Dave Ambrose

Spray the lighter color first. Then mask. If you even slightly unsure of your masking, give it a very light coat of the light color to seal the edges of the masking tape. Then you can paint the darker color.

I agree about the enamels. I do things a little differently. I use Testor's enamel and Testor's airbrush thinner to thin the paint. (I have to try the lacquer thinner -- next car project) I don't usually have to sand between coats. The paint comes out nice and smooth. This is a byproduct of the slow drying time. I let it dry for at least 36 hours, but can speed that process if I use a "bake box". This is a cardboard box with a low wattage light inside. Works like a dehydrator, without the expense. (What can I say? I'm cheap) I love the resulting finish, and it seems to look good even without clear. I've also done rapid recoating. I wait 15-20 minutes for the paint to skin over, then spray another very thin coat. Keep going until the paint has the depth you need. Put item(s) in bake box to dry.

A 50-50 mix of Windex and denatured alcohol will strip the acrylic off just about anything. Combining it with the ultrasonic cleaner should do wonders. But, only for acrylics. It doesn't seem to do a thing for either enamels or lacquers. But it will remove any surface contamination.

Peter, If it's any consolation, other people are having this problem too. The root problem is that pasting text from Word doesn't work like we want it to. This is Microsoft's fault. We cannot fix it. There are a couple of things might work for you. You might try the "Paste from Word" button on the BBS editor. I've had mixed results from this, but it may work well enough.The other solution is to either compose it with the built-in editor for the board, or compose it in Notepad, then cut and paste. The Paste from Word button is the third button from the top left. Try it. If it doesn't work, copy and paste the ext into notepad, then copy and paste the text from notepad into the Forum post. This will launder the pasted text.

It's a British Motor Corporation A-series engine. Displacement could be 948, 1098, or 1275 cc. The single SU could have gone into either an Austin Mini, or a Morris Minor.

I am so glad I wear glasses. If I didn't, my eyeballs would be rolling all over the floor. As it is, they bounce of my glasses and back into their sockets; just like good little eyeballs should. John, another epic build.

Thanks. I always seem to be modifying or filling something, so I'm always priming. Think we could get Testors to sell us 6 oz bottles for $10? I like the idea of using a silver undercoat. Time to head for the garage. . .

I've been using the Testor's airbrush thinner with my enamels. Aside from the drying time, I'm pretty happy with the results. Now, I have to try the lacquer thinner. What kind of primer do you use? Model Master primer is working well for me. It doesn't bury the detail and holds up to lacquers. I just wish it came in bigger containers. Something good, but cheap would be a welcome change.

This is just awesome. Moebius is getting to be my favorite model company.

I can explain that one. When my wife was due with our first child, our OB wanted to see her after his associate sent her home. He already had two in labor. Shortly after we arrived, he had three in labor. He stuck with us for the next two days until our daughter was born. After that, I never begrudged either cancellations, or my doctor's time off.

I'd hop in that car in a heartbeat. Not sure how fast I'd take it on the first run, but it seemed to handle very well.

Very sweet. This is even cooler than the original.

Nice work. I'm looking forward to more.

Looks interesting. I've been thinning squadron white putty with lacquer thinner and brushing it into tight spaces. I wonder if this stuff will work better?

I think we get even less winter here than the good Dr. does. But it does rain. I'm well-stocked with kits, paint, and supplies so I can hunker down during big storms and build. Painting gets to be tricky. I tried spray painting under the patio cover during a rainstorm once. Not gonna do that again. If I do anything now, it's in the garage. But other than that, I'm set.

I like the concept and the execution so far. Looking forward to more.

You can also use a common CO2 tank for beverage dispensers. It will be totally silent. The gas will also be completely dry. My friend is a professional artist and she gets about 6 months out of a single fill on a 25lb tank. You might need to cobble up some plumbing to get the airbrush hose attached, but if you can get to a 1/4" pipe thread, you should be set.

Very nice. I like the color too.

Bamboo barbeque skewers have been one of my handier parts holders. you can wedge the pointed end into holes in the part. The skewer also fits snugly into a Radio Shack alligator clip.

I use a 50/50 mix of Windex and denatured alcohol. It will remove both wet and dry acrylic. Works decently well on latex paints too.

Oh dear. I remember those. Thanks, dude, now I'm feeling old.

That is just flippin neat. Rats, now I'll have to buy another Hornet kit. (I'm assuming that's the donor kit) My wife will be thrilled.

I'm probably an oddity, but I use mostly Model Master enamels. They work well for me. I have a "bake box" to speed drying. When I airbrush them, I thin them 1:1 with Testors airbrush thinner. The paint goes down thin and dries glossy. I've been using a Boyd colors lately, and liking them a lot. You can coat them with Wet Look Clear. I'll have to try thinning it with lacquer thinner.That sounds like a good idea. I do not like the enamel clear though. It really yellows the paint, and it gets worse with age. Testors sells their clear lacquer in a bottle and that seems to work well.

Like many things, they have their place. Yes, metal flakes are out of scale. But they look pretty good in some situations. e.g. Customs and Roth creations, where a wild paint job is a Good Thing ™. Oddly enough, my Surfite looks great in Lime Gold.

I have a trick that helps for find small parts on the floor. I take a flashlight and shine it parallel to the floor. Any small parts make long shadows that you can see. It's not 100% effective, but it works often enough to be useful. Besides, where would my scratchbuilding skills be if I never dropped any small parts?