Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

Die cast body modification


NOBLNG
 Share

Recommended Posts

Another model mag, S___ A____ often had die-casts modified using brass and solder, so it can def be done.  Don't think I'll try it, with the modeling time I have left at 76.  The only problem, possibly, using resin stuff like JB Weld or epoxy is the differential in heat/shrink time vs. metal in such dissimilar materials; eg. don't let your finished product get extremes of heat or cold!  Like all the 1/1 guys in the 'sixties who tried to graft fiberglass hood scoops onto their cars using epoxy and/or bondo, you will eventually see cracking -- tho possibly it will be very minor.  Just sayin'... 

I'm glad my Maisto '53 Studebaker Starlite coupe with the very poor roof line accuracy at the drip molding has a plastic roof panel!  That I can do with a little brass strip and JB or similar; it should be very compatible.  But, I love your intentions to getting a sweet level of accuracy on a die-cast -- too many 'toy-like' features on them, we know! -- and the pride in craftsmanship it evokes.  What the heck, if it bombs, buy another one and retrench!  You can make a roadster rat-rod 4X4 out of the flop!  Wick

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/30/2022 at 2:35 PM, W Humble said:

Another model mag, S___ A____ often had die-casts modified using brass and solder, so it can def be done.  Don't think I'll try it, with the modeling time I have left at 76.  The only problem, possibly, using resin stuff like JB Weld or epoxy is the differential in heat/shrink time vs. metal in such dissimilar materials; eg. don't let your finished product get extremes of heat or cold!  Like all the 1/1 guys in the 'sixties who tried to graft fiberglass hood scoops onto their cars using epoxy and/or bondo, you will eventually see cracking -- tho possibly it will be very minor.  Just sayin'... 

I'm glad my Maisto '53 Studebaker Starlite coupe with the very poor roof line accuracy at the drip molding has a plastic roof panel!  That I can do with a little brass strip and JB or similar; it should be very compatible.  But, I love your intentions to getting a sweet level of accuracy on a die-cast -- too many 'toy-like' features on them, we know! -- and the pride in craftsmanship it evokes.  What the heck, if it bombs, buy another one and retrench!  You can make a roadster rat-rod 4X4 out of the flop!  Wick

 

Thanks for the caution James. I could see the filler possibly separating under extreme temperature swings. No worries though since I cast the entire cab in resin once I had the corrections made. I was not after a corrected stake-bed, but a copy of my 1:1 truck.😁

3A97C476-8567-406B-8B93-03082C5A91D2.jpeg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

I’m glad I found this thread. I decided to just jump into the deep end with a die cast project. I don’t know if I would have thought of Milliput, even though I have used a lot of it on styrene projects. 

Nice work on the pickup, BTW. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...