Custom Mike

I got some goodies in the mail today from Thomas over at Speedway Decals, he made my Momad scripts up for me, and they're beautiful! He did some in bright silver ans some in chrome, so I can pick the ones that fit the best!

Martin, I've thought about molding the surrounds in a few times, but I wanted the surround as a separate chromed part to bring some modern Chevrolet cues into it. The newer Malibu was the one I saw it on first, and it just looked like a good fit. If I had thought it out, I would have never done it, it's a real pain to pull off! And most of the time I do come up with a basic concept, then add different things as I go, I've never been one to stick with an original idea for long!

It's just laying there right now Clay, I've still got to get it rolled slightly to match the gentle curve in the grille...should be a blast!

The amount I'd have on the backside is as thick as the quarter round, so not much, but it could be done. I'm doing that on the lower grille surround, but that one would be easier to remake if I screwed it up due to it being almost four times the size of this one! The tiny size of this thing made it a real bear to put together as cleanly as I did!

Bruce, I've got tons more grille mesh to work with, so that's no issue. My only concern is how fragile the upper grille surround will be if I cut the opening out. That is my biggest worry right now, I fought my butt off to get that thing made, and the last thing I want is to break it!

What can be said that hasn't already been said? I'm simply in awe of your skills, and to be a clone of an old build from the glory days of modeling to boot....you are the man John!

Joe, I'm sure you're not alone, count me in that group! John, you did one heck of a job replicating this build, and the paint is just incredible!

I got about two hours of work in tonight, and all of it was spent on the upper grille. I think I've got it right now, so I tried something out, let me know what you think. I'm considering leaving the insert as it is, painting the center black, and laying the foil in like in the pics, Let me know what you think of this look. It's either this, or open it up and put the mesh on the backside of the insert like the lower grille.

Most of my bench time last weekend was spent trying to get the grille opening in the hood right. I got the opening as squared up as I could get it, then went about making the surround. I went a slightly different route than the lower grille this time, mainly because of the size of the opening itself. It's a bit harder to get everything straight the way I did it before, so I started with a piece of styrene sheet this time, and added the quarter round to it. I know, there's a slight bulge at the top of the surround,and a gap in the lower right corner, but I didn't notice those two things until I got the pictures uploaded, so it looks like I have some more work to do still. Gotta love the camera, it just doesn't lie! Barreling ahead, I cut a piece of mesh out for the upper and lower grilles and did some mock-ups, then threw in the Chrysler wing PE parts just to see how it looks...Mikey likes!

Well, since the deadline for this one is May 1st, it's time to get it in shape for paint! I got the side windows tightened up, and with just a bit more fine sanding, the body will be ready for a re-paint. I also got the new windows made up, and the retaining channels in place, progress is coming fast on this baby, and I should have the Momad script decals in hand from Speedway Decals by the 14th! I also got the side windows "tinted", I tried out three different spray tints, Tamiya, some stuff for RC Cars, and the old Testors Tint...five coats of each, and the Testors won out by a mile! It'll need a bit of polishing, but it's a good match! The kit's sunroof on the left, my Testors test piece on the right, this should work just fine! And the new windows sprayed. Yeah, they're gonna need some clean-up, but that will be a breeze!

Very cool idea on the bubble trailer cover, and the work on the cab looks great so far!

Simply gorgeous Joe, you really knocked this baby outta the park!

Thanks Ron!

Chuck, not that I'm being pushy or anything...DO IT!!!!!! It really makes this kit look good!

Looks just as good as the first time I saw it Brent, she's a real beauty! Adding that wing really did help out, it looks like it was meant to be there!

Incredibly cool color Raymond, perfectly applied too, that's a gorgeous Impala!

I've been down that road before Chuck, I built a replica of my wife's old F-150 XL last year and did the same thing, I also removed all the wheel well trim too, that was fun! Have you thought about opening up the grille on this one? I did it on hers, and it makes a huge difference in the finished build! I'm planning on doing the same thing to the short-box I have, but at the pace I build at, it's gonna be a few years from now at least!

Van Halen - Dreams Queen - '39

Phil Collins (Or Diana Ross and the Supremes) - You Can't Hurry Love Phil Collins - One More Night

You got it Jason!

And these are still out there... 1 - Used to call me by my first name Now you never even call me at all Used to say I was your only flame ​It was so simple I believed it all 2 - Have you ever been close to tragedy Or close to folks who have Have you ever felt a pain so powerful So heavy you collapse 3 - Don't go far, circle close The Father Son, the Holy Ghost To the Trinity I raise a toast Ahh yeah!

I figured this one was way too obscure, it's Mother's Finest from the album Another Mother Further back in 1977- Piece Of The Rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAD6Em-2Q7I

Heart - Bebe Le Strange

Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe Huey Lewis And The News - If This Is It

Kristopher, my airbrush and compressor are out in the shed...Wife's orders! I wanna eat and/or not be killed in my sleep, I paint in the shed!