Codi

Finally. After stripping the chassis 3 times I got it done. Paint is duplicolor etching primer, duplicolor universal matt black and tamiya ts79 semi-gloss clear. Stuff is tough too. I attempted several times to apply this by decanting it and using my air brush. Bad results but I think it was down to the humidity. Last attempt I sprayed it straight from the rattle cans, 70 degree temp and 39% humidity. The humidity seems to be the critical number. I won't bother spraying it again unless the heats at 70 or more and the humidity is 50% or less. cheers, tim This pic is the most accurate for the true color btw.

Gotta agree with Chris, brass is the way to go. His method was excellent as well. I took a slightly different path but they turned out satisfactorily for me. Good luck. Tim

Dann, you're appealing to all of my scratch-building hot buttons. That's a great tip you shared and love the way you tackled it. Keep it up sir. cheers

I. JUST. LOVE. THIS. THREAD. Fantastic Bruce and that link you provided is just amazing to ogle at. Cheers sir!

Hi Erroll, The chassis was cleaned with my dremel brush, then steel wool, 000 grit I believe and also in the nooks and crannies with an asbestos brush. Cleaned it thoroughly with soft scrub and then dawn dish liquid.......rinsed thoroughly with clean cold water and blown off immediately with my airbrush. I'm confident the surface had nothing to do with it. Bare brass like this requires an etching type primer. I just checked my experiment from yesterday and it was perfect. Didn't cheap or peel off whatsoever. Seems tough as nails. I'm cleaning up the chassis one last time, I've decanted the duplicolor etching primer to spray through my airbrush (Art Anderson provided some great insights on a blog that I found on-line) that should permit me to airbrush it (like I said, I don't care for the duplicolor spray can nozzles) so I can control it the best way possible. We'll see........the "experiment" went well so I'm very encouraged I'm onto the right product for the task at hand. Cheers!!!

Hey Dave, no, no it doesn't. I've stripped the chassis twice of the tamiya so I read a bit on this forum about the experiences of those using duplicolor. I sprayed their self etching primer and matt black so far which I'll test for durability in the morn. Lays down nice on the brass I even though I don't like their nozzles. Sprayed it right from the can too. If it passes the durability test I'm going to spray it with the tamiya semi-gloss lacquer for final finish. We'll see but this too has been a learning curve. I would be disappointed at this point if it wasn't. I think. cheers

As a scratch builder that does a lot of research on every build and that seeks out those that are truly in the know.......go to Jerry Bickels website and buy their new book on chassis construction. Covers pro-stock and pro-mod. It's under their "Info Center" link btw. It's not cheap, $79.95 but you'll find it helpful if you're looking to build your own from scratch. Another great 1:1 builder that Dave (comp1839) put me onto that has a LOT of on line videos/tutorials on real pro mod chassis construction is the Tim McAmis website. Both are very informative and up to date. You should find them to be most helpful. Good luck

Hi Mike, you should see it in gunmetal. So far so good today I'll get the clear on it and then share pics. I think you'll like how it turns out. Dave, oh you always tread that fine line don't ya'? Always did appreciate you're sense of humor. I'll give you a call in the coming week to catch up with you too btw! Pete, thank you sir. My intent is to have a build book so there will be "before and after" pics showing the brass chassis. What I think you'll find interesting is the difference between a plastic funny car chassis that I experimented with for color choice. You can really appreciate the detail of the brass chassis when they're side by side. As you know I did the brass for 2 primary reasons. The weight of all the metal machined components etc. hanging off and on it dictated a strong chassis was necessary and I wanted to get close to the true scale & appearance for 1/25th. In a couple days when I take some pics, I'll share the side by side of the two. Art, I painted the chassis with decanted Tamiya fine white primer for plastic and metal. The gunmetal color is Alclad's and the clear will be decanted Tamiya semi-gloss clear. Hope that helps. Cheers all!

