randyc

I didn't realize how much I missed the old days tilt he local chevy dealer got in a "big 10" in two tone white/blue. YEah baby. IF I were looking for a truck this would be it. See https://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/retro-big-10-chevy-option-offered-on-2018-silverado/

We use a lot of Sherwin Williams paints at work, so I was remembering my rep said something about SW buying Valspar. As an aside, all paints at Lowe's are supposed to be SW products under some label or another. BUT... SW owns Valspar, Krylon, Plastikote, AND duplicolor. RPM as stated above, owns Rustoleum and Testors, among others. And with the formulas changing constantly, it's always going to be a "test in an inconsipcuous are" deal from now on. And finding a primer that keeps crazing at bay. Don't paint your unicorm body without testing first.

As far as I can figure, Castline and M2 are the same. The plastic top is probably so they can use the same basic body casting for several configurations - convertible, hardtop, etc. and hey, like you, I leave mirrors off and don't sweat it too much if they are missing from a model. Sounds like see things very much alike much of the time. Nice score.

Wow! That's great! I have a 67 Welly I am detailing for a friend and was thinking that same thing. That's mighty tempting after seeing your photos. I was thinking of the white seat/black carpet version as well. Or I could do white seats/blue carpet. Was that an option on the birds? Mopar offered that combination. Have to see if I feel like taking it that far when I get to the bench. He's left it up to me for how far to take the detailing. All we know for sure is wheels and grille. But yours is absolutely spectacular! And you'll love the VL. My VLS is 22 years old. Lost the red thing years ago and if it had any etching on the body, it's long gone. All that's original on mine is the body. I think EVERY other part has been replaced. Cleanliness is key though.

I have looked up the JL and saw the taillights. But I did see a really tight photo that looks like the chrome bezel is in the diecast. I was thinking I might be able to foil that and work on the actual lenses. And I am not familiar enough with the real ones to know how bad the AMT ones were. I've seen lots of criticism on those over the years. Because that kit was converted from the 68. Idk. If it gets close, I'm okay with things. I let a lot of things slide that many won't. Not to say I think a Palmer is acceptable... LOL. Just that I can live with things that some modelers get upset about. But yes the JL has put me off in the past just for the taillights.

No not much joy on 69 chevelles for reasonable pricing - not much at any level. An Elky would have to be cheap - just not into them but thought this may fill my 68 desire better than the DM version. Once you look at it closely and SEE the weird roof, you can't unsee it.

Yes, those wheels come out great with proper detailing. I may take mine apart someday and do a next level of detailing. Fuzz the floors, detail the interior, etc, like you are. I really like where you're heading with it. Look forward to seeing more as you get things done. Don't stop the updates.

Like many of you, I started with a Badger single action. I think my employer owned it? I don;t really remember. Made such a differenece in painting. So, after reading a lot of articles, my (now ex-) wife bought me a Paasche VLS set for our first Christmas in 1991. I still use it. Only thing original is the body - every other part has been replaced over the years. Have no idea where the red handle part went. Found a lid that fits Testors MM bottles somehere in the past and that makes things even easier than the cup or the bigger bottle lid.

Just won a 68 El Camino - will report on that when it arrives. $23.50 total, shipping and all. Box damaged but I don't keep them in boxes usually. I've sold enough NASCAR builtups that I have about 25 display cases freed up now. Or may sell it on. I neve did finish my plastic Elkys. Which also means I should have wheels somewhere if I want to swap them out.... hmmmm.

That 69 on the FG website will be on the birthday list for next week. lol Don't tell anyone. 69s are hard to find! Watched a JL yellow version. Missed out on it. The FG will be nice even with the scant Marathon markings. I work for a company that does convenience store renovations and I am working on several Marathon stores now. So I'll leave the Marathon on it. Marathon helped buy it after all. May see if the ride height can be adjusted though.

Just bumping this one up so I can look at it again. Thinking I need to look at these closer overhte next few weeks. The Mint cars are still going pretty high and you guys are telling me these are better.

yes that keeps me picking them up or looking. Just have other things first. It is a great car.

THAT is EXACTLY why I am doing diecasts now instead of plastic kits. Even the "mint" cars can usually use a short trip to the bench for a polishing and some cleaning time. I've been using my dremel with a soft cloth polishing wheel to do most of the heavy lifting. Turtle wax scratch remover will knock off the skin oil film that accumulates and any other dullness. Make whatever repairs. Or in the case of new Wellys, a little paint detail time. Nice score. I love that car but it just doesn't fit my collection right now. Maybe someday. I do like seeing diecasts given a little more respect and detailing to make them viable display pieces.

Not yet. A friend is asking me if I think we can make this conversion work. I need the group's input on this. Has anyone taken these apart? Wanting to know about windshield and windshield frame. can we cut the top off at base of the A pillars? then use the chevelle windshield frame? I don't have either of these and neither does the Rite Aid so I have no local source. My buddy is an hour away with a GSX. So I can't tell from pics on net how it is put together. IS the Chevelle winshield and frame separate or molded with the body? Any help appreciated... Thanks

I went by the Rite Aid yesterday. The 2005 GTO that was beat all to BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH was BACkl on the display after the check out lady said she would put that in the "return" pile. Someone will buy it? IDK. Nothing else I liked better than my money.

