NOBLNG

Invest in some nice small files so you can properly fit the pieces together. I recently bought a set of curved files, and although not necessary for cages, I don't know how I got along without them!

There is a sticky on this subject in the Tips, Tricks and Tutorials section. There are some good ideas there.

I imagine you use solid round styrene, likely 0.100" diameter? How do you get the nice radius bends? Do you heat it with something like a butane lighter or heat gun and wrap it around a piece of rod?

I have two cheap food storage container from the dollar store, about 8"x12". I don't use the lids, but use the second container as a lid (for more height) secured with a couple small clamps. The second I'm done painting it goes in and gets covered. After a while it can go in the dehydrator. I also build in the house and paint in the garage, so this keeps snow, rain etc. off the model as I run back and forth.

This is your friend.

Nice looking truck! those wheels and tires look good on it. Nice job fixing up that bed also!

Very nice! I like it a lot!

Really nice job on that Rubi... it needs some dents and scrapes on that skid plate though, and that chrome exhaust tip wouldn't last long off road! Edit: And you need a hook dangling from that winch.

Super job of detailing that engine bay! The whole thing looks great!

Cool! I have this one waiting in the wings. Lots of pics please!

So why would the paint draw away from the seams? Too thin of paint? Or is there a sharp edge like flash that needs to be sanded smooth?

Looking Good there.

Wow! I am absolutely amazed at your diligence and attention to detail.

That is really nice looking. beautiful job on the interior! Here's one I did a while back.

Well I only paid $25.00 for both the Cord and the Jag, so I will build them eventually.

These kits are not valuable to collectors though, correct? I want to build these even if they aren't the best quality.

I never thought of that. I imagine an office supply store like Staples would carry it? That stuff is pretty thin I believe, so I may have a bit of a gap where it meets the dashboard. The windshield that came with this AMT '62 Corvette scales out to 2" thick in 1-1. I could use it but there is a gap on both sides where it does not mate up with the windshield frame.

It was .015" thickness, and there was no protective film on it. It did have the tissue paper between the sheets.

Very nice looking car! I just picked up a Monogram 1937 Cord. I will use this one for inspiration.

Just curious if anyone has used Evergreen clear styrene? I recently bought some that was not what I would consider clear. I called the toll free number and they offered to send me replacement sheets if I sent them a picture of it. However the HS where I bought it gave me a refund so I did not bother. I guess I will just use clear packaging if I need it!

Very nice. I am working on one of these off and on. Any more pics of the interior?

If you can remember where they are... I can't find my tweezers half the time. LOL. Seriously, this bondic stuff is good for lots of little things. I just made a shifter lever for a Corvette with a little dab on a straight pin. I hate the little plastic kit parts.

I have never done a vinyl top before, but I want to do one on a kit I am working on. I figured I would practice on this Polar Lights '64 GTO that I don't plan to build. It is now my test bed for new endeavors. On the driver's side I used .020x.030 strip, which I wound up sanding down to more like 0.010 thick. On the passenger side I used .030 half-round which I sanded down also (but not enough). The dividing trim is also .020x.030 strip. I first painted it with Tamiya semi gloss, but it was too shiny. I gave it a second coat with Tamiya Matt black, which I think looks better. It also picked up more texture with the second coat. The blue is just cheap Craftsmart premium acrylic with a coat of pledge over top.

Picked these all up at the flea markets today.

This is coming along nicely!