TOOLS & SUPPLIES

This is a summary of just the general tools that the average hobbyist would need to create a good quality restoration. You can create some super looking restorations with just these tools listed below.  BUT don't expect professional restoration quality as the best restorers often have very elaborate & expensive set-ups - including but not limited to: plating systems for replating the body/base, vibratory polishing systems, atleast 2-3 airbrushes, high quality automotive specialty paints, & the biggest thing that professionals have is EXPERIENCE.  There is no substitute for experience when it comes to restoration.

Money Saving Tip:  Most of us who collect toys usually go to yard sales, estate sales, & flea markets on a regular basis.   These are great places to find tools & supplies for little or no cost - you just have to be aware enough to look for them.  If you go to an open house estate sale make a point of looking in the kitchen, tool shed, utility room, basement, etc.  Here are some examples.   At a local estate sale all cleaner products were free, I got a near full can of Brasso & a 3/4 can of paint stripper, at the retail store that woud cost more than $10.   I found a Paasche airbrush kit for $10 at the local flea market, a few weeks later at the same flea market I found an older, but unused Badger 200 airbrush kit for only $1.  Wenol metal polish retails for about $16 per tube, I found a new tube at a yard sale for 50 cents!  Brasso costs about $4 per can at Wal-Mart, I have 6 cans of Brasso in the cabinet right now, I don't have $4 invested in all 6 cans put together.

Airbrush - There are many different airbrushes and price ranges for them.  Ranging from the cheapy Wal-Mart Testors Airbrush for about $35 all the way up to something like the Iwata HP-C for $300+.  Many hobby shops carry the Paasche kits for around $125-$150, they work Ok, but not my choice.  My personal recommendation as the best airbrushes for the price are the Badger airbrushes, in particular the Badger 200.  If you don't want to buy an airbrush you can always use spray paint, but you will be very limited on paint colors and paint smoothness/thickness will be poor.

Air Compressor - Just a standard small size air compressor with a pressure regulator knob will do fine.  

Automatic Center Punch - Not absolutely necessary but it is a must for getting a good centered starting point for your drill bit.

Drill - Any small size cordless or electric drill will work fine.  I prefer a cordless/rechargeable because its much easier to handle & move around.

Drill Bits - You will need atleast 3 sizes: 1/16, 1/8, & 3/16.  .

Dremel - Not absolutely necessary, but a BIG help.  I prefer to use a Dremel with the Flex Shaft Attachment.  And there are a wide variety of accessories for the Dremel to aid in polishing, cleaning, smoothing, etc.

Small Items:

Set of Hobby Screwdrivers

Small Pliers with Cutter (Needlenose are best,  I suggest one grooved pair & one grooveless pair)

File: a small one that is fine(not coarse), mine is about 6 inches long.

Rags for cleaning, wiping, polishing, etc.

Old Toothbrushes for cleaning or polishing

Small Sharp Fine Tip Artist/Modeller Paintbrushes

Sandpaper(as fine as possible) & Steel Wool #0000 Ultra Fine

Metal Containers - for stripping paint and spraying metal cleaner, I use just a couple old kitchen pans.

Painters Tape - Blue 3M Low Adhesion painters Tape, for masking cars off for black roofs or other details.

Supplies:

Metal Cleaner - I recommend CLR, you can find it at Wal-Mart.  Eagle 1 Etching Mag Wheel Cleaner works well too but is much more abrasive.  Zep Shower, Tub, & Tile Cleaner also works great and is one of the mildest/safest metal cleaners out there.

Metal Polish - I use Brasso, Wenol (my personal preference), Nevr-Dull, Jewelers Rouge, Rubbing Compound, or Mothers Liquid Chrome Polish

Lacquer Spray Can Clear Coat - for protective coating of all polished metal parts that are not painted, such as chassis & Spoiler motors.  Most hardware stores carry some type of lacquer clear in a spray can.

Paint Stripper - There are MANY things available, but plain old Lacquer thinner is as good as anything.  Sometimes paint can be stubborn and paint stripper/remover may be necessary.  For a spray stripper I recommend Marhyde.

Plastic Polish - There are a variety of products available, but I have found Novus #2 to be the best

Oven Cleaner - I use Easy Off Regular Strength int eh blue can(not extra strength).  This safely removes paint from plastic.

Detergent - Something to wash parts with, simple Dawn or Ivory is fine.