NICE!

I had a bronze Ross Apollo 3 speed - saw it in the pic before I read the text! COOL!

Pallet looks like the ones wer have in the warehouse - NICE!

All the wood is balsa, if I remember correctly. Even the table. Balsa is so soft, it takes thinned paint easily and you can "distress" it easily, to any shade you like. Little greasy handprint under the grinder. A friend of mine had a garage where we worked on his local race car and the table was modeled after his work bench. It still needs more stuff on it to make it look complete. Too clean right now. The crate may be from Fujimi. With a 66 Nova cylinder head and some plastic in it. At the time, the Nova head was only one with rocker detail. The base is foamboard - poster board that is glued to the styro filler. That also takes paint well - I think I painted it with tans and grays and then wiped the paint off, leaving the mottled appearance. The water stain is real - not sure where it came from. But it works. My office buddy that does trains was amazed he said, But that was completely accidental. I do need to attach it to some plywood. As for the tool box, I want to say it was one of the boxes in the 1/24 Mongram Stock Car plus kits from the 90s. I think. I could be wrong though - I had a BUNCH of them - still find them occasionally in my stash of parts. Standard hobby methods. Cut the drawer face out. I MAY have used 2 boxes though - one to cut the drawer face from and one that is used with the hole cut out. Then build a drawer from sheet plastic. Then load the drawer with junk. And then let collect dust for 20 years. Use a toothbrush to knock off the huge piles of dust and you're left with this. LOL. Looks better now than when it was clean. There are parts from Fujimi in this too - still have the rest of the set to add to the scene. Other than that, the tools come from other kits as well - anything that had tools in it. I added a strip to the top to make that little pocket where the decals are - just like toolbox in friend's garage. Decals cut from race car sheets. The rest of the items are all glued to the toolbox so it lifts out as it's own model. And not glued to base to allow for adjustment if I ever really work on it more. R&D unique used to make a LOT of white metal garage details. I still have a spray gun that needs to be assembled and added - probably hanging on the wall. Have to find things to put on table - need a vise as well. Both cars are recent Welly diecasts that I picked up and added detail paint to. Not doing so many kits these days - not much time to airbrush and such. Thanks for the comments.

I have the 1/43 Monogram. Nice. I haven't finished it but see it often. The car actually fits in one of the drawers on my little storage thing on my bench. I have the Fujimi. Not impressed really. THe parts seem so smooth and undetailed - no textures like the American mfrs seem to include. I like the Revell/monogram better. Have built a couple of those, including the drag car. But I also recently bought a Wix diecast Cobra and it is better than any of those, if you don't mind not getting to build it. That's a whole other issue here (yes I'm a heretic), but slide down to the diecast/resin page and we had a recent discussion about it. Excellent replica. Where can you get a model with functioning suspension, opening doors, hood, and trunk and all sorts of detail for less than $30? I also have the Frankilin mint Boris version - almost as nice as the Wix car, but the paint is so over the top. It's on eBay now. I only bought it to resell. I also have the 1/32 slot car. Those were fun to race when I had a layout to run. And well detailed. Put that and a Corvette GS on track and it looked great!

I looked on ebay - unless I can get him to half price, I can't resell and make much on them. I'll be glad to pick one up for you either way, if you want it - I really don't want to get into promos. Let me know.

And thanks Gramps, for turning me on to the RiteAid Welly finds. I'll be checking back more often. I remember back around 2000 when I owned a hobby shop, that Welly diecasts were generally just car-shaped blobs of metal and plastic. Most were pretty crude. BUT that has changed. I guess the abundance of "mint" cars led the Chinese to clone those. I have a motormax 50 Chevy posted on here that is pretty nice and much less than the mint version. Yes it is more crude, but makes a reasonable shelf model. If you look past the lack of detail painting on wheels and grills, they are great starting points. Or at least what I'm seeing seem to be. I have started looking at them more and more.

Is it possible for a magazine article on a repaint of a diecast? Model mags are often hesitant to include diecasts. Even this site, we are relegated to this one area. I don't think we are allowed to post anything diecast in the workbench or under glass areas. But if we are working on something, or have changed it, I think it should. But I'm not sure. I know I'd like to see more diecast articles at this point in my life.

I think it is an old R&D Unique piece. It's zamac, 3 pieces, the ends and the body. Needs a power cord and some electricity on the wall. Someday...

I need to add a little more to it. Maybe some solder conduit to look like power and a couple more posters, a clock, etc. I used a friend's garage as the model, more or less. Just a guy's self-built garage. BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH seems to accumulate along the walls. Things hung on walls. Need to fill up the shelves. Maybe a model kit box or two. Couple more projects on the workbench. I have a whole Fujimi tool set to use for tools and such. Have to find it as well. Moves and divorce means stuff is spread everywhere. I find stuff I forgot I had everytime I open a box. Need to get me a mechanic or two as well. Thanks for the compliments.