I have a LGB tank car whose side was scratched by its plastic sleeve during shipping. Anyone have a suggestion on how to remove the scratches or improve the cars appearance?
Thanks
Stan
Are you looking to retain or re-establish the collector’s value? If so; I might try some automotive rubbing compound in an inconspicuous spot. If it does not dull the finish it might take out the scratches. Stuff is not cheap - a pint of 3M compound is about $30.
I bought a returned Bachmann tank from Robbie at RLD that the first owner had F’d up pretty good trying to glue the handrails back on. He spilled glue all over the top of the tank. I cut it off with an exacto, then sanded it down with 1500 grit paper. What I ended up with looks like weathering since the tank was black on black plastic. Robbie gave me a good price on the car.
You might think I’m crazy (another whole topic) but a relative in California suggested that I use white toothpaste to get out the scratches and hazing on a plastic headlight cover. It worked surprisingly well. You might try that. Toothpaste has a small amount of grit and you can get it for 99 cents a tube.
Lou Luczu said:
You might think I’m crazy (another whole topic) but a relative in California suggested that I use white toothpaste to get out the scratches and hazing on a plastic headlight cover. It worked surprisingly well. You might try that. Toothpaste has a small amount of grit and you can get it for 99 cents a tube.
It’s not crazy, Lou, I do it all the time. Another product that works is Deep Woods Off.
Not sure how it would work on paint, though.
Yes, toothpaste makes a good buffing compound for minor scratches. I have also used Bon Ami to buff out scratches, especially on clear plastic.
I’ve found black felt markers can sometimes be used successfully… rub on and immediately rub off to blend in the “paint”.
If a slight rubbing with a little bit of 70/30 alcohol/water and a microfiber cloth doesn’t do it (I’ve used that before successfully), then I think I’d try Lou’s suggestion. Sometimes I use toothpaste and a damp paper towel (which is abrasive in itself) to clean the clear headlight lenses on my car. While that works great, you obviously have to be very careful not to take the paint off the plastic.
I’ve also used this to remove scratches. Also takes of scuffs, over-spray, and other stuff:
https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1016-Smooth-Surface-Clay/dp/B00063X7KG
I’d never use rubbing compound to take scratches and scuffs off of my trains! I use that to take scuffs and scratches off my car! And I don’t pay anywhere’s near 30 bucks for it. Turtle Wax Premium compound costs a fraction of that.
Notice I recommended Stan try the compound in an inconspicuous place. I have no first hand experience on LGB paint or plastic. Re the price; you gets whats you pays for. 3M abrasives are top of the line professional products. Turtle Wax compound is probably made in China and is marketed to consumers. I doubt you would ever find any in a body shop.
Jon Radder said:
Turtle Wax compound is probably made in China and is marketed to consumers. I doubt you would ever find any in a body shop.
I’m a consumer, not a body shop guy. TW compound works very well on my cars. And again - I’d never use it on painted plastic if I’m interested in preserving the paint!
rubbing compound is red and pretty coarse, would remove paint really quickly
polishing compound is white and much finer you could that… but carefully
Greg
OK Then. The 3M stuff I have is white, so I guess I used the wrong name. I use it at work to buff out scratches from 2500 grit wet paper.
Greg Elmassian said:
rubbing compound is red and pretty coarse, would remove paint really quickly
polishing compound is white and much finer you could that… but carefully
Greg
Maybe your brand is but geez, such a statement!
It comes in all colors … unless google doesn’t know.
I bought a can of Bon Ami, which was kind of pricey for kitchen cleaner. It does remove some paint, however. I use it when I have inadvertently removed a spot of paint, and it lets you feather it back.
Again, do a test area first, and your mileage may vary.
Lou Luczu said:
I bought a can of Bon Ami, which was kind of pricey for kitchen cleaner. It does remove some paint, however. I use it when I have inadvertently removed a spot of paint, and it lets you feather it back.
Again, do a test area first, and your mileage may vary.
Yes it is, and its difficult to find around here. That why mine is hidden. My mom doesn’t realize that to me its different then Comet cleanser, and she will use it all up and then replace it with Comet cleanser. I have a hidden stash of several things, because when I need them, I need them. But to her, its the same as… No, no it aint.
Yes, Bon Ami will remove paint, but in my experience it takes a while. But I have used it to remove paint from model aircraft canopies that had been poorly painted. Eventually it will remove the paint, without scratching up the canopy. In fact, the canopy ends up looking polished once the paint is removed.
Turtle wax is red / white, but don’t let that stand in your way to take a shot over something trivial John.
Was trying to identify that rubbing compound was much coarser and if you use Turtle Wax (and many other brands) you can tell what you have by the color.
Happy New Year!
Greg
Easy big man, your statement caused Jon to pause about his statement… It’s not about me.
For somebody concerned with ‘getting it right’ you sometimes get sloppy.
Instead of acknowledging your error, take the offense once again.
Be Blessed.
John
Greg Elmassian said:
Turtle wax is red / white, but don’t let that stand in your way to take a shot over something trivial John.
Was trying to identify that rubbing compound was much coarser and if you use Turtle Wax (and many other brands) you can tell what you have by the color.
Happy New Year!
Greg
edit added an i
Here is a thought: instead of trying to buff it up why not leave it as is since in the real world accidents, dings and dents do happen.
Or you could try your hand at weathering this car which would hide this blemish a bit.
Man, I should start selling Bon Ami on the black market. Its in every major chain store here in the PNW… I never thought to use it as a polishing compound. Humm that might be a good weathering technique too.
Craig Townsend said:
Man, I should start selling Bon Ami on the black market. Its in every major chain store here in the PNW… I never thought to use it as a polishing compound. Humm that might be a good weathering technique too.
Yeah, but…is it made in China? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
John, I am surprised that you didn’t clarify the differing grades of compounds, and add the grades of jeweler’s rouge (spelling ?) for polishing. I am no expert, just know of their existence.