m408

Found my coke machine at seld. They have a huge selection.

Thanks Neal. I got the "fast eddy" used car lot facade from scale modeling. Just the facade because it's going into kind of a corner location (used to be where I kept my wine rack in my living room). Yep, I have found out that from anything further away than under a 2x magnifier, the figures look good, even without super detail before paint. I guess I am going back to my old school days of building 1:1 street rods where we treated every part as if it was a hood ornament. If it could be seen it should be perfect. Kind of tough with this little bitty stuff. Anyhow, going to check out seltd. When I started this project, it was only because I was running out of room on my book shelves and wanted a place to put my, not show quality, but O.K. cars. Now I'm getting all involved with this new, at least to me, phase of model building. Looking at figures, office equipment, etc... Why didn't someone warn me that it could be so addicting? I have 3 more car kits that have been put aside so that I can finish this. Again, thanks for your help. You among others have been a great source for hints and ideas. Milt

Thanks for the reply. Source for pre painted figures? Also looking for a cola machine. I saw one somewhere but can't find it again.

Making good progress on my used car lot "semi diorama", thanks to much help and advice from all of you, but now have another area of "help required". Got my shipment of resin people (didn't realize they were that small). I'm having a heck of a time removing mold lines and defining small details, such as fingers, ears, etc... Tried super sharp hobby knife blades and real thin sandpaper, but still not happy with the results. Suggestions? Also, what is the best way to attach figures to a base. I'm using a 1/8" poster board base with space underneath it. I would like to attach the figures with an option of moving them at a later date. My first thought was to insert pins in the bottom of the feet and drill like size holes in the base. Would make for a simple repair if I want to move them. Any thoughts?

Got em, Barbo, thanks. Looks great.

Tried all three links and get a "page not found" message on each. What am I doing wrong?

hobbylinc.com has all kinds of 1:25 scale animals. Mainly farm stuff, but also some dogs. German Shepard for about $7.00.

Nice idea. How about those little vacum deals that they use for computer key boards? I'm not to worried about little parts falling off. Almost no p/e used. My detail work stops at engine wiring and some fuel lines. Like I said, not "show" stuff.

Hey Austin, Just a comment, and then, a tip or two. I'm 74 years old and had been out of modeling for over 40 years. Once I got "re-started" I have found these forums to be of great value in catching up. I disagree with the response that some of the "master modelers", and I use that term because I'm constantly awed by their work, would with hold information so as to not divulge their "secrets". I have submitted many, many, questions, and have gotten a bunch of tips and ideas. If you only receive a few answers to your questions it is because others think that the subject has been covered and they don't have much to add. O.K. now the tips: 1- Go through all of the subjects on the forums which might be of value to your problem, in this instance, painting. You will find many tips on primers, sanding, finishing, paint/primer compatibility etc... 2- Hit your local dollar store and pick up a bunch of plastic spoons. Mine has them at $1.00 for 52 of them. Then experiment. Try different primer/color combinations, sanding grits, and drying times. You can make notes on the spoon handles about the combinations for future use. Just remember, you can't fix an old problem, only magnify it. Treat each coat or application as if it were the final one. When I was young and building 1:1 street rods my motto was "each part is a hood ornament". Didn't matter if it was a tie rod, steering column, or a primer coat. If you didn't want it seen, don't show it. Hope this helps.

My models are not show quality, but I do display them in my home. Not "under glass", but just on shelves. What do you folks recommend for periodic dust removal? I think that I have seen this subject before, but can't find it again.

Great. Looking forward to the pictures. With the help of all of you, my first effort seems to be coming together.

Wouldn't it have to be enlarged once more? Unless my numbers are way wrong, a 7' door scaled to 1:24 would actually be 3.5" Are my calculations messed up?

Thanks a bunch. So if I get HO backgrounds and have them blown up 3x I'm going to be real close.

Thanks Gregg, neat idea. I'm also thinking about getting some HO scale backgrounds, taking them to a photo shop and have them enlarged. Any idea what the ratio between HO and G scale is? I know G is real close to 1:24.

Very nice stuf at good prices, but, HO scale. I'm trying to figure out how to offset them up the back walls to give a "distance" effect. Then they would work great.

Thanks Neal, I checked them out. Only thing in 1:24 scale was a bunch of figures. No backgrounds. But anyhow, thanks again for the try. Milt

Hi all, Per my previous posts, I'm trying my hand at my first diorama. Gonna keep it simple, a used car lot. But here's the catch. It will be in an enclosed area, once used for wine storage. 28"x19"x7" trapazoidial base, which will give me plenty of room. However, the space is also 29" high starting 4" from the floor. I plan to put in a false bottom in to raise it about 8" for better viewing. Still lots of overhead space which will look bad. Here is my question. Is there a source available for perspective prints that could be added to the back and side walls depicting other structures, trees, a sky with clouds, etc...? I'd like my diorama to be the star of a larger scene. I guess I could get a local artist to paint it for me, but don't know of any or any way to contact one.

Hey Craig, Now all you need is a NASCAR (without all of the logos) to run it.

Hey Rex, Yep I've seen them. Actually, good price, $39.00. They were my first choice, but both were "out of stock" with no new issue date. Thanks for the offer of the station but I think that I'm going with the used car lot idea. Not too tough to do and will allow me to put out a bunch of cars out at one time. And, can recycle them as my skills improve. This is my first attempt at a diorama and I'm really looking forward to trying something new. I already have plans to add some figures checking out the cars etc.. Of course that will entail learning how to paint and pose them, but what the heck, this is all just a hobby to me. A great way to eat up spare time, learn something new, and see a result at the end of my work. Thanks again, Milt

WOW!!! Thanks Mike for all of the help. Seems as though this wont be a simple as I thought. But what the heck, modeling is always about learning, right? Another quick one for you guys. How do you handle dust problems? My little used car lot scene is going to be in an enclosed, covered area, (where a wine rack used to be). I could put some sliding plexi doors in front, but would rather leave it exposed. My models are currently just sitting on shelves and get to look pretty grubby after some time. Right now, I just rinse them off in the sink and let air dry. Seems to work so far, but there must be a better way.

Great as usual Steve. Don't know if this helps but, the best job that I ever had was the one that I got after being layed off. Made me look for something that I wanted to do, not something that I had to do.

O.K. Mike, Bricks. How do I get the multi hewed "old brick" effect? What to do for morter? Wood siding. I have seen "wood" color paints, that are just a shade of brown. How to get a weathered effect? Stucco. Main shade? Washes? I count this and other forums as "reading". I am always looking through them for ideas.

That's really great. Just the kind of idea I was looking for. I just need to come up with something to fit my crazy shape. A used car lot would allow for most cars and should be fairly easy.

Haven't bought any yet. They have all that you list, plus. I've got to do some reading up on finishing various textures before getting started, weathering wood effect, washes for bricks or cinder blocks, etc...