AMT68

To your point I'll make sure I sand the entire body down with probably 600 grit sandpaper prior to priming. I'll spend as much time as it takes to sand down uneven sections in the body whereas a light overall sanding wouldn't be all much of an effort.

Definitely Patrick. I usually wash the the entire kit (except chrome of course) in dish soap and wipe the entire model with alcohol before washing it again.

Thanks Jonathan.

That build looks amazing. Did you custom mix the engine color?

No I most likely didn't but then I normally don't sand bodies (just scribe and sand out inconsistencies in the plastic) and yet there isn't this problem with hobby paints. So that's why I thought there was a problem with the hobby primer under an auto lacquer.

Well thanks Bill for the reply. I never attempted Future as a finish but I may try eventually just to see.

Thanks Roger for the reply. I actually do have a picture of a model I painted last summer. I can literally keep scraping it right down to the bare plastic with a fingernail.

So there's really no difference with the fine filler primer versus the say the primer sealer. Also interesting.

Okay well that's interesting to know Tom that you've had success using Dupli-color primers only.

Thanks for the informative reply Steve. To your point a coat of hobby primer particularly Tamiya which goes on thinly under the Dupli-color primer will not have any material effect on the model's detail. While I realize the color coats of auto lacquers are "hotter" I was basically wondering if the Dupli-color primers contained solvents that were less "hot" and possibly not have an adverse effect on the plastic. It's also good to know that Dupli-color primers will require some additional coats for proper coverage.

Okay, thanks for the link Bill. Much appreciated.

Thanks Cliff. I remember the popularity of these cars when new and the interest in them has never diminished.

I did a search and didn't find an answer (I'm still relatively new here) on whether it's safe to use a Dupli-color primer (most likely sandable) on styrene models. I normally use Tamiya primers under hobby color coats with very good success. When I've used Tamiya primers under the Dupli-color (Perfect Match Acrylic Lacquer) I sometimes getting chipping in the top coats. Now I'm not sure if the culprit is in fact the Tamiya or possibly something I'm doing wrong that causes the chipping. Thanks.

Thanks David. I always liked these cars with a buckskin/tan interior whereas a '73 or a '74 Firebird I'd prefer with a white interior. I like the look without the decals but it is still a debate. Maybe I'll just build another one in this color with decals so I can decide....lol.

Great detail on the interior and chassis. I have the '68 kit (unbuilt) which I believe is the original tooling whereas I'm guessing the tooling for the '67 was updated.

I've seen that MPC Indy Car Firebird on ebay but never purchased one. Didn't realize that kit lacked the accuracy in terms of the turbocharging system.

Thanks John. I'm enjoying following your '79 T/A build.

Thanks Roger. I am still debating the decals and they would be a match with the metallic orange. I referred back to your beautiful red example while building this one. I liked how you lowered the exhaust tips and added the rust wash to the turbocharger which are two areas I still have to figure out how to complete.

Thanks Ray, Thanks Mike. Of the second generation Trans Am the '76 and the '80-'81 models were my favorites.

Thanks Craig and Curtis. I thought this color wasn't too bad of a match for 1980's Fiero Bronze. It's a good possibility that it was backdated and I've wondered if the reason this kit wasn't reissued was due to the fact that the Turbo T/A's weren't popular with the performance enthusiasts then and now.

Thanks Nigel. The decals would've been nice but I like it this way too.

Thanks John for the reply on the base coat choice. Always appreciate your insight and expertise.

Monogram 1/24 scale Turbo Trans Am painted in Tamiya TS-92 Metallic Orange and top coated in TS-13 gloss clear. While the decals looked good they are 40 years old so I didn't attempt to apply them. And for whatever reason I couldn't get the sport mirrors to sit correctly even after a bit of sanding. I'm not always inclined to install side mirrors anyway as I sometimes prefer the look without them. The tail lights which are supposed to be painted black instead are transparent red over a silver base with a few coats of Testors window maker. A few more coats of that product would probably create a better "lens" appearance. I couldn't get the Pontiac "crest" on the front detailed to my liking so it's just chrome foil and no red detail. Fairly rare kit that to my knowledge has never been reissued assembles well and is very crisply detailed.

Nice work on the Mustangs. I've built a couple of the '70 kits which it appears this kit is based upon and I love them. Nicely detailed kits that assemble well. I have this '69 too but have yet to build it.

Beautiful builds that must have taken a great deal of time to complete.