Most damaged or outdated scale models can be repaired rather than rebuilt. Send photos of the whole model and close-ups of the problem, and we'll recommend whether the work should happen on site or in our Denver shop, and what it will cost. We repair models built by any shop.
Keep a useful model in good condition
A physical model can serve its audience for years, but handling, travel and display take a toll. We assess cleaning, damaged components and refurbishment before recommending an approach, and we don't assume a model needs a full rebuild.
Example: an afternoon at Mueller State Park
At the Mueller State Park Visitor Center, we repaired a damaged rock in an exhibit model and gave the whole piece a general cleanup, on site, in a single afternoon.
Repair or update?
They're different jobs. For XTI Aircraft, we restored the body, rewired the electrical components, reworked the base and repainted an existing demonstration model, then built it a travel crate. For Austin Mueller, we measured an existing development model, matched its finish and installed replacement buildings for an updated plan.
What to send us
Tell us whether the problem is damage, dirt, a lighting fault or a change in what the model needs to show. Include photos of the whole piece, the affected areas and the base. If replacement parts are needed, current drawings or design files help establish what has changed. Tell us where the model is installed and whether an event sets the deadline.
Shop, mail or on site
Small fixes are often the simplest: if a piece has broken off, we can usually make a replacement and mail it to you, often at no cost. Larger repairs either happen where the model is displayed (billed at $1,000 per day away from the shop, plus travel) or in our shop at our normal shop rate. A model that was badly mishandled usually needs to come back to the shop.
If a model we shipped arrives damaged, our arrival guarantee covers it: we repair it at no cost.
Common questions
Can a broken scale model be repaired?
Usually, yes. Broken details, failed lighting, dirt and fading can all be fixed, often without rebuilding.
Do you repair models built by other companies?
Yes. We repair and refurbish physical scale models regardless of who built them.
Can repairs be done on site?
Yes, depending on the work. We completed one museum repair on site in a single afternoon.