How to Machine Polish Plastic Model Cars

In this video I talk about my journey of going from hand polishing to machine polishing plastic scale models and show you the tools to make it safe and effective.

[@ror312gallery19]

i am here as i just tried to restore an old custom built kit from oh, 30 years ago. i have a new rotary tool, and a Dremel accesories kit , i used to use with my work drill. well, i put the buffing tool on and ouch, ,,huge scratch right in the center of the,wide , no pillars windshield. the kit is a late 1980s corvette mako shark, it has this huge windshield, so like a knuckle head i had to start there,,any hoo, i converted it to a rear engine , and also a side winder engine mounting., loads of custom made, and painting , plumbing, and massive engineering into this build, so i hope to learn how to restore all things before jumping into a royal mess, next time, thank you, cheers from italy, robert

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

Sounds like you have a lot of work into that one. Good luck and keep at it.

[@PartsTreeC]

The mandrel is 1/8" shank with an M6 thread - available separately but also packaged with larger cut off wheels, grinding wheels and that sort of thing.

[@cardzscaledreams3917]

This exactly what ive been looking at to try. Good to know my dremel is too fast. Thanks for sharing.

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

Glad it was helpful. Some people have had luck with purchasing separate step down motors but I think my dremel was too old as it did not work for mine.

[@jamesvozar1]

You got it man, exactly what i did except i cut and made my own from 1/1 foam pads. I start with a wool pad for compounding and then progress to a foam in order to remove the haze from the wool, then finish with a light foam and finishing wax for the final stage.

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

Nice. I bet that works great.

[@aaronlambert8151]

A UK website that I use sells packs of the one inch polishing pads with the mounting plate and the mandrel too. Not expensive either. About £5 for a set. The site is called Premium Hobbies. Just thought I’d mention it in case anyone else is searching for similar products. Took me a while to find this setup myself. Also using Proxxon tools which offer variable speed at the tool and at the power supply so you can get them slower than a Dremel.

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

Thanks for the information. It took me a while to compile those items as well.

[@Chili908]

Hey, I've just made an order from the Premium Hobbies - thank you for sharing the information! :)

[@billwiley7216]

Sounds like you have this worked out. I actually have a Bosch corded 90 degree angle drill which I have had for years that has an adjustable screw arrangement on the handle you depress which allows you to limit the maximum rpm on the unit as it stops the "trigger" travel. May work very well for my model polishing ventures, thanks for the tip!

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

Yes my construction grade drill is way overkill for model cars but it works and I HATE hand polishing. Glad you found it helpful.

[@Mryyden]

well done, i am working with powder coating and man its a B to polish , i use felt disks but will try the sponges. I actually bought the 2" pad kit with the mandrel already so in luck for the adapter. Great vid!!

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

Glad it was helpful.

[@michaelbaykara2322]

did you get the optional jack hammer with that? )))

[@kevinlowe4845]

Great job,,I will try that thanks for the info

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

Good luck

[@eduardocominguez5173]

Hi, great video, thank you. I have a question, I didn’t get it in the video… Agree with you that dremel is too fast for polishing… Could you tell what speed is good for polishing model cars?…. Thank you.

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

I don't have a speed but if I remember right, the Dremel type tools start spinning at 5000 RPM so anything less than that would be better.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Nice shiny paint job!

[@boobam3648]

makes me wonder if using a bench top power supply where you can adjust power output would work with the dremel? just lower the power and therefore the rotation speed. like a dimmer switch.

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

It depends on the tool. I have an older Dremel and tried a power dial but when that motor receives a certain amount of power it turns full on.

[@dantesmith3664]

thank you sir

[@SPMech1]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

Glad you liked it.

[@chugg535]

Thank you!

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

You're welcome!

[@scalemodelenthusiast1633]

Proxon

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

I also have a Proxon. It is a good tool.

[@BrianJohnson-lh2ek]

Try less talking and more polishing.

[@ScaledDownCustoms]

I guess you could always just turn down the volume if you don't want to hear what I'm talking about and just want to watch me polish, but thanks for the tip.

[@ClipDog]

This guy gave a great tutorial and hints for this hobby, and this is what you say,.... try less bitching.