NOBLNG

Thanks David.? This kit has got to be the polar opposite of the AMT ‘41 Plymouth. Everything looks right, has proper mounting points and the kit practically builds itself.?

A bit of progress.

I have had good luck with this Testors Aztek paint in the past. This time though, when using a previously opened container, I get little chunks of stuff on the surface with every coat.? So I picked up this little AK strainer at a local hobby shop. It wouldn’t fit my Paasche H airbrush cup because of the little lip in at the top of the cup, so I modified it slightly. I have a couple of spare cups on order just in case I screwed it up.? I’m amazed at how much dried paint crud it filtered out. The paint is going on very nicely now!?

I am having fun with it so far Len.? Having You and Jim doing a build at the same time helps a lot. I don’t think a kid that didn’t know or care anything about accuracy would have too much trouble slapping this together…but trying to make this an accurate replica of the 1:1 is definitely a bit of a challenge. I really don’t care if it is true to the original, I just want to improve it slightly and have it look good on my shelf.

I guess I should get the wheels mounted and a ride height set before messing to heavily with the fender wells. The kit knuckle/spindles are pretty chintzy and are meant to be used with the metal axle. I accidentally clipped off the lower mount.? However, the instructions clearly show the little stub in place that definitely needs to be removed in order for the knuckle to fit.? Since I want to lower the front a touch anyway, I figured it would be best to just make some new knuckles. I used 1/8” square evergreen tube with some .080” round inside for the kingpins and spindles. The stock wheel backs need to be trimmed to get the wheels inside the fenders. I may need to trim a bit more yet?

This is the one in my garage. I found an auto air filter that fit nicely under it, since my garage is filthy. And I keep it on low heat so I can store some “soon to be used” paints in it. My detached garage has a heater going in it constantly, but it gets pretty chilly in there sometimes. This is the one in my basement. I have cranked it up to the max 160F to dry paint and it has not melted any styrene. You could certainly build a box from plywood or cardboard that would give you more room and easier access. The clear doors are not really necessary, and the heat is not high enough to cause a fire hazard. The main thing is to allow airflow out of the box.

There, I think this is a little closer to the Caddy color. About a 50/50 mix of these two colors.

It is pretty hard…but not as hard as virgin styrene. I can still dent it slightly with my fingernail. I want it to be firm so it won’t smear or clog the sandpaper when I shape it. I might not even sand through to it, but it is there for insurance.

I didn’t know they were available without handles…that would make this modification easier.? I will see if I can find them somewhere.

No, it was in a glass bottle, but it’s likely the same stuff.

Thanks Rich. These brushes work better than pipe cleaners because the bristles are stiffer. I do have to use pipe cleaners on the paint cup though and hope to find some better ones. I have some Vallejo airbrush cleaner that works great for acrylics, and lacquer thinner works for everything else. No, but I like to clean everything between color changes, and this brush makes it easy.?

Yeah, good upgrade on that engine Len!?

It could be the solvent? I had mixed up this batch probably a year or more ago using Testors plastic cement. I opened the jar thinking it would be solid, but it was still VERY gooey. That sounds like a good idea for the dehydrator. You want it to be easy to get a freshly painted body into it. I had the use of a sheet metal shop, so I made custom cabinets for mine.?

I had a set of the Paasche brushes, but I found the twisted wire core too large to get right to the tip. I have also used pipe cleaners, but the last bunch I bought at the dollar store are real flimsy and tend to lose bristles. I really like these interdental brushes, but the fat handle prevents them from getting all the way in. So I shaved the handle down and wedged one into each end of a short piece of aluminum tubing. They are just the right diameter and are not at all affected by lacquer thinner.?

Cool! That engine looks fantastic!?

Thanks Guys! Due to Len and Jims issues with the inner fender fitment, I am using the parts meant for use with the headers to get a better fit as a trial. I trimmed a fair bit off the top, so that they can lean outward under the fenders. I think this will work nicely, and I may glue them to the body?

Have you had a chance to use it?

I smoothed the mold lines this morning. Then I drilled the heads and distributor for plug wires. I got everything primed and some parts painted. The instructions call for the engine to be painted gold, but according to my research, it should be a very dark blue. This is a Ford blue, and I’m not thrilled with it, so when it is dry enough I will try to mix up a darker shade.?

I’m liking the shape of it…it’s sure gonna take some bodywork to get it smooth!? Nice progress.?

I have one too, but mine has a hemi.?

Yeah, that’s why I stuck with the six-banger.?

Looking sharp Jim! Mine’s been in the dehydrator for the last week, and the sprue goo is still a little soft.?

I guess that is supposed to be the “micronic full flow oil filter”. That is how the heads are mounted according to the instructions…and I’ve started a ‘49 Merc, and a ‘66 El Camino since starting this one…gotta keep my sanity.???

I like the Quad headlights too, and eliminating the door post/B pillar.??

Well it’s out of the box and on my bench. Only one part ran away so far.? The steering box has somehow vanished?. On the upside, I found the second set of tires packaged inside the body.? I am just in the process of removing flash and gluing parts together that can be painted as a unit. I think I will build this mostly OOB, since it is already heavily customized. Some of you that have seen or built a lot of these may be less than impressed. I will however do my best to give it a nice paint job, which unfortunately is my weakest skill.?