Bills72sj

Enamels can give great results. The cure time is the biggest drawback. If you are using rattle cans then 2-4 weeks. If you are airbrushing the little bottles thinned with lacquer thinner then just a few days.

Get a set of metal jewelers files. I always deflash with a #11 Exacto blade and files. They last virtually forever compared to sanding sticks. https://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-precision-needle-file-set-4614.html

I got a couple of these from my wife. Whenever I want to dust off my models, I gently brush them down at my paint booth set on high. That way the dust blows away from the model. While I do have a display case, it is also my builds-in-progress case. I keep forgetting to close the doors when sanding parts at the bench.

I wish I knew about the existence of this model. I could have saved some time making this...

Well executed. I like the small town background too.

That looks excellent!

I have eventually figured out spraying lacquer using the same procedures. They have given me the best results.

If I decant or thin paint. I put it in its own container. Sometimes it will store well. Sometimes not. The Rustoleum cans that Steve pictured above prompted me to buy some. The semi-gloss black mixed so-so with Mr Leveling Thinner. I did spray ok but the black pigment does try to settle out at the bottom. Both the Gloss black and the Semi-gloss black seem to like hardware store lacquer thinner. I sprayed 50/50 but I think it could be thinned more as well.

A long time ago, I built a 1:25 scale Hot wheels El Camino. The Hot Wheels version had blue tinted windows so I wanted to replicate that. I used food coloring mixed in a dixie cup with Future/Pledge. You have to get it pretty dark in the cup to make any tint on the glass. The beauty with future is that it hides blemishes in the glass. Another benefit is that it comes right off completely with household ammonia. So you can try and fail as many times as you want and never harm the glass.

I like this idea. I am just about to install the windows in my Pontiacs.

Thanks, It is good to get a bargain these days.

Nice detailing. Following.

That is a way cool combo.

I enjoy this hobby for many reasons. The disconnection from all other things in life when I am concentrating on a build. The mental challenge of problem solving to create a vision. The eye-hand coordination training and skill acquisition. But, most of all, the sense of accomplishment throughout the build. Recognition from others is a nice benefit but, not a motivator in any way.

Attended SABA show in Milwaukie (Portland), OR yesterday. Brought some cash. Got some good deals.

I attended the SABA show in Milwaukie (Portland), OR yesterday. As is my custom, I bought 80 raffle tickets for 50 cents each. I came out WAY ahead for the cash invested. Most I want to build. Some will be donors and some may be traded at some point.

Thanks for sharing. They are top notch.

My bench is mostly organized. I HAVE to put parts in progress away when I leave the bench or they are at risk of disappearing thanks to my Wife's cat. My tools are generally parked at my right or right in from of me. I will often leave tools out of place but no mare than 5 at a time. I also use my bench for intermittent electronic work. Some of those tools are mixed in. While I see most of you build on a cutting mat, I build on a threadbare hand towel. Parts do not move and I can wipe my finger of paint or adhesive really quick. And no, it does not give me a lint issue. Every so often I take it outside and shake out all the accumulated styrene bits and shavings.

I am patient. I use Testors red for 80% of my build. I use Plastruct Bondene to thin it sometimes. CA glue is for stuff that I need to be able to let go of rather quickly and has no shiny surfaces to fog. I have purchased some clear 2-part epoxies but I have not actually used them yet.

It seems that Pontiacs and VWs are popular in this crowd. My project car is a 72 Grand Prix. It is a (51 year old) survivor with a going on 25 year old paint job. The original 51 year old 455 is still running well and the interior is all original except for the front seats being recovered. The "project" part of my car is the stereo system. Over the years, it has been "updated". I am now up to two music source units, 3 digital signal processors, 4 amplifiers and 14 speakers (though I only use 10 or 12 at a time). Surprisingly, I still have full seating and 80% of my trunk. I have a 2nd battery (deep cycle marine) to permit me to go and jam for 2.5 hours without having to run the engine. The volume level is the equivalent of a small night club but crystal clear with seat shaking (but not deafening bass). Until I get my spare 455 refreshed, I am running out of things to do to it.

I do the same. I do like getting the best price on something but I am not always at my PC to keep track of what I have bid on. If the price is what I willing to pay then I get it. I will pass on the disappointment of getting sniped at the last second to then have to take the time go hunting again.

Very nice. Great job on the emblems.

Nice IMPALA! My Dad had a 66 when I was a kid. The starter was bad so he would make the 4 of us kids push start it by popping the clutch. He also showed me how to upshift with out using the clutch just by matching the rpm.

That turned out quite impressive.

Me with my "other" hobby.