Dragline

Not certain of the years [Many, on and off], but my first kit was built in 1972 [Revell Bug Bomb] So on and off [mostly off till these last 10 years], for 38 years. Give or take. Bob

Between Zora Duntov and Smokey there are no greater proponents of big block Chevy power. I like where this is going. Bob

Very cool back story. Make it come to life and it'll be poyfect! Bob

Here is one I did almost the week it came out. OK, 2 weeks after it was available. I was chomping at the bit to get after this one. I still have another unbuilt for posterity. A little battle damaged and some Testors Desert Tan laquer. Flags on the puter, then printed. Fun stuff. Bob

This is truly a question that can have MANY answers.. For me it's quite simple really. But my system is probably not used by anyone here Perhaps it is. This is what I do. Clearly prepping is everything, you must spend your time getting the base as smooth and blemish free as you can with a minimum of 600 paper. This entails all mold lines and any filler you have used. I then prime with either Duplicolor or Tamiya. The color is important depending on the topcoat. Orange, Yellow and light Reds and Greens get white primer. My metallics get grey only. Some guys go silver or gold under transparent colors but since I don't use those....... How you paint your color coat is a thing of practice and patience. I use Laquers exclusively since they dry quickly and are the most forgiving in terms of running. A first light coat should be followed by another light coat. I shoot wet in wet which means 10 minute flash times between coats. Final coat is usually wet and always achieves a glossy [if you are using gloss] finish. Tamiya paints are generally semi-gloss and require either polishing or a clear coat for a mirror like finish. Decals are always under the clear coat for me. Other can do it as they please but I want it to last past my time on this earth so burying the decals under the clearcoat is the only way for me. Duplicolor paints come in small cans and have soooo many colors you'd be amazed. They too require clear coating or polishing to bring them to life. The metallics MUST be clear coated if you want them to Pop. Clear coating for me is either Tamiya clear for white and Testors 1814 enamel for all other colors. The Testors clearcoat is something I have mastered and it responds very well to either Novis or automotive brand buffing compounds. Tamiya also responds to them but the Tamiya polish is better is this repsect. Tamiya paint goes on thin and cannot take an aggresive compound all that well till you have experience with it. My advise is to take a little from everyone who gives pointers and see which works for you. This is how I got my particular formula down. Hope this helps. Bob

62 days is a looooong time to be laid up. Glad you are on the outside of the hospital. I hate the place. Bob

The Dictionary should add a picture of this build to accompany the word "POP" It POPS, it overcomes the shortcomings of the design and brings the GTO into the "Future". Color, stance, execution. All stellar. Your design cues are perfect. Bob

Get well Ed! You are missed. Bob

Great work on a first build. I'm impressed as are others here. Break out another one! Bob

Absolutely TWISTED build. This is a good thing. The details are just right as well. I'm watching Bob

Got a little more work done on my Starliner project. This is truly a wonderful kit. One more polishing session and the body is ready for BMF. Interior is coming along as well as the motor. Just some plug wires and maybe a brake line from the master cylinder. Perhaps some battery cables to bring it all to life. Thanks for looking. Bob

Absolutely fantastic Roger. You Sir, have arrived. Bob

I'm no truck guy but I'd be proud to say I built that. Very nice indeed sir. Bob

Looking VERY good Bill. Looks like you are off to a grand start. The camber seems OK to me considering the nature of the beast. Perhaps a slight spindle adjustment is in order to bring the inner wheel closer to the ground but that's it. I'll be watching this for a color. Ambitious body mods. See you at the store. Bob

The talent level around here continues to rise. Wheels aside this is a gorgeous build. Bob

STUNNING in EVERY respect! This is the best take on this I've ever seen. The silver interior is perfect. [slinks back to bench]. Bob

Geez John, you keep upping the ante.. A couple of those pix could pass for the real thing. Your work is stellar as usual. I've come to expect nothing less at this point. SUPERB! Bob

Yeah, I'm digging the color more and more. There are a few boogies yes. They will not make the trip however. The polish will see them off in fine style. Motor has been 1/2 assembled and wired. I'll throw some more pix up soon. Yeah Bill, this may make it to work. Bob

Great work but isn't there a resin one already out there? Bob

Since I've been in a funk latley with my builds I decided to buy a kit and build it in one month start to finish. Not a lot of extra detail per se. More of a "Can I still have fun doing this" thing. So I picked the AMT 1960 Ford Starliner kit. First off, GOSH what a great kit this is! I'd seen the photo top version from some years ago and thought it was a great car, but after doing some research about it and digging out some old mags I am really loving this design. So, on the first of this month I opened the kit and started in on it. Got the body sanded and ready for primer in a couple of days and layed down some Duplicolor flat white. When I bought it I knew EXACTLY what color I was painting it. Whether it was factory correct or not I was painting it Tamiya Coral. I think it's TS-49? I'd been lusting over the color since I first set eyes on it but since I'm basically a drag car builder it never was appropriate. So here it is after 3 color coats and 2 coats of Testors 1814 clearcaot. I'll buff it out in a few day and get ready for at least 3-4 sessions wiith the BMF. I also have the PE detail set on the way as well. Thought I'd share how I'm getting out of my funk. I picked a car that doesn't have to be exact, and it's sort of out of my comfort zone in an odd sorta way. But it's car model, not sure how out of the zone it could really be at any rate. Hope you dig the color. Bob

I NEED more pix because THAT is NICE! Bob

I have 2 of these and I have NEVER ever tried one in all the years they have been including them. Looks great. Bob

Great start Brett! You are expanding your horizons and I like where you are headed. Bob

I'm building one to get out of a funk as well Donald. I like your color combo. I'm going with Tamiya TS-49 Coral blue with an ivory interior and coral accents. Yours is looking good. I'll be staring a WIP thread soon for mine. Determined to get outta tha funk. Bob

Here ya go.. DONK! Bob