NABCC Buick

Ed, I have the tools to drill out the broken off mirror pin but was able to glue the mirror back in its correct position so that's what I did. The glue I use is called welder and it does a wonderful job of holding small pieces and won't harm painted surfaces should you get it where you don't want it.

@bob-jackman 

I received my model today. The Buick convertible is a very nice model. However, the mirror on the driver’s side did break off. Looking at the broken part, I doubt I could glue it back. I will contact Brooklin for replacement part. I will try drilling out the pin, and have a question and would like your opinion. Is it better to drill from the outside or take model apart and drill from inside?

I had the same issue with 2 mirrors. I glued the driver's side back on and since the passenger side is against the back of the display case I just left it off. I'm not skillful enough to drill anything out!

Some further thoughts on replacing the mirror(s).A close look at the mirror with a magnifying glass shows that the mirror stem is thicker at the base of the mirror where it attaches to the fender. If the break on your mirror is higher on the stem, the best fix is to push out the broken stem from the inside of the model by removing the screws and baseplate rather than trying to push the stem through from the outside.This is because the mirror base is larger than the hole and this method will probably not work. If the break is clean at the fender below the mirror base, it should push through from the outside without taking the car apart.Again, an eye dropper with boiling water should be applied for about 15 seconds first to soften the glue.I would not try using a drill of any type (Dremel or pin vise) as you risk chipping or scratching the paint. I am not going to try to reattach the broken mirror with glue either. Although the glue may hold, it will probably be a temporary fix .These mirrors are extremely delicate and I'm sure at some point will break off again with the slightest movement.Everyone who saw The Christmas Story remembers how long the glue held on the "leg lamp".

Why did the mirror break on so many models? My thought. We may have broken them removing the car from the packaging without knowing it. Likewise, the packer may have broken it without knowing it. When you remove the model from the packaging using  the attached straps , the model will without fail try to spin because of the poor weight distribution.The model will then strike the side of the packaging when this spinning takes place and that is when the driver mirror probably broke off. Because is spins in only one direction, that is why only one mirror broke. The solution? in future ,don't trust the straps when removing the model from the packaging.

Good points Ken.  My take would be to omit those fragile, pesky little pieces altogether. A model without mirrors is preferable to one with pieces so fragile that they break off as easily as these do. I certainly don’t miss them on the ‘54 regular edition Cadillac.

@kenspear, you may be on to something there. How do you remove the model from the box without using the straps?

@kenspear Ken, as John Kuvakas as stated, you may be on to something here.  I was quite upset when, upon returning from Allentown with my new (and rather expensive!) NB Center 1951 Hudson model, I broke off the drivers side mirror.  How?  By the exact same process you have described.  Fortunately, I immediately contacted Amanda and was sent a replacement.

That's the good news.  The bad news is that I am a total klutz at putting mirrors on a model in the first place, much less taking a model (even as simple as a Brooklin) apart.  So while I applaud and endorse your suggested technique for removing the broken mirror stem, I'm deathly afraid to tackle this job (I would, no doubt, break off another mirror, along with a hood ornament, steering wheel, and a door handle or two in the process).

So Ken -- any plans to come to Western New York State soon?  I'll treat to dinner if you want to replace my mirror! 😀 

(In the meantime, the replacement mirror sits in the original Hudson box in case I - or my heirs - ever try to sell it....)

@kenspear 

All, thanks for your comments and suggestions. First, as soon as I opened the box, I saw the mirror was broken. Thus, removing the model from box was not the problem.  Second, my thoughts about the problem focus on the shipping and packing. I assume the model was ok when it left Brooklin. The new Brooklin boxes look very nice, but they are dependent on adequate packing material between Brooklin box and shipping box. When I received my model there was bubble pack around top, bottom, and long sides. There was no bubble pack at ends, which were in direct contact with outer box. I wonder if this lack of completely surrounding model with bubble pack subjected model to extra “shocks” during shipping.

Third, I would also prefer these delicate parts to be packed separately. The buyer could then make decision about attaching them.

  I can't understand Brooklin's management decision-making process.  When this problem first arose, why did management decide a replacement mirror was enough?  When we purchase a model, we are purchasing more than the parts;   we are also purchasing the procedure.  (Unless it's a kit, and that's something Brooklin doesn't produce, doggone it.)  This episode is making me doubt future Brooklin purchases.  This Buick is NOT on my dream list.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

@kenspear, you may be on to something there. How do you remove the model from the box without using the straps?

John;  What I have done when first opening the latest Brooklin offerings from the fancier box is to lift just one end of the base by the attached "strap" and rest it on the box.  I then grab the exposed end of the base and slowly lift it out; improving my grip on the base as it lifts out.  Simple approach but it works well.

I would simply say again that if these little parts are that vulnerable, don’t include them in the first place. To pay a premium price for an enhanced version only to have the enhancements fall off in transit or even during careful handling makes no sense. Enhanced interior detail, fine! Headlight transparent lenses, fine. Spotlights and mirrors and antennae that are vulnerable, forget it. 

This

over this?

I don’t think so.

@d-m-holcombe 

I understand your concerns. It is very unfortunate, since this is a very nice looking model. If you can find one with mirrors attached, you might want to reconsider and buy it.

@jkuvakas. John, I haven't come up with a good way of removing the car without the straps, but Jack Dodd's method in his comment above appears to work.

@ed-davis. I totally agree with your suggestion that delicate parts should be packed separately. I previously sent an e-mail to Brooklin recommending this.

@skip. I understand your fear and frustration in taking a Brooklin apart.I felt the same way the first time that I attempted a repaint. Actually thought, it is pretty straight forward. You have identified the most important detail and that is to avoid breaking off another small part in the process. I had mentioned to you on the old Form 43 that I intended to get down to Buffalo (only about an hour from where I live) to visit the Pierce Arrow museum.That hasn't happened yet and the Covid test procedures  have really made it difficult to get back and forth across the Peace Bridge. If this Covid ever blows over, I intend to take that trip to the Pierce Arrow museum and would enjoy meeting up. You indicated previously that you would be interested in going. 

I understand all the apprehension on taking apart these models. About a year or so ago-I would have never dreamed of doing so. Now that I’ve done quite a few, no worries. 
Fortunately all six of my NB Center models traveled well from PA and are sitting next to their previous versions. Those previous ones have all been taken apart where necessary to modify them to look different, mainly black wall tires. Both of my NABCC Buicks arrived safe and sound as well. I’ve never trusted the straps, so I don’t use them. 
I am very sorry to see so many with issues on these wonderful models. Hopefully Brooklin will address them to everyone’s satisfaction.

@kenspear Ken - yes, I'm still interested in meeting up and heading to the Pierce-Arrow museum.  It's a great place.  They just recently announced an expansion plan that I hope will come to fruition in the coming years.  In the meantime, let's hope the border crossing becomes less onerous later in the year and make it possible to get together.  The recently acquired a very rare 1901 Packard:

https://buffalonews.com/.../article_cfb39cde-4276-11ec...