carmad1957

hey- that almost looks like somethin McEwen would have piloted!! By golly, it sure is! You did a really nice clean job on that bud~**~ 2 thumbs UP and a kudo!

Hey- there's tape all over those windows~ how they gonna see?....what a comodian eh? you use a matte black for that? acrylic I assume...

Good to meet ya Travis! If it's inspiration and building tips you're after, well, you couldn't have done any better. Great builders, and great guys Welcome aboard

Yep- you'll love this group John. Welcome aboard

Good to have you on board John~**~ You made a good choice joinin' up with these mad modelers! Great builders and great people as well. So what ya waitin' for- build somethin!

Yep Dann- it's official....you've gone totally off the chain!!!~**~ Sure enjoy watching your work

Wow Dann, that's off the chain bud!! Super-duper awesome, no doubt! It's a real pleasure seeing your work Thanks for the inspiration~**~

I really do appreciate the replies. It's beginning to dawn on me that I haven't been exercising enough patience on this stuff. These on-line videos make it look about as simple as applying a typical decal, but that's obviously not the case. Am I doing the right thing coating the decal with softener before I heat dry it? I'm not gonna let this mess get the best of me- no sir! Have some time today so I think I'll give it another whirl and go nice and s-l-o-w! Thanks for your replies~**~ Thanks for the replies! I've definitely struggled with the Scale Motorsport decals....staining, breaking, etc. plus I can never get them to conform nicely even on slight bends and curves- crappy results every time. The last go-around I laid them over a Tamiya gray primer coat, then a semi gloss black acrylic hoping that would help them "stick" better.....to no avail. And they always look much too bright, even after a shot or two of dullkote. I purchased several different patterns/color combos from a couple different decal guys on the BNA models site, but haven't tried them yet. Wanna get a better handle on this whole process before I muck them up too! The ones I'm working with now are Tamiya from the Enzo build I'm into, and they're the ones you cut out from a pattern on the backside- that you can barely make out I might add. They look a little better but not much. Even though I'm using these teeny tiny (microscopic size) scissors my wife uses for cross stitching I can't get them cut cleanly enough I guess is one problem, they tend to look ragged around the edges. Yikes! There has GOT to be a way to get these things to work. The videos I've seen make it look so easy, but yours truly doesn't seem to find it anything other than frustrating! So what am I doing wrong???

Thanks very much for sharing your opinion. I've built nothing but domestic (Revell mostly) and just recently discovered these higher quality kits- now I'm hooked!!

I can relate to your pain Monty! You're probably going to find that these days most brick and mortar shops, no matter how big or small, don't concern themselves with any aftermarket parts. The solution no doubt are on-line guys, and there are several! I get most of my stuff from BNA models, Mega Hobby, RB Motion, Future Attraction and Ted's model marketplace- but those are just a few of 'em out there. Kinda depending on what you're after will narrow down your search. I've found that for the builds I've been getting into lately, BNA is my best stop because they focus more on exotics, F1, imports, etc. Now that this 3D printing is actually panning out, some of this stuff being made is borderline perfect, so any more, finding parts isn't much of a challenge. Also keep in mind that a lot of these guys are making full detail "sets" for certain kits, so that alone might be an answer. I think if you poke around there's a post thread on here somewhere that lists (many) aftermarket parts guys, if not then perhaps we should make one. My advice is to peek at some of these I've mentioned and just look around. You'll be pleasantly surprised with what you'll find! A few others off the top of my head- Shapeways, Dirt Modeler, Arrowhead Hope this helps~**~

MFH? Not sure what that is but I gotta get some- looks darn realistic- Enlighten me sir!

Thanks for the replies! I've definitely struggled with the Scale Motorsport decals....staining, breaking, etc. plus I can never get them to conform nicely even on slight bends and curves- crappy results every time. The last go-around I laid them over a Tamiya gray primer coat, then a semi gloss black acrylic hoping that would help them "stick" better.....to no avail. And they always look much too bright, even after a shot or two of dullkote. I purchased several different patterns/color combos from a couple different decal guys on the BNA models site, but haven't tried them yet. Wanna get a better handle on this whole process before I muck them up too! The ones I'm working with now are Tamiya from the Enzo build I'm into, and they're the ones you cut out from a pattern on the backside- that you can barely make out I might add. They look a little better but not much. Even though I'm using these teeny tiny (microscopic size) scissors my wife uses for cross stitching I can't get them cut cleanly enough I guess is one problem, they tend to look ragged around the edges. Yikes! There has GOT to be a way to get these things to work. The videos I've seen make it look so easy, but yours truly doesn't seem to find it anything other than frustrating! So what am I doing wrong???

Thanks for sharing that. The club's still active? I know what ya mean- missing guys from clubs long ago. There's a small club in Monroeville still, I think and I sure miss that group. Last I remember they met at the Hobbytown there

Well, well- looks like I'd better get busy. Guess I could have mentioned that I haven't begun the WIP thread yet, probably today. Those pics are quite an inspiration! What did you use on the exhaust there to replicate a heat wrap or whatever? I was considering tin foil dull side out.

I really appreciate you sharing that. I think it's the weathering powders and transparents that I need to get more comfortable using, because from what I see in your work there....that's exactly what I'm trying to accomplish. I have a Ferrari Enzo build I'm getting underway and if ya happen to stumble onto it in the WIP I would very much appreciate your input! Now, time to get practicin'!!! Thanks again for sharing

If I was a bettin' man, I'd wager there's a member (or two) here that might have some suggestions and tips on how to get these decals laid on nicely.... I don't generally find applying decals much of a problem, but man o man, these carbon fiber sheets are a whole other story! I've tried softeners, setting solutions, heat gun....no matter how I go about it they always end up looking, well, terrible! Anyone know of a link or can hopefully give me a few tips or ideas on this? Seems like most of the builds I have coming up have it on there somewhere, some of 'em almost everywhere so could sure use some help on the matter~**~ Thank you in advance!

That stance is dead on, and I have to say that I do believe that's the nicest chrome trim I've seen.....this Molotow stuff is a game changer! I could just go on and on- the beautiful color combo, how it sits, definite 2 thumbs up! so what ya waitin for.....get to buildin!

That's awesome! Gonna follow it along for sure~ The detail on the chassis is really nice- very smooooth

Gotta agree with the masses- that's looking really good! I love what you did on the interior patterns- that's a great idea~ Look forward to watching it finish up

Gosh...I just found this thread but will sure be following it to the end! Some of this stuff re-defines scratch building~ kudos to you and all this crazy off-the-chain work!! I love it

Great work on the foil- that looks really crisp and smooth.....kinda like it's supposed to!! (wish I could do that!) This build's a total winner- Nice job sir~**~

Couldn't agree more.....that's sweet~ seriously nice paint work

Home run right from the start!! That is one sweeeet low roller.....everything about it~ I can only imagine the work that went into the chop, and buddy you absolutely nailed it!

well, just like everyone else is saying....That's some killer paint work!! Very nice build, and thanks for sharing~**~

That's a nice project you have underway there...definitely like the work on the interior 2 kudos and a thumbs up!