markbognor Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Hi there, I want to make this minifig head look more like me, by removing the print of the beard, but leaving the long sideburns and mouth detail in place. I would like to do the same with the Piston Cup logo, and mouth from a Ligthning McQueen curved front wheel arch element. Is there a solvent that could be used on maybe a cotton bud that will remove the print without damaging the plastic? Quote
vexorian Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Use brasso, small applications and rub with paper. The first time, nothing will happen, but if you insist the printing will go away without side effects. Quote
TLOR FETT Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Use brasso, small applications and rub with paper. The first time, nothing will happen, but if you insist the printing will go away without side effects. Exactly what he said, as far as I know EVERYONE uses brasso for removal of print. For removing the specific spots your going to get something pointed with cloth or a Q-Tip or Cotton Swab, so you can saturate it in Brasso while being able to apply it to your small spots. I have done what your talking with a minifigure before to get rid of his mouth and keep facial hair, I used painters tape to cover the good design so brasso didnt get on it. Quote
Rook Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 I’ve heard even a pencil eraser works but I’ve never tried it. Quote
markbognor Posted February 8, 2012 Author Posted February 8, 2012 Thanks Guys, I'll let you know how I get on. I've got some more involved modification of parts to do as well - I need to mill the top of a Lightning McQueen rear fender/wheel arch element flat, so that it is essentialy a traditional wheel arch but with a rounded wheel opening rather than the three sided section. Quote
tedbeard Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 For "shaving" the heads I have found that a sharp exacto-knife works really well. You hold the knife perpendicular to the surface and scrape the "hair" off like you are doing an old-fashioned straight razor shave in a barber shop. I have only tried it on the yellow heads and it may be the shape or the colour or both, but it seems to be fairly forgiving and produces a good result. The first one I tried is in the sig-fig below: Notice that this was my first attempt and I did make a mistake. There is a spot where I took too much out from the left-side. I decided that it gave the result a unique look so I used it anyway. Quote
Omicron Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 For removing the specific spots your going to get something pointed with cloth or a Q-Tip or Cotton Swab, so you can saturate it in Brasso while being able to apply it to your small spots. Too much work. Use tape to cover up the stuff you don't wanna erase. I prefer using cloth as well than paper towels, because paper just likes to tear apart. -Omi Quote
TLOR FETT Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Too much work. Use tape to cover up the stuff you don't wanna erase. I prefer using cloth as well than paper towels, because paper just likes to tear apart. -Omi Too much work is relevant to a persons laziness........ Quote
Omicron Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Too much work is relevant to a persons laziness........ Well ummmmm I have no patience, and I like to scrub viciously. :P -Omi Quote
Henchmen4Hire Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 I use acetone for this kind of thing. If it's strong acetone then you have to work VERY quickly before it eats the plastic. If you get weaker acetone you can take your time rubbing, similar to Brasso it sounds like. Acetone will take off the "shine" of the plastic though. You can also try Mr Clean Magic Eraser, it's basically very fine sandpaper. Quote
Omicron Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 I use acetone for this kind of thing. If it's strong acetone then you have to work VERY quickly before it eats the plastic. If you get weaker acetone you can take your time rubbing, similar to Brasso it sounds like. :/ Brasso doesn't eat/melt the plastic. -Omi Quote
Henchmen4Hire Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 (edited) :/ Neither does the acetone if you dilute it. And it works faster. Edited February 9, 2012 by DrNightmare Quote
Omicron Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 :/ Neither does the acetone if you dilute it. And it works faster. There is still the caution of using it, which you won't have with brasso. And how fast is fast? You can wipe away print within 10 seconds of rubbing with brasso. -Omi Quote
alanboar HK Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 There is still the caution of using it, which you won't have with brasso. And how fast is fast? You can wipe away print within 10 seconds of rubbing with brasso. -Omi I will use something like as Modeling Paints oil, it is japanese product , but you need wipe away softly and softly...If not :devil: Quote
Niamh Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 I think you can use eraser, but not sure it gonna work for you! Quote
markbognor Posted February 9, 2012 Author Posted February 9, 2012 (edited) Well I used the Brasso technique, on the folded over corner of a stiff paper towel. With a little bit of scraping with a scalpel blade to keep the edges sharp. I lost a little crispness on the end of the mouth, but fine line marker pen has restored this to a degree. And this is me in the real world... Edited February 9, 2012 by markbognor Quote
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