I would recommend them to paint them in another color then a Lesney color. If you want a Lesney model in good mint condition just buy it !Teddy Boy wrote:Having had some models sitting on my shelves in quite a terrible state for a considerable period of time, I thought it was about time I did something about it. That would either replacing them or restoring them, and restoration seems like much more fun. Some of the models are damaged, to some degree or another, beyond repair, so I have approached them with the philosophy that I can't really make them any worse.
The first one I'm attempting is the 46b Pickfords Removal Van. This model was given to me by a friend, who started by saying "I don't know if this is any good, but..." Well, we all know that all Lesneys are good, regardless of condition, so I gratefully relieved him of it. The first photos show what it looked like when I received it, and the other ones show what was left beneath Larry Watson's custom paint job. I think I'll be having a replacement roller blind. I would just add that I stripped the paint from the wheels using nail varnish remover on a cotton bud without any adverse effects.
The first thing you'll notice, apart from the odd paint chip here and there, are that the windscreen pillars have been violently shorn off, damage which I expect is beyond repair and therefore makes the model ideal for me to practice repainting on. I'm not sure what I'll do with the model when its finished, maybe create a scrapyard diorama or something. Now here come the questions...
Before I start repainting, I will want to remove the body from the base - how am I supposed to do this? It's not riveted like most models but its still attached pretty firmly.
Secondly, how do I find the right colour? I don't want something close to what Lesney used, I want exactly what they used. It doesn't help that the paint appears a different shade in the photos from what it is in real life. I've looked at Humbrol's gloss enamels and their closest offering is Emerald, but that's probably not perfect.
What do I need to do to prime the metal for painting? How do I achieve a finish like it came from the Lesney factory? When I've made plastic kits in the past I've used a paintbrush, but for this I will want to spray the paint (although I could do the silver trim with a brush, yes?). Is there anything else that I haven't considered or might need to know?
Thanks.
Otherwise the market will get even more fakes !
marcel