StevenGuthmiller

Thanks guys! I finally installed the wiring harness to the firewall this evening, and I black washed the Hemi badges. I'm thinking that there's a possibility that I might use the R/T badges on the grille and rear panel as well if they fit properly. Steve

Yes. I have a pair of Hemi badges from a Charger PE set. Had to get it up on the wheels one more time just to get a visual of where I stand. Steve

Thanks guys. Started working out the lenses for the side markers today, as well as detailing the wheels and finishing the red lines on the tires. Steve

Not only that, but as has been discussed before, nobody knows what the long term viability of Molotow is. Could be great. Could be that it turns into cr*p in a few years. I have models in my collection that I foiled more than 25 years ago that look as good as the day that I did them. Who knows what 25 years will do to Molotow. Steve

Thanks everyone. After some contemplation, I decided that I wasn't happy with the finish on the vinyl top. It was too shiny for me. So I added a couple of coats of black primer, rubbed it down a little, and finished with a little Armor All. It's still a little blotchier than I would like, but then again, this model is supposed to represent a car that's a few months old, so it shouldn't be perfect. In any event, I like it better now. Steve

Yes, this was already brought up earlier, but there’s no changing it now without a complete repaint. I’ll have to live with it. Steve

Yes, I felt that it was too shiny as well. I’ve already addressed this by adding some more black primer over it. It might be a little more dull than desired, but I like it better. I’ll post a couple of photos later. Steve

Yeah, I still have some of the old BMF. ? Steve

Yeah, but that was just me experimenting. I had never used the MCW vinyl top paint before, and I thought it looked a little too shiny. So I sprayed another light coat of the black primer over the top........at which point it looked too dull. So I rubbed a little WD over it to help bring back a little of the sheen. Steve

Here are the results of my vinyl top plan. As I stated above, rather than try to mask the trim, or sand it after paint for foiling, I decided to use the trusty "foil under paint" technique and foil it first. I foiled, then masked to try to get as little paint on the trim as possible. Then I shot a few light coats of Duplicolor black primer, a couple of light coats of MCW "vinyl top paint" and then a final coat of black primer. I then gave it a little rub down with some WD-40, followed by a washing to shine it up a little. I made one very advantageous discovery during this operation. The paint that I used did not stick well at all to the foil, which made it very easy to remove the paint from the trim with nothing more than a little light scraping with a sharpened tooth pick! No thinner required!! Keep in mind though, that being as the paint did not adhere well, that the foil needs to be cut close to the trim to be certain that it does not flake off where you don't want it to. Steve

Right! ? Steve

Thanks Ryan. On past projects I've used regular flat paint for the vinyl top shot from a distance to give a little texture, and then just lightly sanded the trim smooth. But in this case, I'm planning on using a textured paint, so I'm going to try an alternative approach. My plan is to foil the trim prior to painting and then I will clean the paint from the trim with thinner after the top is finished. (The foil under paint technique) I use this technique liberally on other aspects of a build, and although I have yet to use it in this circumstance, I'm pretty confident that it will work well. I'll be finding out quite soon. Steve

Thanks everyone! My next task was to mask and spray the undercoating on the front wheel wells. What a masking nightmare! I wound up masking and spraying one side at a time to make the masking more manageable. It worked out okay, but what a PITA!! No room for getting any over spray on any exposed surfaces at this stage of the game! Steve

I purchased a bottle of the adhesive for this purpose, but haven’t tried it yet. Steve

That’s actually pretty encouraging news. At least this proves that they’re aware that there is a problem, and that in order to retain their customer base, the issues are going to need to be addressed at some point. I have enough of the old stuff to last me a project or two, and at my current rate of production of about 1 project per year, I’ll be ready for some more some time in 2023. ? Steve

Thanks guys. Didn't get a lot of time at the bench this holiday weekend, but I did manage to get the headliner sprayed with some Tamiya TS-46 "Light Sand", the front of the radiator bulkhead shot with flat black, and the wheel well portion of the firewall "undercoated" with some MCW "vinyl top" paint. Next I will shoot the top, and then the front fender wells. Steve

My local hobby shop now carries many of the MCW enamels in the small jars. I'm guessing that there's a good possibility that MCW would carry it if you want to thin and airbrush enamel. Otherwise, I agree. MCW and Scale Finishes should both carry the ready to spray lacquer. Steve

That’s fine. Just wanted people to be aware. Steve

Just remember, if you use Tamiya primer, you're choices for many of the commonly used chemicals for paint stripping will be limited. Products like Super Clean, Purple Power, Easy Off oven cleaner, etc, are not going to help you. Duplicolor primer is dissolved by these products and they will consequently work if you should happen to need to strip a lacquer paint job. Steve

Thanks everyone! I had just enough paint remaining to finish the magnetic hood hinges. They just need a little clear. Steve

Thanks guys! Not the whole panel, just the necessary bits. Steve

I think I've got the rear panel and tail lights pretty much wrapped up. Steve

The top is yet to be painted. It will be black. Steve

Thanks folks! With the polishing finished, I was able to move on to detailing the rear panel. Still have the perimeter trim to foil, and I'll paint the inside of the tail light bezels argent, then I can continue on with the vinyl top. Steve

You knocked that puppy right out of the park!! I wish that I would have taken the extra steps on my '60, but that was some years ago, before I had the confidence to do these kinds of mods. Fantastic Dodge Bob! You're father would have had no choice but to be proud! Steve