This #%&ing Matchbox plastic!!!

[The Rat]

Trying to work on the Matchbox HS125. It's like VINYL! I carefully washed the whole thing with dish detergent, dried it off, washed my hands frequently while working with it, and it STILL feels oily! It's almost like the mold release agent soaked into the plastic and is gradually oozing out. I know it's probably just the plastic, not oil, but it just feels YECH!

Sorry, just had to vent. 

[NARSES2]

Let it all out Ratty, does you good.

I don't have that memory with Matchbox but there are some kits I've built that have had exactly the "quality" you describe 

[RussC]

Some of the Minicraft seem to be made of that. I used to give the big surfaces a going over with 600 grit and then buffing with newsprint.

[RotorheadTX]

One of the later far-eastern pressings??
Ask me how I know..... 

[The Rat]

One of the later far-eastern pressings??
Ask me how I know..... 

Nope, original box, fuselage is stamped © 1974

[scooter]

Sounds like Monogram's 1/48 F-106. 

[sequoiaranger]

Rat--you might try primer-painting it RIGHT NOW before proceeding. If indeed there is something oozing out of the plastic that would ruin the finish, you don't want to find that out AFTER a lot of construction work. If it is an illusion, the primer won't do any harm and you will FEEL better about the whole thing!!

[The Rat]

Rat--you might try primer-painting it RIGHT NOW before proceeding. If indeed there is something oozing out of the plastic that would ruin the finish, you don't want to find that out AFTER a lot of construction work. If it is an illusion, the primer won't do any harm and you will FEEL better about the whole thing!!

I was thinking of that, but since I didn't detail the rather spartan flight deck, and there is no other interior detail, I'll get the hull together and the wings on before giving it a good spray of Tamiya fine white primer.

[Mossie]

Try giving it a good wipe down with white spirit/mineral spirits or similar, should help bring out any plasticisers that are leaching.

The plasticiser is the compund that gives plastic it flexibility.  Over time (depending on the plastic & plasticiser) they can leach out, the plastic will start by feeling oily then eventually become brittle when most of it has come out.  It's something we had to test for in a previous job I had with medical applications, any leaching out could be potentially harmful as some plasticisers are nasty.  Modern plastics tend to be better, the materials have improved & the rate of evaporation is siginficantly lower.

[The Rat]

Try giving it a good wipe down with white spirit/mineral spirits or similar, should help bring out any plasticisers that are leaching.

Would rubbing alcohol do the job?

[Nick]

Try giving it a good wipe down with white spirit/mineral spirits or similar, should help bring out any plasticisers that are leaching.

Would rubbing alcohol do the job?

I'd say that drinking alcohol would be better!

[The Rat]

Try giving it a good wipe down with white spirit/mineral spirits or similar, should help bring out any plasticisers that are leaching.

Would rubbing alcohol do the job?

I'd say that drinking alcohol would be better!

At this stage, yeah! 

[Mossie]

Possibly.  Any solvents you use for modelling or decorating should have some effect at least, meths, rubbing alcohol, turps, that home brew that nobody dare go near after the first time... Celluose/laquer thinners would probably be the most effective, but go careful as some can attack the plastic.  I mentioned white spirit because it's one of the more potent ones you can use that doesn't have the potential to damage the plastic.