StevenGuthmiller

No disrespect intended. I just don't believe in putting all of my eggs in one basket. If Tamiya were to stop producing paints tomorrow, seems to me that there would be a lot of builders that would be SOL, including those that are advised on a regular basis that their only "real" option for primer is Tamiya. A lot like what's happen now with the hysteria over Testors discontinuing many of their paints. There are other very practicable options gentlemen. Regardless of the rhetoric. Steve

Just shot a heavy coat of Duplicolor sandable gray primer on all of my modern kit chassis parts, followed by a coat of Rustoleum gloss black enamel. Looks pretty crappy! Steve

Good to know. I had no intention of buying the above '55, but it does say right on the box, "All Plastic Acetate Scale Model" which scared me off right out of the gate. By the way Paul, the '56 looks fantastic! If I had to pick my favorite Cadillac of all time, it would be either the '56 or '61. Nice work Paul!! Steve

It is, but most of what I'm finding is this dopey "pouch" set. I did however, find jars of the old "Final Detail" stuff on ebay. 2 jars for $25.00 if you're interested. Steve

They're out there. Not all that hard to find. I don't think that we can say that there has ever been any shortage of '32 Ford model kits. Steve

And the find of the night is without a doubt a fine example of a Johan 1967 Plymouth Fury!! That's a doozy! Steve

I think I agree. The "Treatment" is carnauba wax which is silicone based. You will likely have issues with the decals sticking if you apply them after, and problems rubbing them off if applied before. You would have been better off clear coating over the decals if possible as David suggested and then you could have used whatever you desired to polish it. Being as that is now a moot point, I would polish with a non-silicone polish and then apply the decals. You can get every bit as good of a finish without wax as you would with it. Just my 2 cents. Steve

If anyone is interested there is a 1955 version of this kit currently available on ebay for $299.00. Steve

Me neither. I have one of the Revell 1/32 scale '56 Caddys, but I never knew there was a 1/20th example. Steve

A number of them also contained continental kits. Gunze Sangyo did a pretty good job with these kits. I was going to say that it's too bad that they didn't do them in 1/25th scale, but many of them have been done since these came out. Although, a nice new tooling of the '59 Ford or even a '63 T-Bird would be welcome, I'm sure. And who wouldn't want a modern 1/25th scale kit of the '57 Caddy!!!? Steve

Not really my "decade", but it's a great looking model! Nice work!! Steve

There were also some others, including a '57 Chevy and a '57 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. I still have one of the '59 Ford Skyliners and a '59 Impala, and I'm pretty sure I still have one of the '57 Eldorados laying around somewhere. Steve

I have a few sets of PE parts in my stash with keys in them. I just never felt the need to use them. Maybe some day in a future project. Steve

There are at least 8 Gunze Sangyo 1/32 scale 1963 Thunderbirds that I see for sale on ebay right now in various packaging. Most in the neighborhood of $20.00 to $30.00. Steve

Well said Greg. Thank you. Thank you for mentioning that it's a good practice to allow curing time between primer coats with these primers. I neglected to do so. I generally allow at least a couple of hours, if not over night between coats. In the end, there are many tools available to us today as modelers. Explore them all before making a decision if you are still in the process of formulating a good regimen for painting. Just as others give glowing reviews for Tamiya primer, I have the same affection for Duplicolor. The product does exactly what it is supposed to do if you allow yourself to become familiar with it. Steve

Thanks Nigel! I'm going to do my best! Steve

Thanks Keith! And while we're on the subject, I want to thank you again profusely for the Olds transmission! I really don't know of any other way that a relatively close to correct tranny could have been replicated without it!. Now I know that the rest of my mid '60s Pontiacs are going to have to be built with 4 speeds. I can't imagine being able to find too many more 1962 Olds Cutlass engines to steal transmissions from! Again, thank you so much!!! Steve

Thanks everyone! And I thank you again Ted! I have several great individuals to thank for their contributions to this project. I just hope that I can remember them all when it's finished! Best part is Ted, I still have quite a few of the parts that you sent me left to use on other projects. I'm going to need them with several other mid '60s Pontiacs left in my collection to build. Thank you!!! Steve

Finished up the 421 tri-power engine for my '64 Pontiac Grand Prix project today. Steve

Well folks, I can finally say that at least one portion of this project is completely finished! A short synopses of what was done to this engine. The bulk of the engine was taken from the AMT 1962 Pontiac Catalina kit, with the addition of parts such as the tri-power intake, belt and pulley assembly and alternator from the Revell 1966 GTO kit. The transmission was modified from a Johan '62 Olds kit, and the air cleaner lids were shaved from the GTO articles. Scratch built parts include the lower portion of the air cleaners, the oil filler cap, power steering pump and bracket, and the transmission and engine dip stick tubes. The air cleaner assemblies turned out better than I had hoped! Steve

The OP was talking about Duplicolor primer. I assumed you were referring to his questions. Yes, but you can't drive a nail until you know which end is the business end. All I'm saying is, there are plenty of good products on the market, not just Tamiya. They will work just as well if you know what to do with them. Steve

I wouldn't exactly call Duplicolor "cheap stuff". It all boils down to the analogy that "a carpenter needs to know how to operate a hammer before he starts driving nails". Know your tools. Steve

Looks like a heavily metal flaked version of Ford "Lime Gold". Steve

I don't know guys. I always thought the front end on the '60 was just as goofy looking as the '59. Don't get me wrong, I love them both!! "Just six more payments gentlemen and this beautiful blue, luxury, four door sedan is all mine!" Steve

Correct.........for the time being! Steve