1/55's revisited

[jenius]

Would removing and soaking in vinegar work? That's how I just fixed a corroded faucet handle.

[Radioguy]

26 minutes ago, jenius said:

Would removing and soaking in vinegar work? That's how I just fixed a corroded faucet handle.

I'll try that. I presume just the metal parts should be immersed? How long did you have to do it?

I assume the chrome plating is lost. Was that the case with the handle?

[jenius]

Do some research first... This probably works with some metals better than others. For my faucet handle (Delta Portwood I believe), the inside of the handle corroded and had blue green build up. I removed the plastic bits and soaked everything in vinegar for a few hours. Vinegar got rid of the build up and I was able to lube it all up and put it back together and it works great now. 

Edited Saturday at 12:31 AM by jenius

[Radioguy]

Thanks. White rust would seem to be what this is called. That assumes that Bandai used Chrome-plated Zamak for the diecast parts. Can anyone confirm they did?

Looking things up in general, it seem like electrolysis is the most effective method of removal, but bathing the parts in vinegar and maybe lemon juice for awhile could do the job too. I just hoped someone here had been through this already and had more valk-specific advice.

Blue/green sounds like it might be limescale too, come to think of it. That might be a different situation.

Edited Saturday at 01:40 AM by Radioguy

[pengbuzz]

18 minutes ago, Radioguy said:

Thanks. White rust would seem to be what this is called. That assumes that Bandai used Chrome-plated Zamak for the diecast parts. Can anyone confirm they did?

Looking things up in general, it seem like electrolysis is the most effective method of removal, but bathing the parts in vinegar and maybe lemon juice for awhile could do the job too. I just hoped someone here had been through this already and had more valk-specific advice.

Blue/green sounds like it might be limescale too, come to think of it. That might be a different situation.

 

I have the remains of a junker Jetfire 1/55; I have most of the metal parts except for the left shoulder hinge (dunno where it is, I can look if you'd like). Here's a pic:

Let me know if you would like these and I'll set them aside for you. I can pull the metal parts out of the plastic for you (plastic is sun-damaged) so you don't have to worry about messing with that.

[Radioguy]

2 hours ago, pengbuzz said:

 

I have the remains of a junker Jetfire 1/55; I have most of the metal parts except for the left shoulder hinge (dunno where it is, I can look if you'd like). Here's a pic:

Let me know if you would like these and I'll set them aside for you. I can pull the metal parts out of the plastic for you (plastic is sun-damaged) so you don't have to worry about messing with that.

I may take you up on that!

Right now, I do wonder if I can restore this with the parts on hand, even though I think the metal parts shown will be pitted at best when done.

For those who remember, no, I haven't touched that (similarly sun-damaged) VT-1, as I think that might not be salvageable with how brittle it is. This Jetfire seems more of a hopeful case.

 

[sh9000]

Holiday Plus December 7, 1985 flyer.

[grogall]

4 minutes ago, sh9000 said:

Holiday Plus December 7, 1985 flyer.

Dang! Was about to search for the order button.....🤪

[jenius]

That isn't a way I ever considered installing the armor 

[pengbuzz]

11 hours ago, Radioguy said:

I may take you up on that!

Right now, I do wonder if I can restore this with the parts on hand, even though I think the metal parts shown will be pitted at best when done.

For those who remember, no, I haven't touched that (similarly sun-damaged) VT-1, as I think that might not be salvageable with how brittle it is. This Jetfire seems more of a hopeful case.

 

No problem; I'll look for the other shoulder piece in the meantime. If you do need the parts, I'll just ask for shipping; so many folks here have helped me in the past and I'm trying to "pay it forward" where and when I can.

[nightmareB4macross]

3 hours ago, sh9000 said:

Holiday Plus December 7, 1985 flyer.

Never knew the armor could be made into kneepads.

Reminds me of Votoms Standing Turtle.

Such an odd thing to see.

 

[GrampaStump]

Vinegar can probably take that crud off. I've also used 99% isopropyl alcohol, but it is pretty harsh on the finish. There is no chemical or solvent type treatment that will make those pieces look "good," just less covered in crud, but still pitted and dull. Which you already guessed! I personally have never polished them, but other people have polished and buffed them with a variety of ordinary metal polishing compounds and had transformative results. Even when they were brand new, they were not polished and shiny, so that has never really appealed to me, although I may eventually try it just to add another tool to my toolbox, maybe for some custom fancy ones.

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by GrampaStump

[Shawn]

I never could have imagined the armor could be even mounted on the leg like that. I mean they had to take the thing out of the box to shoot it for the display right? There is some sort of reference!?

Looks like its about to install some some laminate flooring.