I just received an older Tamiya Yamato kit (in 1/350 of course [;)] ). unbeknownst to me it has the stuff to motorize it. It also came with a GMM photo etch set (i’m not sure if the seller know it was in there…still trying to contact him). THe thing is, one of the frets is really tarnished. It looks like its still sound (no pitting or eaten away parts).
So…I figure I need to get rid of the tarnish, but what the best way to do it?
Double sided tape, a cotton swab, and Flitz, Simichrome, Polz, or Happich metal polish, and a light touch.
I used to know a chemical way to do this, but it slips my mind at the moment. If I recall or find it, I’ll let you know. Ain’t senility wunnerful! [zzz]
yes…i suffer from CRS myself. [:D]
I’ll have to hit Wallyworld tomorrow and get one (or more) of those.
after polishing, i suppose i just wash with alcohol???
Detergent, Formula 409, Simple Green, etc. followed by alcohol just before you paint or attach it.
CRS??[%-)]
CRS=Can’t Remember Sh…errrr…Stuff. [:D]
thanks for the tips. Just heading out now to buy the stuff.
I dunno, why sweat a little tarnish? I’d still give it bath in vinegar and water rinse to give the metal some tooth, but other than that - trying to get rid of the tarnish may leave you with a nicely balled up piece of photoetch.
That depends on how bad the tarnishing is. Tarnish is corrosion, and brass corrosion can be highly colorful and mobile—as in through the paint/adhesive. So it’s a judgement call—the vinegar bath is essentially doing something similar, but creating a very soluble corrosion product that will be washed away when the part is rinsed.
Use Tarnex…one little dip and the tarnish is gone.
That’s the stuff—I used to know the chemical, but the brand name will do!
I looked at the Tarnex bottle and it said its not for use on brass.
[%-)]
the store did have Brass-O, but I’m familiar with that (from my USMC days) and I don’t think it would work real well…all that rubbing on fine parts…something will break. [:(]
if Tarnex does in fact work, I’ll give it a go…just wary of winging it.
Why don’t you take a couple of pieces of the the unused photo etch and dip them in Tarnex and see what it does to them?
I happened to get on GMMs website. Seems this PE set is quite old…no relief etching and fewer parts.
So…I’ve decided to get the new sets and use these old ones to experiment with, for spare parts, and to practice all the bending and what-not. [:)]
Tarnex will be gotten and tested on some PE “sprue” (i don’t know the technical term [:)] ) and results posted.
So many PE sets…so little money. [;)]
Well…I tried the Tarn-x…whew does it stink! [yuck]
I treated part of the smaller fret and I’ll see if there are any adverse effects. A proper soft clothe (no paper towel type stuff here) is a must. It does look pretty good though…so far. I wonder why it says not to use on brass??? [%-)]