Twokidsnosleep

Excellent warning, thank you, will keep plastic and oil separate. All plastic has been washed in dilute bleach, dried and then wiped with isopropyl alcohol (IPA). I try to do this before painting as a loose rule to avoid contamination that you are talking about. Then I let the parts air dry again and sorted the plastic into large ziplock bags and labeled the bag. If I dissasembled something, like the rear diff or the engine and there were specific hardware parts, I put those into a smaller ziplock (noWD40) and kept it inside the bigger bag.....just keep stuff together better. Remember I am not building this model yet, I am completely faithful to my MGTC, that I have not touched in a week other than to move it out of the way. Is there such a thing as model kit infidelity?? Off to Home Depot soon to get a plastic bin to store Franchesca in

I would not have even considered starting this kit if not for the great advice from Cato He has provided so much info and resources, I can't thank you enough! Every turn of research brings more and more info and I still have to finish the MG TC before I begin the Alfa All plastic parts are bleached and toothbrush scrubbed Getting a large tub tomorrow to keep the kit in Still have to inventory bolts and screws and such, but it actually looks like all major parts are present Goodnight all

Yes have Easy Off...old school smell of death stuff I have organized many of the metal bits into little clear dental crown boxes with lids...nuts, bolts etc As I worked though the plastic bag of many wonders, I was finding more dead bugs and then rodent feces (small so likely mice) Soooo all things metal in there got an IPA wash and then coated with thin layer of WD40 I am going to wash everything else in bleach and discard all shipped containers and original packaging. This kit has sat in the bowels of someone's home and it is kind of disgusting. I could actually steam autoclave the metal bits, but that would be a little too OCD...which I am not, really just a little CDO which puts it in correct alphabetical order....that is a joke folks, bada bing Time for a Friday night drink

Cato, I just ordered the CD you recommended My sandblaster is meh for this...heck of a mess on such large parts

That is over twice as much as I paid for the whole mess of this kit's parts!! BUT, mine came with silverfish included

That is Paul Koo's motor advertising the engine kit sold here about halfway down the page http://www.modelmotorcars.com/alfa-romeo.html My engine is in 5,000 bits right now! I have seen a lot of variation on the engine block and valve cover paint...from bare metal to red,black Not sure what direction I will go, but I always like a contrast in colours.

This is my goal for step one, engine assembly. Beautiful machinery Not my work pictured here, just the inspiration.

A few pics of the "kit" I didn't post last night Instructions and old, old decals Strawberry flat that the parts were wrapped in for mailing...loose screws everywhere The frame rails, engine parts and radiator

I am particle blasting engine parts between patients today...coming out good! The mouldings are crisp and detailed once layers of brush paint are removed

Thanks Cato The inventory so far is three dead silverfish and a dead carpet beetle! Plus dust, lots of dust. I have named her Franchesca....Italian version of my wife's name. Beautiful, but temperamental...and so is the car! Have the instructions and will get the CD. You had me primed for all that stuff already with the website....all over it! I disassembled the engine last night and gave the major parts an electric tooth brushing in warm soapy water. The kit seems very logical and I found I could take things apart somewhat easily and I put the screws back into where they go so as not to get lost. The paint and assembly is poor so I will tear her apart. My plan is to get the engine and tranny made first.....ahem, after I finish the MG For paint stripping, what product do you recommend I soak her in Thanks for all your help, it is a big job but kind of stoked for it!

Well my E Bay purchase of the 1/8 Pocher Alfa is here and unpacked...such as it is. It is a nightmare of loose screws (I have a few of those too!), poor modelling and disrespect for a beautiful model. Kind of harsh, but it is pretty sad....and kind of a cool challenge to bring this back to life So here are the pics comparison to 1/16 MG TC kit Fenders with a paint pot for size Body comparisons, lots of black overspray on the Pocher Seats and body Engine and some body parts. Bag of wonders Ok that is it for now. Dinner time, got to ponder this mess for a bit First priority is to get a big container for everything and start doing inventory

Got my kit yesterday, it will sit in the waiting line for a while I am afraid, but it looks like a beautiful kit. You are absolutely correct about how dark blue the body plastic is...that will be fun to prime and paint over!! Your kit is a masterpiece Harry and I would take it as a compliment that your work "sells" or better yet, inspires other to make one. I have a current fixation for older iconic cars of this era with Ralph Lauren's collection of vehicles being a bit of an inspiration for me as well. There is a limited number of these gorgeous cars in larger scale models, so we all make the same models All the best, Scott

Thanks Bob, I will finish. I have many other projects and ideas floating around in my head, but limited time. So yes, I am focusing on this one kit and will not start another until I am done. Thanks for the kind words and support, much appreciated Scott

Looking good, engine block came out real nice Your pics are much better and easier to see on a white background

Darn, you are right, much more detailed kits that I have

I have a 1/24 fujimi Dino and a 1/24 599 Fiorano, but they don't say enthusiast.....they must be curb side models then??? What is an enthusiasts kit???

Progress report...a slight bit The last weekend of Christmas Holidays and I got the leather on door panels, front panel opened up and the electrical box wired and glued oops, I opened up the front panel in front of the grill...it is stamped metal on the real car and not open....more work to close up again Arrrggg I also made twin fuel pumps for the Holly carbs, still have to seat and wire them. The black styrene is the original, mine are brass, aluminum and styrene Amazing variation in these cars from year to year and I am taking artistic license for sure with this build by moving the electrics to the left and pumps to the right side closer to the carbs Dry fit of body, interior and engine I think dashboard is next, then try and paint this beast Actually getting kind of sick of the build, not coming out as clean as I hoped for....my skill set issues and frustration So long for now

Ya, crack her open and let's see some pics!

Good to hear you are using the hobby as it should be....a relaxing diversion Moving away from a frustrating spot of the build is a good idea, jump to something else and keep you moving forward even in little bits Hope you wife is doing well Cheers, Scott

This is some fine modelling Cato my friend!! Is that the Trumpeter 1/12 kit??

Ok, will add that to my list I am gonna get the new one Amazon lists for $5,396.01 Oh wait, we don't have pennies anymore.......too bad for Amazon Just fooling around, as always thanks for the tip:)

Ok Skip I am blaming you on this one......bought the Minicraft 1/16 Jag yesterday Actually had it book marked on E bay for a while and it went on sale so........

I am up skiing this week and was looking at a PistenBully snow machine....they have 1/12 RC models online but darn expensive http://www.at-modellbau.com/PB400-Bausatz_E.html

Isn't that so true with human nature....once you HAVE to do it (ie a job) you learn to hate it fast