Hi, in a separate thread this month, "how to clean a great corgi/dinky collection" I shared the first set of photos - The following are new pics which
include some more that weren't in the first group, as well as examples of some of those that i attempted cleaning to remove grime and corrosion.

http://s454.photobucket.com/albums/qq270/shepherdmedia/ShelfOne/

I am new to both macrophotography and restoration and am looking for any help I can get as far as how best to clean/restore some of the more rough pieces.

The display environment these are in now has normal-range humidity but room temp is average 55-60. Model conditions vary from rough to excellent.
There's a larger scale resin - promo and older diecast collection in the same
area, contained in glassed display cases - these date from mid 30s to 1960s.

OK, so as far as how to proceed... I got some good suggestions on methods to try for careful cleaning and as shown in this photo sample, several of the rust-damaged models were able to be cleaned to an extent but leaving behind stain marks (or in some cases paint chippage to bare metal).
Haven't even begun to reckon with how to approach the resin models with
similar moisture damage - if there's anything that can be done at all i want to try.

Meantime, some general storage questions - Does it make sense to contain each model in, say a separate ziploc bag with a dessicant pack, for example - or acceptable enough to display them "open" in a reasonably controlled environment i.e., normal room temp and humidity range, with a dehumidifier running. A cousin who restores stuff suggested opening up the cases and allowing more air circulation while getting the humidity under control - he suggested that keeping the glass doors closed for so many years may have actually created condensation that accelerated the corrosion process. If containing each model individually is advisable, any resources or suggestions on inexpensive ways to do this - i.e., use small plastic boxes...
if so - any ideas on where to get them or commonly available containers used for other purposes that might work well for this application - ?

Finally, i am learning as i go as far as the macrophotography so i know many of the photos are imperfect with overexposure and depth of field settings.

Major thanks for any and all advice, observations, suggestions....

Mike

Those pictures and toys look great - you have some really nice ones. Could you post an example of a nicely-cleaned one, and of a poor one? They all looked great to me. :thumbsup:

Hi Karl, the ones I'm trying to clean are the most extreme examples
of "decay" and many of the collection have stood up pretty well all things
considered. I'm uploading a sort of "before and after" example with
this post - The Dinky circa 1960-65 or thereabouts seem to have suffered
the most as on the Rambler wagon. The Commer Van (orange Corgi) was
pretty rough - I was able to take alot of the surface crud off, but as the pics
somewhat show, there is still paint discoloration in those areas and I don't
whether i can or should mess with that any further. Also a Mustang dinky
- though i don't have a 2nd picture, i did get that one pretty clean but there's
yellowing of the paint surfaces where all that residue was.

As I say, main goal is really more what to do storage-wise with them from
this point on to keep them preserved properly, and prevent any more corrosion

Thanks for checking it out!

Mike

couldn't fit these all on the previous post so here are the other two pics.
M

Thanks for the photos - those show the detailed damage very well that you are dealing with. I have never seen anything so bad before. Those blotches look like something splattered on them years ago and were never cleaned off. Seems like you got them back to as-clean-as-possible. :( So keep up the good work! :thumbsup:

I hope the Mustang is the before pic. For the really bad stains, you might try a little car wax, very little at first in a non-obvious spot. But I have no other ideas for you. Keep us updated...

Karl, yep, Mustang actually cleaned very well - just a slight yellowing of the
finish overall -

I appreciate the encouragement and again, hoping to learn more about how to maintain and store them going forward - individual containers - how to preserve/protect, etc.

Thanks!

Mike

Do many of the cars have flat spots on their rubber tyres after decades of standing still? To protect tyre integrity I display my vintage on bottlecaps after learning the hardway with flat spots on 30-40 y.o.rubber tyres
Toys will survive comfortably if they are kept in the same fairly constant temperatures and low humidity that suit humans best.A home living area cabinet with or without glass front depending on whether or not you want everyone to see the toys! Avoiding direct sunlight and not fitting internal artificial lights will prevent paint from fading. Boxes need much more care than the models to survive the passage of time - do you have boxes for these toys? Boxes & blisters need to be kept in very dry air away from all light to avoid fade and plastic discolouration and fungas growth
I personally have no desire to own toys that I dont get to see in spare moments at home.Every day I have toys displayed in my home that I make a point of appreciating. I do have a bunch of blistered Hotwheels including many t-hunts in a few Mattel factory cases that I am selling off now because they dont bring me joy. If you seal all up in airtight bags with silicone you can defeat harsh local environment but where is the joy for you in packing them away.......