customline

Thanks, David. See above. ☝

Thanks, Bob, I'm having fun with it but it's full of mistakes. The up-side is learning how not to do some things.

Today I was searching for I can't recall what when I ran across this set of porta-walls. Just what I needed. Spent the rest of the afternoon scraping plating. No need to paint the rims since the kit was molded in color 🙂. I added shock mounts to the narrowed rear axle. I would have done this even if I had not lowered it, due to way the kit was designed. It's as low as I can get it without going hydraulic. I may need a shim or two in the rear to level it. Skirts are on the table but flush ones, not the crappy kit skirts. And the kit engine will be used with a liberal application of Marine-Tex to seal up the leaky block ( ever have to do that? 🥴) I just love this kit.

Not yet, it isn't but I appreciate your kind words, Ken.

I'm glad you think so, Len, that's a relief. I was beginning to think this project was a total waste of time. I spent half of my afternoon today scraping plating from hub caps and beauty rings. Just wanted to liven things up a bit with Mr. Poop. Pretty cool, huh? Maybe Mr. Hanley would enjoy some easy work too....just for the holidays? Maybe I'll replace Mr. Poop with a picture of my dirty, clear coat peeling Ranger when it officially becomes a "historical vehicle" on 1/1/25.

Turns out I didn't need to. I shaved off the "mount" from the tyranny tail shaft and reduced the thickness of the cross member. That gave me a proper angle on the shaft. Problem is solved.

Finally got around to this again. I thought I would put this up just in case anyone was wondering if it was back in the box. It's not much and I'm not sure if it's actually better than nothing. You decide 🤓 I got it wet sanded and it its evident that some block sanding is needed on the roof but more important now is getting it up on all fours. This is where the kit lacks in proper detail but at least it's got the bare minimum for a full detail kit. I had to separate the axle housing from the springs, as I mentioned earlier. In order to "re-engineer" the rear suspension, I needed to "tack" everything together with tiny dabs of CA. This is an ongoing effort to get the ride height worked out and it's a very awkward process. I made lowering blocks and added little tabs at the rear anchor points of the springs. I narrowed the axle housing so the wheels moved up against the springs which needed slight relocating at the rear. I C'ed the frame basically for technical reasons but, really, I could just glue the axle to the frame like the Revell Model A kits and be done with it. It looks like I may need to raise the height of the tunnel (that'll be fun) or use a rubber drive shaft 🥴. The windshield correction and the restoration of the center peak over it is still in committee but it's not hopeful. It's a Kustom and as such, certain anomalies are allowed 😊. Besides, there's a 💩-load of body tweaking that needs to be done and well, there's the engine with a huge leak in the block and the front end needs to be lowered. I must say the chassis fits into the body quite well. Yay 😀 Thanks and feel free.

This is what I use and I'm very happy with it. Its an Excel product "MagniVisor" it has 2 levels of magnification (I discarded the loupe). It's light and, even for my fat head, it's quite comfortable ( I sometimes forget I'm wearing it. 🥴 ) $22 on Amazon.

Bob, I have found the adhesive on BMF to be inconsistent, even on the same sheet. If you have enough on the sheet, you could try taking from another area on the sheet. Better yet, if you have a sheet of the "new improved chrome" (which is not new at all, they just call it that) you may have a better time with that. I actually like foiling but I need to be in the right frame of mind because of the same situation you described. My hands hurt all the time and my filmy left eye drives me crazy. Take a break from it. This build is way too nice to go back in the box.

Yay!😃 Edit: "Yay" you're thinking about getting back on it. Not "Yay" about the door. That's a bummer. Maybe slap a big number on it or....do you have a flame mask? I'm serious 🤨

Sounds like the paint is too soft. It couldn't hurt to give it more time and then try a final polishing again. I hope it works; that paint is awesome.

What about Novus, Bob, or maybe that 2K wasn't totally hard yet?

Those wheels look better, Greg, it could be the next big thing. After reviewing, I realized you had replaced the cross member and I should edit my previous comment.

I'm liking the front end design a lot, It's looking great. I agree with Andy about the wheels, especially the front ones ( no panic stops 'cause you won't be going anywhere with those ?)

Yeah, I thought about that.

That would be a solid candidate for being depicted as a CC vehicle. My choice is the Revell '38 Ford panel truck (I don't know what else to do with it) I've got too much hanging to start another project, but y'all go ahead, I'll catch up later

Or....or maybe a Coca Cola build-off! Maybe build kits that never came with Coke decals like say, the Futura, or one of your glue-bomb Galaxies! Wouldn't that be cool? ? I have a quick-builder Chezoom that's perfect for this. But no NASCAR kits. Incongruity is the key.

Hey, I still have two of those kits and I just might drag you all along on another '41 Plymouth adventure for the pure entertainment value. It's pretty obvious this one could have used a bit more mental activity. The next one will be different (and hopefully a tad better ) I should have it down by the time I turn 80 .

Welcome to my nightmare, Greg. Just remember though, it's not a how-to unless you want to create some problem.

Yessir! Spring behind the axle- good move!

Thanks for the tip. I would be doing that exact thing for a different reason (template for the glass) but yeah, I can use it for both tasks.

Yeah, Len, good idea, all things being normal. It's probably dangerous to cut into this roof now but using CA to attach it, I can bond a piece of triangular strip in the center and build up to the top of the peak. It's a shot I'm willing to take but there goes my pancake story .

I have my work cut out for me. I added more filler to the flat area but the real problem with the roof, as i now see, is that when I made the longitudinal cut, the peak at the front, over the windshield, disappeared, so anyone wanting to chop this buggy should keep that in mind (I confess I totally missed that minor detail while planning my cuts. ) I may try to restore the peak with some very clever crafting (😂) Okay, so this is what I'm dealing with no. Lots of fussing to keep me busy here. The parting lines in-board of the headlights were unusually bad and now needs filler after having been sanded out. The roof contour appears to be good in this view The ancient tool for this body rendered very shallow panel lines that needed deepening. I'm still fussing with that and it shows now. Lots of Mr. Surfacer in my future to fix all that. I may try something that dries faster. Any suggestions for that ? In a flash of inspiration, I rounded the rear top corners of the doors (it's not a goof, I intended to do it ) Also there is the botched attempt to re-shape the quarter windows which continues. I'm not panicking yet but I still have a box for this thing.

If I ever get there, Andy, yeah...that would be great. I added more crown and tried to do something with the quarter windows, with mixed results. When my attitude improves a bit, I need to work on all the little bad things that I can find in the zoomed-in photos. Lots of "follow-up" to be done.

That sound good, Len. I started storing some model stuff in my detached garage recently but I worry. I guess the only hazard out there is an occasional black widow.