Hi.
Welcome aboard! Why not post up some pictures of the Dinky's you have? Generally speaking cleaning up is a good idea, but repairs and re-painting should really only be done to a model that has already had these done to it, or is not too valuable or rare.
Toyfairs are a great way to pick up models as you actually get to look at them befoere you buy.
Which one are you going to?
Chris Warr.

Thanks for response chris ,im going to Worcester on Saturday if weather stays nice

I would also like to welcome you to the site! I am from S. California in the U.S., and have collected Dinky Toys since a small boy. There are wide-ranging discussions here and everyone likes to see pictures of your models, so please give us a look at some of your Dinky Toys. I would second the suggestion to actually clean your models (I use a dampened soft cloth and soft brushes, followed by a soft dry cloth) and not rush into repainting them, unless they are in a really bad state. They are only original once, and after they are restored or just refinished, but some guys do a lot of restoring anyway....it is really your choice!

Terry

Hi, welcome, always nice to see new members coming in! We like fresh contributions here and it would also be nice to meet and greet in person with new members, for instance at the next DTCA-AGM weekend in June!
Kind regards, Jan

Hi Jan thanks for message and warm welcome . will not not be able to attend AGM as im on holiday . Sorry about this but I would love to have come and met some other members , im new to this and very excited about the second toyfair im going to this Saturday at Worcester will any members be there ? thanks chris

Hi there, I would also like to welcome you to the site.

I totally agree with the statements already made regarding cleaning and repainting.

A word of caution, some years ago I purchased a very nice Guy Van in the Ever Ready Battery colours but it was brown from old tobacco smoke, I cleaned it with some solvent type solution and before I knew what had happened the decal on one side disappeared!!!

At a stroke I had wiped about £70 - £100 off its value. Only clean with warm soapy water, please don't use anything too aggressive. By the time you realise your mistake it's too late.

Most of all ENJOY your Dinky Toys, that is what it is all about.

Dave

Hi Chris
Glad you have joined the DTCA. I have been restoring Dinky Toys for many years now and yes all previous comments are correct regarding the cleaning or repainting of a Dinky. I visit the Chester fair which is local to me and, when on the lookout for a model for restoration, always look for a Dinky that is a very poor shape often with broken windscreen or missing wheels and very badly damaged paintwork etc. or one that has been badly overpainted. I would never repaint one that is in average or tidy condition as it will spoil its value. Generally speaking a very poor condition Dinky will be worth about 10% of its mint&boxed value but after a good restoration could be worth 15%-20% of its MB value. Most of my restorations cost me about £10-£12 each and when finished display very well and can fill a nice gap in my collection for a small cost. Restoration is a very time consuming but enjoyable expreience and helps you to see the inner construction and shows how clever Meccano were. I use Steve Flowers Models Supplies for parts & transfers (WWW.model-supplies.co.uk) but there are others. I have some good tips if you are interested I dont have many trucks and lorries but here are some pictures of a few of my efforts (before and after)
Regards, Don

Hi Chris,

Sorry didn't get your post earlier, how did you get on at Worcs? I was there, I am a trader, so do most of the local West Midlands fairs. Don't sell much Dinky though, I mainly sell railway stuff / new Corgi etc to finance my Dinky collection.

Are you going to Bridgnorth Monday? A great fair for Dinky I will be trading there too.

Chris Warr.

Welcome aboard, Chris!
Cordially,
Jacques H. :)