Cleaning smoke damaged diecast models

[Shotgun Rider]

Unfortunately my parents dishwater caught fire earlier this week, thankfully they are both OK but the house has suffered smoke damage which is now in the hands of the insurers.

He collects Corgi lorries and is attempting to clean them himself. Any advise on what is best? The soot comes off easily and hopefully cotton buds will sort out the nooks and crannies. They still smell of smoke though. Any advice?

Thanks

[Voldemort]

Surely you get your insurance assessor to either have them cleaned, or replaced.

[Rich_W]

Voldemort said:

Surely you get your insurance assessor to either have them cleaned, or replaced.

I imagine some are rare or no longer available

Edited by Rich_W on Saturday 31st October 17:09

[Einion Yrth]

Voldemort said:

Surely you get your insurance assessor to either have them cleaned, or replaced.

Insurance assessor's job is to get it from the in tray to the out tray with the minimum of effort, hopefully not pissing off the client, too much, en route.

[perdu]

Warmish Fairy liquid and water mix, old softish toothbrush or big artists brush

Loads of sympathetic softly brushing

After trying the technique on an unseen part of the paint first

Hope you/they can get them clean

[ecsrobin]

Don't put them in the dishwasher......







Sorry it had to be done and I'm glad they are ok. I would certainly speak to the insurance about getting them professionally cleaned.

[Shotgun Rider]

They are concerned that if left to the insurance company that they will be told that they aren't worth cleaning.

The exteriors are fairly easy to clean but each one still smells of smoke, because we can't clean the inside. We've left some out in the garage now to see if this will help..

[Wilmslowboy]

Joking a side

It might be worth popping one of the less rare ones in the dishwasher (medium heat) ???

[AlexC1981]

There are large ultrasonic cleaners available. Not recommending them as I don't know anything about them, but it might be worth looking into.

[kev b]

I've never tried this but on an antiques programme I saw intricate/delicate antiques being placed in a bag with a handful of salt then shaken to remove dust and dirt.

Alternatively you could try sawdust, crushed walnut shells or baking soda instead.

[C.A.R.]

Dishwashers can annihilate any plated or painted finishes, so I wouldn't do that! In fact putting chrome parts in a dishwasher is a good way to prepare them for paint, as it's less corrosive than alternatives like brake fluid or oven cleaner, but still strips everything right off.

I know Corgi have done several 'bare metal' limited edition models historically, but I don't think the OP would be too impressed with the effect.

[Rumblestripe]

If it just the smell then that will fade over time, no need to do anything (perhaps put them in the loft or somewhere where the smell won't bug you).

If there is still some discolouration from smoke particles the ultrasonic cleaners are the way to go but try it on an example that is easily replaced if it goes wrong as it might strip decals, though paint should be fine.

[chonok]

If it is just cleaning the insides and hard to reach places, have you tried an air duster, like this one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Compressed-Duster-Flammabl...

Obviously may not get rid of the smell, but should at least make any hard to reach places look cleaner.

I use them all the time on my models.