Straightliner59

Calling this a paint job! Is it perfect? No. But, it's my best, to date. And, my most complex, so far. That's what it's all about! Clear is Krylon Crystal Glaze, straight from the can. The final coat is untouched. I think it looks pretty slick. Thanks for looking!

I've been working on the fire suppression system. I still need to install another nozzle, in the cockpit. I ended up having to "anodize" the nozzles after they were installed. I had them painted gunmetal, at first, but, they were so dark, they couldn't be seen. Not an ideal location for performing detail paintwork! I finally got all my printer issues sorted, so I was able to print my Nitronic Research decals, for the canards. They're .400" (10 scale inches), per the man who printed the real ones, back in the nostalgic years of nostalgia top fuel!? I'll call them a success, since you can read the URL, at the bottom, and it's maybe .010"(?). It's tiny! Once the cockpit nozzle is installed, I can begin mounting the body panels! I still have to work the right side of tail, a little more, then clear it, again. But, everything else is ready--except the cowl. Once I've decided on a design for the cowl art, I'll be motivated to paint it. I already have the overall idea figured, just not the final design. Once the body's mounted, along with the tail, I think I can put it on the wheels. Well, maybe not, but that's not terribly far off. Questions, comments and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Wednesday, I got the Super Stock Project Six Pack decals from SMP. They look beautiful! Now, I guess I need to find a '69 Roadrunner kit...

What he said! That's very cool!

Fluorescent light could certainly make the green look blue. Most of the lights I have anymore are "daylight" LEDs. I especially love them at the bench.

Very nice work, JC. Loving it!

Looks like you nailed 'em!

Thanks for that! I will definitely give that a look.

Very nice job. That color is sweet!

I've loved this kit, since it was released. It was only about five years ago that I finally got a very clean built-up, which was the first one I've ever owned. Earlier this year, I got one that's near mint for a great price. I love the color you used! Nice work!

Welcome! That Bentley is fantastic! Beautiful work.

No doubt! Here's as far as I've gotten with it. My plan is to outline these with red One-Shot, although I might mix some orange. I did this years ago. As I recall, I cut the masks for it, then used them to apply the adhesive. I just rubbed the flake onto the adhesive, after that. This flake is several colors. I really wish I'd thought to use it on the dragster. I'd been waiting years for the right project to come along. Then, I simply whiffed, on it! Oh, well! The paint looks pretty decent. I think I can live with it! Thanks for looking in, Jim!

Simply beautiful, Ian. Excellent work!

I've been using Tropical Shine nail boards, the last few years. I first got them at Sally Beauty Supply. Lately, I've been buying them on Ebay. I buy the black/grey, blue, and pink ones, and their four-way polishing boards. They're washable and disinfectable (not that we need that, but the disinfectant is likely harsher than water, so...). Somebody mentioned brushes, at the beauty supply--I have some "liner" brushes that are excellent. They maintain their points, well.

I went ahead and sanded and re-sprayed all of these body components. I'm hopeful that one more go-'round will straighten out the right side of the tail. Everything else just needs buffing and polishing. I'm really happy with this paint job! It looks even slicker than the photos show.Thanks for looking!

Hey! My replica of "The Bug" is in that issue!

I know some of the guys in the Rob Wolf chapter. Good guys. I've seen some stuff recently about a new club, here called OPM. They're doing a show near the end of October. I may have met one of the guys associated with them. There's also a group called "Scale Junkiez" they put on a couple of show a year. I'm not sure when they meet, or where. You could always come out to Arvada, and hang out in my work shop for for a couple of hours!?

I need to go through one more wet-sand/polish/clear cycle with one side of the tail, and a small area on one of the engine panels. Other than those two items, the body's painted (except the cowl...still)! Not bad for a hack painter, I think. Thanks for looking!

Great job with the lettering! Decals most certainly have their place, but for something like that, paint is the cat's meow. I thoroughly enjoy watching you work, Jim.

Beautiful work, JC, as always. Engine is especially nice!

That looks good! I don't care much for hand-sanding, either. A lot of guys make a setup for a power drill, just to hold the tires while they spin the drill and work the sidewall. Fortunately, I have a lathe, which is a much more expensive tool that will accomplish the same thing!?

I'd recommend a pin vise and a set of bits.

I picked these up off of Ebay over the last couple of weeks. I managed to get most of them for fairly less than typical prices. I got the Heller Lotus, shipped, for right at $30. The MPC Lotus was $25, shipped. The guy who sold the Shahan car probably would have done much better with an auction, honestly. He'd probably have gotten another $30-$35 for it. It's a beautiful example! Box is near mint. The Fire Fighter and Willys were both right around "market value." I'm trying to illustrate that, if you decide on the things that would be most important, to you, and are willing to watch diligently and wait, you don't have to pay insane prices to get some fairly desirable stuff--sometimes, even--truly a bargain. The problem with diligent watching, is you find other things that maybe you weren't actually looking for!? That's when I "get mad at Ebay!"

I still haven't repainted the cowl. I did shoot some clear on the other panels, and the tail, to give me something to work with. I didn't think to thin the One-Shot, at first, thinking it would flow out, as it's designed to do--just not that much!?. I'm thinking it'll look pretty, once I'm done with it. Comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

That is freakin' cool! Just the right amount of weathering...excellent work!