mikemodeler

Richie, As others have stated, the basic prep work stage that you are in is most crucial to getting a nice finish on the model. Don't be in a hurry to get the car in color if there are mold lines and "dents" in the body that need fixing first. Take your time and make sure it is smooth and ready before spraying color on it. Keep at it and you will get better with each model. Being open to suggestions and asking questions here will benefit you tremendously, we all started out at the same point! I continue to learn and want to improve my skills like so many others and this place is a great source for those answers and inspiration.

I agree with Harry in that if you post on a public forum, then you open yourself up to comments- good and bad. I think personal attacks are uncalled for but an honest "You can polish that orange peel out of the paint with Scratch-X" type comments are intended to help the builder improve their skills. Whether they take the advice or not is up to them, not us forum members. Something an old boss told me years ago about email type communications was this: "Mike, just remember that it is a one-way conversation and the person reading your message is interpreting it their way and not necessarily the way you are stating it". That being said, I think using the PM method has it's benefits as it shields the comments from the rest of the forum members and if someone is offended, it remains a private matter.

Of what is this "finish a model" thing you speak? Of course I have more than one kit started.....probably more WIP than completed builds for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only kit I finished before starting another one was my first model kit at age 8......because I had to wait for my Mom to pay my allowance and drive me to the store!

I checked number three although to actually say I build is a stretch as I am more of a "starter" and find completing a model to be the hurdle that prevents me from building more!

Revell has put some wheels/tires in the 18-20 inch range in some recent kits: 66 Chevelle Wagon 56 Chevy Nomad Wagon 64 Chevy Pickup 63 Chevy Impala 62 Chevy Impala They also had their "Donk" kits but I don't think that is what you are looking for. I am sure there are some other Revell kits but I am drawing a blank other than ones I mentioned.

The Modelhaus has a 67-69 Firebird convertible boot listed for $3.50. As was mentioned, start with the Revell kit and carefully cut the roof off, a little at a time until it looks "right". I am not aware of anyone offering a resin cast conversion body so it will come down to your abilities and patience! Welcome and be sure to visit here often, lots of great people and a ton of resources to pull from.

Casey, The Old Pro Nova kit I have (80's issue) has solid rubber rear slicks. I will check some other kits I have to see if I can find what you are looking for. I do remember there being plastic slicks like that but couldn't tell you which kits they were in!

Rob, Are you talking about the two Hobbytown USAs in the area (Mt. Pleasant and Charleston)? I haven't made it to Mt. Pleasant but I have been in the one in Charleston and the females that worked there seemed pleasant enough, although I will admit I didn't ask them any questions! Nice selection and seemed to have lots of paints and building supplies, something that is hard to find here in the Charlotte area.

While I have no solid evidence, I would be willing to bet that there are members here who work in the industry and view the postings here to get feedback and insight to our wants, needs, comments and criticisms.

The AMT 66 Mustang kit has several wheel options in it, a good source for kit bashing. I have found the 64 Fairlane to have extra wheels as well. Look at kits at the store and see if they show optional wheels on the box, then decide if that is what you are looking for. You can also check out some of the resin vendors, they have many options too and it keeps you from having to buy a kit if you are only after some wheels.

There are several kits to choose from- extended cab, standard cab, short bed, long bed and dually. Check eBay or some of the online retailers- Modelroundup, Fred Sterns, Dean's Hobby Stop, Spotlight Models- as they do have these from time to time. You might also want to look into attending the NNL East in April as I have heard the selection of kits and aftermarket vendors is among the best there is to see.

I don't think it is that rare as I have 2 of that kit. The misprint was what first caught my eye but reality set in when I saw them at swap meets going for the same price as the 427 kits. I would say if someone else thinks it is rare and is willing to pay a premium for it, sell it !

Me too Andy! But I have made a decision to get better with the airbrush this year. I have Donn Yost's DVDs and will be watching it over and over to master his techniques.

As the comedian Ron White would say......."You can't fix stupid" Considering many of us find it easier to post a question instead of searching for the answer or similar topics, I would not hold out much hope that the FAQ section would be used. Don't get me wrong, I think Casey is on to something, but I doubt it would change much here, unfortunately.

Unlike Scale Auto, MCM does their contest coverage issue as part of their regular releases, as the February/March issue. There are pros and cons to it but no matter when it comes out someone could question why a particular contest isn't in the mag. The folks at SA bring their contest issue out in the Fall before the Atlanta NNL so their coverage is always a year behind, much like MCM will be with the NNL East. There should be some folks who attend the NNL East and post pictures here to tide you over until the magazines get them in print. The nice thing is that most attendees seem to take hundreds of pictures, sometimes multiple angles of a build, and the mag can only print a fraction of that total.

Alan's products are on par with several other top notch casters- Modelhaus, Replicas & Miniatures to name a few- and well worth the wait. Waiting is part of the process with most resin casters and I think it has been well documented that Alan does the casting as a side business as time allows. Oh, it is his birthday today, so Alan, if you are reading this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!! :P

When you are married over 20 years, you don't have to admit it anymore, just assume you are until she tells you otherwise! Way to take responsibility Dave, wish more people did that these days!

I was in Michael's on Sunday and they had this on clearance for $1.79! I bought two bottles of the black and figure I have plenty of flocking for awhile now! I found it in the scrapbooking section right near all of the glitter and stamps.

Dave touched on a very important area that has worked for many that I know of- Networking. If you are in an industry and have skills and contacts, use them to your advantage. The last three jobs over the past 12 years I have had came about as a result of networking and not my resume. Charlie also mentioned Linkedin, and I would suggest you join today. I have had 3 recruiters contact me in the last 12 months for jobs they were trying to fill and they saw my experience and past employers. None of the jobs interested me as they were not in a area that I would consider but people are using different techniques these days to hire so you must adapt. Check with your local college or county offices as some of them have job training classes that will help you with resume writing, job interviewing, and other skills that can help you get hired. Best of luck, it is a tough situation out there but people are getting hired and those that are have had to work for it, as I am sure you are!

x2 !!!!!!! The list of scheduled releases for March/April so far doesn't contain any "must haves" for me, so I will continue to build what I have stockpiled.

Probably not gonna happen as the topic starter and builder have been banned here. Check other forums, you might find it there.

Easier to drive that Mustang when the roads are dry and clear, huh Harry? We are getting a little snow and rain mix tonight here in Charlotte but it will be 60 degrees by Tuesday. I had to mow the lawn yesterday, something I never had to do in February when I lived in Illinois!

My daughter wanted to get some cake decorating stuff from Michael's today so we went. She took the 50% off coupon from the paper and used on some of her things. I found some flocking powder in the scrapbooking aisle on clearance for $1.79 and picked up two containers and figure I have enough to last me a few years! I went through the model section looking at their selection and it was in bad shape. Not much to choose from and overpriced! The last model I bought at Michael's was one of the Revell Camaro's that was a part of their Saturday Build-It deal and I got it for $5.

John, please accept my condolences for your losses- family and friends. I have lost some family and friends too as of late and it is hard to understand some times. I just wish some of the accolades being paid to the likes of Whitney Houston could be used on people who gave their lives to our freedom and safety. Sure, it is sad that Whitney's daughter will not have her Mom around, but considering the example she was, that might not be a bad thing afterall, just my opinion.

Is that another Dr. Cranky/Chuck Most collaboration?