EddieBT

Hello,

I am in possession of a model County Class engine. It was built by my father in the early eighties. My father has long since departed so I have no one to advise of the following:

I would like to get the engine restored paintwise. My father used the standard approach of two layers of undercoat and an oil based paint of the type used for painting plastic kits.

http://www.beaumont-thomas.com/private/countySomerset/

The paint has dulled over the years and is ingrained with dust.

I guess the first step is to get it cleaned, but I'm reluctant to try anything until I have some idea on what to be aware of - aside from damaging the paint work. How should I approach this?

Lastly, my father used transfers on this engine - his eyesight wasn't good enough to sign paint. The glue on these transfers has discoloured. What is the best way to remove them?

In anticipation,

Eddie

jankers

Hi Eddie, welcome.

What a grand loco you have there.

Brake fluid, Dot3 preferred over Dot4, would remove the paint, it works well on plastic and is not too severe. It is also easy to neutralize by washing thoroughly with water.

Check out a bottle at the retailer though as i don't know how it reacts to various metals; steel and brass should be ok but copper/zinc?

Hopefully one of the engineering modelers will be along to help out.

J.

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EddieBT

Thanks for your reply jankers. I should add that the main components of the engine are made of balsa and ply woods.

Bunkerbarge

Eddie is your intention to remove the paint or simply to clean it? Brake fluid will remove it but will also soak into any bare wood and upset the surface of any subsequent painting.

I would try cleaning it first with a damp cloth, bearing in mind that the water will soak into any bare wood as well. If that doesn't work turpentine substitute will be worth trying. If it is a good enamel it shouldn't disturb the paint anyway.

If they fail I would be tempted to very gently clean and prepare the surface with a very fine wet and dry paper and then apply a new top coat of modelling enamel paint.

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EddieBT

Bunkerbarge, my intention is to clean the engine up with a repaint being a last resort. Thank you for your advice. The project starts in ernest this week-end. I'll keep the forum posted and hopefully show off some pictures of a "new" County of Somerset in the near future.

Eddie

Bunkerbarge

I think to be honest the age of this model dictates that it would not look right if it was pristine. The slightly yellowing decals and the less than perfect finish are all part of what those in the antiques business call the patina and I would be tempted to do nothing more than a good clean.

I would try a couple of differrent possibilities carefully first to ensure compatibility with the paint but then I would do nothing more than use babies cotton buds soaked in a solvent and wipe the surface of the paint. I would try turps or even diesel oil, in small out of the way areas to ensure it doesn't lift the paint and very carefull rub away the dirt with the cotton swabs. Keep looking at the swab and if it starts to look green then you know you are lifting the paint.

Then maybe even a bit of wax polish on some of the more prominent areas such as the boiler and the cab to protect the paint and enhance the finish.

A final wipe with a lint free cloth should see this beauty looking her best.

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“Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"

alan2525

I think i'd second bunkers advice on just giving the loco a careful clean and leave the decals in place. It's easy to over restore something and then it'll look just like it was made yesterday!

One the loco is cleaned I'd build a glass case for it to keep it in that just cleaned condition for a good while to come.

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EddieBT

Suggestions and concerns noted and appreciated gentlemen. It was always my intention to retain as much of my fathers hand as possible. Your advice will enable me to achieve this. Many thanks.

alan2525

One part of the model that could do with some work is the plinth it's standing on? Have you thought about a nice hardwood plinth? Get a nice little brass plate engraved, just to set off the model? Or maybe if I'm feeling nice I could do one for you on my cnc engraver?

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EddieBT

Hi Alan,

I confess, apart from a lttle research into glass/acryllic casing, I hadn't got that far in the thought process but I do see your point. Do you perceive that the model would stand on a plinth minus the track?

And thanks for the engraving thought.