The Energon Pub

[not2old4toys]

Hi,

I really want to get this guy to play around with. I'd pickup the tall smoke-stack upgrade also, but whats holding me back is what to do about the weathering?

Does anyone have experience or have any links for tips on how to DIY remove the weathering on him without harming the paint / plastics?

Cheers!

[Insurgent]

You mean the black 'battle damage'?

If so, I used an old bedsheet over a fingernail and rub/scratch it off. Takes a helluva long time, and it still aint finished. But his grill, shoulders and right arm is in his beautiful red, the way it should be. Just be careful around his logo on his shoulder, the white can come off easily.

[kirbenvost]

Rubbing alcohol or lighter fluid will remove paint, but don't use it on any areas with color you want to keep. It shouldn't damage the plastic if it's on for a short time (apply and rub with a q-tip, it will evaporate on its own), but I'm not sure what it would do to chrome, so be very, very careful. Do it at your own risk and don't blame me if something gets messed up.

It worked for me to clean up my G1 Jetfire, but he has no chrome.

[Pugnate]

I have him and honestly don't know where the weathering is. I have the DVD edition though.

[kirbenvost]

^ The weathering/battle damage is only on the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime (non-DVD) version.

[not2old4toys]

Cloth and fingernail rub. Sounds safe enough.
Any photos of the end results?

[kirbenvost]

I kept the battle damage on mine, so unfortunately I don't have any pics.

[Insurgent]

It's a very light scratching, more than a rub, but be careful you don't scratch too hard or you may leave scratches in the plastic underneath. If in doubt, don't do it, and I aint responsible if you do anyhting that damages it.

Disclaimer out of the way, here are pics. Sorry about the quality, but my room really hates photographs in it and always makes them dark, despite there being more than enough light in real life. Believe it or not, the main light was on.



This is the arm completely removed. As you can (or perhaps not) see, the black has been removed and the red is left intact underneath.


This is an arm that I really should go back to and finish. This is so you can see what it eventually looks like as it's being removed. But this will take many months to do, so be warned.

[not2old4toys]

Yes that sure IS dark!

[Insurgent]

At least you can see the arm and the area of removal in the second one. But this is why I don't post many pics of my collection. It's just too dark, despite having the afternoon sun sweep across my entire room from about 1.30pm to sunset.