prestonlal

Another small update Worked on the front slope above the windshield. Getting there I think...:o Still need to properly round off the corners, but need to let the new piece cure properly then re-enforce the inside of the corners before filing them down... Once that is done, I'll have to properly line up the front of the green piece, the make the adjustments to the rear of the panels and the tailgate... Some pics ...before and after...lol...watcha think?

Another small :update:.... Got some more done on the tailgate...still needs a bit of sanding... Also a sneaky peek....lol! Gonna have to re-do it. Used lexan but it was too thick (.7mm) :crazy:...gonna have to try to locate something thinner... Watcha think?

Made a lil progress with the upper tailgate...:D Made it hollow with supporting ribs instead of solid like the first one, where I just slapped the layers together. This new way I used a lot less bondene, so hopefully it will maintain the shape! Still need to 'close up' the inner and outer piece where the window goes and then make the window. Will have another go at some hinges and try to get the struts built as well... Anywho... Coupla pics..:banana: fits nice and flush ....

Hey guys, another small :update: :) Got the rear bumpers done...had to make a slot to fit around the tailgate hinges outs slightly different than the 1:1 bumper...:o Also started to rebuild the upper tailgate, you can see how much the original one warped in the last pics...:o . I think it's because I used too much bondene on it :lolbeat:... The tricky part is figuring out how to make the window area as its angled a bit and recessed into the tailgate...will probably try to build that area separate from the tailgate then attach it, so as to limit the amount of the bondene on the tailgate. Hopefully it will work out...:lolbeat: I think I will also re-do the hinges, using tubes similar to the set up on the bucket seats... Anywho...some pics... The 1:1 bumpers...pretty close I think...lol!

Hey guys...another small update lol..! Yup...still at it... Tweaked the top center area of the nose panel a bit...got it to slope a bit more like it should...will probably have to tweak it again after some primer and a guide coat of paint... Completed the front indicators and did a quick lens on one side to see how it looks...getting there sloooowly...lol! Finally repaired the front stone shield as well... Think I'll make the rear bumpers next then have a go at the upper tailgate....thinking about repairing it, but will probably just rebuild it (the upper tailgate) will probably be easier...ha! :o Anywho....some pics...watcha think?

Another small :update:....lol! Got the grille installed with magnets...! Looks pretty sweet...:excited: You can see how it's mounted with magnets just above the screws on the front panel, and the corresponding magnets on the grille.... So tomorrow night I will probably work on the front indicator assemblies...still need to figure out how I'm attaching the logo to the grille...gonna have to set it up so it can be attached easily after the grille has been painted...! Will probably also cut a couple of the logos into two separate pieces : the word 'Holden' and the lion emblem to use on the dash etc. Anywho....some more pics....watcha think?:thinking:

Thanks kpnuts!

thanks Dave!

Got the bumper mounted, but went a different way than screws...used magnets to attach the bumper, cuz like a big idjit, I put the bolts that attach the front panel to the radiator panel right where the bumper needs to be..:facepalm: This meant the once I bolted the bumper to the front panel, the bumper will be blocking the bolts to attach it all to the face panel...ha! Figuring on using magnets to attach the grill as well..... Anywho ...couple pics....

Hey guys...back in the saddle again...finally! :blink: ha! Did some work on the front panel...figured how I'm bolting it on. Also got the bumper mounts sorted, just need to let the tubes for the screws cure properly before mounting it... Still trying to figure how to mount the grille to the front panel, hoping to get that licked tonight! I want everything bolted on but removeable, so it will be easier to paint... Also need to work on the front stone shield... Haven't touched the roof since the last post...gonna need to get going on that as well...decided to get the front panel sorted first just to get back in the groove...lol. I think my buddy said it best... Body work can be a joy or an absolute nightmare...lol! Anywho...some pics...in the last pics the bumper isn't bolted on yet, just wanted to get the look...ha!

A little better...still not there...ha... I sure picked a doozy to start body work with... The front slope looks ok...I figure I can go with it as is...gonna have to build up the sides where it looks curved or convex , as well as figure how I'm gonna level out and smoothen the areas on the top...you can see where it shows up with the paint ...think I may need a finer grit sandpaper...not sure though...

Getting a lil closer...still a lot more to be done on the roof...learning curve is a pain in the butt though...: After wet sanding the above, prime, sand some more, added more putty, sand, prime, some more putty, sand then prime....I think I got the front slope sorted. Got some of the low spots on the top as well as the sides sorted...I think. Got this big depression running down the right side to build up still..hoping I have enough putty left...will know for sure tonight when I shoot a layer of paint on it ..... Anywho...some pics...

thanks Mark! Sanded it out yesterday, but added some more putty last night...will sand it out again tonight and prime some more and take some pics again. Will try to post up tonight...!

Mixed up a batch of poly putty and slapped it on....will sand it out tomorrow and spray some more primer and see how it looks.... Watcha think?

Used a flat piece of balsa with some sand paper glued on to try to find the low spots...this is what I ended up with...

The roof is done............NOT !! Lol...hope I'm doing this the correct way...ha! Sprayed it with some primer then used used the green as a guide coat....was the only TS paint that I had at moment...you can pretty much see some of the low spots as well as where the single part putty shrunk on the front slope....

Some daylight pics....lol

Hey guys...not much of an update....more like another 2 steps back.... Just found out that it's not gonna be easy to glue the silicone flares to styrene without some kind of chemical activator...not something I want to do after I paint the body, as I want the flares to be removable. 3M has a special double sided tape that bonds on one side to silicone and the other side to regular materials (plastics, metals etc). One roll costs around 142.00 So decided that I'm gonna re-cast the flares but this time with some magnets imbedded in the casting, then I could mount magnets on the inside of the fenders, so the flares can be removable even after painting...well that's the plan at this point for the flares... Won't happen till I get back home in September though, as I didn't bring the molds with me... Did a mock up using some magnets....flares look pretty good on the body... Some pics, watcha think? Will try to take some clearer pics in the daylight tomorrow ...

Hey thanks Rob! Really is a bummer to hear about your health. Hope you get better soon! I will let you know if I need any measurements . Thank you so much!

Been a real busy week at work setting up stuff...kinda settled down now...so started to do some more stuff..... Actually was wondering how to attach the hood relief piece to the hood, then I thought ' why not try casting it in silicone?' Mixed up a batch of silicone mix and tossed in some black pigment and some white....got it a nice dirty looking grey...lol! Straight from the mold... Next to an x-acto blade to give an idea of the thickness.... All trimmed up...gonna clean it off with some cascade shortly....! All trimmed up...gonna clean it off with some cascade shortly....! Watcha think? Couldn't wait to see it, so dug out the Sandman and tried it on for size! Needs a bit more trimming around the magnet area so the ends pull in some more, so the hood closes properly...heh...! Starting to like this moldy business ! :lolbeat:

Thanks Doobie! I needed a way to get the dash mounted to properly mock up, but easy to take apart as the components ( instrument panel and steering column ) will need to be painted separately...!

Another small update... Completed the steering column... Figured how I'm mounting the steering wheel column to the instrument panel...its removeable, so the pieces can be painted separately then assembled. Also figured out how I'm mounting the dashboard to the body...I used magnets, so it snaps in pretty securely. I also tweaked the area where the dashboard sits, so it all looks kinda neat.still need to figure how I'm attaching the instrument panel to the dash... Tomorrow I will try to get the center console in its proper position, then I will like to start the front indicator detail on the nose panel, as well as try to get the rear bumpers sorted......

Double post!