StevenGuthmiller

Done deal Justin. Photos are already in "Under Glass". Thanks! Steve

I've never used HOC paint. is it an automotive type lacquer paint? If so, I wouldn't chance it. If I use Testors primers, I go over them with several coats of Duplicolor primer.......It's a long story! Steve

Sorry guys. I still have a "dumb" phone. It just sends & receives phone calls. Exactly what a phone should do!! I'll check out the website. Steve

Thanks Guys!! Steve

I'm always hearing about these Hobby Lobby coupons! Where's everybody getting these coupons? Steve

Yeah! Ain't that a kick in the head? Usually we don't get this type of weather until at least December. It's gonna be a long winter!! Steve

Thanks Gary! Forgive me if I'm not as enthusiastic about this being my "crown jewel", but I appreciate the comments. As far as the '65 Monaco goes, I'm not 100% sure when I'll get a start on it but the chrome should be coming back from Chrome Tech any day & I already have the paint for it, so who knows. How about a little input on your part? I didn't send the stock wheels in for chroming Because I really didn't like the look of them, So what should I use? I was thinking either a set of Mopar rally wheels, or maybe a nice set of Cragars? That would probably be about as "custom" as I would get! Steve

I guess that's something I could do sometime Greg. But I didn't invent this technique & I wouldn't be surprised if someone had already done a tutorial. Maybe I'll keep that in mind when I get a little deeper into my next couple of builds. Steve

Thanks all!! it's not perfect, but then again, they rarely are! I hope the next couple of builds produce a little less drama! Steve

Just pulling your chain Tulio! It's looking great!! Steve

I've painted many kits with MCW paint & Testors # 28139 "Ultra Gloss Clearcoat" with absolutely no problems. It's only since I started using the "Wet Look Clear" that I started having issues. I used it the same way as the ultra gloss which may have been my problem. I'm assuming that the wet look clear may have a little longer cure time & I sprayed subsequent coats after 24 hours & I'm assuming one of the previous coats wasn't totally dry & the top coat dried faster causing the top coat to crack. Just a theory, but it seems as logical as any. I'm just staying away from the wet look clear for a while. The ultra gloss works just as well anyway. Plus I think I'll allow a little more time between clear coats from now on, just to be safe. Steve

Looking much better than this! Steve

That's what these forums are all about Justin. Or at least they should be! There are always people here more than willing to do the best they can to help. Steve

Thanks Guys! I guess having a project give you fits occasionally, helps you appreciate it more in the end. Plus it gives you hope that the next one will go more smoothly. I hope so! steve

Sounds to me like you don't need a whole lot of coaching Justin. I'd say you have a pretty good handle on things. The manufacturer of the Lacquer I use says to re-coat after 10-15 minutes. Personally, I give it 1/2 hour to an hour to give it ample time to "gas out", although I can't speak to Tamiya paints. I've never used them. As far as wet sanding goes, some guys sand between every coat regardless. I only sand when i need to. As long as my color coats are relatively smooth, why mess with it. Once I start with clear coats, I rarely worry about a dust speck here & there. They can be polished out at the end. Steve

That's Funny!! But actually, there is a gaming place here in Rochester MN called "Hobby Goblins". I guess I could give it a try some time. Thanks Gabriel!! Steve

That's how I do all of my scripts now Harry. Only I don't "polish" them. I apply the foil and then apply my final color coat. Then carefully clean the scripts with thinner before applying my clear coats. It's one of the greatest techniques I've learned in the past 20 years!! I would never go back to doing them any other way! Steve

I would wait at least a couple of days, preferably a week before re-applying lacquer clear coat. I've had some issues very recently with cracking clear coats, at least with the Testors "Wet Look Clear". I used to wait only 24 hours, but with the problems I've had lately, I figure it's better to wait. Steve

Very nice job Cliff!! I agree with almost everything you said! The only thing I will disagree with is using Lacquer over enamel. Under most circumstances, that is correct. But Testors Lacquer clear coats are very mild & will not harm enamels. I use them over all sorts of paints. But, as you said, I personally wouldn't use enamels for bodies anyway. I used to years ago, but I got tired of putting them back in the box for 3 months before they would cure well enough for polishing etc. And absolutely, avoid clear enamel! It's amazing how yellow it turns over time. A white body would turn urine yellow within weeks!! Steve

That brings to mind a 1:1 '58 Cadillac I used to own. Power seats & windows, automatic dimmer, & a "wonder bar" radio were standard equipment. A heater was a additional cost option! Steve

Just finished Another one to add to the list! Steve

Thanks Gabriel, but I can't even get Plastikote primer around here, I'm sure your suggestion is non-existent in my area. I don't mind ordering paint online as I use a lot of airbrush ready paints & I can order a dozen jars at a time. But I use primer in a rattle can & I refuse to order it online. I just use way too much of it. I'd be ordering primer constantly. So I want to stick with something I can pick up locally if at all possible. Thanks for the suggestion though! Steve

Well, it's finally finished! After being shelved for several weeks due to unforeseen paint issues, the problems have been satisfactorily resolved, & here it is. Not my best effort or favorite subject for that matter, but a must have for the collection. Painted in correct "Geranium" & "Colonial White", & embellished with a few detail parts such as a scratch built antenna & interior mirror. Otherwise, box stock except for a set of AMT parts pack Firestone tires. About froze my "man parts" off taking the photos. I believe it was a high of 6 degrees here today!! I'm just glad to have this one in the "rear view mirror"!! Steve

Pics coming very soon in "Under Glass"! Right after I thaw out!! Steve

Looks to me like the likely cause was the final coat of clear going on before the previous one was completely cured. I just let it set for a few weeks until the cracking seemed to cease & then re-polished. Took care of the majority of the problem but I think I'm staying away from Testors "Wet Look Clear" for a while. This issue raised it's ugly head on 2 builds since I started using it. Never seemed to have the problem with the other Testors clear. Steve