Small Scale Military Headquarters

Hi All,

Need an advise. I have 2 1:18 models displaying in a room near the windows. There is no direct sunlight shining in. After sometime I just found the side that facing the windows the paint work had became slightly wash out or lightened. Is there anything can do to help restore the paint work without repaint the whole model?

Thanks.

ouch, that reminds me i need to buy thicker blinds for the bat cave...

the red star on one side of my north korean mig's fusilage suffered that fate- there was no damage to the other migs or sabres in the area.

i have several planes near windows but have never noticed any fading at all. If there is fading, you won't be able to do anything about it, as the sun has bleached the colour away. Living with it or repainting would be the only options.

Rotate the plane 180 degrees and let the other side wash out a little bit to match up....?? 'Bout the only thing I can think of short of a total repaint.

aferguson wrote:i have several planes near windows but have never noticed any fading at all. If there is fading, you won't be able to do anything about it, as the sun has bleached the colour away. Living with it or repainting would be the only options.

I concur. My display room window faces east and so catches the sun for a good part of the day with many of my planes in its path. I've never had a problem with fading paint on the 21c items. Older toys, particularly the white plastic used on old GI Joe vehicles have presented a problem for me...

Funny you mention this, because I just discovered that my BBI F-16 has suffered this face. It was sitting near a blinds-closed window for about two years. Unfortunately, enough sunlight managed to creep through during a certain time of the day to yellow one side of the forward fuselage. Sucks!!!

Cannot underestimate the damage that sunlight causes to paint/plastic.

paulwong wrote:Hi All,

Need an advise. I have 2 1:18 models displaying in a room near the windows. There is no direct sunlight shining in. After sometime I just found the side that facing the windows the paint work had became slightly wash out or lightened. Is there anything can do to help restore the paint work without repaint the whole model?

Thanks.

Is there anything one can do to protect the models?

I don't want any of my models face the same fate!

there's no way to stop white plastic from yellowing over time. It doesn't even take contact with sunlight. Several of my stormtroopers are yellowing and they are not getting any direct light.

The best thing to do is to keep the curtains drawn at the time of day your windows get direct sunlight. If you still want light to get in you can buy some sheers, which will let some light through but block most.

... man, that sucks.

i wouldn't worry yourself about it. I've had things hanging for years without any noticable fading, yellowing etc. Just take simple precautions like not putting them in direct sunlight for extended periods of time and there should be no problems.

Drawing your curtains or sheers at the appropriate time of day should eliminate any risk of sun damage.

I suppose a UV filtering film would help. Might reduce energy costs too.

I've recently been considering drapes or curtains with UV protection and thermal insulation.

Guys, shopping for drapes to protect models...

skypirate wrote:
Guys, shopping for drapes to protect models...

Sounds a bit weird
.. .but hey, as long as it helps...

UV rays are devastating. The best way to avoid this in the future is the idea of applying the UV film on the windows. depending on the amount of fading you might try putting on a coat of Future acrylic floor polish. Sometimes putting a clear on a faded or dulled finish can bring some lustre back. Another idea to keep sheen down would be to find a waterborne polyurethane with a satin or low lustre sheen and put it on.

Random related discovery today. My thirty year old guitar tuner. Eight years of sitting at the far side of the room, facing toward the window, with blinds closed.

Getting more motivated to buy those drapes.

sunlight and heat are the enemy.

skypirate wrote:
Random related discovery today. My thirty year old guitar tuner. Eight years of sitting at the far side of the room, facing toward the window, with blinds closed.

Getting more motivated to buy those drapes.

This pic surely makes me crap my pants... I don't want any of my planes end up like this...