Question about model gun kits

Hello all,

Yes a question about the kits. Often, on the model gun kits, we have mouldings traces which stay. Ok, but in the user manual, we can see that we can use "paper sand" (I hope it's the word) to remove moulding traces.
But if I use paper, I think I am going to scratch the abs HW no??

I don't know how to do ? Someone knows??

Thanks.

If it helps - I have the same problem. Moulding lines can be sanded flat with surface, but scratches and difference in finish remain.

You're right!
And if you read the kit manual for hWS colt saa for example (in the instruction section) you can see the sand paper is used.
I don't understand how to proceed.

If a Japanese friend can translate for us, it will be kind.

Yes - I was frightened by attempting my first kit (a PPK/s) ''

- but I found this worked for me: ''

1. before sanding I removed any "ridges" (join marks from the molds) by gently scraping with a sharp blade (scalpel).

2. Then I sanded gently with 2 grades of sand paper (wet & dry) - the last sanding being very fine grit.
That made the plastic a grey colour.

3. Finally I polished the plastic with a metal polish (Brasso) - which itself contains an extremely fine grit in liquid form.

That should return the plastic to a glossy and shiny finish - so stop rubbing sooner if you want a semi-gloss finish.
Polishing plastic with Brasso is an old trick I learned as a young engineer cutting clear perspex. Fine sanding then polishing would remove the cutting marks and make the perspex totally transparent again. ''


Kiwigunner

A great thank to you Kiwi !!

But I am surprised you don't give me my "French expression of the day"

I am going to find a metal polish because Brasoo is not present in France I think.

Mon ami,
Je suis fatiguée! ''

Mais bonne chance avec vortre project!

In France I think it's called "Miror" - in a red tin and available at most supermarkets. ''

Kiwigunner

Would not something like T-Cut work also? For Monocampo's benefit, (and I apologise in advance if you already knew this) but it is sold in car accessory shop's to polish out scratches in car paintwork, I don't know if it is more "aggressive" than Brasso!

:0)

I'm agreeing on Brasso to polish it up.

Many years ago, I paid top dollar for some "special" polish to polish up a fibreglass boat. It had to be used with an electric buffer, but it didn't work too good.
Later, I met up with a guy who worked manufacturing fibreglass boats.
He said forget all that other stuff and use Brasso, and that's all I ever used since.

Thanks Oz.

There is an American product with the same name "Brasso" - BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME STUFF.....IT HAS A DIFFERENT FORMULA.

Don't know if it works as well OR better.????''

Kiwigunner

kiwigunner wrote:

3. Finally I polished the plastic with a metal polish (Brasso) - which itself contains an extremely fine grit in liquid form.

Ah, that's the secret!

I recall now that watch repair shop restored a plastic glass on my watch by polishing them with something. At the time I thought it was something special for watches. Now that you wrote about these polishes, I realized it would be a similar thing applicable not just to watches!

Thanks all (and congratulations Kiwi !!
Ok miror but now I have to find it.
I have a product called Belgom (to polish alu) , do you know I should try ?

I support what Kiwigunner mentioned.

When I did, I try to eliminate the mold line by paper cutter as much as possible, before actually you start to sand with a sand paper. When you apply a blade, apply almost 85-90 degree angle to a surface of the mold. If the blade sits too lean to a surface, then, you may scrape unnecessary part.

Then, sand with sandpaper, but use at least 2 or 3 grit different paper. start with #600, 800-1000 and 1200-1500. After the sanding, apply polisher. I know you would be afraid at the very first time, but an experience is the best teacher.

If you have any plastic material (not necesarily modelgun related), I would suggest to start with that.

S

That 's I call A really good explanation !!

Thank you very much Shazhib !

I must apply this now, and I have to disassemble some of my kits

Hello,

I come back to ask if this product could be good for polishing ABS HW :

http://cgi.ebay.fr/TUBE-AUTOSOL-METAL-POLISH-75ml-/130515844453

If someone knows, it will be kind to tell me

Thanks

I used a lot of Solvol Autosol to polish motorcycle Aluminium engine casings, carburettors, Chrome plate etc. It's an excellent metal polish I can vouch for that.
It'll bring good smooth metal surfaces up to a mirror finish.

I've never used it on plastics though, what are you trying to polish out, fine scratches left after sanding with fine sandpaper:?:

Just read further up the thread and realised what you're polishing out:oops:

Solvol Autosol is a paste, almost like toothpaste but with more fine abrasive in it.

Brasso is a liquid polish, with very fine abrasive grit suspended in it. If anything, Brasso would be more gentle in my opinion.

It may be worth trying Cutting Paste. This is used to restore paint finish on cars. It's a liquid polish which removes a very very thin layer of faded or oversprayed paint bringing a mirror smooth fresh paint finish to the surface.
I've seen it used to polish animal horn that's been cut, moulded, carved and turned in a lathe to make ornamental finishing touches to elaborate wooden bowls, wooden table lamps and decorative shepherd crooks and walking sticks. They had a beautiful smooth finish.
One brand is "T-Cut"

Ok tanks to you Cerwyn, but your product "T-cut" doesn't delivered in France.....
Damn, I don't know which product I must buy for polishing my ABS HW.

If someone knows a product (on Ebay for exemple with France delivery)which works great on abs after sandpaper, I am ready to ear !

Thank you and bye !

I tried to use a car polish for "removing scratches on metal, plastic, glass, car paint", but it only made a surface (ABS plastic lamp) more scratched :-/ It seems that it really needs to be specific item, making it more difficult to recommend between countries. For example I found no Brasso in Poland, and only waxing solutions from T-Cut.

Well, thank you Smootik for encouraging me

Ok the problem is when I cut ABS, little white traces appear. This is this little traces I have to remove. It's the same thing when I use sandpaper.

Anyway, Maybe some Meguiars product like this one :

http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330578894067

maybe.

Vive la France!!

Did you try "Miror"
Can you purchase "Miror" (in a red bottle) where you live? It is a French product similar to Brasso.


Auto cutting compounds can leave fine scratches on ABS; "Brasso" doesn't.

A bientot!

Kiwigunner

Salut l'ami australien !!

Yes maybe I can find miror in supermarket, I am going to try this afternoon.
And for your question : I leave in Paris.

I must find polish because I have a kit which wait for me (review soon).

I will tell you if I find something.