Arjay 396
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Roger Jackson
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Arjay 396's Achievements
MCM Regular (3/6)
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Polar Lights 65 Coronet 500 and Lindberg 64 Dodge
Arjay 396 replied to drodg's topic in Model Building Questions and Answers
+1. The Polar Lights Coronet has a pretty decent body shape but the chassis and running gear aren't very inspiring. Eg: the distributor will only accommodate six plug wires (!!!). The interior could use a little help as well. I pepped mine up with a set of MRC Keystones and M/T rubber...... -
Lacking proper tools, that "first kit" will likely end up looking just as one built some forty-three years ago. I've been building models for fifty-nine years and I surely wouldn't expect to assemble a kit today as I did as a six year-old. And the fact of the matter is, only a few of the implements I mentioned would be strictly limited to modeling uses. I use my "tinkering" tools for many tasks. Granddaughter broke the hinge on her glasses -- yep. Wife needs a clasp repaired on a favored necklace -- yep. Repairing the lid on her crockpot -- yep. Broken sprinkler -- yep. All kinds of uses unrelated to modeling. So while my hypothetical three hundred bucks may seem like a lot of money, it's actually been amortized by the multiple tasks that the tools I bought with it accomplished. I'm done here.
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Finishing spray enamel exteriors
Arjay 396 replied to timomomomo's topic in Model Building Questions and Answers
As will Testors Glosscote and Dullcote, both of them lacquer-based. -
I agree that we seem to be SOL when it comes to models of US-spec Japanese vehicles -- both as kits *AND* die-casts. These cars and trucks have been a mainstay of American roadways for close to fifty years now but aside from a few Nissan "Z" cars, a couple of Hondas, and the oddball Mazda or two we really don't have much of a selection. Personally I'd love to have models of our 2005 Pilot, my wife's 2009 TRD Tacoma, or my 2016 Frontier 4x4 -- either as kits, promos, or die-casts. If ever there was a gold motherlode just waiting to be mined, this is it.
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1987 Chevrolet El uh...Monte Camino? El Carlo?
Arjay 396 replied to echoxrayniner's topic in Model Cars
That's something you don't see every day. I like! -
......airbrush and compressor, variable-speed dremel tool with various cutting, sanding, and routing bits, jeweler's files, razor saws, clamps, pin vise and hobby drill-bit index, sanding block set, various grades of sandpaper and polishing cloths, a good modeling lamp or two, opti-visor (optional). Somebody thought I was kidding about three hundred bucks. But I ain't. Precision work demands precision tools.
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Another broom-and-dustpan job as I try to animate an otherwise stock and inert model. Molded originally in Monza Red, a previous owner had re-sprayed it Marina Blue. I started by painting the rims argent and running a Payne's Gray wash into the slots, which really provided a nice contrast and rid them of their all-chrome toy-like appearance. After cleaning up some flash and visible sprue gates on the body I started "chroming" the appropriate details with a Molotow pen. I'm still trying to work up the chutzpah to do the fender grates and I need to pick up the larger 4.0 mm pen to do the rocker panels. But for a twelve-dollar Ebay orphan it's not turning out too badly. I have the LT-1 hood stripe decal on the way and need only a proper Corvette mirror to finish the car.
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+1, Mike! Follow the advice offered in the links he's provided. Put a three-hundred dollar bill in your pocket, go to your local hobby shop, then buy nothing but tools. That will get you off to a good start. Hone your skillset on a few cheapie kits before tackling those 2- and 3-level models (snappers can be a very inspirational experience). When in doubt, ask questions. There are plenty of folks here with decades of accumulated experience who'll be only too happy to help you along.
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According to the builder/owner (he's since sold this car) he used two two-door sedans and one four-door wagon to create the vehicle, and the construction took some six or seven years. I would've chosen different colors for the exterior but he lives on a ranch and wanted it suitable for a cowboy. Here's a couple more views......
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I've been playing around with this '74 Cuda promo model
Arjay 396 replied to Arjay 396's topic in WIP: Model Cars
Thanks for the kind words, Richard. Actually the Welly Challenger already has plenty of "Cuda company"......three First Gear die-casts in Lemon Twist, Sub-Lime, and Plum Crazy. I'm thinking of a special display for my plastic promo cars. I just need to find some wall space for it, ha ha! -
I've been playing around with this '74 Cuda promo model
Arjay 396 replied to Arjay 396's topic in WIP: Model Cars
That might be true, Ron. But the hockey sticks are a de facto hallmark of the 'Cuda and do add some interest to the model. I still need to detail the side marker lights. -
Molotow Pens not Shiny
Arjay 396 replied to Olderisbetter's topic in General Automotive Talk (Trucks and Cars)
I haven't tried airbrushing the ink but IMO the pens alone are a game-changer, at least for me.