Custom Mike

Chuck, I think we have an idea for Dr. Cranky's next instructional video! Virgil, what do you think?

Thanks Randy, it moving, just a little slower than I want due to life getting in the way. I'm trying to scratch-build some new tail lights, but my first attempt failed miserably, so this is attempt #2. I got a piece of scrap 1/2" thick plexiglass from a sign shop in Fayetteville today, this hopefully will do the trick. I cut a couple of pieces out, discovered they were too small, then cut two bigger pieces, much better this time around. Now I've got to shape them to fit in my spare body from the top to the bottom of the tail light area, then I'll start shaping them into what I've got in my twisted little head!

Mitch, I really thought getting a haircut while building was a good way to utilize my time, maybe giving blood while painting wouldn't be a good idea either!

Chris and Chris, thanks for the compliments, I only do what I like (And see in my head), it's a bonus that you guys like it! The door panels were a result of the bad descisions I made on my Concept Charger, I just found a much more effective way of doing it this time around. We've got a bit of progress for your viewing pleasure this fine Sunday night, sit back and enjoy the verbal ramblings..... I found that the rear hatch doesn't like staying completely shut, so I tried figuring out why, What I found was...nothing. I think it might be the thickness of the paint, but that's only because I eliminated every other possible problem. So I decided some magnets would do the trick. Problem is, I couldn't get a magnet into the hatch, so I cut a piece off of a Dremel bit, and ground it down to fit in between the interior panel and hatch. It took 6 earth magnets below the interior floor to actually pull hard enough on the tiny piece of steel, but it works. Then I added some decals under the hood, and a few to the body. Then I set out to get my tail lights done, but I'm not too sure it looks good enough, let me know what you think, I'm considering stripping 'em and painting them completely red....

David, I've got some custom decals being made to take care of that big expanse of hood up there, now if I could just get them from the guy making them I'd take care of it!

My side windows are done! They have a few minor problems where the film didn't completely adhere (Mainly at the edges), but they look much better than any other time I tried to tint them. I painted my black edges, and glued the driver's side into the body. I've got to add some strip styrene to the top edges to glue the windows to (I had to remove it when I reshaped/resized the window openings), but that will be a piece of cake. I snapped a few shots once I got the windows in place just to check it out, here ya go, enjoy!

Darin, this is a thing of beauty! I always loved the looks of Sam's Nomad, and to see you duplicating it, well, I'm jealous!

Marshall, I appreciate that tip, but I think I nailed it this time. By submerging the film in soapy water, I eliminated the dust/hair issues, and applying the "glass" to the film while it was submerged took care of any dust/hair on the glass itself. The results will be posted tomorrow (Gonna give the film's adhesive two days curing time to be safe!), but they're looking really good right now!

I can tell you, RIT dye just clumps up badly, I tried that one first, made a heck of a mess to boot! Eelco, I went with light mist coats about 10 inches from the pieces of glass, but apparently it was too much still. Cato's idea of "wicking" the excess Future off the glass sounds like a winner, the next time I try doing this, I'll give that a shot. I got the windows tinted using tint film, but modified my application method. I submerged the film in soapy water, then stuck the glass to the submerged film, eliminating any dust or hairs in the process. We'll see how they look tomorrow once the film has set up good and solidly! Thanks for the help guys, now get back to the benches, these things don't build themselves you know!

I think I might have my tinting right finally, but I had to come up with my own method for applying it. Instead of getting the glass wet or adding baby oil, I went a whole new route. The problem I had before was tiny specks of dust, so I figured if I put some soapy water in the sink, put my film into the water, then put the glass pieces onto the film in the water, it might just work out. So far (I haven't trimmed the film yet) it looks perfect, I'll be slicing it all up Tuesday to be safe. I also laid down the Krome Foil on the driver's side and got my Photo-etched trim inserts applied to both sides. Next up is getting the tail lights done, and touching up/re-polishing some of the foil!

Here's where I ask for some help from those who have used Future before, I'm at my wits end with this stuff. I got it tinted nicely, but can't get it applied evenly to save my life. I tried dipping the windows in it....FAIL I tried dipping just one side in it....FAIL I tried brushing it on....FAIL I tried airbrushing it (6 light mist coats @ 30psi)....FAIL Here's a picture of what they look like, ignore the little black dots and lines, that's on the lamp base itself. They'll be making a trip into some fresh Future for stripping in a few minutes. I'm going to bash my head into the oak tree in the backyard.... :banghead:

John, I am humbled by your comment, you're one of the guys I really look up to! Now, for my little (And I do mean little) update, I'm trying to tint the side windows for this one, but I'm not having a whole lot of success with it. I've tried window film, Tamiya Smoke clear, and now tinted Future. The Future has come the closest, but I'm still doing something wrong. Here's where I ask for some help from those who have used Future before, I'm at my wits end with this stuff. I got it tinted nicely, but can't get it applied evenly to save my life. I tried dipping the windows in it....FAIL I tried dipping just one side in it....FAIL I tried brushing it on....FAIL I tried airbrushing it (6 light mist coats @ 30 psi)....FAIL Here's a picture of what they look like, ignore the little black dots and lines, that's on the lamp base itself. They'll be making a trip into some fresh Future for stripping in a few minutes. I'm going to bash my head into the oak tree in the backyard.... :banghead:

Another gorgeous Bonnie, and my favorite year to boot. Where are you finding these old Ponchos?

David, I know exactly where Surfside is, and I'd love to meet up with you someday, just to see this baby in person. I love the decals, and that Pearl Clear really did the trick on this one, great work!

Rob, that is one beautiful Bonneville! The color is incredible, I need to find some of that, and your interior work is fantastic!

I like what you've done so far, and I can't wait to see the completed front end!

Mike, this is just so cool, I know you've got a ways to go, but you could stop here and it would look great!

Alyn, the flocking isn't perfect, it's kind of sparse in a few spots in the back, but it photographs well. I'm going to take another crack at tinting the side windows tonight. If the film doesn't work, I'm going to try to find some Black food coloring to mix with Future and give that a shot!

John, I want to be just like you when I grow up! That body is absolutely gorgeous, I can't wait to see it all put together!

I tried tinting my side windows with real window tint film, but stripped the tint off and will start all over again this weekend. But I got my interior flocked and assembled, so the night wasn't a total waste!

Mike, have you tried hitting it with some 600? It might knock it down enough to make it a bit more passable.

Chuck, can you even get a piece of paper between that frame and the table? That baby is LOW!!!!

Thanks guys, I'm currently trying to tint the side windows without much luck. Looks like a trip to Auto Zone is in my future, actual window tint seems to be my best option, because Future and Tamiya Smoke Clear don't play well together...GRRR!

Thanks Lee, I knew it could be airbrushed, but had no idea how to go about it. Time for the experimentation to begin!

I've seen this used many times, but I've never tried it. What do you thin it with for airbrushing?