ismaelg

Hello, The Z06 is slowly progressing. Paint was finally approved by the PQRB (Paint Quality Review Board aka me) after 6 or 7 failed inspections requiring minor touch ups. The project has been "cleared" for the next step: Clear coat These 2 pictures were taken after the first coat of clear was dry. I usually do 5-6 coats. Because of time constraints, I can only do 1 per day, in the morning before going to work. Cobra Colors Moon Mud primer / Cobra Colors Velocity Yellow / Cobra Colors Ultra Gloss Clear Moon mud protects the soft plastic against almost anything short of nuclear reaction. Any comments? Thanks,

Bill, Thinking out loud, as rock hard as Future dries, it is still an acrylic product. I would worry about using it under lacquer or hot enamels. It may eventually crack or "spider web" destroying the finish. I don't know, just a thought... Thanks, Ismael

Ken, MOST DEFINITELY!!! I posted some comments about this a few days ago. I've been fighting this since the first C6 came out last year and it was a hot topic on the "other" board where many of us come from. The new plastic is very soft and will craze at almost anything. Since I use automotive lacquer paints (Cobra Colors 99% exclusively) I use their primer, Moon Mud, which works great on the new plastic. I've tried Plastikote T235 as well with good results, but Duplicolor did not pass the test. Even hardware store enamel spray cans can cause the plastic to craze if applied too heavy. I opted for using Testors enamels only for everything else other than the body. Acrylics will be safe as well. If you are going to use Testor's Metalizers, spray a barrier coat first like aluminum, steel etc. Metalizers on the new bare plastic will craze as well. I've only built C6 and Z06 recently, but I've been told the new Mustang and the new Viper have the same problem. I didn't see that problem in the Revell Germany Ferrari 612 I finished a little while ago. Depending on the severity of the crazing, it can be sanded away and start all over again. Bottom line: Be patient, careful and test whenever possible...... I hope this helps. Thanks,

Hello, The chassis of the 2006 Z06 is almost done. The only pending parts are the exhaust tips and the brakes. I like it so much I may display it upside down Think of any metal shade of Testor's color and I probably used it here. It looks all the same metallic color in the pic but there are many shades there, as well as many shades of black from dead flat to gloss to everything in between. The floor boards are darker than in the coupe or conv C6 due to the different materials used. What do you think? Your comments are appreciated. Thanks,

Bob, Thanks to you I now have a new appreciation for those old monogram simpler kits. Both your 904s look great as well as all the others. The concept of "speed building" is so mind boggling for me it hurts I mean, it takes me about that long just to sand the mold lines on a kit and the instant I rush something, I screw it up and have to start all over again. :roll: Looks like you had a ton of fun! Thanks,

What do you mean first ever? That looks very nice, and even more impressive the fact that it is a 20 hour build. It would take me that long just to sand the mold lines Thanks,

Bill, Millenium yellow was the 2005 color, like in previous years. It is a pure solid. For 2006 it was replaced by Velocity yellow, which is the one I'm using. Here is the description of Velocity Yellow from Cobra Colors: Yellow solid. Replacing GM’s popular Millennium Yellow, Velocity Yellow is a much brighter shade of yellow that comes with a very special twist – a light touch of fine silver-gold metallics. While hardly apparent, the subtle metallics in Velocity Yellow enable a rich depth never before seen on what is considered a solid color finish I have both colors and if you put the bottles side by side, you'll notice they are very similar, but Millenium is a hint more "orangy". I can't see the metallic particles in the Velocity but after clear is applied and polished, it should be nice and deep. Here is a model I did in Millenium Yellow, but I added a pearl coat between color and clear. Thanks,

Hello, Some more progress on the 2006 Z06. The first 2 coats of color showed a few tiny little imperfections that I didn't see in the primer. So the options were to take the risk and fix or leave it like that since they were small. HA! You know me. And this is how it looks after touch up color. This is ready for final inspection. Only then it will be ready for the next step: clear. Thanks,

Marc, That's coming along beautiful! I also like the wheels. Where are they from? Thanks, Ismael

That came out really nice!

