Is it ruined?

[onequiknova]

I dug out an old Athearn SD45T-2 project I built back when they first came out. To my horror, the over zealous lube job Athearn appearantly did on the trucks had seaped out all over the shell. It isn't wet with oil, but just kind of soaked into the paint in spots. I took the shell off and washed it with dish soap and a toothe brush, but that made little diffence. I have a feeling it's ruined, but I figured I'd ask here for any ideas. It's painted with Polly Scale paint. You can see in the pic below that the oil has actually soaked into the decal since I know the decal film didn't show when I fist built it.

I thought about hitting it with a shot of dull coat, and a little weathering, but I'm afraid the oils will cause problems. What do you guys think?




Here's a before shot.

[onequiknova]

I should also mention that the oil spots are all over the engine. Not just the one in the pic.

John

[CIOR]

Have you tried to soak the shell in just soap water? Its very odd how oils will pull out of the plastics. Just make sure you put the shell down in the bottom of the pan of water, and keep it there.

I had to do this on a Athearn engine years back, and it took about 4 or 5 changes of water and took about 2 weeks! But, after it was done, I dried it and was able to dullcote it and lock in the remaining crud.
The engine at the last time I viewed it, was still in good shape.

[onequiknova]

I'll give soaking it a try. The oil isn't seaping from the shell, It's excesive oil from the trucks.

[sarge]

I hope it works!! That is one sweet looking tunnel motor

[Randy Earle]

Soak it in Amway SA8, pulls it right out.

[onequiknova]

Mar 10, 2009 22:11:45 GMT -5 Randy Earle said:

Soak it in Amway SA8, pulls it right out.

Randy,

I've never heard of that. What is it and where might I find it?

Thanks,
John.

[Randy Earle]

Mar 10, 2009 23:11:35 GMT -5 onequiknova said:

Mar 10, 2009 22:11:45 GMT -5 Randy Earle said:

Soak it in Amway SA8, pulls it right out.

Randy,

I've never heard of that. What is it and where might I find it?

Thanks,
John.

Nobody around you sells Amway? Ask you wife or mom.

[Deleted]

Hey, after you soak it and clean teh oil off the shell, dissassemble the trucks and completely wash all the oils and gunk off them. That means clean each gear. Remove ALL the oils. Dry it all off good and then relube them with the thick Labelle oil.

I do this to all my models.

[onequiknova]

Thanks guys.

I will definetly clean out the trucks on everything from now on.

John.