MUST have kits from this week, using Liquid-Plumr to remove chrome, and what IS modeling really

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. We looked into many of the alternatives, including Purple Power, straight bleach, and Dawn dish soap. We'll be covering them in a future episode. As for the safety issue: A lot of what we use in modeling is toxic. Always be safe when using any chemicals, and never leave them unattended or around children who are unsupervised.

I tried stripping chrome from Airfix 1930 4.5 Litre Blower Bentley 1/12 scale model with no success. First I tried Windex with ammonia, I soaked them for two days, no success. Next I tried straight ammonia, soaked for three days, no success. Then I tried straight sulfuric acid (N9 buffer), soaked for two days, no success. I tried L.A. Totally Awesome, no success, I tried a couple of cleaners/strippers in my wife's collection, all with no success. Then i saw this episode on stripping chrome and said finally. So I tried it and yes it will strip the chrome off, but I soaked it for four hours and it just started stripping the chrome. I would say to fully strip the chrome off would take a day of soaking! I tried a chrome piece from an AMT corvette model, and it stripped the chrome off in 20 seconds! I don't know what the difference is between AMT and Airfix Chrome, but the Airfix is one tought plating. I'd love to hear from other people and from the guys at Fine Scale. I'd also love it if someone would try to duplicate my stripping problem. Thanks in advance.

Ship and boat modeling is a hull 'nother episode. "Fine Sail Modeling" as just Tooling Around?  I like the suggestions of other products than the strong alkali (lye) based products. Super Clean directions state "do not use on aluminum," so try that on chromium.  Scaling models is difficult, as Detail & Scale and others often note discrepancies between model measurements and the scaled calculation measurements taken from the actual object (aircraft, in my work/hobby).   Aftermarket vs. OEM? I've been adding improvements to a Toyota Tacoma DLT, and any number of owners would consider these aftermarket products "accessories" that do not disqualify the truck from "Stock" status. We feel Dad would appreciate the attention and care given to his "Last Truck," hence my "DLT" suffix. Replacing the OEM steel skid plate and braces with a black powder coated aluminum skid plate that covers a greater area at the same weight would not be considered an improvement? The Toyota dealer service dept. did not complain. Keep doing what brings you joy.

Another great and helpful video. I've used Super Clean to remove chrome, but I will try Liquid-Plumr. I also love the t-shirt choices, especially the deep cut from The Thing. Keep up the great work!

DO NOT USE LIQUID PLUMBER (LP)...use Purple Power Degreaser! LP is pretty toxic and if you have small kids at home, it can be dangerous for both you and them.

I enjoyed your discussion about what constitutes modeling, and what doesn't. The problem here is like the old chicken and egg discussion (Which came first?). At its core, is modeling defined by the result, or by the journey to get there? The answer is different for everyone. I am an old guy who has been modeling for a long time. I started modeling when there were just as many wooden kits on the shelves as there were plastic kits. Am I any less of a modeler because I built my first B-47 from a $.96 Revell kit rather than using something I have to carve? Is someone less of a modeler if they use pre-made canopy masks rather than create their own? Am I less of a modeler if I use resin parts that I created on my 3D printer rather than buy resin parts from a manufacturer? Is a really nicely built Enterprise from Star Trek any different than a nicely built Grumman Wildcat? You could ask these analogies forever, but for me, I appreciate the skill it takes to get the result, even if the methods are newer or different than mine.

A safer alternate to Liquid Plumber would be Purple Power degreaser or a 50-50 Bleach solution. Liquid Plumber is pretty nasty stuff.