Marc @ MPC Motorsports

From someone that has had 10 racks of parts plated and is currently prepping another large batch of parts to send off to Little Motor Kar, the results are directly related to the amount of prep work and careful mounting of the parts. When removing mold seams and imperfections, your parts must be perfectly polished out or any scratches and flaws will show in the plating. It's just like body work under paint. I've had a few parts that I have had to re-do because I didn't get the parts fully polished or there were flaws from improper mounting. Regardless of where you send your parts, follow the instructions on Chrome Tech's website.

http://public.fotki....heartland-mode/ Here is a link to nearly 300 photos from the Heartland Model Car Nationals that I took on Saturday. I missed several awesome builds and I apologize for that. It WAS an incredible contest and show. Bill and Andy, I did not get to meet you in person, but your builds were exceptional and the awards you won were much deserved. This was the first HMCN I've attended since 2007 and you can guarantee that I will be back again in 2013!

I had two packages stolen from my front porch about two years ago. Both had delivery confirmation and one was insured. I filed a claim but was denied reimbursement by the USPS. Once the package is delivered, the USPS liability ends. End of story. Models lost were an MPC 1970 Cougar HT kit and an AMT 1965 Chevelle Craftsman kit. A kind woman that lived about six miles from me found one of the empty shipping boxes in her front yard and contacted me. I replace both kits but to this day I am still PO'd about it. I now have all parcels delivered to my office, where someone is always there.

My only gripe about TS-63 NATO Black is that it has a dominant green hue to it. IMO it limits its use. If you mix and match various brands of blacks, even using acrylics, you get better results. Same goes for greys, browns and any other colors.

California Proposition 65 is the culprit here. My employer is in the caulk and sealant business and have had to change labeling for the same reasons as Tamiya.

They are urethane enamels vs a polyurethane paint most often referred to as urethane clears. Polyurethanes require an activator to harden where the urethane enamels harden by evaporation of solvents. The paint term "urethane" is often misused and confused.

Nice work, Chris! Gotta love the old MPC's. I've been organizing all my builder kits. I have five MPC 1970 Challengers, three 1971's and three 1972's. I'm sure you have me beat however...

You won't regret it.

I have built and restored many a vintage MPC kit and don't recall styrene of that type. Now, the grey styrene that AMT was using back in the 1990's and 2000's is another story.

Ed still has some remaining stock, but is essentially out of business. I bought a few hoods from Ed last month. He is out of resin and RTV with no funds to replenish. Sales have been very slow for him at shows he told me. Too bad because he did have some nice stuff.

I scored a nice builder with a mint box and decal sheet recently. I've stripped the paint and its ready for building someday. I can post pics later if you are interested.

Save your money and buy a Pace. You won't regret it and it will last a lifetime of model building.

Since this one is open ended just like I like 'em, count me in. I have all the bits to restomod an AMT 1968 XR7 annual that I have been wanting to build for awhile. Also have a resin 1967, a partially built MPC 1970 annual, a mint AMT 1969 annual and several of the AMT reissues of the 1973 Cougar with Missing Link's 1971-72 bumpers to pick from.

Unbuilt, well over $100. Probably more like $200. Spotlight Hobbies just added an unbuilt sealed inside kit in their catalog for $240. I've paid anywhere from $30 to $75 for built ones. I have four of them and no, they are not for sale. Good luck with your search.

It will be "Under Glass" as soon as I add a couple of final details.

More pictures later this weekend...

Check your PM for a message from me.

Revell is coming out with a snap kit of the 2010 Mustang convertible.

Marker lights molded into the body. Headlight bezels and grille/bumper are separate parts.

Harbor Freight appears to sell the same airbrush compressors that these guys do. I've had mine for almost five trouble free years. Don't be afraid to buy one.

Good information for those that are new to the hobby. From one that was in your shoes 10 years ago, here are some additional tips. Regarding the Testors lacquers, try clearing them with the Testors One Coat clear. Duplicolor auto sprays almost always dry flat and require clear coat for gloss. Duplicolor auto clears are nice too. If you haven't tried them, you really need to get some of the Tamiya sprays. They are the best rattle can paints for our use bar none. The labeling issue appears to be resolved and they are trickling back into the marketplace.

Nice looking '71, Raoul. I might try my hand at a Malibu dash someday. Seems to be lots of folks that would like one.

Dave, it is a direct copy of the AMT 1971 annual. IMHO, the front end of the MPC 1971 Chevelle better captures the "look" of the 1:1. AMT missed it on the grille, but once plated and painted it doesn't look bad. The MPC 1971 grille surround is part of the bumper and headlight unit and comes with separate grille inserts.

Not at this time, but never say never... I made this one using the original AMT 1971 Chevelle hood and a flat hood from an AMT 1970 Monte Carlo annual.