SIGforum
Plastic re-brightening (Done), now onto painting (Also done).

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/5680089615

August 30, 2025, 01:44 PM
bigpond73
Plastic re-brightening (Done), now onto painting (Also done).
Recently, I picked up a BMF (Star Wars Big Millenium Falcon), for cheap. Some parts are missing, but the previous owner has most of them in his storage, so I'll get those later.

He had it in a window display for a pawn shop type of deal. It has some sun damage, as seen in the picture. I've researched some videos, mostly all using a Hydrogen Peroxide (3% solution), and some using OxyClean, and letting it set in the sun for a few hours. Most all these techniques use an immersion, where all the parts are covered in the solution.



Due to the size of this monstrosity, that seems unlikely for me to do. Anyone try something different? Perhaps a paste to wipe off?

Thanks for any help in advance.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bigpond73,


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
August 30, 2025, 01:50 PM
MNSIG
I'd say it is the perfect excuse to buy an airbrush and learn a new skill. I build scale model airplanes and enjoy the airbrush painting and detailing as much or more than the assembly. You can really get crazy with detailing, shading, and panel lining.
August 30, 2025, 02:08 PM
.38supersig
Congrats on an awesome find! Jetfire is kinda cool as well.

You may want to consider placing some cinder blocks/wood on the ground in close outline of the ship and then putting a sheet of plastic over them.

Set the ship inside and fill with the peroxide if you can find enough. Keep in mind that you may loosen or bleach any decals or stickers.

Peeling them off and reapplying them with two sided tape or textile glue may help.

You may be able to find a better solution/paste at a hair salon? Idunno.




August 30, 2025, 02:42 PM
clipper1
This might be worth a try. It is a Rustoleum product.
WipeNew-Recolor-Furniture-Restorer or the less expensive headlight restorer.
We used the furniture restorer a few years ago and it did a great job on the sun faded patio furniture.
August 30, 2025, 04:49 PM
bendable
There are forums and YouTube vids re: this





Safety, Situational Awareness and proficiency.



Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first
August 30, 2025, 04:51 PM
mark60
I’d try hitting it with some Stoner’s trim shine available at most auto parts stores.
August 30, 2025, 06:51 PM
r0gue
Sort of thread drift, but I recon you are in the know.. I have one of those somewhere. I have a lot of older Star Wars stuff. Anything in particular I should know about value? I always assumed if it wasn't new on a card, it was not worth much.
August 31, 2025, 10:09 AM
bigpond73
MNSIG, I agree. I'd love to get all crazy with an airbrush, but, I did pick this up for $50, so kind of seems overboard. If I can't get the sun damage out, I may well do that.

.38supersig, nice catch on the Jetfire/Skyfire transformer. That's on what I call, "the junk shelf" of my curio cabinet.


Also, good idea about using some blocks and a large sheet of plastic. I may do that on the body if I have to.

Clipper1 and mark60, thank you for the suggestions, I will give them a try. Cool

Rogue, prices on the Big Millenium Falcon are all over. Again, I got this one for $50, but it is missing pieces (at the moment), and has sun damage. I see them incomplete on ebay for $200-400. Complete....$400-800, especially if it is still in the box. I don't care much for the carded figures. I get it, there are serious collectors out there that do, but, for me, seems useless if you can't actually play with the toy Wink. A few of the older characters can fetch big money, like the blue Snaggletooth.





There are a few pics of my small collection, with the blue Snaggletooth Big Grin.

There are some websites out there like, rebelscum, galacticfigures, etc., that have some great info. Researching all this can lead to madness though, so take your time.

Again, thanks all. I'll dive deeper into the utoob, and see if others have good results without dunking the whole thing.


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
August 31, 2025, 11:07 AM
r0gue
I totally have blue snaggletooth! I stand corrected. I went and looked, and it is burgundy.
August 31, 2025, 11:19 AM
bigpond73
quote:
Originally posted by r0gue:
I totally have blue snaggletooth! Big Grin. I have a lot of old Star Wars stuff.


Thinking about it a little more, some of the older vintage stuff (1977-1985), certainly can bring big money. Sounds like that's what you mostly have.

