Paul Payne

Has anyone used card stock for modeling? I need to use strips to form the bow of a boat, adding them to a styrene hull. I am concerned about sealing them after installation so they can be sanded and blended. The boat will never be in water, but I am concerned about moisture in the air. Any thoughts or experiences welcome!

In case you were wondering why this isn't in everything else, I WILL be doing some work on the Dodge Power Wagon- weathering, vertical exhaust stacks, possibly even a hemi transplant- and, oh yes, sanding the tire treads!

Roger, glad to help out- and that red screams hot rod! Looking forward to more!

This project is beginning to take shape. I decided on a ram or reverse angle bow, so created the profile on styrene sheet, then cut through the centerline of the existing bow, sanded the cut just a bit, then glued the new profile piece in place. I also drew the new stern contour on cardstock as a template, traced this onto styrene, then rough trimmed the pieces before gluing them together with white glue and sanding to size. Soaking in water dissolved the glue and .060" x .060" styrene stock was glued to the edges mating to the stern. Additional pieces will be added for the bottom, new stern, and a set of stairs up the middle for easy passenger access, using the same techniques. I also removed some features from the hull sides to make everything smoother. Since the new bow contour needs to be blended and faired into the existing hull lines, I will experiment with plastic strips cut about 1/4" wide. They will be glued to the bow contour, extending slightly past the new profile, then manipulated to blend with the hull. They will be long enough to have a large enough glue surface on the hull so they can be snded and blended into the hull without a step where they end. More pix later as I figure this out. The deck has been sanded smoother (still some to do)- the grey areas are the epoxy patches I applied to the reverse relief areas underneath. I also glued in some transverse support pieces in preparation to start cutting out the passenger cockpits and the engine area. The support pieces will also be deck areas, so a second stock addition will bring them up to the deck level.

This one would look right at home in a Fast and Furious movie!

I have always used Easy off oven cleaner in the yellow can. Sometimes it needs to soak for a few days, and roughing the paint does help. Always had excellent results for stripping kit chrome- the aluminum of the chrome actually acts as a catalyst interacting with the oven cleaner. I have never tried alcohol- would Everclear 190 proof grain available in liquor stores work? Anyone tried it?

Great looking case- love the LED lighting! Looks like you enjoy building mainly high performance sports cars. As your collection grows, I assume you may be building another one?

Just traded with Tarheelrick, would trade with him again anytime!

Use a good primer over that orange! Looking forward to where this goes.

Roger, is this the part you need? If so, pm me with your address.

Horsepower, thanks for the doll house floor info.

Well, it IS the egg crate grille and... So, here are some pix of the grille progress as well as other things I have been working on. The hood has been a (insert colorful language of your choice), much more challenging than I thought it would be. I also realized I needed to do some serious development on the areas to either side of the hood, which is critical to the final fit of the grille, once additional sections to either side are added- so, lots more H section laminating and contouring, and blending with the center section, which still must be contoured to the horizontal footprint of the hood, which must be- you get the idea! I block sanded down the rear of the chassis and installed the belly pan-still needs some final shaping around the wheel wells. Between the seats I installed a buttress for a section which will run down between the seats, on top of the drive shaft tunnel, and back up to meet the bottom of the dash. The seats are done except for very minor filling and sanding. Mocked things up a bit to give you an idea of what it will look like. Since the inside door panels will be curved, I found some panels with curves- a good starting point. That's all for now, folks!

This is my stash of cedar cigar wrapper I have been hoarding for years. Hopefully enough todo this project and a couple others! I would welcome any ideas on how to cut uniform width planks!

Once you get this masterpiece finished, you should do a nose to nose comparison shot with a stock merc to highlight the differences.

More power is always good...............

Very nice period project- your construction photos are great- looking forward to more!

I realized a while ago that if I didn't turn each build into a major project I might actually get more done-of course right now I am in the middle of an involved project and 2 box stock (except for paint and engine detailing) are sitting there looking forlorn and neglected. I have a few diecasts- maybe 6- and a few models in 1/32nd or 1/43rd scale because of the subject matter. Everything else is 1/25th or 1/24th. Haven't counted the collection or the stash.

Just completed a trade with Michelle in which she included some boat propellers as well as the same PT boat hull! Propellers seem hard to come by, and model boat propellers on the internet are always too large. Now I am very tempted to do a second speed boat in a different style! But- I will continue with this one........................

We have all seen amazing ultra-detailed painstakingly researched models which often take years to complete. My question is: how many completed models do these builders have in their collections? Is it only the one? Do they also build several shelf models in the course of a year? This is sheer idle curiosity on my part, but I would love to hear other members comments!

Steve, survival is good! Nice build of a unique model.

Did the ex-husband survive as well as the model? When I built mine I decided to add a rear suspension and driveline, partly from a Green Hornet- also swapped in a flathead but with the kit intake, a deuce grille, and a lower top.

Michelle, I think you are one of the most imaginative modelers on the forum- great model!

Paint will do it to me every time.

Great weathering- major impact on a smallish simple project! I love your imagination!

Michelle is tops on the great traders list!