MIP Trans Case?

[jb7778]

Hello first time poster and still figuring out how to add/attach pics.... Anyhow I recently acquired an MIP 3 gear yellow transmission in a JRX-Pro. The case is rather faded/discolored, any suggestions for rejuvenation? Considering painting or having painted? Need to get it right the first time! Looks better in the picture than in person

[metallicats33]

That's either a LB-1000 or an LB-2000, I think the only difference was Dog bones (LB-1000) or Sliders (LB-2000)
I've never seen one any other color than Yellow so i'm not sure if it's dye-able. I did a quick google search for a manual and it brought me right back to RC10Talk... guess I should have searched here 1st
Lots of good info in these two threads:

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=43011#p488102
https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=6712#p64294

[jb7778]

Thanks for the reply! I had not found the second thread you linked previously, good stuff! I really want my case to be bright yellow again like in those photos.. Considered dying but was afraid the brown/green discoloration would show through but I don't think I can hurt it trying! If the dye route doesn't work though Im looking for suggestions on type of paint to use and application method??? Otherwise headed to get some dye!

[matt1ptkn]

I'm thinking that dying the trans case will do very little, if anything at all. But I don't think it would hurt to try, either. Have you tried an ultrasonic cleaner? Due to fairly recent discussions on this forum, I got a nice one off eBay that heats the water. I found a cleaning solution for ultrasonic cleaners that's safe for all plastics, and the combination does a phenomenal job with very little effort on my part. If those two options don't work, you may try to sand it with very fine paper; basically polishing it up. Good luck, and I'd be very interested to hear how it all goes.

[jwscab]

I'm afraid there isn't much you can do about the chalky finish on these plastic parts. clean them up and maybe hit them with some clear spray paint to preserve the integrity.

[jb7778]

Thanks for the mention I had not heard of an ultrasonic cleaner but it is the best purchase Ive made in a long time! Didn't do much for my trans case but amazing how well it cleans everything that I thought was clean already. Convinced Im going to need to paint the trans case to make it yellow again.... Just starting the tear down so I will continue to evaluate while Im ultrasonic cleaning anything that will fit in it!

[jcwrks]

Those case halves came in several different shades of yellow. All the way from bright yellow to dull greenish hue yellow. You appear to have the latter. IMO you should leave them as-is, but I am more of a purist. Otherwise you could dye them black with Rit Dyemore graphite and be done with it.

[jb7778]

Thanks for the reply... Didn't realize there were variations, hardly remember when they were new and seems the online references are all bright yellow. For now Im going to focus on the rest of the build, I can always comeback to the case if need be, not if I paint it right away!

[jb7778]

[jb7778]

[jb7778]

Bare with me.... Getting more confidence with post pics before starting anymore threads!

[jb7778]

Black it is! Tried dying yellow but no luck... Before painting yellow figured I’d try dying black could always paint but pretty happy with the way it turned out

[jb7778]

Couple more.... Learned another lesson the hard way though. I had a couple Losi battery hold downs that ultrasonic cleaning turned grey. After seeing how well this trans case took dye I threw them is for literally 1 minute-150 degree and both shriveled up... But they’re black again...Damn!

[duckhead]

The transmission case looks good in black!

Unfortunate about the battery hold downs, I am surprised they shriveled up like that. I don't know anything about vintage Losi parts, were they made out of something other than nylon-6? Or possibly a lower melt point nylon-6?

->Mark

[Lavigna]

Looks great in black! I am not a fan of yellow, and I just dyed my MIP cases recently as well.

Sucks about the battery braces. Everything else is looking great!