Saw you posts and thought it was January of 42' on the Russian front. Great weathering job as others mentioned, but a fantastic overall build in total. cheers

John, I had to laugh at myself when I read your post my first thought was John would have had it painted 5 different shades of pearl, metal flake, pinstripes, flames, fogged and who knows what else. You're at one end of the paint spectrum but somebody has to be at the other. I think I know which end we both stand. Thanks again for your insights and suggestions you've given me. Chris, thanks man. I know you can appreciate where my mental state is on this build right now and this seemingly minor step was a big one for me. What you can't see is the 26 different places wherein I had to mask it off, it will be obvious when I it completely painted. Tolerances are so tight on 1/25th that the thickness of the paint (although thin) will impede assembly. Sooo...... Lou S & Bruce, thanks fellas. White on brass was a big change in appearance & it will be quite different when I spray it gunmetal. I can see it in my head with certain bits and pieces on it already. Cheers!!!

Nice too John. Roger's comment about the black and white pics really add a cool element to them. Very creative. cheers, tim

What a pair Tulio. Love them both and I'm sure they look great together on your shelf. Cheers, Tim

You just have to admire that kind of talent. Truly impressive Dann and I keep going back to stare at the detail you captured. WOW! tim

I learned along time ago that when it comes to your builds John, no matter how off the beaten path the subject might be, if anyone can make it look fantastic, it's you. I wasn't sure about this one when you began the thread but I knew better than to question it. Of course, you're simply killing it. Your attention to detail continues to set new standards. This last post really is fantastic and I'm a true fan of what you've done with it. Just superb John. cheers, tim

Encouraging comments from each of you, today was day 1 of 5 day of great paint weather now. I know it's not much but after too many delays, I actually have the chassis in primer sitting in the dehyrator. Tomorrow color, then Saturday should be clear. Excited now to really move on with it. Cheers again to all that have followed and commented. Tim

Thanks everyone for your patience AND interest in the build. Your comments provide a mental boost to get this done especially since it's been so frustrating regarding paint etc. The chassis will be painted a gun metal color as mentioned and I think when done it will really pop with all of the metal work and the color combinations I've selected. Today I took time to take pics of the various bits and pieces I've made for the car so I could put together an assembly order. There are various fittings and plumbing that you don't see (brakes, oil, fuel, fire extinguisher etc.) along with steering / control arm links and such. Too many little bits and pieces so I'll spare you those. Cheers to one and all. Tim

I know I put it around here somewhere.............oh there it is, excuse me while I pick up my jaw. cheers John.

Still rainin' here. 2nd wettest year on record in Penna. Final chassis tabs are on and everything cleaned up for paint. The mock-up pics are for me as a guide on what to mask off prior to paint. The "tongs" I made were made to hold the chassis somehow while painting it, I think it will work pretty well. Next pics will be of it in color once and for all. cheers

You make Ferrari proud. Congratulations on such a fine build. cheers, tim

A true display of talent and passion John.........just like all of your builds. I always enjoy going back to the first page from time to time to see the concept as a reminder of what you're bringing to fruition. cheers

Dave, I forgot about that earlier "debate" over what this build was going to be it's been so long. I don't know about "icon" status but I know it will be the best I can do. Desperate now to get the chassis in paint so I can commence the assembly. 3 days AGAIN of lousy weather......94 degrees and about 100% humidity here. I just can't get a break with it. Should have it finally in paint by mid month and if all goes well the Kandy Red on the body. I do want to thank some particular builders here for sharing their knowledge & experience whenever I've reached out to them. A sincere "thank you" to Chris, John Teresi, Clay Kemp and Dave Sherman......great group of talented individuals and I'd be remiss not to mention them. cheers

Man I wish I had some of the skills that you possess Chris........for those younger modellers that can do CAD like you do (and others here) it can only help to make a better car or whatever you're making. Great start. cheers dude!

So you've proven it CAN be done Anders. Gorgeous Alclad paint on this and the paint scheme is great too. I'm sooo jealous over that paint job sir. cheers, tim

my head spins every time I visit one of your threads John. Like a carnival ride without having to buy a ticket. A good thing I assure you and btw, REALLY nice work too! cheers, tim

Fantastic work there Joe. Love the creativeness of what you've done this build. cheers, tim