glass-metal bonding stuff might be worth a try.

 

Something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2ml-GLASS-BONDING-ADHESIVE-GLUE-BONDS-GLASS-CRYSTAL-METAL-CLEAR-BOND-SYRINGE-/190656521686

[Split_Pin]

http://www.diecastxchange.com/forum1/to ... -i-do-now/

 

 

I have investigated this via Google and it seems that my model has Zinc Pest and is basically lost.

 

Apparently this particular model, Norev Audi A6 in grapite, is very prone to it. Some Kyosho BMW's also suffer similarly.

[trigger]

Zincpest?, I've never heard of that before?.

[eddyramrod]

Bloody hell! So we're stuffed?

[Split_Pin]

Me neither.

 

It is a problem for collectors of model boats and planes made immediately after WW2 and some cars, but the availability of better metals after the war effort ceased, together with stricter controls largely eradicated this.

 

However, seems that the manufacturers of some Kyosho models and in particualr, my model, were less scrupulous.

 

There are also some horrible images of beautiful Kyosho BMW M3's disfugured by this

 

Also affected is the rare 1/18 Action Performance V8 DTM Astra Coupe. I took years to find one, watch this space.....

[morris_ital_lover]

It goes by many names, mazak rot, zinc pest etc etc. Essentially when metal is cast for diecast cars and items such as model railway engine chassis blocks etc there are sometimes serious issues with the castings which ultumately lead to the metal decaying and falling apart... there's very little you can do and unfortunately, the item with it is basically lost. It happens across the board, some old triang minic ships (IIRC), Hornby class 31 chassis and your car are all examples - it often seems to be just one "run" oof the models. e.g. for hornby it was two versions out of the myriad they have made that are deeply affected.

[Split_Pin]

Well, I have e-mailed Norev about it, likely to no avail but every avenue explored etc.

 

M_I-T I agree as there are no reports of the silver version being so affected, only my colour. I want to replace it so will just take the hit come payday and get that.

 

I would recommend everyone with Kyosho models check their cars, esp the Porsche 993, and BMW's. Crying shame, but I'll be Googling Zinc Pest plus the name of any more expensive model I may be thinking of purchasing in the future.

[Lord Sterling]

Bloody hell man, I didnt think things were that bad. I've got a fair few nice 1/18 models, but nothing (I cant think of so far) that are of newer models so I dont think I've got any Koyosho models. Most of my models are now stored away but I shall have to keep an eye on them.

 

Hope all turns out alright for you.

[Split_Pin]

Well at least I know where I stand with the rust on my real cars lol.

 

My Kyosho Audi A3 is ok but ill need to check my old Skyline and Mini.

 

My opel astra v8, as reported does indeed also have a touch of it on the doors, hopefully it won't get worse.