45 replies to this topic

[Brian Czeiner]

I see many of you guys taking parts or bodies most would consider "beyond salvage" and bringing them back to life looking as if they are brand new. My question is how? I have searched Slotblog and didn't find any specific thread on the various techniques, tools or products being used to perform these miracles. The answers may seem obvious but for those of us who don't know, its a little more opaque.

 

Perhaps someone would care to share this info with the next generation so these techniques can be preserved past our own years of mortality. It might also motivate someone else to give it a try, too. I personally have a few of my father's cars I would like to bring back but am reluctant for fear of damaging them.

 

Perhaps Greg would consider a category topic on this, too? I am sure these skills evolve as time goes by.

[Cheater]

Brian, 

 

I am going to move this thread into Production 1/24 Vintage Cars, as being the 'best fit' for your query, since you aren't just asking about bodies, as best I can tell.

There's not really a perfect existing category for it... it straddles a number of categories as I see it.

[Brian Czeiner]

I suspected you might. The broad subject matter is why I thought you might give it its own category, like you don't have enough to do. 
 
Yes, I was asking about the restoration techniques of all the pieces, tires, rims, chassis, etc. 
 
There was a time when blacksmith skills were pretty common knowledge. Now it's a semi-lost art form reality show. I don't want to see slot car restoration go the same route.
 
Thanks.

B

[Cheater]

Brian,

 

If we get enough activity on this subject, I would be perfectly willing to create a forum for the traffic.

[Brian Czeiner]

It's not looking good. Just a little over 140 views as of this post, but nobody sharing those secret skills yet.

[Bill from NH]

I would appoint Martin and Rodney to moderate such a subject. Both are magicians when it comes to restoring clear bodies.

[Isaac S.]

Honestly theres just too much. These tips are explained over thousands of posts. There simply too much to explain. The Rodneys Rides section is full of great information. I would go through that and all of Ricks threads and you will almost be set.

[Brian Czeiner]

 These tips are explained over thousands of posts. There simply too much to explain. The Rodneys Rides section is full of great information. I would go through that and all of Ricks threads and you will almost be set.

And there lies the problem, thousands of posts.......... Where does a person even start just to learn the basics? 

[Isaac S.]

Rodneys rides and DC-65x diaries like I explained.

[Bill from NH]

Isaac, how many weeks do you think it'll take to go through all of Rick's builds & the cars Rodney presented too. Speed reading isn't going to be much help.

 

Martin has done some fine body restorations too. 

[Martin]

Thanks for that Bill

 

Brian, if you present a certain issue, I would be happy to way in with the way I would approach the issue.

Lots of good pics would be best.

 

I love the save and saving your Dads cars sure sounds like a worthwhile endeavor. But maybe start with something less valuable to you, until you feel ready.

 

Great subject

[Brian Czeiner]

Martin, thank you for the response. Sadly, I don't have any older cars to experiment on. I didn't know my father still had these cars until he passed last year and we began the after math. In truth, I'm not sure he even knew he had them. They were stashed so deep in an unrelated box of stuff.  Middle next month will be the anniversary of his passing and I have been thinking about him a lot. 

 

The McLaren Elva MkII restoration from a few days ago by Rodney made me think there are probably others who are in similar situations as me.

 

This whole scenario spawned this idea as to how someone would get started if they chose to do a restoration. Consolidated subject topics would assist in cutting through the over abundant information. Straightening a warped lexan body. Making a Cox chassis look new again. Make any chassis or part look new. Refurbishing rims and tires. Repairing mount posts on a body. Repairing cracks on bodies. Grafting new fenders. And the list could go on. But at least someone searching can scroll through and find what they are looking for.

 

I recognize it would be a tremendous amount of work to the posters doing the threads and there are probably half a dozen ways to correct any type of damage.  Who knows, even some of the guys working this magic could find a new technique or merge another and improve into a better technique?

 

It was just a thought. Maybe I just miss my Dad.

[Martin]

Displaying  your Dads cars will be a great way to honor and remember your Dad.

 

Thinking about this a bit.

 

First, I would suggest taking lots of detailed pictures of your Dads cars, with and without body.

 

Second, I would make a judgment on whether they need full restoration. I am a firm believer in living things original where ever possible.

 

But if parts are missing or broken and they can be helped in some way lets look at that case by case.

 

I was going to take a pic of all the supplies and tools I use for this subject. But maybe it is best to do case by case also, as I realized I have a lot of stuff.

From machine shop to chemicals. Tumbler, polishing wheels, bead blaster, air brush, paints, pens, adhesives, soldering, tire truing, the list just keeps going. 

 

Look forward to helping any way I can.

 

P.S. I am still learning new tricks, and there is more than one way to solve a problem so I look forward to seeing how other restorers  tackle similar issues.

[Mark Onofri]

Every time I compile a folder on a specific chassis, motor or,body, my phone meets with a untimely demise. To say that the answers are not here would be a lie. It's finding them that's the challenge. A lot of older threads,I still want to call them articles, lost their photos. Don't know how I did it but, it's in another article on how to retrieve them.
Any way, I'm pretty sure I had fun doing it. If nothing else I have had to the pleasure of talking/texting a LOT of people far more knolageable than I.
Have fun 👋
Ps: and better spellers than me

[Mark Onofri]

Boards and tutorials: retrieving old photos

[Mark Onofri]

One last thing (maybe), jump in head first and don't look back. 😂

[ajd350]

Maybe if we post pics of a specific car we can establish a starting point. 

[Mbloes]

I specifically remember lots of restoration tips from PdL in his restoration threads of historic race cars.  I would focus on those threads first.

[Bill from NH]

Every time I compile a folder on a specific chassis, motor or,body, my phone meets with a untimely demise. 

 

Maybe you need to get one of those rotary dial cell phoned.

[Mark Onofri]

Funny you should say that Billnh! They won't let me activate it!

[Mark Onofri]

Maybe if we break it down into motors, chassis and, body then specific types of them. Maybe based on popularity or ,in chronological order or, both. Not much point in (29) twenty nine pages on a car NO ONE will ever have.
Another option is degree of difficulty. Like in the tribute to a tribute I did.

[Bill from NH]

There is no such phone.      I have a rotary wall phone in the kitchen. The thing is bulletproof. have had it since 1978. You wouldn't know how many people have no idea how to use it. 

[Mark Onofri]

I'm going out on a limb here but, what ever we can do to bring in more people to the sport/hobby the better. Last thing we want to do is discourage anyone who has even a passing interest by making it seem beyond there ability/meens.

[Mark Onofri]

I bet you have to crank it up for it to work. 😆

[Mark Onofri]

I'll start one that I've been to busy to post. I'll post it in 1/24 vintage production.