Kit Basher

Great work, Jonathan! Really nicely painted and detailed. How did you resolve the side window issue? (Other than repainting, I mean.) Edit: Oops, just read your "Under Glass" post about the windows. Never mind.

Add me to the kitchen table group. Any spray painting is done next door in my wood shop. (You think you have a dust problem!)

Looks awesome, Kyle! Love the tailgate!

Nice!

Wow! I had never heard of this car. It's a gorgeous car and you are doing amazing work replicating it. Can't wait to see more!

Thanks Rich, I must not search as good as you, all I found on Ebay was the Revell '53 Vette. Thanks Art, I looked at images of the '54 Ford, and I can see that the grille is very different from the '53. I'll have to check my stash, I have an older Vette, I just don't know what year. Thanks again to you both.

Anyone have any suggestions for a kit of a '54 convertible? Preferably something kinda sporty like a T-Bird or a Vette, but anything would do. Ideally something readily available and inexpensive. If all else fails, how close is the Lindberg '53 Ford convertible to a '54? Thanks!

Well, I still have a little hair left... Oh wait, you're talking about paint! I usually make mine thinner than milk, closer to water. Like the consistency of Alclad or Metalizers. I avoid runs by adjusting the volume on the A/B.

I want one!

I've had good results with Model Master "Gloss Clear Lacquer Finish", #2017. It works fine over oil enamels and lacquers. I have never tried it over water based paints.

I try not to use the same color twice, pretty easy since I have only completed five models so far.

The technique I am hoping to try, if I ever get a cab, is sometimes called "foil casting". It's explained in detail elsewhere on this site, but basically involves pulling a mold from the badges on a cab, filling the mold, and applying the badges to your finished truck. If I understand the process correctly, the badges are already BMFed as part of the casting process. I've never tried it, but at least it doesn't do any damage to the donor cab. If you can't find info on it, let me know, and I'll PM you my understanding of how it's done. (For what THAT'S worth! )

I've used the name brand "Silly Putty" several times for masking, with good results. It sticks fine to bare plastic and paint, and leaves no noticeable residue. I usually paint with enamels, which are less sensitive to silicone than lacquers, so lacquers might be a problem. Just my experience...

Still no luck on the badges (although I haven't tried very hard). I'm still hoping to get a cab that has them molded on, and make copies, but no joy yet. I agree decals would be lame. The mirrors were pretty labor intensive, but not terribly difficult. I used sheet aluminum, cut, bent, shaped, and drilled. The brackets that mount to the door are basically copies of the ones on the 1:1. I drilled the brackets and the body where the 1:1 bolts would be, and pinned them with copper wire and epoxy before painting. The wire sticks up enough to simulate bolt heads. Some itty-bitty pins with actual heads would be even better. I BMFed them after painting. The arms were the easy part, strips of aluminum, bent to shape, drilled and pinned where they attach to the brackets. The mirror is the Bronco mirror drilled and pinned to the arm. Sounds like a lot of work, but worth it IMHO.

Really nice work on a cool subject!

That suspension sounds challenging. I guess you're going to try to match the way your 1:1 is lifted? Also, is yours is an F250 (hard to tell in the pic)? I'll be watching to see how you pull it all together, I'd like to do a couple of lifted 4x4s myself! BTW, Great looking truck!

I can't help you with the bumper guards, but you might want to take a look at this WIP: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=44306&hl=%2B1990+%2Bf150+%2B4x4. You may find something useful there. I look forward to seeing the progess on your truck.

Regarding the Model Masters "brass", make sure you stir it well. I've used it over black and one coat (brushed) gave a very nice brass finish.

Your final result with the body color wash looks fantastic, much better than the "unwashed" body. I never cared for the "big black line" method of doing this, but you have changed my mind. I will try your technique. Thanks!

Almost makes you want to do something wrong, just to get pulled over! Great idea and execution!

Ditto. He was overdue and it was fun to see him so excited.

It's awesome to see all these little details being created. This is going to be a masterpiece!

Fantastic job! Hard to believe it started out as a Toyota.

Very nice, I'm jealous.

Absolutely beautiful!