Redoing models

I have a few cool models that I did when I was younger, but they suck fat ass, I wanna take them apart and strip the little paint that I used, any tips?? Has anyone ever done this?

A tip I got for separating glued parts was to get the car wet (Dip it in water or run it under a faucet) and then put it in the freezer. Water trapped in the cracks is supposed to expand the help weaken the glue joints. I've also heard that you can microwave the car lightly which will soften the old glue. I just cut/grind/drill/break them apart joint by joint.

For stripping paint, there are lots of things you can use: Brake fluid (In an airtight container), Purple Power, Castrol Super Clean, even 91% isopropyl alcohol on some paints.

I'm In The Rebuilding Process Myself! I'm Not The Only One!(lol)
I Use Simple Green To Strip Paint From Models.I Have A Half Gallon Tub Full Of S/G
Let Soak For a Few Days & Good As New! And It Strips Chrome In No Time!
Best Of All,It's Non-Toxic
Hope This Helps

I agree with evo8owner, Simple Green (or Castrol Simple Clean they're essentially the same thing) works wonders with paint and especially chrome. I've been contemplating rebuilding a few models I did way back in the day... 300ZX widebody, Ferrari Dino and 288 GTO to name a few.

Well I have a Z8 that I royally fucked up on (I sprayed the second coat of paint on the body before the first coat was dry and it bubbled and wrinkled....then I tried to clean off the paint with a kleenex....never do this. lol) Anyways, I'll try Simple Green since I can buy it where I work. Thanks for the tips guys.

Well I have a Z8 that I royally fucked up on

so how much younger were you exactly? hahaha that kit hasn't been out but for like MAYBE 2 years.

I'm just messin' with ya! I like to use the lemon scented easy off oven cleaner because I can't spill it accidentally. just spray it on, and let it set over night (or for a few hours if the paint is fairly new) and wash it off with soap and water. not sure how well it works on laquers though. anyway. that and the brake fluid thing are my 2 suggestions, just not together....I'm not a chemist, but I've seen oils combust due to chemical reactions with cleaners, and we don't need you to burn yourself, or get gassed.

Well, it was like 3 years ago, maybe 4, I dunno, it was a long time ago, I'm 17 now, I was like 13 when I did it.

I tried Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner Foam Spray to strip some paint that had been on a bodysheel for about ten years. Left it in a sealed container for about two hours, attacked it with a toothbrush and water and it worked really well.

Only use this stuff in a well-ventilated place (pref outside) as the fumes are horrible.

I think this subject is in the FAQs...?

Oven cleaners will burn your skin, wear gloves. Good ones.

Why not just buy the same model again and make it. Then you'll be able to gauge exactly how much better you are now at modelling than previously.

Because, as mentioned above, they don't make it anymore. And I'm not ganna spend more money for nothing.

It will cost you $5 more to buy the revell z8 (which is not hard to find) than it would to buy the cleaner and (assuming time is money) the amount of time you waste 'cleaning and stripping'.

I have a display cabinet where all my models go. And I have a rule...once it goes into the cabinet and I lock it...It's done. No more bringing it out to do anything else to it. That allows me to 'live with and learn from my mistakes. And it does allow me to gauge my skills progression much more.

It will cost you $5 more to buy the revell z8 (which is not hard to find) than it would to buy the cleaner and (assuming time is money) the amount of time you waste 'cleaning and stripping'.

I have a display cabinet where all my models go. And I have a rule...once it goes into the cabinet and I lock it...It's done. No more bringing it out to do anything else to it. That allows me to 'live with and learn from my mistakes. And it does allow me to gauge my skills progression much more.


Damn fine Philosophy . That is just what I'm doing. If I bugger up during the build I do something about it, afterwards - it's done.

Well, I guess I want it to at least look ok.

I also think that those models that are finished, should remain intact, no matter how they suck.
It´s like those crayondrawings we all did as kids ( did you also drew cars??), they suck by our `adult`standard, but you don´t go home to grandma and say "-hey, those drawings i did as a 4 year old,they suck, i´m gonna re-draw them.." ..

I agree with the thought of keeping past kits as a display of building improvement over the years. In fact, I think it would be interesting to see a side by side comparison of the same kit built years ago vs. one built today. Has anyone done that?

However, if the earlier kit is rare enough, I don't see a problem with a kit restoration to reflect your current skills.

The thing is, I haven't finished it, it's still in like 4 pieces in the original box.