A little polishing experiment....long post (pics included)

Here's a little intro story. I am a newbie in the hobby of building models (I've done a few as a kid but you know how those things turn out). Now at age 29, I am beginning to get back into it. I am currently waiting for my mail order kits and supplies to come in and I'm feeling quite excited about it. As most of you know, some of the supplies targeted for the hobbiest is some what costly (e.g. micro-mesh, tamiya wax). These products I'm sure work great but you get very little for the cost. I figured that there must be other alternatives out there hence this little polishing experiment. Anyways, I went out and purchased some 11"x9" sheets of 3M wet/dry sand paper at a local acrylic shop for $1 a piece (1500, 2000, 2500 grit). I took one of my little brothers "junk" cars and attempted for the first time to polish the paint. The paint job on this VW bug was in really bad shape (runs, orange peels, dull color....you name it). I started sanding the roof of the vehicle (only part I did) with the 1500 grit then the 2000, and finally the 2500 grit. Ofcourse at this stage the paint is very dull looking. I thought to myself..."there is no way anything can shine this thing up." Well, to my astonishment the "Novus" acrylic fine scratch remover did the job for me. I was in shock :eek:! I topped it off with carnuba wax that I use for my car and below are a couple of pics of the results (paint completely smooth and shiny...mirror finish). By the way, my brother used Tamiya Acrylic paint that he thinned out with 70% rubbing alcohol.
http://home.pacbell.net/deejay27/car1.jpg

http://home.pacbell.net/deejay27/car2.jpg

http://home.pacbell.net/deejay27/novus.jpg

http://home.pacbell.net/deejay27/wax.jpg
So here is the break down of this long ass post:
1) alternative products to use for polishing paint at half the cost and you get 4 times as much....even stuff you may have tucked away in the garage.
2) If I can do this...believe me...anyone can.
3) Just trying to contribute something back to the board (since so many members have helped me out since I have become a member....thanks!)

I heard that novus is pricey. There are many numbers, i heard 2 and 4 and 6 or 7 are pretty good. How much did u pay for novus and wax, and where did u buy it?

Good stuff Deejay.
Some may already know it but noobs like me with regards to polishing will find it very knowledgeable.

Thanks!

Vyacheslav....the Novus is cheap. I purchased a 2fl oz bottle for a $4.00 (Novus #2). Tamiya wax at my local hobby shop sells for $11.00 and you get a 1 oz bottle. Here's a link to an online website that I found that sells an 8oz bottle for $4.95 if you can't find it in you area. Regarding the wax you see in the pic it is expensive ($30) but I use it for my car and already have it in my garage. I'm sure you can use Meguiar's Liquid carnuba wax and it will work well too (it's probably around $8 and you can get that almost anywhere).

Chain...no problem. I hope you find this info useful. I've been reading quite a few posts (new and old) and I notice that a lot of people ...including myself always salivate over a nice finish and always have questions regarding this topic. Well, I hope this will inspire all the newbies and let them know that they can do it too! It definitely raised my confidence level up a notch...a small one :p !
http://www.fsparts.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/catalog/cleaningsupplies/polish.html?E+scstore

That is great finish and nice polished.
I'm using Novus 2 too and it's very good.

Great job in repairing the old kit until it is so smooth and shiny like a mirror.

Way to go! You did exactly what one should do, you practiced, you experimented, you leveled the paint completely in your first steps to eliminate the runs and orange peel. If you approach all aspects of modeling this way, you will be a great model builder. :)

Originally posted by Deejay27
Vyacheslav....the Novus is cheap. I purchased a 2fl oz bottle for a $4.00 (Novus #2). Tamiya wax at my local hobby shop sells for $11.00 and you get a 1 oz bottle. Here's a link to an online website that I found that sells an 8oz bottle for $4.95 if you can't find it in you area. Regarding the wax you see in the pic it is expensive ($30) but I use it for my car and already have it in my garage. I'm sure you can use Meguiar's Liquid carnuba wax and it will work well too (it's probably around $8 and you can get that almost anywhere).

Chain...no problem. I hope you find this info useful. I've been reading quite a few posts (new and old) and I notice that a lot of people ...including myself always salivate over a nice finish and always have questions regarding this topic. Well, I hope this will inspire all the newbies and let them know that they can do it too! It definitely raised my confidence level up a notch...a small one :p !
http://www.fsparts.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/catalog/cleaningsupplies/polish.html?E+scstore
Is novus only for scrylics, not lacquer like tamiya spray paint? :(

Nice write up. I got a question. You applied the wax after using the novus stuff right ? Im going to walmart to see if i can find it there. My hobby shop also carries the Tamiya wax for $11. They didn't carry the polishing compound though.

Is novus only for scrylics, not lacquer like tamiya spray paint?

You can use Novus on any paint, and to polish out scratches on your windows. :)

Mainomega....yes, you apply the polish then wax. First you sand (do it lightly) =>polish =>wax. If you can't find it at WalMart then look through the yellow pages for a local acrylic store...they will probably carry it.

can't thank you enough. I've been lookin for a cheap+easy way to polish, and I guess this is it! Thanks you very much for your advice about the novus scratch remover :)


Pman, this is DEFINATLY f.a.q material :D , what do you think???

To Deejay27

Thank you very much


:D :) :flash:

No problem....happy polishing!