Re-painting Buses (EFE/Corgi/Oxford etc.)

[dave182]

Hi All

I'm a big fan of layouts that have given some thought to the road vehicles. When you think about it, they really form part of the scenery, and with a little bit of thought they contribute hugely to the overall feel of the layout or scene. 

With that in mind I realise that I have a 'fear' of kit bashing or re-painting rtr vehicles, which doesn't make sense as I've no problem taking a saw to a brand new €60 wagon or carriage.

 

So my question is this. Hattons have some bargain Plaxton coaches at £8 at the moment...

https://www.hattons.co.uk/9696/EFE_26615_Plaxton_Paramount_3500_coach_Blackburn_Transport_/StockDetail.aspx

I would like to pick up 4 or 5 of them and convert them to Bus Eireann colours, with some varients, school bus etc. 

How do I go about this? Anyone have experience, or could point me in the right direction (youtube, other forums etc.)

Do the models come apart easily, what paint to use, decals etc.

This is a very general questions but I'm looking forward to giving this a go! 

[Tarabuses]

Bus Eireann did have the Plaxton Paramount 3500 coach and EFE made a model ref 26608.  Like all Irish bus models it would be nearly impossible to pick up the Bus Eireann version now.

EFE models are not too difficult to take apart once you know what you are doing. 

It might be worth your while to put the question on the Irish Model Bus Collectors and Modellers facebook page.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/irishmodelbuses/

 

[murrayec]

Hi dave182

In my experience most die cast models are held together through the floor plate with two screws or stud rivets, unscrew or drill out the rivets and the lot should dissemble, sometimes glazing is spot glued in so try some glue remover on it, when drilling rivets- less is more! as in, only remove the head don't drill into the stud proper as you will need it to assemble the model again. With the stud type one uses a bit of cyano on the stud will hold the model together again.....

I use enamel paints

Eoin

Edited March 9, 2018 by murrayec

[dave182]

Thank you for your reply #Tarabuses. I thought there might be a site for such questions! I'm always willing to give a respray a try be it railway or vehicle, once the glazing can be removed! I hate hate hate masking windows! 

When respraying diecast vehicles should the paint be striped back to bare metal or can paint (undercoat and final finish) be sprayed over the factory applied paint job? 

Thanks Eoin! 

[murrayec]

Hi dave182

It's not necessary to go back to metal a light sanding with fine wet n dry fine paper or a soft fibre brush to create a key for the new paint will suffice, then a good wash and your away painting, some models have to much paint applied in the factory and with a second paint detail starts to disappear- these models need a good sand down to retain the detail- Oxford apply a lot of paint to their models....

Eoin

[dave182]

Thanks again Eoin. Yes, it's the heavy coats of paint applied to these vehicles that was scaring me. The often look like Mr. Kipling cakes!

[Tarabuses]

Brake fluid is often used to remove paint from diecasts but be careful that you remove any plastic parts which would probably melt.  I haven't done this myself so take some advice before taking this option.

George Heany of Sunrise Transfers produces an Irish range for bus models.  He often posts on the facebook page mentioned earlier.  His website is http://www.sunrisetransfers.com/ .