Dr. Cranky

Tony, I have to write it down to or I will forget. Delighted you enjoyed the how-to. I love cool and simple builds like this.

Andy, we've both been around long enough to know that there's beauty and skill in both types of builds. Personally I like bouncing between the two so that I don't get bored of doing the same thing over and over. The shiny stuff has always been an addiction in so far as I like miles deep finishes, I mean who wouldn't right. And I've been following lots of military builders on other forums who have a lot to teach us when it comes to weathering. So I feel like I'm learning new stuff either way.

Here in FLA, I use the med temp HOK thinner. Just to be safe, you protect your lungs and wear a mask, long sleeves, I've started wearing goggles in particular if I am shooting flakes, etc . . . the stuff will get in your eyes, on your skin, etc . . . don't take any chances.

Not quite, my friend, I just happen to find Donn Yost's method of painting really interesting and exciting. And I know that on his videos he makes it look a heck of a lot of fun and pretty easy, and it's easy to get good results if you follow his steps. Having said that, I need to finish up a few of those glossy builds. I've been getting rust running in my veins again.

Clifford, welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing this beautiful model with us.

For those of you interested in making your own Fuel drums, here's quick how-to a friend of mine put together on YOUTUBE. He makes it look real easy, and the final results are super cool. He sent me a couple of these drums to use in the HIGHWAY TO HELL diorama, and I sure will. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/user/supercargarage?blend=12&ob=0#p/u/10/dFEMxjodXAA

Steven, I like the truck, but I have a suggestion about the bed, see if you can take some styrene and scratch build a flat bet, not a pick up truck bed like the one you have. It will make the front of the truck look meaner. That's just an opinion, mind you, I think you are doing a good job with this build. Mark, thanks for the info on the files. I'm going to get a set, and also for posting pictures of you build. I like it and hope you continue to make progress.

I think that's the beauty of working with the enamels, you can tweak the colors until you get some very cool colors. Of course, the trick, if you want repeated success, is to take notes on the mix formulas.

Hey, Ed, where do you keep all these dios? They all look like 1/24th scale so they must be taking up quite a bit of room.

Thanks, for the kind words, Ian, I appreciate them. And the sense of humor too!

Steven, the first thing I recommend is get yourself some plastic spoons and start trying out some color combos. Solid or camo, that's going to be a tough decision. I am struggling with it right now with SNIPER, but relax and have fun with hit. Try out some contrasting colors, say red on black, or sand/tan on blue or green. The other thing you can do is get some crayons or color pencils and try out different camo combinations, etc . . . Look through Google for ideas . . . good luck, buddy, but you know choosing the paint always looks a lot tougher than it actually is.

Frank, you are bringing up something interesting that happens to me with the color red. And believe me, I've tried a few times. No matter what I do to brighten the color for some reason when I put it on any model it looks dark to me. It might be something visual. I've even tried using white primer, sealer, and then the color to top, and they still look dark. Maybe it's all that rust I've got in my eyes. Personally, I like this color you have on the model, but it looks more ruddy brown to me than red red.

Johnny, those kinds of cars that double as advertising for some companies are still around like the Truly Nolen bugs. Those are always cool. These days they just pay a company to wrap them up with some plastic graphics and call it a day. Jacen, the Sting Ray comes to mind when you mentioned "sharks." All those beautiful Corvettes.

Mark, that's a great idea! And Todd, the Scalloped Hudson, well, what can I say? It's wonderful, and I look forward to seeing it done.

Oh my, talk about kicking up some great rust. All these builds are beautiful in their own crusty and gunky ways. Rob, I really love that Mustang. Great job.

We don't have a Harbor Freight in town that I know of, but I will look for one, or on line. Thanks, Erik.

Erik, that last picture just knocked me down to the floor. That's pure eye candy. The whole scene is beautiful, including the models, of course. It clearly shows your versatility as a builder.

Mark, those modifications are looking real good. Can you tell me where you got that file set in the background. I'd like to get a set like that, nice and wide and flat. Micro Mark? or some place else?

Cool, buddy, keep the eye candy headed our way. I've been looking up other uses for those Pearl Ex powders in particular with the Jacquard paint lines which are widely used in hobbies and crafts. The metallic effects are always gorgeous. It's this kind of search that led me to CRACKLE PAINT, which is something I've been experimenting with lately to create faux snake skin. Thank heavens for those cheap plastic spoons!

Actually, I think I hit the motherload: http://www.humorcraz...-cars-world-655

I've been trolling Google for some cool ideas: I know what you are probably thinking: these are some pretty ugly birds! Speaking about cats: http://www.chilloutpoint.com/images/2010/08/animals-shaped-cars/animals-shaped-cars-06.jpg

LOL, oh man, poor cat, or is he thinking he is one of these cool THZ builds? LOL

Zed, my friend, great to see you back tuning in!

Donn, you turned me on those Pearl X powders and I just can't get enough of them. They really add a much needed spark to some of these colors.

Mike W, I like those, but I'm hoping to see builds that you've built or anyone else for that matter that might have been influenced by a creature (big or small). The most prevalent examples in terms of design come from horses. Or maybe even those that come from mythology. Pegasus, FIREBIRD . . . etc . . . Just curious to see some of your own versions.