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Topic starter
08/01/2014 5:52 pm
Question re the '21 copper Rolls Royce...
I have a 1921 copper bodied Rolls Royce model by FM. It was fine when I purchased it on the secondary market, I can't remember what I did to it, but it now has light scratches on one side of the hood. I tried metal polishes which did not work. I read online that brown tripoli rubbing compound is often used to polish copper. I purchased a bar and used it rubbing it on by hand. At best it was a modest improvement, but most scratches are still there. I believe that most metals are polished using a buffer attached to some type of electric tool such as a Dremel. I was thinking of purchasing a Dremel that has polishing attachments and using the brown tripoli to see if that might get rid of the scratches. I think I can get the Dremel model I want for a little under $50. I know I need to be careful not to rub thru the copper. Has anyone tried this to remove scratches from their '21 Rolls model / does it sound like it might work? Does anyone have other suggestions what I might try to remove these scratches? As always, thanks in advance for any feedback - much appreciated.
08/01/2014 6:03 pm
DO NOT USE COPPER POLISH ON IT! I damaged one of these and they are not copper, they are plastic or at least the fenders are. FM was very clever in how they obtained the copper look. It is chromed plastic with a "candy" copper color sprayed over it to give the illusion of copper. I discovered this when I dropped one and damaged one of the rear fenders and the "coloring" just peeled off.I have also had a number of these come in and out of my hands and they are not all the same shade. Some much darker than others. Be careful with it!
David K Angeloni
08/01/2014 6:06 pm
only thing that IS real copper is the hood!
I was very disappointed to learn that the body and fenders were some sort of chromed plastic that was then glazed (not sure of the process` name) to look like copper. The result was convincing though not very durable and one must be careful NOT to polish the none copper parts or even leave body oils on the surfaces as it can and will stain and react with the finish. I have one thats mint and was NEVER touched my human hand since I bought it. ONLY held with cotton cloths! Not sure WHY yours got scratched? Perhaps it was moved around in the styro foam too much???
Topic starter
08/01/2014 7:32 pm
Thank you David and Phil for your replies...
I can't remember exactly how it got scratched. I think it may have had very minor scratches that I tried to remove (in some manner that I don't recall) and I ended up only making it worse. Unfortunately I have a bad habit of doing that. I think I'm going to improve the appearance and I end up botching it. Thanks again guys - I appreciate the feedback - take care.
08/01/2014 8:25 pm
Brad, Costco has a Generic Dremel for $29.95 Includes lots of polishing wheels.
The Hood is the only Copper the rest is a painted Plastic. The finish is super fragile! I would not try buffing except the hood and them Very Carefully!
Topic starter
08/01/2014 9:27 pm
Thanks Dave - I appreciate the info.
08/01/2014 9:53 pm
This is one of my favorites...FM at its best...
...naturally all real copper would be super expensive. The illusion and the quality are there...plus a cool odd-ball model.
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08/01/2014 11:28 pm
The hood is stamped aluminum plated w/copper.
09/01/2014 6:55 am
It IS a beautiful model for sure! Definitely a stand out
The only problem is that one shouldn't touch any part of it with anything except a soft cotton or microfiber cloth. Body oils and other chemicals will either stain or ruin the finish all together.
09/01/2014 7:05 am
Brad is the hood the only messed up part??
If so why dont you look around for a distressed model and simply swap out the hoods? In the 15+ years i'm collecting I've notice one odd thing. FM Rolls Royce don't seem to have regulated prices! The price of any particular issue is up, down and sideways. I will see a FM mib '55 Silver Cloud sell for $100, then 5 days later another one will sell for $290, then a mint non boxed one will fetch $50, 2 days later $200. Same goes for all their other Rolls Royce! If your patient you might even be able to buy a perfect Copper Rolls MIB for less then $100. Being it was almost $200 at issue time thats not bad! Just a thought!
09/01/2014 7:06 am
Do you know that for a fact??
I thought and could SWEAR I read that the bonnet was "Stamped of REAL copper" If that too was a lie, what BS this all was huh????
09/01/2014 7:23 am
It is true, it is not copper....................................
I remember many years ago I told you it was all plated.
09/01/2014 8:34 am
Oh I know the body is plastic thats plated to LOOK Copper BUT
I always thought that the four pieces that make up the bonnet (hood) were REAL copper that were pressed out from sheets of copper. Above its stated that they were copper plated alluminum! A first I'm hearing that! I know the rest of the body is plastic thats chromed then has a copper patina added to it to end with a just about authentic look.
09/01/2014 1:09 pm
I was told it was not solid copper...
Keep in mind the material has to be stampable to provide the detail at scale. Also, even with the illusion of real copper the car was time consuming and expensive to develop. I heard it was a real challenge. So at the price...the model was a real bargain.
I could be wrong about the hood but was told that by someone who worked on the project.
Topic starter
09/01/2014 1:46 pm
Hi Phil....
I could wait for the MIB Rolls if I could get one at a reasonable price. As far as getting a distressed one and then just swapping the hoods...for me that is beyond my capabilities. I am quite sure I would screw it up in some way and make it even worse, believe me when I say that I am a klutz of the first order. Again, thank you very much for your feedback, very much appreciated.
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