Starting about 2008? or so, Hasbro started coming out with the new "Vintage Collection." Mostly a rehash of all the characters, and a few new things, like the BMF, larger Slave 1, and some other vehicles. Some hate the new figures. I personally, enjoy them. They are more detailed, have tons more articulation for better poses, and are typically cheaper. I have been getting away from the older 1970s-80s figures, except for ones not made in the new Vintage Collection. But, there is still a large market for the older SW items. Good luck with whatever you decide to do with your collection.


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
August 31, 2025, 11:19 AM
bigpond73
quote:
Originally posted by r0gue:
I totally have blue snaggletooth! I stand corrected. I went and looked, and it is burgundy.


Doh! Smile


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
August 31, 2025, 12:46 PM
rizzle
Research SC1 , It works great on ATV sun faded plastic, plastic car trim.
Depends if model plastic is the same. I use it, you can spray on and leave it or let it film up (like wax). It will collect dust if you just spray it on.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/11643...6hDscNAaAsiPEALw_wcB
September 04, 2025, 05:32 PM
bigpond73
Thanks rizzle, but I think my Hydrogen Peroxide solution worked pretty well. I tried mixing the HP (3%), and just a very small amount of Oxyclean, to make a light paste. I smeared on one area I wanted clean, and wrapped it tight with saran wrap, then left it in the sun most of the day. I think it came out great!

Here's a before (which is from the first picture I posted here, just blown up), and an after:





Thanks all for your suggestions.


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
September 04, 2025, 05:45 PM
.38supersig
Nice!

That looks just about the best I could have imagined.




September 08, 2025, 05:52 PM
bigpond73
Thanks .38supersig!

A little update, if anyone cares Wink.

After working on the mandible, I started working on the cockpit. It has a few streaks on it, but it sort of looks natural, and way better than the sun damage. I tried to take the after picture in the same area with the same light.

Before:



After:



Now I'll be working on the docking/loading ramp nacelle. Doing small sections seems to work the best.

When I get all the sun damage out, I believe I will dabble in blackwashing. I think it could cover up any of the streaking imperfections and would definitely liven it up. It has so many details that just can't be seen easily.

Anyone do blackwashing? Any recommendations on paint, or products they liked? I'm looking for something I can use a brush to paint on, and follow up with a cloth afterward. Also, how much blackwash does one think I'd use on this beast? About 2x3 foot big. I'm only planning to do the outside.


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
September 08, 2025, 06:32 PM
.38supersig
Haven't done any backwashing, but I don't think that the cockpit had been that white since 1978!

Can't wait to see how it all turns out.

Looks good!




September 08, 2025, 06:50 PM
MNSIG
When you refer to blackwashing, you may be referring to what is also called panel lining. There are a couple of ways it is commonly done in modeling. You can brush on a dark clay wash, let it dry, then wipe off as little or as much as you’d like with a lightly dampened paper towel. A second way, that I prefer, is to use a panel lining enamel. Tamiya makes it in a variety of colors. You just touch the fine tipped applicator brush to the line and it will follow it by capillary action. Any excess is easily removed with a Q-tip moistened with mineral spirits. Both products are available at hobby shops.
September 09, 2025, 08:29 AM
bigpond73
Thanks MNSIG. That is kind of what I was wanting to do, fill in a lot of the panel lines. Also was looking to do a wash type thing, like drips, leaks, general grime, etc. I have seen some amazing utoob vids on it. I'll be up in Denver this weekend, I'll hit up any hobby stores I can find. Thanks for the suggestions.


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
September 09, 2025, 10:40 AM
MNSIG
My suggestion is to resist the urge to go pure black as your first choice for panel lining on a white model. Too much contrast for realism. Tamiya makes several shades of gray that you might want to try first. I keep them all on hand.

If you want to go crazy with drips and leaks, you might also consider oils. I've used this brand before and they
even have one called "Starship Filth".

https://www.amazon.com/Fantasy...h%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-3

I'll plead ignorance on how the streak patterns would go on a spacecraft. No gravity or airflow to pull it in any particular direction.
September 09, 2025, 11:05 AM
bigpond73
Thanks for the suggestions. I was planning to go with a grey, as you are right, black on a white ship would probably be too much contrast.

I'll look into that product for sure. You know the ship isn't always in space, it's usually on the ground, hidden away, getting worked on Wink. Some drips and oily spots, I think, would look appropriate Smile.


Mike


You can run, but you cannot hide.

If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.