Diecast Car Restorations - Original

Having built up a stock of Dinky and Corgi models that were in poor condition it was time to commence restoring some of these models. A trip to the hobby shop allowed the purchase of the wide range of spray cans and enamel paints to begin. It became obvious that if I wanted to get colours as close to original Dinky and Corgi colours I would have to start mixing as well.

I decided to talk to an automotive paint shop and in doing so gained a great deal of valuable information. I purchased the basic colours as well as have them mix a few for me which was no more expensive than buying from the hobby shops.

I purchased a cheap airbrush and began experimenting with paint on bits of scrap metal. The etch primer and primer filler I had bought from the automotive paint shop as well.

The next task was taking the models apart. I had a drill press which was invaluable for this process. I determined when they went back together I would try and rivet them back so a rivet tool and some small rivets were also purchased.

Finally the paint had to be stripped and even now this is the most arduous task of restoring models. Nevertheless it is essential and a good quality paint stripper, a pair of rubber gloves and a toothbrush gets 90 % of the paint off. Hard to get places need a wire brush on a Dremel and other pointed tools to get a 100% stripped model.

I was now ready other than having parts such as windscreens and other bits that either get damaged or are already damaged when the model is purchased. It did not take long to come across Steve Flowers website www.model-supplies.co.uk/and I was amazed what was available. It also told me that there must be a large number of people like me out there enjoying this past time.

During the next few months I avidly began restoring models. Some I hand polished and others I used a clear gloss spray to finish. I hand painted the grills and bumpers and often got caught up doing more detail than the original model seemed to have. Again I needed a reference for such detail and came across one that has proved invaluable. http://www.diecast.plus.com/

Here are some of the restored models completed in colours as close as I could get to the original bearing in mind that many were copied from faded models or photos which could have varied depending on the light in which the model was photographed. I have included a before and after shot.