Bainford

My method as well. After doing the critical masking with Tamiya, I use cheap, 2 inch hardware store masking tape for the rest.

This thread, previous page.

As the others have said, there is nothing in that photo to allow one to identify the year precisely. The '64 1/2 differed from the '65 by a small detail on the headlight surround (the precise difference currently escapes me). The '65 and the '66 are easily identified by the grill (the '64 1/2 and the '65 are a mesh, the '66 is thin horizontal bars). Otherwise, from a model kit point of view, they are generally the same. Though not part of your question, but if I recall correctly, the fastback (Sportsroof) didn't show up until the full '65 model year.

There is certainly no problem with masking and clear coating just the decals. If I was going to clear over the decals, I would avoid the masking and just clear over the entire body after the decals were installed. Less work, less chance of screw-ups, and the overall look will probably be better (no masking ridge at the mask line). As for all the smaller body-coloured parts, there is no reason to not clear coat them, except perhaps to save a bit of work. If the paint is shiny, it probably won't change their appearance much.

Beautiful! Both of them. Great style. nice BMF work, and the colours are perfect on both. Very well done. Thanks for posting.

I have had a similar issue with Tamiya putty, though always when filling a series if fine grooves in body work. It would probably be the case regardless of what putty I used. Recently I filled the fine, molded vents in a Pantera hood, and as I swiped the putty over the vent fins, I entrapped a pocket of air at the bottom of each groove between fins. A more careful application of putty would have helped. When I sanded back the putty, I exposed these air pockets. I seemed to chase those air pockets forever, through several applications of putty. More air would get trapped in the pockets, and I just couldn't seem to work it out. Eventually I did with a couple applications of Gunze Mr Surfacer, which, being liquid, flows into the pockets and displaces the air. In fact, any time I use putty and sand it smooth, I always follow up with an application of Mr Surfacer. Being very fine grained, it sands much smoother than any putty I have used, and is far superior at feathering out, and creates an all-round better finish.

That turned out great. Love the look. I’m not usually a fan of big wheel cars, but that Caddy is cool. It’s looking wicked in black, too. Very nicely done.

Neat project. This is going to look good. The proposed colours sound great.

Lovely Autocar! Such nice, clean work. Very cool model. Very well done.

Very nice, Francis. What size bit did you use for the tail light screw holes?

Good looking Bronco, Roger. The colour combo on this is quite striking. Very nicely done.

Beautiful Merc, Randy. Such a fantastic car, and your build really does it justice. The hubcaps look tricky to detail, but yours look great. I have a couple of these kits in the stash and hope to get to them sooner rather than later. Seeing your build gets me chomping at the bit. That's a gorgeous model. Very well done.

Nice looking Corvair. You really have a knack for these classic stockers. Very well done.

Nice looking Dart. I'm really digging the colour. That's beautiful. I have to get me some of that.

Beautiful Porsche, John. I understand these kits are a bear to get right. I have always wanted to build one, though. Yours turned out fantastic. Nice and clean, and I love the colours. Very well done.

Good progress. The build is coming along nicely. Very nice work on the scoop.

It's coming along nicely. Love the colour. I built one of these back in the day and it was one of my favourite models on the shelf at the time. I had forgotten how short that chassis is. I have one in my stash now, and been thinking of putting an AMX body on it.

It looks like the standard Testors product and labelling that I've known for at least ten years or so. The page says Testors. Worst product labelling ever, though. Even with reading glasses and good light I find the label nearly impossible to read. Without glasses, it's impossible. Why do you think it is not Testors?

I find the 1 mm and 2 mm both useful, though like Les, I usually apply it with a brush. I mostly use the refill bottle instead of the pens, but it is quite expensive.

Very nice Valiant. That has to be about the nicest build of this kit I’ve seen. I have a clean, unpainted built-up of this kit, and I wasn’t sure a stocker as good looking as yours could be built from it. Very well done.

Cool project, Bill. I have an upcoming project using the same kit. I’m interested in watching yours come together.

Beautiful custom, and I love that paint. Nice smooth style and really digging the front end. Lovely model.

Very nice! Beautiful, clean work and cool subject. I like!

Looking good. That mock up is killer. I always had a soft spot for the old Revell Chevys.

That’s looking real good, Steve. Digging the colour combo.