Dave Ambrose

Thanks. this is my first hot rod in multiple decades. A tragedy to be sure, but a correctable one. I should have more progress soon. I'm going to assemble the front and rear suspensions enough to get the engine fitted and the floor board modified for the Dragula transmission. The body got another coat of primer. This time I used the model master primer and my airbrush. That's much better than Duplicolor from a spray can. Got the cycle fenders glued and primed today. Some filling and filing required. The price isn't too bad when you consider that it's got two complete cars in it. Don't know if I'll build the stock one, but if not, I have several destinations for the parts.

Go easy on me. This is my first posting in WIP. Starting a new model for the next SDMCC theme night. This is going to be the competition coupe from the AMT 3-in-1 kit with the engine and exhaust system from the Dragula. Mocking this thing up has been a fiddly nightmare of masking tape and intermittent structural malfunctions. I really like the slicks that came with the 3-in-1. Rear wheels are from the Dragula. Don't know what I'll do on the front end yet. The notion of stealing the Munster Coach wheels has crossed my mind, but I have nothing in my parts box that looks right. The kit wheels aren't bad, but I feel like some mags would be better. I'm probably going to use the cycle front fenders from the kit. Body color will be Boyd grape Pearl, with yellow frame and running gear. Not sure about tail lights, etc.; probably not the kit parts. More pics as I progress.

I'm using a Paasche VL and I like it a lot. It's a double action airbrush that lets you control the paint flow while spraying. Unlike many double action brushes, it has an adjustment for minimum paint flow, which lets you use it like a single action brush. With the minimum adjustment, you can start single action and work into double action when you want to. The Paasche VL set goes for $69 at Dixie Art, and its capabilities will last a lifetime. If you don't have one already, you will need a filter and regulator for your air compressor.

Very nice work. How did you do the paint?

And here I was thinking Green Bay Packers. Thanks for setting me straight.

Your story is very familiar. I tore my knee cartilage during a SCUBA dive and got back into car modeling during my recuperation. Knees and car models. Whoda thunk?

I'm not sure Dawn is potent enough to remove all the brake fluid residue. I rinsed my body with denatured alcohol, and all seems OK.It's probably better to rinse it in a 50-50 mix of alcohol and Windex.

I'm gonna guess that those tiny bumps are overspray. They might just buff away depending on how dry they were when they landed on the model. What air pressure are you using? I may be an oddity, but I run 15 PSI and really thin out the paint. This gives me a small paint spot, lots of control, and very little overspray.

My therapist thinks we're both crazy.

Heaven is a place where you always have enough clamps.

But Gregg, you're part of this community. What else do you like to do? Nosey people want to know.

When I'm not building models (with my daughter at the moment), I like surfing, SCUBA diving, and stargazing. My list of past and potentially reactivating hobbies exceeded the posting limit.

True, but the Google search doesn't come with Roxy and Rio ads.

Check out the RC airplane section too. I found some streamlined shapes in there which will make nice hood or side panel scoops when cut in half lengthwise. They may be carbonfibre, which will need to be glued with epoxy or cyanoacrylic glues.

Wow. I'm really liking this. Metoosically Yours, Dave Ambrose

Strangely enough, the Surfite kit comes with three surfboards. But, I'll agree with the other poster(s). They're easy to make from sheet styrene. Find yourself a surfing magazine and get some lengths and shapes. Most boards are 2.5 inches thick. When shaping it, the front third will sweep up, then the rear of the board will rise about half that amount. You can either shape the styrene, or bend it in hot water. Cheers, Dave Ambrose

Generally speaking, no. I just don't have the space, and I much prefer the actual model over box art.

I don't care who you is. That's a cool Caddie. Cheers mate!

It's usually the local eclectic rock station for me, but lately I've been listening to 20th century classical music; Adams, Ives, Harrison and Hindemith. Don't ask me why because that's my usual programming music. This might call for a gratuitous ninja.

Wow. Thank you all for your suggestions. I still shoot film too and have a bunch of film containers. Those will work just fine for this project. I will keep the optometrist, craft store, and Harbor Freight in mind should I ever run out. Jameston, thank you for your kind offer. I should be good.

Polar Lights Batplane, Jag XJR-9, and helping my daughter with a well-weathered Gundam.

I need to mix up a bunch of colors for a new model project. Are there any good, inexpensive sources for small (1 oz.) bottles that will happily hold some thinned down Model Master Enamel? The local version of pill bottles leak, baby food jars are too big, and I'm carrying way too many Teutonic genes to be happy spending the bux for the ones at the hobby shop. Thanks -- Dave Ambrose

My setup is similar to yours. I have a 160 PSI/26 gal. oiless shop compressor. The working line on that is normally 120 PSI. I have a second regulator with filter and water trap that feeds the airbrush. So far, a 0-50 PSI gauge has worked well for me. It's not very big, and my eyesight isn't what it used to be, so I'm thinking of a bigger gauge. But other than a minor visibility issue, it's worked great for years. I don't recall using anything more than 30 PSI for my airbrush, but I wouldn't take that as gospel. I'm really liking this Sears oiless compressor. No maintenance, and it delivers very clean air. My paint work has improved considerably since I replaced my old compressor that did use lubricating oil. One alternative to consider. My friend who uses her airbrush professionally, swears by a 25 lb CO2 tank. Totally quiet, completely clean, and compact. She refills it once or twice a year. I'm considering repurposing my SCUBA tank like this.