Removing Styrofoam Marks from paint

Can we see some photos?

If the foam imbedded into paint that wasn't perfectly dry, no, there's no way you can correct that without either:

• Repainting the affected area
• Repainting the car entirely
• Weathering over this area, which of course means you'd have to weather the whole car

Before we go all re-paint and other serious directions:

There is something that is a very handy thing to have on the workbench: "sanding film". Essentially, it is very, very fine sand "paper" - where the paper is actually thin, tough plastic. Testors and others make it; I get mine at Hobby Lobby. Multi-grade package; some is as fine as jewelers rouge.

Your issue (photos, again, would help) is probably a slight surface chemical reaction between the styrofoam and the paint, rather than the paint having been wet when the item was packaged. Try the finest sanding film on a small spot - test first under the car or some such.

Sometimes denim (you know, jeans) is a good polishing agent, also. Don't paint or weather (unless you want to - weathering I like a lot) right off the bat. 

"I'd rather not send it back."

Yep. Good chance you will never see it again.

Unfortunately, the foam acts like sand paper and will abrade the paint surface down to the undercoat primer or material color real quick.

How bad is it? Remember railroad equipment seldom had that new car look!  Well at least for a couple of days.

Seems like more often nowadays train companies are shipping items not put in plastic bags. And how about the Ebay sellers and some of our own buy/sell forum guys that show their stuff for sale while it sits in its Styrofoam cradle unprotected. My favorite is the passenger cars that sit in the Styrofoam cradles with no plastic or tissue protecting the paint from rubbing on the Styrofoam during shipping. This usually leaves a shiney rub mark in the paint and there is nothing you can do to fix it........Michael, send it back to MTH and let them find a replacement, or call them and find out if they can get you a replacement first. For what we pay for this stuff, you should be satisfied.

Here is a photo. It is the vertical oval that looks almost like it is full of bubbles. It's not super noticeable, but I noticed it.

Mike try goo gone with Q-tip. I have removed alot of marks without removing paint. 

Paint thinner might remove the styrofoam without hurting the paint.  Try on styrofoam itself and on the paint in an unnoticed place.

I have had styrofoam stick to models in the past.  If storing in the original box with styrofoam, I wrap the model in cotton cloth or paper towels.

Charlie

  You might be able to use a solvent but I doubt it will work; I think it's likely penetrated too.

 I would also try to polish it out, and/or sand it out, especially before repainting anyhow. It may fish eye there, and even if it dosen't, that kind of stuff loves to creep back to the surface over time with just a "cover coat".  .

What if you sprayed the roof with a coat of Dullcote? It may mask the mark.

Thanks guys

oh boy that is looks like a large area. First avoid any solvents at first. I would use a light Palmolive soap on a wet paper towel and slowly try to rub the marks out. Go slowly and avoid rubbing the Paint out. You will know if its starts to cut the paint if black is on the paper towel. If so stop!

I have had good luck with a polishing rubbing compound by Meguiars. Use sparingly and rub large circles in the effective area. 

Lastly would be to use a polish  1000 grit paper, but you then have to repaint.

nice thread, I was not aware that styro could do this. thanks

That rubbing compound might give you a shiny area. I used scalecoat II Silver to paint the silver panels on a MTH Auto Carrier and got a perfect match to the factory silver.

Yes it will shine it tad, black is the worse offender.  If this happens I apply soap and water to try to draw the polish out of the paint. If this does not work, just to avoid repainting, I will hit it with some dullcoat.

I had that happen to me when I stored something without a plastic film for a few years. 

I just used water and a clean white T-shirt.  It buffed right out, without any damage to the paint.