AMT68

Definitely realistic looking with the spare parts laying around and that bench is awesome. I also like those two Firebirds parked in the garage.

Thanks for that tip Steve. To this point I've only used gray under lighter colors so I will definitely grab a can of white primer. As far as certain paints being unaffected by the primer coat I remember your WIP on the '64 Grand Prix (while on the SA forum) and how the Sunfire Red wasn't impacted by the dark red basecoat.

Thanks Daniel. That makes sense that the primer would affect the final color and to your point some experimentation before hand would be in order.

Well I'll definitely follow this build as I have the late '70's release of this kit (Snakebite) yet to be built. That's a really neat diorama you've created.

Just out of curiosity which color top coats do you use over a white primer? I ask because with all of the models I've done the last couple of years since I got back into the hobby for the first time in decades I've only used gray primer.

Well I appreciate all of your responses and the insight provided on the subject. I have enough information to most likely achieve greater success using Dupli-color top coats. While I like the hobby color coats like Tamiya the auto lacquers provide the increased variety that I seek. I enjoyed the robust discussion and it's why I signed up here in the first place.

Beautiful top coat John. I've done a couple models in this Icy Blue and personally found laying down an evenly colored coat a bit tricky at times.

Excellent clean and nicely detailed build. Model looks to have required a great deal of foil work and with the two tone paint would seem to make for a time consuming build.

Well let me be the first to compliment you on another fantastic build. Honestly the the bumper fit looks fine and not at all objectionable. Vinyl top was a great call on this model and the color reminds me of Tamiya Mica Red. BTW I realize you created the vinyl top but I thought certain releases of this kit had an embossed vinyl top.

You built an extremely detailed model throughout. Beautiful work and I like the canopy vinyl top.

Wow! And thanks for the demonstration John I'm a believer in that product. It's interesting to hear 1972coronet mention the poor quality of these kits during the '70's and yet amazingly every time I see a '76 MPC Firebird (last year of the dual round lights and my favorite of that generation) they're selling for huge dollars.

Was there a convertible promo associated with this model? That might explain the dual "Impala" scripts as the manufacturer didn't bother to remove the fender script for the coupe. Out of curiosity I just checked my '70 Chevrolet brochure and Mark is correct.

Nice builds and always great to see personal luxury cars from this era.

Thanks Wes and Larry. I have this color combination planned for at least one more model.

I remember the glass with this kit having a wavy appearance. Does the Future help to make the glass look smoother?

Glad you mentioned that as I didn't realize the Dupli-color would melt through the Testors primer even with using mist coats initially followed by successive heavier coats.

Never thought about Soft Scrub. Possibly a green Scotch Brite like Bill mentioned would also help to scuff the surface without sanding off any detail or misshaping the panel lines.

That's a good point. I have good number of the early '80's Monogram kits and would be less inclined to use auto primers on them. I've found the plastics used in those kits to be much more sensitive as I have to use glue very sparingly on those models.

Well I'm glad you mentioned that Eric. I know not to consider the "filler" I'm surprised to hear Tamiya tape would lift the paint since it's pretty low adhesion. I've had problems with Testors model tape lifting off paint.

You mentioned Summer, and you are in New Jersey. Is is possible that you painted on a humid day, and some moisture got trapped under or in the primer, messing up its adhesion to the model's body? It's interesting you mention that Peter because while I do make every attempt to be aware of the ambient conditions it's possible this was done under less than ideal conditions. But this same situation occurred with another model I painted with Dupli-color after the summer.

I see your logic with using a primer that would moderately etch the plastic thus creating better adhesion. So some experimentation with primers along with lightly sanding the body prior to priming in order to see what works best.

Not sure I would enter the event but learning to build more systematically would provide a benefit overall.

Looks like you used some type of styrene strips for the headliners bows. Very interesting and something I would look tp apply to a future build.

Interior looks nice. I always liked either the blue or red with white seats interior combination Buick offered in the mid-70's. Pontiac also offered that combination in those years. Also forgot to mention the TS-54 on the carpets sets a nice contrast to the door panels. I'll have to remember that one as I like to use Tamiya paints.

Was that some type of contest you had entered?