Hello, Sorry to hear that. I should have said so before. The new palstic Revell is using is VERY sensitive and soft. Not only the Z06 but also the original C6, and I've been told that the Viper and new Mustangs as well. The new plastic will craze even with metalizers heavily applied. I found that even Duplicolor primer crazed the plastic. I use Testors hobby enamels for interiors and details, and they work fine. For bodies, since I use real lacquer, Moon Mud Primer from Cobra Colors works great. I've also used Plastikote T235 primer on it without problems, but for some reason Plastikote vanished from the face of the earth, at least here. Of course acrylics are safe on anything, but not UNDER anything. Don't dispair. I had some crazing while doing my C6 coupes and stripping and a light sanding fixed it. Hope this helps. Thanks, Ismael

Thanks Kyle, that is great information. Funny thing is I made mine eyeballing the dimensions, and it turned out 6 scale inches in diameter. I only missed by half a scale inch, which is half a mm! Thanks, Ismael

Hello, As you know the brake rotors on the 2006 Z06 are cross drilled, and that is also an option on the regular C6. But up to 2004, the Z06 used solid brake rotors from the factory. So, that was a perfect excuse to keep on machining I made myself a parting tool by using a new blade and my very old grinder. then took a leftover piece of aluminum stock.. and made a set of 4 brake rotors. The plastic brakes will donate the calipers. The rear ones are slightly smaller but they look the same in the pic. The beauty is that the aluminum looks like the worn brake pattern. SOMEBODY STOP ME!!! Thanks,

Kyle, Your color scheme plan sounds like a winner. Looking forward to see it! Thanks,

Glad they help! One final thought: I believe that if we make the tank full lenght, with the space limitations, and the design of the kit, it may interfere with the tire. That's why I did a shorter tank. Just a thought. Thanks,

Kyle, I don't have any pics looking straight down, but maybe these pics can help. Some of these pics are from a mag article. The tank itself is quite large, and it actually attaches to the frame itself. By the way, that is Dan Hommes, design engineer responsible for the dry sump system. You can see it attaches into the lower frame itself. The tank is quite big. as been attached to the frame.. Here you can see it located in the car, but it will be eventually covered by the inner fender liner. And this is how it looks on the car... Hope this helps. What? Me? No, I don't think I'm obseesed with this car. Why? Thanks,

Mike, Here is a crazy idea that may lead to a dead end, but, how about a tuner import turbo but in 1/18 scale? I don't even know if they are available but as I said, it's a crazy idea.... Thanks,

Bill, I found a 3/8" aluminum rod in a local hardware store. There is an aluminum distributor I want to check next week. I want bigger stock for wheel spacers and such. As for the hinges, does this pic help? I know I have more somewhere but I can't find them. I'm looking for them... Thanks,

Hello, I had no previous experience whatsoever on machining, but it didn't take long to figure out the basics on how this works. I made my very first machined part" The oil tank for the 2006 Z06 dry sump system. It's a simple part but a giant leap for me Here you can see I made 2 just in case, one slightly longer than the other. I already removed the molded battery. What do you think? Thanks,

Hello, Here is my latest toy: A Sherline mini-lathe Got a great deal for it. It came with a nice base, plexiglass backsplash and the 2 drawers full of accesories and stuff. I have never used one before but I don't think it will be hard to figure it out. I'm excited! The only problem I see is that this can become a hobby in itself Thanks,

The battery goes in a compartment in the trunk area in the passenger side. From the bottom, the battery tray should be visible. I'll try to add it to the model as well. By the way, here is a pic I took of the dry sump tank. Thanks,

They are similar, but not identical. Velocity is a bit brighter and it also has a hint of silver-gold metallic particles. However, it is still considered a solid color. These particles should give it a nice depth. I'm not sure there will be much difference in a model. Thanks,

Well, the problem is that the battery was relocated to the back in order to make room for the tank, but the battery is very prominent in the interior tub in the kit. Not a big deal but as a nit picker, I'll try to remove it It is not easy to live with diagnosed "overcomplicaditis" Thanks,

Hello, I haven't been on the workbench much in the last few days. But I was able to do the body cleanup, mold lines etc. Moon Mud primer, sanding, more primer and it now has the first 2 mist coats of Cobra Colors Velocity Yellow. I have learned my lesson and I am taking it sloooow. I usually rush it, screw it up and end up doing it all over again. One of my favorite angles on this car. Still a looooong way to go. Thanks, Ismael

Not really. I know somebody that does, but not me. Actually my stash is less than 100, which is nothing compared to what I've seen. About 50 or so Corvettes, about 20 aircraft, about 10 Ferraris and a few other miscellaneous ( A Porsche GT3, a Lambo Gallardo, a Lotus Esprit etc) As for this Z06, I have this one and 3 more on their way Now, I better hurry up with this Z06. As soon as Bob and Bill get on it, I'll be blown out of the water.... :roll: