E St. Kruiser50

Haven't posted anything here as a finished build for a while, so thought I'd share this pearl white "curbside", with a burgandy scratch-built 'Vert top. '32 chrysler bumpers, '58 Edsal continental kit, recessed Chrysler wires, chopped windshield, wedge-cut hood side panels, and a little BMF to add a little "Sparkle" . I don't like '39 chevy coupes, so I decided to make one I liked. To me this is just a nice clean simple build that I love to look at. I love continental kits and this was a natural to me. I love the profile with the chopped roof - Nice and sleek .

For me, I'm pretty picky about those ol' seams, so I bevel both halves of the engine where it comes together to form a 'Traugh". I glue the two halves together, let it dry, shoot on a coat of primer for a good base, then I spread in some Bondo Glazing And Spot Putty. Let that dry, sand, then prime a few times, and VOILA - no seam For the flat area's, like valley area's under the intake manifold that aren't flat, or the front of the engine, I use one of my small files that come in a set - CHEAP - Harbour Freight - and I make it flat.

Uuuuu Dave..... MEK - METHYL ETHYL KETONE IS A KILLER!!! SO IS TOLUENE in Testors glue. Testors used to have MEK in it too. Both were used as cleaning solvents at one time, probably still are, and evaporate quickly, but they'll kill you. They don't just smell bad or have strong fumes - THEY KILL. Please get rid of that stuff and find something safer by reading the contents on the bottle or doing a little research to keep yourself safe - PLEASE.

Hi Scott I agree with Raul. I've been watching your progress from pretty much the beginning. A lot of patience makes all the difference. Great job, and I'll keep watching - dave

Can't get this crawly bug off my screen It's all over the place Is this some sorta virus thingy...?

I think most here who have built for a while will agree that there is no one "Best Glue" to use. I use these three pictured here as my "Weapons of choice" for specificly differently applications, as a system, and it works well for me. We all vary a little, as to how our own personal style and tastes dictate. Here's my choices

This'll be fun to watch . Quite an undertaking, with a lot of scratchbuilding. I loved this particular car design every since I first saw it in action. A very KOOL edgy and crisp concept design with the split rear window. Keep us posted on your progress - dave

The gun in the pic is a small HVLP 4 1/2 ounce gun I use to shoot catalyzed clear coat on large projects. Here's my "Cheapy" $35.00 Testors airbrush I use on 95% of my projects, including the "Retro-Vette", and my other prize winning projects, including the "HOLLYWOOD GRAHAM". I SHOOT AT 65 TO 90 psi ALWAYS, NEVER BELOW 65 EVER OUT OF THIS AIRBRUSH. LOTSA PAINT COMES OUT AND LAYS DOWN BEAUTIFULLY. YA JUST GOTTA HAVE ENOUGH BAll* AND KNOW-HOW TO TRY. I HATE PLAYIN' IT SAFE. WHY NOT BE A RISK TAKER AND LIVE ON THE EDGE, AND SET YOUR OWN DIRECTION. IF YOU DO LIKE EVERYONE ELSE YOU'LL PROBABLY REALLY NEVER BE A STAND0OUT BUILDER, OR BE SATISFIED, BECAUSE YOU NEVER LET'ER RIP In my career and my hobbies, I learned an important lesson. THE BOYS WITH THE MOST EXPENSIVE TOOLS HARDLY EVER WIN. ( BOY AM I GOING TO HEAR IT NOW ) TECHNIQUE, SKILL, EXPERIENCE, AND KNOWLEDGE ARE 95% OF ANYTHING YOU'LL TRY TO ACCOMPLISH IN LIFE, INCLUDING PAINTING OR MODEL BUILDING. TOOL QUALITY AND COST WILL NEVER MAKE UP FOR OR REPLACE THESE FOUR MENTIONED. I'm not saying don't invest in good equipment, just make sure that your skills and needs match your choice . P.S. ( I guess I'm a bit of a "Rogue Builder". While some are saying how it SHOULD be done, and what not to do, I'm off figuring out what makes sense, talking to expert body and paint people, and doin' what works for me, AND TAKING SOME RISKS IN LIFE. Started winnin' over 50 years ago at some pretty prestiges events then, and continue to this day, SO I GUESS A LITTLE ATTITUDE, EGO and a touch of ARROGANCE FIT IN MY BOX OF TOOLS SOMEWHERE ALSO )

That's an old pic and they've been replaced several times since then out of the box of them I have . You're not supposed to look that closely at the pic's I post .

That's why I moved from SoCal, to Portland Oregon. Man the weather is nice here. The Northwest is the only place right now having a reasonable summer, and the evenings are really great. Fishing, camping, and the downtown Portland area are all the best. Great little town.

I use my "Man-type" bar-b-que apron with velcro on the bottm, and there's some matching velcro on my model building desk. Now if I would just remember to wear it........ .

Here's mine

Well keep us up to speed on what you do. I'll keep watching and see what works for ya. I can always learn something new too.

Hey my friend I've enjoyed your posts and support, now it'll be my turn to support you and your family in prayer. Been prayin' for several here on the forum, so you're now added to my list. Thanks for your service to our country and keepin the rest of us safe. God Bless, and may He keep His hand of protection on you - dave .

HAPPY B-DAY TOM HOPE IT'S AS GOOD AS MY LAST ONE WAS- -FUN . ALL THE BEST - DAVE

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I BEEN THERE ?????? MORE THAN I CARE TO COUNT

The bottom line is, you can use anything you want that works for you. Many of the posts you've read, including mine sometime's , are written as if "there's is the only way", and for someone like yourself, it get's confusing. A road map gives you several choices how to get to your destination, but they all take time to get there. Same with painting and getting "Your system and techniques" developed for your own personal use and situation. It takes time and a little $$$$ to try different brands and types of paints. There's no "Plug N Play painting" techniques. Read the other recent posts on primering, then start experimenting, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. That's how we all learn. Buy some cheap packages of plastic picnic spoons ( they're styrene like the kits), several different primers, and start shooting samples to see what WORKS FOR YOU. Before you know it, instead of asking questions, you'll be giving advise .

Very nice, and brings back memories . I bought a new fastback '67 in the dark metallic green. A 390 hi-pro, with P.T., heavy duty suspension, etc. Took delivery on Dec. 16th, 1966 - my Christmas present that year. 5 year, 50,000 mile warranty. L.J. Snow Ford in Colton, Calif., fixed everything I broke - for free

Well at least you got yours. I'm still waiting to see it. I'll probably be the last one to get mine

Hey George I don't know what your preferences are for paint type, but many of us here think of enamel as a place where most of us start, but then discover some of the drawbacks and frustration of using enamels as you get further into you building, and want paint that gives you the kind of finishes you may see on other guys stuff you like. Most of us have moved on to paint brands like Duplicolor, PlastoKote, and Tamiya acrylac lacquers, even to auto urethanes, as they are much more user friendly, and seem to give better results consistantly - IMHO. As far as your question, I couldn't answer, because I don't use enamels, but hopefully others will give you some feed-back also. Good luck on deciding - dave

#4 - DIECAST CARS

Saw this, and it brought back many happy memories of many week-ends with buddies at Lions, Irwindale Raceway, Orange County Raceway, Riverside Raceway Winternationals, and a few others, back in the late 50's and the 60's. This'll be fun to see what everyone comes up with - dave

When I first read this I wasn't going to respond, but then I thought about how APPROPRIATE this topic is for INDEPENDANCE DAY. I'm not taking sides here, as model car contest's fairness is an ongoing topic that comes to the surface periodically. I did a post on it about a year ago - didn't change anything . What I did think about though, was the freedom we have to post these thoughts and differences of opinion FREELY, without the fear of reprisal. Just really brings home to me the reality of being blessed to be born in this country and have the freedoms we all have and share. One of the things that comes to mind right now is freedom of choice - to disagree, and do it respectfully, or do it otherwise, and to call each other names and ultimately hurt a hobby we all love. Bob Paeth, the last year of his life left me a legacy I'm still trying to live up to. It was pretty simple - look for the best in everyone, and let the rest roll off your back. He didn't mean don't disagree or have your own opinions, he just liked being a positive part of the human race, and use these freedoms we've been given respectfully and honorably, for the good of others. HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY ALL - dave