Dr. Cranky

Very cool. I like it. Long Live The Rat Fink!

Drago, I try to balance the chrome so that it isn't too far gone . . . I know chrome DOES in fact rust in nature, but maybe in the next one . . . I appreciate the input. Thank you for the comments.

Thanks, folks, I am making progress and should have some pics soon. Stay tuned in . . .

Making slow progress on the chassis, engine and interior . . . stay tuned in for a progress report. Thank you for watching.

Charlie, if all you want is subtle weathering why don't you just use a little bit of liquid mask applied with a toothpick in areas where you want to see a little rust--that will do the job. Try it, you'll like it, and then suddenly you'll be hooked on rust. LONG LIVE RUST!

That's my understanding, Tom . . . but the roof is not chopped, or maybe it is . . .

Sweet caps!

I don't know, but I want one NOW too. Wow, that looks fabulous . . . and the brain fills with lots of ideas! Can't wait to see it in the stores.

Thanks, Ryan . . . for the kind words. I appreciate them.

Beautiful, I never get tired of seeing wonderful Mercs! I'm sure your brother-in-law is going to love it.

Oh man, the techniques, the time in, the labor of love . . . this build is just an amazing record of a masterpiece getting built. THANK YOU, and please keep it going.

Here you go:

Wow, those decals are super cool. Looks like a nice kit too.

Yes, I just want the kit to be out. Waiting for it and the Hornet! Come on September!

Thanks, Gordon. I appreciate it. Please stay tuned in for more progress . . . "THE ROSE PIMPRESS" is painted, cleared, and buffed . . . vid coming up shortly.

Bill, I'm sorry to hear it, and all the stress it must be causing you and your family. Hope everything will be fine and if there's any damage that it is indeed minor. Please please please keep us posted.

Man, you guys are doing such great work. This one is beautiful, pure eye candy, as EYEGORE loves to say . . . another fine model.

BEAUTIFUL. I love the way the color makes it POP. Also, it's a great kit and you really did justice to it. Congrats.

Yes, you are right, Joe . . . but the kit disappeared and was reissued by MPC. The last time I bought this kit was at Wal-Mart, back when they still sold model kits and I should have bought a dozen or so . . .now, I am stocking up for the winter. LOL!

Oh, man, got it, got it you mean a faux finish? Okay. I learned to do that from my buddy Bryan McCallum. He usually puts down a coat of of paint, then another and then lightly sands until the new colors shows . . .. All the different techniques are good to have in the bag of tricks, you know . . .

Thanks, Rob and everybody, I really appreciate it!

Lots of great details, buddy, and I love how the rust comes through that yellow paint. It looks like you've come down with the rust and gunk blues! Rust on, buddy. LONG LIVE RUST!

Love it, this is going to be nice . . . very unique model, plus I am cuckoo for Tiki!

Oh, yes, yes, I understand now . . . there's a trick that I use borrowed from the military builders and it is called COLOR MODULATION, which basically means you break down a single color into light and dark and then use the lighter for highlights and the darker for shadows . . . and that used in combination with salt and hairspray, and you get some very interesting fade effects . . . You see some of those results in this picture: I provide an in-depth description of the whole process in Doctor Cranky's Book. Thanks, everyone. No, the trailer I am going to use in another build . . . it's a real nice trailer too.

Very exciting. Please keep it going . . .