Tommy124

I agree here. I cannot tell if Future/ Pledge are exactly the same stuff like the Alclad Aqua Gloss (AAG) I have been using. But I have been told that they are at least very similar. Anyways, I have made good results with cloth-applying AAG directly onto the basecoat. Just a drop and then polish it in. At least it worked on matte basecoats (Zero Paints, Gravity Colors) to the purpose of creating partial glossy areas on which BMF is to be applied (in order to avoid making a full intermediate clear coat). And yes, that means I clearcoated the BMF later on which worked out just fine...

That is summing up in short words what I meant! And yes, of course the technology is here already. But there doesn't seem to be enough pressure on the kit companies yet to deal with the subject pro-actively... There once was a company meeting in which all the others agreed that ''it can't be done". The one guy who didn't join the meeting didn't know about that... - and accidentally just DID it...

Great discussion going on here. I specifically followed the one about the possible outlook that our mutual hobby might be facing. I'm surprised however it has not been brought up that we will probably be facing a technical development, maybe revolution even, that will dramatically change the way plastic parts can and will be produced in the not so far future. I'm talking about - of course - 3D-printing. Some of us already use that kind of technology for creating parts they do not get elsewhere. Those parts imho often miss the "final touch" presision-wise, but that will change, I'm sure. Hardware, printing materials and CAD designing software are progressing towards perfection all the time. Not so hard to imagine that kind of technology could replace an expensive and energy-intensive molding process which requires molding tools that are very expensive - even on an industrial scale. To my knowledge, companies like LEGO consider offering POD (print-on-demand) production for certain plastic parts in the future. And if THEY do, along with declining model kit sale figures, I'm sure there will be the need for the model kit industry to go down that road, too. This doesn't necessarily have to be bad news to us, the builders. First off, real big quantities (if any) might still be produced the "old way", if that's cheaper. But unlike in molding production, in 3D-printing there are no tool costs and only low setup costs, which allows to go for small quantities. Product variations that required expensively (maybe irreversibly) modifying the molding tools before, can be done easily just by additionally designing the required parts. A huge field of specialized after-market part producers could develop and add a lot to the variety. And then there is the vision that one day 3D-printing devices will be part of normal domestic life. Not only for modelling parts. Download and print your model kit parts yourselves at home one day? Don't believe it? You better... It may not all be happening that way, but I guess most of it will. Sooner or later. I guess we might become the "vinyl guys" of modelling one day...

Simply beautiful! Did you use Alclad on the bumpers?

Fully agree with you there Bill! And may I add that for filling panel lines you can use the same method, but depending on the depth of the line, it may be recommended to use styrene melted in glue. The way I did here with the sunroof panel lines on the Porsche.

Lovely restoration! I like the BMF job you did on the lettering.

Really great models and photos! You have a great gift of making them look REAL!

Both modifications look good but 20 inch Rallys if favorite for me...

Looking great so far!

My name is Tommy and I'm a collective addict. Coming here helps me, especially when I see that I'm NOT crazy owning ONLY around 400 kits. Which equals around 65 years of work to do at my current building rate. Could be difficult, but why bother with facts of life while you've got a nice hobby... While I'm writing this, another parcel is being handed over to me. 4 new kits inside I believe... On a good day I can remember what I ordered. Wait... 2017 Camaro AMT Snap kit, AMT '68 El Camino Derby Kit, MPC '73 Mustang... what's the last again? Ah right, Monogram '70 Buick GSX. And some wheels, but wheels don't count, right? Collect on!

Maybe this will help? Works fine for me.

Tim, as so many here have pointed out already, the book is a joyful read, brilliant source of information and great inspiration. I was happy to be able to order it quickly easily from Amazon Germany, but I would have ordered it from anywhere... Happy to hear that there will be a second print-run. May I ask what the quantity was for the first print-run?

Can anyone imagine I'm in US car model mode lately...? I got the two 60's Vettes second-hand VERY cheap (15 EUR all-in). The '60 is slightly started on the body, but practically new. But the deal for me was more about the '63 coupe... The MPC Vette kit I bought because of its multiple building options. Last not least, the Monte Carlo snap kit is for my 10-year old son. I'm doing all I can to get him into modelling and he likes the look of this car. Now I'm annoyed I did not order another one for myself while they were on stock, as I have seen here what a nice model can be made of it with just a little work: http://www.rightonreplicas.com/blog/?page_id=1259 On the right hand side batch, some AMT customs tyres, photo edged parts for the '68 Mustang by MBM Munich, yellow and red PE side markers by Czech Truck Model, some great tyre decals by Fireball Modelworks and in the cardboard box a variety of rims by Scale Production for some future Porsche projects...

Nice kit, nice paint and nice wheels. Looking forward to see your progress!

I see what you mean. As proper wheel stance is such an important thing on a kit but yet so hard to achieve by building the kit instructions-style, I have been using a different method since quite some time now. I dare to say I probably won't need any luck with that because it's rather "idiot-proof". If you are interested in more details, I will show some photos once I'm in the process of doing the wheels one of these days.

That Camaro is just lovely. One of those cars that can "wear" any color!

Hi Jason, in case the bad fit is caused by the hood being kind of warped, I recommend to cautiously warm the hood up (using a hairdyer or hot water) and then try to get it back into shape. If it's really about the kit's poor fit, well... Edit: ah okay, I got that wrong. I thought this was about a gap in height, not in width.

Casey, my statements were solely referring to hobby equipment booths only. Like the one shown in my post above as of November 22. Because that is what I‘m using, with all the pros and cons it has.

You may want to consider adding a Charcoal filter into the exhaust stream, that is something that could help with the fumes, or you consider using less harmful Acrylic paints. although I have a Modeler Friend who has been using the same paint system for over 40 years, and acts like it would be the end of the world to switch to a different system. From my experience, those open paint booths for modellers are mostly designed to get rid of the paint spray rather than the chemical smell. If you spray paints that need thinning or cleaning with the real stinky stuff, there will be no way past thoroughly ventilating the room for an hour or more afterwards. Especially if the room is not designated only for the hobby. You’re right about the additional air cleaning by using a charcoal filter but be aware of the fact that this will decrease the airflow capacity of the booth.

Yes, and color for flat black!

Looks good, like an extreme tuning car. Do you know you could have painted it black and still have done it in original DTM livery: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/tamiya-24157-opel-calibra-cliff--115142

Sharp car, sharp model. Thanks for showing.

We have a saying here in Germany: One is looking nicer than the next one. Meaning they ALL are lovely!

My opinion exactly. I LOVE using Molotov but the regular (1 mm) pen doesn't really offer too many possibilities for an even way of painting parts. Plus the tip dries very quickly. So maybe consider to handbrush it (using the paint from the refill pen) or go for one of the wider (2 or 4 mm) pens. Those are more a kind of felt tip pen, which makes even painting much easier. See the link: https://www.amazon.com/Molotow-Liquid-Chrome-Pack-markers/dp/B01MU9AS2N

Looking good. Some of your images have a slightly "purple touch" to them although clearly you are using silver. So I guess it's only reflections showing on those images. Anyway, I just held my breath because of that as I am currently doing the same kit - but I am actually using a metallic purple color! I would have found it odd (and maybe to much to bear for the forum...) if two guys built a purple '69 Camaro at the same time...