Custom Mike

Bill, I've gone through about a dozen of the Micro-Mark panel scribes, and a great Military builder at my LHS suggested this one. Unlike the Micro-Mark scribe, you won't bend the tip out of shape when you put a small amount of pressure on it. It cuts cleanly and easily, and the flat nose also has the ability to scribe a line. It's great for making new door panels or opening up a door or trunk!

Sounds great Alyn, I'll finally wash things before I eat them now!

Chuck, that looks plain mean! I may have a pretty Matador right now, but your is gonna be a vicious beast when it's done! Now about my rims, I'm up in the air, and probably will be up to the last second, that's just me. Now I'm gonna have to wait a few days before I can test out some other rims, because we have Clear! No touching the body for mock-ups for a few days at least! It came out nicely, only one speck of dust to worry about so far, so I'm happy with the results! What I'm not happy with is the stripes are off center. The front stripes are off to the right, and the back stripes are off to the left. Too late to fix it now, I'll just have to live with it at this point!

Bill, it's great to see you back at the bench again, I'm sure we're all gonna learn something along the way, I know I always do. And I've got something that will make opening those panels easier for you, Trumpeter makes an excellent panel scriber that does the same thing you're doing with the backside of the X-Acto blade but it's much easier and cleaner. Here's a pic of it, it has quickly become my favorite tool next to my polishing kit!

Chuck, I'm liking it more and more every time I see it now, so I must have finally done something right! OK, the body spent a few hours in the dehydrator, I hit it with 6000, 8000 & 12000 grit polishing cloths to get it good and smooth, and I'll throw some Clear at it tomorrow night if I get home early enough. Now onto the reason for tonight's posting, it's time to decide, Red sleeves or Silver? I'm not sold on either one yet, I'm thinking it might be better to wait until she's in Clear and all the foil and other details are in place before I finally choose, but I want some opinions, so fire away!

My luck is holding up nicely today, I removed the masking from the tail lights with only two little slips of the X-Acto, both were easily fixed too. I also hit the separation between the Blue and White with some 2400, took care of the few specks of dust, and all is good. If work goes well this week, I may be able to shoot some Clear in a day or two, wish me luck!

Yeah I agree Casey. I just didn't want the typical AMC racing scheme. I tried a few different ones, and after the last stripping, I decided to go with a simpler, modern version of that paint scheme. We;ll see how she looks with some Clear and foil...

Thanks Ray, I hope it goes well from here, it's already been painted 4 times so far! So much for a "quick and easy" slump buster, huh?

And now, the Pearl Red, followed by a trip into the dehydrator for about an hour. Once it was removed from the dehydrator, I knocked down the edges of the stripes with some 2400 grit, a bit more masking was done, and the Pearl Blue was laid down. I'll let it cure for a day or so, drop it in the dehydrator probably tomorrow night, remove the few specks of dust, and get her in Clear!

Well gentlemen, I'm back! The painting Gods have smiled down upon me today, it's in color again, and I think I can safely say that all it needs now is a bit of fine sanding and some Clear. Here's the pics of the Pearl White laid down and a bit of masking for the Pearl Red...wait for it in the next posting!

Great recovery on the paint James! I'm fighting with a paint job myself right now, looks like you've won that battle! I'm willing to bet that the Awesome Degreaser won't work on Lacquer paints, which is what the Dupli-Color paints are. Gotta get some DOT-3 Brake Fluid to get those babies off!

WOW! Alyn, you continuously blow my mind with details like this, that is just incredible!!!!

I had this idea years ago, but never got around to chopping up the Viper. I'll be watching intently Frank, this should be a good one!

Way to bump a thread, huh? I'm in Whiteville, down near the SC border and the beaches, but I work in Fayetteville. BTW, who's this "modeler/alarmman", because I'm a modeler and work in the alarm industry too. I'm thinking either I have a new buddy or a split personality...not sure which yet!

Casey, you're doing some awesome work on this one, the attention to details that most people would never notice is unreal. How many of you guys would honestly have noticed the missing blister on the firewall for the starter? I know I wouldn't have, what other little gems have you got in store for us?

Chuck, you got a picture of that set-up? I want to do something different with the engine, I just don't know which way to go yet, so point me in a direction!

Chuck, count me in with AMT's '50 Chevy Pickup. The current plan is a real wood bed, functional gas cap, modern (Read: BIG) rims and low profile tires, and a bunch of wiring and plumbing. Now, does anyone have any tips on adding a blower to a Chevy straight 6?

Chuck, you always come up with unique stuff, but this one tops the list! I've got my seat on the bleachers, and the popcorn is ready, let's go! BTW, is it just me or does the cab area look like a part of an 80's Caddy?

Casey, I'm glad the pressure got to ya, this is one that I really want to see completed! The symmetry on custom work is always the biggest pain, but it's all worth it in the end. Someday I'll actually measure out my stuff and catch stuff like that before I get too far along!

Great colors Shane, are you going to do a pinstripe between the colors? If so, what color do you have in mind? And great work on the engine! Jim, it's a good kit, the only issues I had were the inner fender wells and front suspension height. The inner fender wells need to be shaved a bit on the bottom sides (Along with the firewall) so the body fits down over the chassis correctly, and they need shock mounts added. The kingpins need to be modified so it doesn't have a Gasser stance, but everything else in this kit is very well done.

Good idea toning down the headlight buckets and tail light panel Ray, they're aluminum on the 1:1, and they always look wrong on a model when the builder doesn't knock the shine down on 'em! When you said Green, you meant it, it should look great when it's done!

Rob, PLEASE SEND ME THE SPEEDSTER! That is one beautiful build! Chuck, I'm glad I've inspired you to get your Matador done, it looks like it's gonna be a whole lot meaner than mine! BTW, how many AMC's do you have going at one time??? OK, back to my Matador. Unfortunately, there is no paint today, I had to lay down some more Primer/Sealer and another couple of coats of White Primer before any painting could commence. But the body is back in shape, the White Primer looks good, and we should be ready for some paint tomorrow if I get home early enough!

It's hit and miss with his stuff, I have some really nice pieces from him, and got some bad ones too. Best piece so far was a set of hideaway headlight grilles for a '71-'74 Charger, worst was a '68 Satellite hood. Look closely at what you want from his selection, and ask around to see if anyone has used that piece, that's the best advice I can give you.

Bill, everything you've done so far has worked perfectly, I'm waiting for more of your magic!

I WANT THE SPEEDSTER!!!!! That is some beautiful work Rob, I want to see more of that one, and a few dozen more pics of that Rambler Wagon too!