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Topic starter
31/08/2020 4:26 pm
question: how to remove bad paint from a good Corgi
Probably a simple question but thought one of the expert modelers on this site could help....please see the photo of the Corgi Toronado from my childhood. In addition to collecting Corgis in my youth, I also built plastic models. In one fit of poor judgment as a 10-year-old, somehow I got a spash of gold paint on the roof of this otherwise "stock" Toronado...any way to remove the gold yet salvage the original finish of the Corgi? It was likely Testor's paint. Any advice greatly appreciated. I've also included a second photo of a few other Corgis in my collection just for the heck of it - no paint on these - never owned those in childhood! Thanks.
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
31/08/2020 4:46 pm
Have you thought about a light application of a rubbing/polishing compound ?
31/08/2020 4:59 pm
Agreed. Car paste wax might remove the Testors paint and leave the baked factory finish intact.
Start slowly and gently though. You aren't the only one who tried "improving" a diecast many decades ago.
31/08/2020 5:21 pm
I recommend paint thinner made for model car paint.
Any rubbing with wax or polishing compound will result in a very smooth and shiny gold blob of paint surrounded by a shiny bare metal circle where the factory applied paint used to be. Apply a small amount of thinner to an inconspicuous place (maybe an inside door panel?) using a q tip. If you are lucky, the thinner will dissolve the gold and leave the original paint. After it has dried for several days, a very light polish with a soft cloth and polish, not rubbing compound, should be the finishing touch.
Alternatively, I would recommend acquiring an additional vintage Corgi Olds in the same color but without flaws. You could display them together and show your adoring fans what a unique creation you accomplished at only ten years of age.
Either way, attempting to rub it off with any abrasive compound will cause trouble. With a capital T.
31/08/2020 5:47 pm
If all else fails, you might try a product called GOOF OFF. I have used it, very cautiously and sparingly, with a Q-Tip, on models very similar to yours.
Topic starter
01/09/2020 2:33 am
Many thanks everyone for the thoughts/tips!
01/09/2020 3:20 pm
Those are all great Corgis! Let us know how it goes with the gold!
02/09/2020 5:52 am
The goal is to get here:
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