I'd like to have them blank ...

[Gustavo]

Hi Playmofriends!

I'd like to make a map (30 62 6240) and a book (30 62 6250) blank. What do you recommend me, so as not to damage the plastic ?

Gus

[playmofire]

Hi Gustavo,

Rub with fine emery paper and then polish with car polish or use a cotton wool bud with a very small amount of cellulose thinners on but just moisten the surface and then very gently wipe with the cotton wool bud.  (This is a method which needs practice on spare bits!)

Other methods include using metal polish car restoration polish (T-Cut) and cooker hob cleaner.  I tend to use a mix of methods.

Somewhere, too, I'm sure there's a thread on this, or maybe it's in the cleaning and restoration threads (or on another board).

[Sylvia]

I always use silver polish or other types of metal cleaning liquid to remove prints from Playmobil plastic.

It takes a bit of time and patience because you have to rub for several minutes, but the end results are always good. It never scratches and leaves a nice shine. I've even found that I can use cellotape to mask areas off (if the surface is flat enough) when I only want to remove part of a print.

Little Jo has written some tips on removing prints.
Scroll past the top section and read the bit titled "Removing Paint."

http://www.jr-x.de/playmobil/customizing/paint.html

[Richard]

It makes me just want to cry when I read all the different things that y'all use trying to remove Playmobil's printing.

It's just a crying shame that you can't get Barkeeper's Friend in Europe.

Click HERE for directions created for Timmy ...

Or, you can just look below for the entire post and Timmy's response:


Hello, Timmy ... 

... rubbing off the factory paint with mineral water is a labor intensive task (took me 30 minutes of heavy work once to rub off stubble from a pirate face--there must be a sanding-type tool that will do it better).

This is another one of those times that you are very fortunate that you live in the United States!

All you have to do is go to your local supermarket and visit the laundry aisle ...

Look for Bar keepers Friend (powder).
see attachment

After you've made your purchase, and have taken your magic powder home, take your magic powder and your most challenging Klicky into the kitchen.

1.   Put a little Bar Keepers Friend powder in the kitchen sink. Dampen your finger (drier is better than wetter).

2.   Gently touch the little pile of powder with your damp finger.

3.   Look at your finger. A small amount of powder should now be on the part of your finger that the police use to take your fingerprints ...

4.   Gently rub the marking on the Klicky that you want to remove.

5.   Be surprised and amazed at how easily the unwanted markings disappear.

NOTE: I can't stress the word "GENTLY" enough! It doesn't take very much pressure to remove the markings! (However, probably the only damage that you can do, by NOT being gentle, is to make your finger a little red.)

Have fun and all the best,
Richard


Timmy's response:

I now have testimony.

Thanks again Richard!  "Bar Keeper's Friends" ($1.67 from Target) really does let the paint rub off on your finger.  I tried using a rag first, but that took forever.  You almost have to apply direct finger.  The stuff is pretty gentle on the hands, though.  It made a hangnail burn, but after a washing, my skin wasn't dry, tender, or anything.

I think it is some sort of baking soda mix, so it is less harsh than comet or anything like what I expected.

-Tim

You folks in Europe really do need to try to find Barkeeper's Friend. You'll be very glad you did!

All the best,
Richard

[Richard]

BTW ... This was my response to Timmy:



You're welcome, Timmy!

I now have testimony.

Thanks again Richard!  "Bar Keepers Friend" really does let the paint rub off on your finger.

Told ya! ...

I tried using a rag first, but that took forever.

Hmmm ... (Does NOT follow directions!) ... Why am I not surprised? ...

All the best,
Richard

[Gustavo]

Hmmm ... (Does NOT follow directions!) ... Why am I not surprised? ...

Sounds unbelievable ... Just like the Spanish method of "disklicking" the klicky: when I first did it, I never believed it was going to actually work out. It does.

I doubt I'll find the "Bar Keeper's Friend", here, but I'm very curious (and interested) in the chemical composition ... I'll take the case to friends in Chemistry Engineering ... Who knows they can give a hand? Or a finger ...)

Anyway, thx Richard

G.

[Sylvia]

You folks in Europe really do need to try to find Barkeeper's Friend. You'll be very glad you did!

Thanks for the tip! It sounds like a wonder-cleaner. 

It's available from UK sellers on Amazon's marketplace, but the P&P they add to the price makes it quite expensive.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000TAW5TA/ref=dp_olp_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1215340473&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0010VUWS8/ref=dp_olp_2

It's also available from Robert Dyas.
We don't have that shop this far north but other members in the UK might live near to one of their branches.
Here's their storefinder page.