Grading Your Redline Hot Wheels
Grading your hot wheel redline cars is purely subjective. Collector's likes and collecting needs vary from collector to collector. There are two proper ways to judge the condition of your redline hot wheels.
One rating system is a 10 point type system, rating each car on a scale from 1 to 10. Basically, the scale takes into account scratches, damaged wheels, glass, missing parts, and imperfections in the diecast itself and assigns a deduction in point value to the said flaw. The final grade is derived from a summation of all the flaws and deducting them from the beginning value of 10. (C10, C9, C8...)
The second proper grading system is more general in nature, but again is still very subjective. The grades follow a simple system of noting a diecast car as either mint (10) or poor (1), with excellent, good, fair covering the middle numbers. This system can be expanded even further by classifying cars as mint-, near mint+, very good, and so on.
Below is a grade scale combining both of these types of methods. These methods were compiled by collectors from RLOL.
10 - Gem Mint: Car is virtually free of any physical defects, slightest tarnished base or engine is a possible allowance. Chrome on wheels is perfect.
9.5 - Mint: Appears to exhibit all attributes of Gem Mint. Upon close inspection may exhibit extreme minor imperfections. Any flaw is barely noticeable, pin chip, extreme slight tone or paint variation. Chrome on wheels nearly perfect.
9.0 - NM/Mint: The car appears mint at first glance. Upon close inspection shows slight imperfections, very minor limited chips. Slightly crooked tampos, a near perfect item. Slight chrome loss on wheels.
8.5 - NM: Slight wear is visible on close inspection. Decals, small light scratches, light toning, wheels show light wear, toning, tires slight bend, etc.
8.0 - EX/MT: Car has visible surface wear or small defects which do not affect overall appeal. Toning can be noticeable. This grade still a nice higher end rating.
7.0 - EX: Surface wear or defects more visible. Played with but not abused. Very noticeable toning, worn wheels, chipping, etc.
6.0 - VG/EX: Exhibits some of the better characteristics of EX, but not enough to earn the grade.
5.0 - VG: Defects evident. More than light chipping. Noticeable scratches and scuffs. Middle of the road grade.
4.0 - GD/VG: Heavy chipping, major defects, cracked tires or windows. Some deem filler grade.
3.0 - GD: Extreme wear, at least 1/2 the paint still exists. Abused condition.
2.0 - Fair: Extreme wear, scuffing, scratches, pitting. Little to no paint, a bit above poor.
1.0 - Poor: Extreme wear, scuffing scratches, pitting, missing parts, basically car exists. You name a flaw and it falls into this rating.
When attempting to grade a redline, keep in mind some of these factors:
* Just because it is still in the package, does not automatically mean the car is mint.
* Toning, oxidation, or corrosion to the paint and body.
* Cracked windows or other plastic parts.
* Worn out or damaged wheels and axles.
* Missing parts or even reproduced parts not original to the car.
Remember grading is purely subjective. One collector's definition of mint may be another collector's excellent grade. Some collectors grade heavy on wear to a car while others grade heavy on toning. The best way to determine condition is through clear, accurate pictures or just seeing the car in person. Don't ever go on descriptions alone.