StevenGuthmiller

Corn starch can also be used. I still think the “paint from a distance” technique looks just as good as anything else, and it has the added benefit of not requiring any special materials be purchased or any new techniques or equipment is needed. Pretty much exactly the same process I use for vinyl tops. Sometimes basic and simple can get you where you want to go without overthinking the subject. Just my opinion. Steve

Even if information is lost on a particular forum or group, I still have all of the project information available on my hard drive, and on a photo hosting site. Steve

We just need to keep in mind that everything we do as far as textures on 1/25th scale model cars needs to be 25 times finer than the 1:1 to look correctly in scale. That’s not always easy, and more often than not, it gets over done. Steve

You give me way too much credit! ”Wing it” is my middle name! 😉 Steve

I would think that just a light dusting of paint from a couple of feet away would create enough of the basic affect that you’re looking for. I’m not sure of the Ferrari finish that you’re trying to replicate, but the “dusting” technique looked satisfactory to me for the Hemi valve covers in my ‘68 Coronet. Steve

I agree with all of that also! I stopped using Testors “Model Master” lacquers a long time ago for that very reason. Their “Extreme” lacquers are even worse. Steve

I agree with everything you've said. It's surprising how those metallic particles can show so pronounced in photographs, even with a paint designed to be used on 1/25th scale models with tiny metallic particles! I have quite a number of models painted with MCW or Scale Finishes paints which to the naked eye, are absolutely beautiful, and discerning any individual metallic particles is all but impossible. But photograph them in the right light and a certain angle, and there's no missing them! Just the difference between these two photos makes it quite obvious. Steve

Shows you how much I know about model railroading! Steve

I'm slightly amazed at how closely this all parallels my building philosophies!! Are you sure we're not the same guy? Steve

I build one project at a time and can generally keep everything that I need to remember sorted out in my head, but when I get down towards the final assembly stage, I will often make a list of the order in which I want to assemble everything. Sometimes you can avoid some pretty annoying issues if you pay close attention to order. Steve

Looks fabulous!!........Maybe? Steve

Makes complete sense. I've never done that, but I can see how the soap might help. I'll have to give it a try next time. Steve

Close to both, but neither one of those. At least not from the Johan kits. Steve

I don’t think I’ve ever seen wires on a ‘60 Merc, but of course, I’m no expert. Wires seem to have been fairly common and popular, (at least on restored vehicles) with Mopar, Cadillac, and some Buicks, but I don’t recall them being a particularly big thing with Ford, except for some wire wheel covers on some models over the years. Steve

I dump the powder on when the glue is extremely fresh, and shake it around vigorously to ensure even coverage. Don’t be stingy with the powder. Excess can be saved and reused. I don’t “tamp down” the powder because I’ve found that it can have the tendency to make the powder look clumpy, or if you’re not careful, the dry powder on the wet glue can “slip” or “slide” slightly, which can create bare spots, or at least unevenness. I mask any necessary areas, slightly thin white glue, brush it on a section, (I’ll often divide a floor into 3 or 4 separate sections) making sure I have complete coverage, and then immediately dump on the powder very liberally and shake it around. Immediately after, remove the tape while the glue is still wet. Let the glue dry completely and then blow any specks of powder off of areas where it’s unwanted, or brush away with a soft brush. You can touch up small bare areas if they occur by lightly dabbing more thinned glue on the area with a small brush and dumping and shaking more powder. Steve

The only issue that I would see with that is that epoxy is thick and doesn’t flow, or self level. I’ve never tried it, so I can’t say it won’t work, but I have to think that it would be difficult to apply evenly and smoothly. Steve

The type of paint will make a big difference. You want something that dries slowly. Steve

Just my opinion, but all paint work should be completed WAY in advance of assembly. Certain sub-assemblies can be painted as a unit, but clear coats on the body should be considered part of the painting process and should be finished before you begin any final assembly. Steve

I don’t think it will matter. As long as it’s something with generally the same properties. You just want something that spreads easily, covers completely, and dries hard enough to hold the powder in place. That can be any number of things. As someone else mentioned, paint the floor with a similar color to the powder your using. If all goes well, you will have sufficient coverage at that point, but if not, you can always spray a flat or matte paint over the powder once the glue has completely dried. As you can tell by a good number of my photos, I like to use a metallic powder on occasion. It gives an increased illusion of texture and while it may look a little over the top in a close up photo, it looks about perfect to the naked eye. Steve

I use Elmer’s white glue as well, and haven’t had much problem with it. There are a few things to watch for. Thin the glue “slightly”. 50/50 is way too much. If I’m starting with a teaspoon of glue, a couple of drops of water is enough. If you’re applying the glue over a solvent based paint, such as enamel, it can have the tendency to want to draw away in some areas, leaving bare spots, but if you continually brush the glue over those areas, eventually, they will remain covered. Work in smallish areas. Don’t try to do the entire tub floor in one shot. The glue needs to remain wet enough to hold the powder, so if you work in too large of an area, it can begin to dry too much in some areas, causing the powder not to stick. Find at least one place where you can “divide” the tub in half so that you are working in a small enough area to prevent drying too quickly. Mask off areas that you do not want covered in powder, work quickly, and remove the tape immediately after the powder to prevent pulling off the glue and powder as it dries. Remember, you can paint over embossing powder if you should choose. Steve

The 4x4 parts can also be had in the ‘70 F-100 kit. Steve

Steve

Yup. Maybe just give it a kiss to get it going. 😁 Steve

I’ve loved Johan kits since I was a kid! Their attention to body detail and accuracy is second to none! Interiors and chassis detail were on par with the time, but those short comings can often be addressed with some modern kit kit bashing. They produced a lot of unusual and unique subject matter that will almost certainly never be reproduced in kit form. I appreciate what they did for the model car hobby, and I have many kits and finished models that I treasure immensely. Steve

100%. The tube is often too long and cut straight which interferes with paint flow. I’ve also had to slightly shorten and cut them at an angle. Steve