Good or bad diecast brands?

[Deleted]

I guess this is the best place for this thread. If not, one of you Admins can move it for me.

I've been buying some 1/18 scale diecast kits. By accident, I did a search on eBay that ended up showing prebuilt cars instead of kits. I might just be interested in buying a few of them, IF it's possible to disassemble them, detail them, and reassemble them without major problems.

So here are my questions. Is it possible to tear them apart, spruce them up, then put them back together? Any special skills or tools required to do it? If it's a feasible idea, which are the better brands and/or which brands should be avoided? I know that the $250 cars are most likely good ones, but I'm really only interested in kits that are a little easier on the wallet, let's say $30 - $35 or less.

If you happen to have one or more in your showcase that turned out really great, post it up or send me a link if you have already posted it. And I'm only interested in cars you have modified or detailed.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated as usual. Thanks.

[68383]

Sure, it’s possible.

I’ve done it with 1/18 scale Ertl American Muscle cars. Planning to do it to a Greenlight Vanishing Point Challenger, and I’ve disassembled and worked on some Franklin Mint 25th scale vehicles.

Just take your time, make sure you know what goes where for reassembly, and things should go pretty well.

[Deleted]

I just finished the deal on one car in 1/18 and I'm attempting to win an auction on a second one. I'm not going to get carried away buying these until I get a couple in my hands to see if I can do everything that needs to be done.

[BUCKY]

Well...ya usually can't go wrong with a Franklin Mint, or Danbury Mint diecast. However, they are so well made, ya prolly wouldn't want to rework one of them. Welly is another company I've heard of, but I don't know about the quality of their products.

[Deleted]

So far I haven't run across any Franklin or Danbury cars in the lower priced listings on eBay. I'm familiar with both brands though.