Code 3 mx 7000 "whitepaint edition" restore

[Thomas1234]

So the previous owner had this one on his German firetruck, driving in the Netherlands.
"You will get a big fine when you drive around with a blue lightbar" he said, so he decided to buy a bottle of spray paint and the rest is history...

 

[Thomas1234]

after 2 hours wet sanding...(a big white sticker would also have worked.)

 

[Thomas1234]

Any tips of removing paint from plastic appreciated!

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Your gonna have to treat this as a dome restoration project.
Wetsand the paint off. Then up the grit count until you finally buff it out and give it a nice polishing.

I had to do this with some Aerodynic domes that some *derp* spray painted black.

 

[Mars Light]

Why do you make the whole effort? MX domes are still orderable for a acceptable price.

 

[jph2]

That's a lot of work and you've done amazingly well getting to the blue on that lens. I admire your diligence.

 

[Thomas1234]

Thanks guys, first side finished! I can skip the gym with this one! Some white paint is still there, but it's very hard to reach, i actually used a toothpick! (work flow: 500 grt / 1200 grt, 2500 grt, commandant 4 and finished with some wax)

 

[Kendreth]

looks great!

 

[toon80]

Nice work !

I like the all filtered bottom. Usually, there is clear showing here and there. The final setup will be interesting to discover.

 

[Thomas1234]

MX domes are still orderable for a acceptable price.

I try to do it as cheap as possible.

 

[Thomas1234]

Usually, there is clear showing here and there

A lot of older Dutch firetrucks use this config, strange thing is that 99% of these are empty in the bottom...my guess its more about the cosmetics.

 

[Thomas1234]

Nr 2 finished! 2 hrs Horizontal 1200 grid works better, (tip: first one i build up from 400 to 2500, 400 is way to low, both horizontal and vertical made some scratches and it's really difficult to buff them out.)
Next in line, chromed speaker grill with sticker residue from the past...

 

[801]

Very nice work

 

[Mars Light]

Nice work. Are both in the same blue? The dome in front looks like DIN-blue (European blue)

 

[Thomas1234]

@Mars Light yes they are the same, its the shadow effect..
meanwhile a nice before and after frame photo. Its a always a rewarding experience cleaning aluminium.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

Nice job on the aluminum! How did you get it to look so clean?

 

[Thomas1234]

First i use soap with water, then i use magic eraser sponges, works like magic! For the rusted spots sandpaper (2000 grid) finish with a some wax.

 

[Maxim2Eng]

I use magic eraser sponges on my '61 Oldsmobile Starfire white convertible top and whitewalls to keep them sparkling bright...never thought of using them on aluminum as well! The Starfire has 4" aluminum trim from stem to stern--a nightmare to keep bright!!

 

[Thomas1234]

Sharing the results, it's finished and working! now find me some extras to put in this bar.

 

[Thomas1234]

Another problem...limited space (and still 3 Aerodynics to go)

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Very good job on the dome restore...
I can always take those Aero's off your hands...

just saying.

 

[jph2]

Fantastic job! It looks like new and that aluminum looks better than new!