Old Buckaroo Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I borrowed this picture from an ebay auction. What could possibly eat the chrome off a model like this? At first I would thought it had a bath in Simple Green or similar but the decals are still intact. That is the craziest thing I have seen on a model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneckrigger Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Had this happen to me years ago when I put my motorcycle battery on a trickle charger in my model room near some of my builds. POOF! Chrome-b-gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I don't know if there was an issue with the chrome on these kits or what, but I have seen several built A Models that the chrome has turned red on. Some were pretty nice builds too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelo7 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I would say a lot dust has something to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarsam326 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Acidity in your hands, had alot of toys do this when i was a kid. I also play guitar and i can rust a set of strings after a 30 minute session while everyone else can use a set for weeks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Buckaroo Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Had this happen to me years ago when I put my motorcycle battery on a trickle charger in my model room near some of my builds. POOF! Chrome-b-gone. Tom - that is the most tragic model related story ever. You are probably dead on with that, the model is listed at a place that sells lots of lawnmower parts. Maybe it was on display in the shop. The location is in one of the driest state I have ever been in. (Kansas) The bright side is there is not much chrome to have to strip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell C Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Upper side surface chrome still sorta intact in various spots. Corrosive fumes wafting upward from below, not affecting decals?Seen a charger on a battery at a garage once where it didn't shut off and was in the process of boiling out all the water until I pulled the plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Acidity in your hands, had alot of toys do this when i was a kid. I also play guitar and i can rust a set of strings after a 30 minute session while everyone else can use a set for weeks...This is why Rory Gallagers strat had no paint left on it. Im not that lucky, I had to beat mine up the old fashioned way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarsam326 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 This is why Rory Gallagers strat had no paint left on it. Im not that lucky, I had to beat mine up the old fashioned way. lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signguy2108 Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Had this happen to a couple of my older models years ago. No explanation. Haven't payed a lot of attention to my shelf models in awhile, but I was showing them to someone the other day and noticed 3 had flat tires on the front!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 I have had moisture do that over a long time to chrome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anarximis Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 ive seen models that are now somewhere near 25 to 35 years old or more they where my grandfathers that the chrome barely faded but what did fade its faded to black, red or white Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 I have had the chrome on some of my real old built models do that. But I doubt the chrome is changing colors. That binder I believe was molded in red at one time. I also lived in Florida a very humid place. and had no A/C.I don't no what the actual shinney surface is but the base coat is like shellac. Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) The chrome was already really thin in that 4070A kit! Every one I built had areas missing chrome and it would darn near rub off with you hands. Those trucks really didn't have a lot of chrome, most was polished aluminum. This is the perfect opportunity to clean up all the mold lines and sprue attachment points and then paint the parts with Alclad chrome. The parts will have a much more realistic appearance. Edited February 22, 2016 by Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Be wary of any sprays like Lysol, Febreeze, air fresheners, etc. they will strip chrome as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 I have had the chrome on some of my real old built models do that. But I doubt the chrome is changing colors. That binder I believe was molded in red at one time. I also lived in Florida a very humid place. and had no A/C.I don't no what the actual shinney surface is but the base coat is like shellac. Be Well GatorYes, the 4070A (The very first ERTL truck kit) was molded in red, black, chrome and clear with hard vinyl tires. The chrome parts were all plated over red parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1959scudetto Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 I have a built-up which I bought more than ten years ago from a German ebayer. It will be rebuilt some day but the chrome parts (molded in red) show much red and little chrome, especially the exhaust pipes.But it will be turned into a fleet workhorse anyway, so there is no need for much chrome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doogie7046 Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 I had that same kit as a kid and once it was all covered in dust I thought I would use a bathroom spray foam to help wash it clean and after the foam dissolved it looked just like your picture. I can't remember the brand of spray foam cleaner but its probably taken off the market now for being too hazardous LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Buckaroo Posted February 25, 2016 Author Share Posted February 25, 2016 Scrubbing bubbles - It strips Chrome so you dont have toooooooooooooo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truck parts Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 The same thing happen to mine build years ago, It's in a display case with other builds ,but it was the only one that it happen , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpreadAxle Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) I was going to bid on that truck, but then put it off until it was too late I think I was trying to see if I could find some of the chrome items specific for this kit and that's why I waited to bid. Everything I would strip on that kit was already stripped or at least almost there. It would've made cleaning it a quick process. I wish Ertl didn't chrome such items as spoke wheels or 5th wheels. The stacks can be redone with the right "aluminum" spray and the air cleaner pipe I would paint any way. Edited February 29, 2016 by SpreadAxle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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