Not to long ago, I acquired this rather worn 17b, in a group lot . Considering it's sad state and poor condition, I thought it would make for a good choice for a first attempt.. Thinking that I couldn't make it much worse and at the very least figured I could make it look better, than it did when I started.
As one can see from the photo, this 17b has seen better days. From what I can tell, it was originally the more rare, dark green version of the 17b, with grey plastic wheels. Now most it's paint gone and the casting is heavily corroded with white rust. The wheels were frozen solid on the axles and would not, turn. In fact the axles themselves were so heavily rusted they would not turn either. In addition it had a pretty good dent in the side above rear wheel arch on the right hand side.
First step was into a white vinegar bath with the casting. One could immediately see the the effect of the vinegar on the white rust, as it began to bubble off. There was one stream of bubbles coming from where the radiator cap is, looked like the ole van was boiling over...I let the casting soak overnight. The next day I removed it and found that the axles could now turn freely in their mounts, though the wheels, were still frozen solid to the axles. The wheels could not turn, as the axles had corroded so much that they had swelled inside the plastic wheels, locking them firmly in place. As they were so tight to the axles the vinegar solution couldn't not get in there to loosen them, so they rested stuck. I thought on the matter a bit and decided to try using a hair dryer to warm up the wheels on the axles, hopefully softening them and expanding them a bit so that I could get them to spin and eventually remove them. Slowly the wheels began to loosen and turn, I was then - after a little filing on the axle ends, to remove the ridge of the spun end, was able to remove the wheels. The wheels and the axles went back into the vinegar for an extra soak.
This pic is after the vinegar soak and removal of the wheels and axles. Using a small C-clamp and following up with a bit of hammer and dolly work, I was able to get the dent out from above the rear wheel arch. The vinegar soak actually removed what was left of the original dark green paint. One can see that white rust had really attacked the casting. Most of the fine detail from the original casting has been wiped out.
This photo is after a few primer/filler coats, sanding in between coats. Things are beginning to smooth out on the casting and its coming along. Putting the detail back is going to be a challenge though.
Stay tuned for further progress..
zBret
and If Ghosty would have gone about it the same way. This detailing phase takes some time though, so will just have sit tight for a bit and see how I do... I'm sure Ghosty won't mind 
