mrmike Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 (edited) This Superbird has been languishing on the shelf. Time for a rebuild! I kept on looking over the Superbird and things started to fall off...with a little pushing and shoving! The interior and glass are out. I found a set of Rallye wheels and wider tires. This is dust turning to dirt! I'll break this down and wash everything! More to come... Edited August 5, 2019 by mrmike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superbird McMonte Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 That’s right up my alley!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 Looks like a fun project. Are you going to change the color? David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 6, 2019 Author Share Posted August 6, 2019 Thanks Dominick and David! Yes, I am going to change the color. I'm going with Model Master Hemi Orange with a black interior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 Since the chrome plating on the rear bumper was flaking off, I decided to strip the rest of the plating and I found Petty Blue plastic under the chrome. I think this was the original plastic color on the body. I have dismantled the engine and will strip the chrome from the carbs and alternator. I may leave the valve covers plated. The rear suspension came off rather easily, but the front suspension was much more difficult and I broke off a couple of braces for the suspension. I used a couple pieces of styrene rod to replace them with. More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarvinGardens Posted August 8, 2019 Share Posted August 8, 2019 Hey Mike, Ya' got a source for the 'ROAD RUNNER' roundels on the tail uprights? I see all the newer re-issues don't have 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 Yes, I do have them. They are on a sheet of Keith Marks decals that are coming from a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy124 Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 Hi Mike, I'm doing quite a lot of similar stuff (re-builds/ restos of rare models) lately, so I'll definitely be in! It's right that the Roadrunner decals are missing from the later editions of Revell/ Monogram kits (probably due to image licensing issues?) but you can get them from various aftermarket sources. I bought mine on Ebay from a seller called Oma's Cool Stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plashdaddy Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 I’m about to start a Superbird build from the same kit, I bought a set of the Keith Marks decals, can confirm they are awesome! Looking forward to your progress updates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 12 hours ago, Tommy124 said: Hi Mike, I'm doing quite a lot of similar stuff (re-builds/ restos of rare models) lately, so I'll definitely be in! It's right that the Roadrunner decals are missing from the later editions of Revell/ Monogram kits (probably due to image licensing issues?) but you can get them from various aftermarket sources. I bought mine on Ebay from a seller called Oma's Cool Stuff. You can order them from Keith Marks Graphics. https://public.fotki.com/mofobow/plymouth/road_runner_decals/70_superbird/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 10, 2019 Author Share Posted August 10, 2019 Well, it was bound to happen. I broke the center screen. I was in the process of gluing it all back together when I realized that I was missing a small piece. I cut out a piece of photoetch screen and a piece of plain 0.020 styrene and superglued them together. When all was dry, I bent the piece slightly around the handle of a hobby knife. Fits pretty good! A little more sanding and filing and it should be perfect. Just need to paint it flat black. More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super28 Posted August 11, 2019 Share Posted August 11, 2019 Gonna watch this build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 12, 2019 Author Share Posted August 12, 2019 Thanks Terry! After priming the chassis, I looked it over and discovered many sinkholes in the plastic. At this point, I don't care. I am forging ahead with paint and assembly. More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 12, 2019 Author Share Posted August 12, 2019 After priming the chassis, I gave it a quick look over and discovered many serious sinkholes in the frame. At this point, I don't care. I'm forging ahead with paint and assembly! I loosely covered the center of the chassis without burnishing it down and made a couple of quick passes with Testors Hemi Orange Lacquer. Not bad for a first time. More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuces Posted August 12, 2019 Share Posted August 12, 2019 Lookin' good!.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 13, 2019 Author Share Posted August 13, 2019 Thanks Guido! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 Maybe not the clearest picture, but you can see the round styrene I added under the rear wing supports. When I removed them as part of deconstruction, I broke the pins. This is to replace them. I drilled the cylinder heads for plug wires and them I painted the engine with Mopar Street Hemi Orange Engine Paint. I know, I usually do this procedure the other way around, so maybe there hope for me yet? More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambles Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 (edited) Hi Mike. Nice project. You mentioned the "Petty Blue" color when you stripped the chrome bumper. I built a Petty Superbird many years ago, and it was molded in blue, so I just clear coated it. I no longer have that model, but have a photo on my model site. It's near the bottom of the page. http://www.shamblesmodels.com/race-cars.html Keep us posted. Edited August 16, 2019 by Shambles typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 16, 2019 Author Share Posted August 16, 2019 Thanks for the link, John! I looked at it some. Nice models! I removed the exhaust from the rear axle and of course, I broke them in two. Using the chassis as a jig, I clamped the exhaust onto the chassis and glued the exhaust back together. When they have dried, I'll remove them and clean up and paint the glue joint. I repainted the front suspension and added it to the chassis. I cleaned up the rear axle and repianted it. I need to make a set of rear shocks and mounts since this kit doesn't include them. More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambles Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 (edited) Looks like it's coming along nicely. How do you plan to strip the old paint? I've tried various ways with mixed results. Edited August 16, 2019 by Shambles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 I roughed up the surface with some sandpaper, washed and dried the body, primer and then paint. What you are looking at is the colored plastic with an enamel clearcoat over it and the clearcoat yellowed over the years. I sat down this evening with my Dremel Motor Tool and started grinding the excess plastic from the exhaust pipes to get them round and generally the same size. Then I mocked them up and applied a little more glue to help solidify the joints. Tomorrow, I'll repaint the exhaust system. The 440 6-Barrel has been painted and wired. I'll detail the carbs and install the air filter when I have finished detailing that. I wanted white letter tire markings, but I didn't have any. I remembered these yellow tire letters from my trips to NNL East and I cut them out, dipped them in water and applied them to the tires. Tomorrow, I'll coat them with flat clearcoat. More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 I finally got my decals today from KWT. Thanks KWT!!! I've been picking away at the interior. Still more detail to add. The 440 6-Barrel is nearly done. I painted the air cleaner with Testors Competition Orange enamel paint and it is in the dehydrator until tomorrow. It should be dry by then. More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWT Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Looking good Mike! You are very welcome. Hope those decals workout for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 I'm sure they will! Thanks again!!! I painted the Superbird this afternoon. Model Master Hemi Orange aka Mopar Tor-Red. More Superbird to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuces Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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