mikemodeler

Another tip is to make sure you don't use the Bondo to fill in a gap that could be filled with plastic strip or styrene. Much like a 1:1 car, you shouldn't use Bondo to fill the whole, use it to smooth out your bodywork. Harry is correct on the tube putties- I have had to go back over some models and re-do them because of my mistakes.

Check the toy aisle at a Dollar store, Target or Wal Mart. Many times they have some simple trucks with nice mud tires that work great on models. There are some kits out there that came with mud tires but they are out of production and can get pricey on eBay or at swap meets. Keep your eyes open, sometimes a builder comes up cheap on eBay.

That must have set you back a couple of days of lunch money!

If you are looking for an 81 El Camino, it would be easier to locate an existing kit than to try an convert that SS front end to a stock 81.

Given all the tires that are available in resin, is what you are looking for not available? I would think between Chief Joseph, Ma's Resin, The Modelhaus and probably a few others that I am forgetting, whatever you are looking for is out there.

That 3D printer creates some realistic looking replicas! Very nice!

Very Nice. Clean, detailed, looks like it is ready to haul.

Glad you were able to find the store and the kit! How was their plastic selection?

X2! I would love to see crew cab and 4wd conversions for the Mobeius kits.

If you can find a Model King Ford kit, it has the parts in it to build it as a 2wd. You would need to re-work the bed sides to replicate the truck in the picture, but it could be done!

Very nice! I can't wait for the Mobeius kits to come out, I have a couple of ideas and this is one of them!

Pat, Do you recommend a certain graphics package and decal paper? Do you have some examples of decals you have created that you could share? I am curious and would like more information, have a few projects in mind and always looking to save time. Thanks!

Looking great Walt. I was going to try and build mine like yours but I think I will just ship it to you instead so it comes out nice and detailed!

The Testors lacquers can spray up to a couple of bodies, depending on the kit and how many coats you apply. Personal tastes will dictate how many cars you can get per can. If you buy them at Hobby Lobby, use the coupon! Tower Hobbies is offering free shipping on orders over $25 and they carry a lot of paint, might be cheaper than driving to West Virginia.

Either print out their 40% off coupon or make sure you have a smart phone to locate their coupon online and get your savings!

The Testors enamels come premixed/thinned but pick up some thinner at the same time so you are all set. Depending on where you are in Virginia, there could be a Hobby Lobby or Hobbytown USA nearby and they would have a good selection of Testors enamels and acrylic paints to choose from. I would get a gloss black and semi-gloss black to start with. Label your paint brushes to keep from mixing them up (enamel and acrylic).

The Testors Acryl paints seem to work best for me when it comes to interiors. The exception being the silver chrome, where I have found the enamel to cover better. If you are using Sharpies, they might be best for picking up details on dashboards or consoles. I like the Acryl paint because they dry fast and cover well. The clean up is simple and they seem to be thinner than the enamels. I have had an airbrush for years but due to my limited time to build, I find myself using rattle cans and brush paints instead because of the amount of time cleaning it afterwards and familiarity with sprays and brush paints! Edit: I do not seem to have the brush stroke issue with the Acryl that I do with enamels.

Would love to have one of those kits, nice jobs on those !

What year are you trying to recreate? 78-82 front ends are similar, headlight treatment being different for the 82.

John, Your best bet may be a Hobby Lobby with their 40% off coupon. There are several Hobbytown USA locations, depending on where in Charlotte you will be there could be one close by. The Hobby Stop in Rock Hill is about 30 minutes from the downtown area of Charlotte, haven't stopped in awhile but their plastic section has shrunk over the years. Take John's advice and call first. Use the internet to see where the Hobby Lobby and Hobbytown USA locations are and how close you may be to one. The Hobbytown USA in Mooresville has a big selection but their pricing tends to be right at MSRP, which can be a shock to the system. The one in South Charlotte is more reasonable but it is not a very big store and selection is more limited. Nice people at both shops. Happy Hunting!

Thanks for the update Art, really looking forward to these trucks. Hopefully some test shots will be forth coming from Dave.

for sprays, I like to buy large cans of black at NAPA. They carry it in lacquer and can get flat, semi, and gloss. Lasts a long time and very economical. Like Rich, I use the jar acryl black paints and make sure I shake and stir them well before using. I like the easy clean up and fast drying properties of those paints.

I could wait for the Mobieus kits to come out later this year- there will be a shortbed and longbed and something tells me that they will be correct. IIRC, the frame on the all new 67 model year was used up into the 90s, so the measurements could be had from those kits.

Thanks to all that have posted. I really wish Art was still in the resin business, I would gladly pay him for some resin frames and beds that already had been corrected to the proper dimensions. I will have some free time next weekend and will begin the process of sawing up a bed and frame.

I remember hobby shops like the one you described and sadly they have given way to the Hobbytown USA where it isn't a passion as much as it is a way to make money. Like the corner garage that has disappeared and has been replaced a modern chain type repair facility, a little bit of what was once great about the U.S.A. is gone.