David G.

That'll look cool! David G.

Great work on this Niko! The foil work came out quite well, especially on the beak where there's not much relief to work with. I remember that being a challenge when I built mine. I also like the decal on the rear window. A little salt for the wound as it blows past you on the track... or an apology depending where one's loyalties lie. David G.

Thanks Jim! Thanks Steve, I appreciate that. Thank you Trevor, it's kind of you to say so. Thank you Sonny. No the box art is different, at least on this edition. It just takes a bit of courage and a bit more practice. And you have to be comfortable with screwing one up now and again because that will happen. There's a quote in my signature line to keep in mind: "Each kit I build is really only practice for the next one!" Thank you Carl, I'm glad you like it. Thank you all for your kind and insightful comments, I hope to have more progress updates soon. David G.

Hello Everybody! Here's the next update on the 1957 Ford Hardtop by AMT. With the masking removed, the paint looks pretty good. Of course I'll have some clean-up work to do but I expected that. As always, thanks for stopping by for a look and please feel free to comment. David G.

That's unfortunate about the cracks in the glass. It's good that the pieces are mostly flat and should be fairly easily replicated. It may even be less time and effort to replace than to repair them. David G.

It's a good thing that you recalled it having a vinyl top now rather than upon delivery. David G.

Excellent work so far! David G.

Thanks Ken, I'm glad you like it. David G.

Though I normally use this technique I have to admit, that thought was certainly in my mind in this instance. You're welcome Jim. I'm always happy to share tips and techniques. David G.

A nice looking interior. You gave it more love and attention than it deserves, well done Niko. David G.

Great looking engine! David G.

Wow Jim, everything looks fantastic! I really like the way the wood for the bed turned out and the chrome looks great. BTW, do you buy a new cutting mat for each build? David G.

That turned out quite well. It must be great having it done. David G.

A gorgeous build, everything looks spot-on! David G.

That's quite an interesting build, it looks like a down-sized European edition. Nicely done! David G.

A great looking build, excellent photos too. David G.

That looks like a great start Tom! Your first commission! That must be very exciting... and a little intimidating, yes? David G.

I try to leave the chrome trim as close to being bare plastic as possible. I cover the trim with masking tape and trim tape right where I would cut the foil leaving the trim covered. Doing this keeps the trim strips clean and smooth without much more than primer on them preserving the finer details. Cutting the masking tape at the edge of the trim also starts a kind of kerf for the razor blade for when it's time to cut the foil. Hopefully resulting in less chance of wandering blade syndrome. Hope that helps, David G.

Hello Everybody The work continues on AMT's 1957 Ford Hardtop and here's the proof. I still have a couple of sink marks on the front fender tops to deal with but I just had to start getting some color down. Here's the masking work for the main body color, Tamiya TS-102 Cobalt Green. And yes, I did catch and trim the overhanging tape on the left front fender. As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post a comment if you so choose. David G.

Ah, I see now. I actually considered painting mine like this but ironically that would have been more work to do with a model. The bezels would almost have to be painted separately then attached rather than attached then painted with the body. Doing it that way would have made fitting them without marring the paint trickier. And I don't think I would have been able to mask them for the kind of clean paint line that would be required. David G.

The interior is coming along quite nicely David! It's an unfortunate turn with the clear parts but I agree with the consensus. The marks may polish out. If not then the parts seem to be fairly flat so they should be easily enough to replicate. David G.

Looking good Niko! I like the work you've done with the engine. David G.

It looks good Greg, nice and smooth. Hopefully the solvent in the sprue goo has finished its work and will leave you in peace from this point foreword. David G.

Odd in what way Jim? To me it looks like Ford picked the center-line between the two panels and split the colors there. How would you have done it? Thank you Carl. Thank you John. Red and white isn't bad. But if I were going to use red in a two-tone, it would have been with black. Thanks, David G.

Hello Everybody! Just a short, quick update. I spent most of this build session filing and sanding to get the tail light bezels to match the body contours. Thanks, David G.