is there anywhere to get replacement gauge covers? or a way to get all the scratches off them? Was cleaning up my dash insert tonight and the covers just too scratched to ignore. I do really like the way the accessory insert came out though, I painted the trim with silver and shield. Also how does one go about repairing all the peeling paint and chrome on the plastic? Thanks
You will need to buy new repro lenses from www.thepartsplaceinc.com For the chrome to be done correctly, you need to send it to specialty shop that will restore them. See the pic below. This was sent to www.mrgusa.com Woodgrain kit is new, cig lighter and headlight knob w/bezel was hand polished.
If you remove the clear covers they can be wet sanded to restore their clarity, depending on the severity of the scratches. As a baseline, start with 600 grit, followed by 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 and then polish with a good metal polish like Blue Magic, or better yet, use Novus 2 plastic polish. Once done, you can apply a nice wax to finish off. I did mine and they look new. Blue Magic you should be able to pick up at an auto parts outlet, Novus you can get from plastic supply houses and the various grades of wet/dry sandpaper can be obtained at autobody supply outlets. As for the wax, try "The Treatment". It is a carnuba based paste wax that the car modellers use. Should be able to get that at a good hobby shop. If you really want to go nuts, pick up some Micro Mesh sanding cloths. They offer grits from 4000 to 12000, and then use the Novus polish. The clear plastic lenses tend to intimidate people as they seem to feel that they cannot be restored. They are no different in composition to the plastic found in car/airplane models except that clear plastic is more brittle due to the lack of colouring. Trust me, as a professional modeller, clear plastic can be sanded and polished to look new. The only trade off is your time. Cheers
For new lens: www.thepartsplaceinc.com www.opgi.com For the bezel around the cluster the whole housing is re-chromed and the decals etc go over the chrome so the edges are left showing.
Thanks randy, worked good. Though couldn't find any 2500 paper only went to 2000 but still turned out good. Least something I can live with. Never did try to mess with glass on models though. Parts too small and I tend to break things heh.
What does the wax do? we don't have any real hobby stores around here, If i remember right i read somewheres that pledge works for model glass??
The wax gives the clear plastic a real lustre and tends to remove any haze left over from the polishing compounds. Not sure about pledge, but I know that Bounce fabric softener sheets will also shine up the plastic. Cheers Randy
Hmm future wax seems to be more like something hitting me in the back of the head instead of pledge heh. been a long time ago since i read about that though so no telling. will have to try bounce or find some good wax..
A lot of modellers I know use Future to improve the look of the clear plastic parts. For best results, the clear part should be dipped in Future. Personally, I am not an advocate of Future, Contrary to what is often advertised, it will in fact yellow over time and more so once exposed to UV. Also, by using Future you are adding a layer that could possibly begin to peel or flake over time. Just my 2 canadian cents Cheers Randy
Ahh a good thing to know. will keep lookin for the carnaba wax. need to get all the little swirls out of the plastic now heh.
A lot of modellers I know use Future to improve the look of the clear plastic parts. For best results, the clear part should be dipped in Future. Personally, I am not an advocate of Future, Contrary to what is often advertised, it will in fact yellow over time and more so once exposed to UV. Also, by using Future you are adding a layer that could possibly begin to peel or flake over time. Just my 2 canadian cents Cheers Randy
