Mattblack

Well I've started my next build and although it is a pretty simple OOB job I actually remembered to dig a notebook and pen out of the drawer... and I've even made some notes! Just what colours I want to use on what parts and to drill out the exhaust before I paint it so far but who knows, it could be a game changer... 😁

Thanks for the positive replies, I'm glad I worked through all the issues and I'm happy with the end result. To be fair it's an old kit, I don't when this particular boxing was issued, or whether it's still a 'current' kit. I bought it from a collectors fair, in the UK we just don't have the model/hobby stores that you have in the US.

Right, I'm finally calling this hot mess done... if this car had a name it would be 'Chain reaction', or maybe 'Disaster Area'. Let's start with the things I changed by choice. I added rear inner fender walls and stripped the chrome from the engine parts. the front wheels and tyres are from the AMT '49 Ford, rear wheels are MPC Dodge Monaco with the slicks from the Revell '53 Chevy gasser. These bigger tyres meant some radical radiusing of the rear fenders. I added brackets for the rear radius arms as they didn't seem to have any mounting points. This boxing of the kit didn't include the stock tail lights so I used some craft jewels. I also added a craft bead gear knob. The paint is a generic 'metallic purple' rattle can. Wheels, engine and rear axle are Ford Aztec Gold. OK, onto the problems. First off, the frame was twisted. I got it 99% good with some 'clamp it to a board and hairdryer' action. Next I decided to re-do the vague engine mounts. This may have been the cause of the next issue, when trial fitted the frame, interior and body together I found the trans fouled the tunnel. So I chopped it out and made a new inner floor/tunnel to fit inside the interior. This meant I had to modify the seats, roll bar and steering column to fit. (see what I mean about chain reaction?). Then when I retried it the R/H header fouled the fender, so I had to take a section out of that. Oh, and flexing the body multiple times to get it to fit the frame broke the vent window frames, hence the strips of BMF. Next up was paint, this was going great until I stupidly sprayed a coat of clear on a damp day with the garage door partly open and it 'bloomed'. With nothing to loose I gave it another coat which kind of cured it... I'm calling any milky effect you can see pearl... So after that it all went well, right? Wrong. When I tried to get it all together after fitting the glass I found there was a gap between the body and frame on the L/H side, I think the roll bar touches the thick one piece glazing. So I added a piece of plastic sheet to the top of the frame that side and filed it to shape, which meant I had to repaint that side of the frame. Given the previous issues I didn't want to risk masking everything up so I brush painted it... it turned out OK-ish. I'm sure there were other issues that I've forgotten, but here's the finished heap. I tried to take some better photos than my usual efforts, as the weather is good I tried some outdoor shots for the first time:

^ There's an engine in there??? 😵‍💫

Hello and welcome! The only thing I would add is there are kits and there are kits... some older or reissued kits can be a real challenge compared to (say) a modern Japanese kit.

Not getting into the BMF Vs Molotow thing, but I did the side trim on my latest project with Molotow and yes I went over the edge in one place. When it was dry I carefully removed the excess with a very small amount of T-cut on a piece of kitchen towel wrapped around the end of a cocktail stick.

That's a colour, alright... 😁 Me, I'd go satin... but that's me.

Wow, some interesting takes on the subject. It's clear that a lot of you get waaaay deeper into projects than I do. My issue is not that I will need notes for a future build, just the simple fact that at the end of a modeling session I'll think "I must do X before I paint Y and assemble Z" then promptly forget... 😵‍💫

Obviously, if you are building OOB you (in theory) follow the instructions in stages until you end up with a finished model, right? But I find that if (as with my current project) the instructions aren't worth the paper they're printed on and I'm also modifying things as I go along I can miss/forget something that I meant to do/paint. For example it wasn't until I was looking for another part that I found the harness that I meant to paint and fit before fitting the driver's seat. My habit of leaving long periods between build sessions probably doesn't help either. So what I'm getting at is do other people have the same problem and do you keep a notebook or something to jot things down while it's fresh in your mind?

"File that under C.S...." Being picky, wasn't it a door pocket full of tickets? I seem to recall reading the door pocket was added just for that scene.

This.

Hello and welcome from another UK modeler! I have the E-type in my stash, got some ideas for it but maybe it will end up box stock, who knows...?

Looking at the engine I'm thinking bomb lowrider?

I don't know if it's already a 'thing' but this got me thinking that Lego may be useful for making 'custom' supports for parts while the adhesive sets?

Welcome from another UK member!

I took the 3rd and 4th photos at our local supermarket years ago.

The AMT '37 Chevy coupe I'm grinding my way through, threw the wheels on to give my mojo a boost...

Funny, I've been thinking the exact same thing, but you probably put it better than I would have. I'd love to have the old Airfix custom car kits back again.

I had a miniature power tool set like the one above, I don't know if was by 'Ideal' or a different UK brand. Don't recall it having a circular saw in it, I do remember the 'bench' was the box for all the bits.

I may have to give that a try, perhaps it'll increase my pathetic build rate! 😀 I must say though, I actually seem a little more motivated with my current AMT '37 Chevy project, despite (or perhaps because of) the many challenges it's throwing up. As for music, I have to be in the mood to have it playing while building. If its on, it's usually cheesy 80's stuff, Meatloaf or maybe a bit of Kenny Rogers....

If you need any more inspiration... Tetanus Cord – Andy Saunders

Welcome along! Modeling seems to be a hobby that people (me included) seem to dip in and out of.

You're obviously not trying hard enough!! 🤣 Seriously, welcome, and you'll find tons of inspiration and help on here.

Not quite what I was expecting... ...but very cool!