carl63_99

As I finish up the final assembly, problems start showing up. Can't find the other exhaust for the HO, had to make a new driveshaft for the Salon. Couple broken front suspension parts. I need to practice pin striping, both cars need some of that. Another week and they should be complete.

Doing wheelies! Seriously, filled in the front turn signals with white glue, have them sitting like this overnight so the glue dries level. I like how you can see the difference between the two cars, particularly the engines in this pic.

I've seen too many very nice models that the builder did nothing to address the chromed headlights. This oversight takes away from the presented model and kills the realistic look modelers go for. The following how-to shows just how easy it is to make more realistic headlights than the ones presented in old kits and promos. You will need a drill bit or Dremel round head, BMF or chrome paint, white glue and clear lenses from your parts bin. For this demo, which took me all of 15 minutes start to finish, I used the headlights from the AMT 1971 Camaro. 1) Using an appropriately sized drill bit or dremel grinder tool, smooth off the light so it is concave. 2) Bare metal foil or chrome paint the inside of the newly-created headlight bucket. 3) Insert the new lens, be sure to line it up correctly. Apply white glue to secure lense.

No vacuform machine, so I did the squish method. I had the molds at the ready, heated the clear plastic over a heat gun and when it was really flimsy, pressed it down over the mold. I made between 3-5 versions of each window until I got one that was good enough to use. One problem is that the plastic got hot enough to melt the 3D printed window mold, so I had to work fast. If I do this again, I will make a clay mold of the 3D printed one and mold over that. As I am not going for contest winning, just building for my own fun, I am happy enough with the results. Building one of these perfect would cost a lot more time and money.

I think I see a problem. As I've done 5 windshields now, each one getting better than the last, I have to draw the line somewhere or I'll never get done. Best windshield so far is glued into the H/O and now it can go on to the next step. I also though about tail lights. I could mold them or cut down toothbrush handle or something to make nice 3D ones, or BMF the one included and put a couple coats of clear red over that. Second option shown, and they look pretty nice.

Using air-dry clay and the tenplates that came with the kit, I've been experimenting with a few different kinds of plastic for the windows. Replacement photo frame glass from Hobby Lobby seems to provide the best clarity when heat molding the windows. I may make several more to get them perfect, but as far as proof of concept, I know I can make them.

I'm Baaack! Been so busy with business, holidays, severe storms and taxes. But I did get some time to start working on molding windshield and back window. I found some picture frame inserts made of plastic at Hobby Lobby and will be seeing how that heats and molds over the templates included in the 3D kit.

Nice work! Kind of a different subject we've picked to work on. Mine is stalled at the moment, been too busy with life and other things.

Looks like an interesting build. It should be in the WIP thread though.

GREAT project. But this should be in WIP, not Under Glass.

Soooo, this is like a LEGO-ish toy built up?

The holiday season is a hard time for me to work on models. Too much family, fun and food. Also had to deal with an burst waterpipe in a rental that took out dining room ceiling and one wall. Monday is the final paint on that maintenance issue. Just very little time for modeling when other stuff is going on. I had been wanting to try airbrushing Molotow paint and was going to order some refill. Then I though, not a big fan of the 4mm pen, why not drain it? So, I did. A short time later I have the following results. Enjoy!

That's REALLY nice. But it should be in the Trucks forum.

Interesting choice of color and sticking with the kit decals. Nice work. However, the correct naming is "Hurst Olds".

Worked on cutting out the "Cutlass" script from the '74 body. First, cut it out and trim it. Second, sand it down as close to the back of the script as possible. Third, BMF chrome it and black wash. Ready to install.

Save up and get the Johan kit. I got a '74 and a '75 around $50 each. Can make a simple curbside from it.

Been slow going, busy with other things. But, got myself a Sharpie oil-based 1mm paint pen and did the black stripes around the gold. Using Tamiya masking tape, I ran it down the stripe over the white, then just went down it with the paint pen. Boom! Done! This leaves me highly encouraged to do the gold on the sides and the red on the black Cutlass. Compare this to the previous pics.

Yes, you should. Wish I'd found those decals before.

So this build is unofficially Salt and Pepper. I've been busy with other things, but did shoot the white on the Hurst Olds this weekend. It's going to need to dry for a few days to a week before I can do anything. But, it does look nice next to the black Cutlass aka Pepper.

Mock-up after first round of Polishing Grill and bumpers not mounted down as I'll need to trim some edges to get everything to fit nicely.

First round of polishing. Lots more to do, but I like the direction she's going.

As we all know, black is the most challenging color for a painters skills. For my Cutlass, I went flat black base with 2K clear, 4 coats. I've let it sit for a week and started wet sanding with 600 grit. The goal of the sanding is to get the surface as flat and smooth as possible without burning through. I stand over the sink with a trickle of water as I turn and flip and maneuver the model to get to every possible part. large flat areas like the hood are easy. Tight spaces like the nose area take a long time. After this, wash and polish.

I have the dashboards 90% done. Need a little touchup and for the white glue to dry in the gauges. That usually takes a few days. Also did the chrome. Testers gloss black with Aclad II Chrome over the top. They look better than these pics, and I haven't decided about the rub strip or not.

Started the next step, paint. First up, the Hurst Olds, which I decided needed the vinyl roof. You can see the dual exhaust on the chassis and the engine will be gold. The Cutlass Supreme got a little wet sanding on the roof, will be working on that for the next few days. That chassis has single exhaust and the 350 will be in blue.