bisc63

Dave Deal's Glitterbug was a nice "metalflake" green, albeit usually swirly.

One step the linked article overlooked - annealing. Take a match or lighter and heat up your PE fret, then allow it to cool completely. It makes the metal less brittle, and thus bends easier. There's a nice YouTube video on this subject.

The minute I find time to work on a model, I'm having fun. Something about this hobby brings back my childhood like nothing else. I do enjoy adding a few important (to me) details, but a lot of later-tooled kits provide a VERY satisfying right-outta-da-box sort of build. Overall presentation is key; as one of my painting professors used to say, '"I don't care how well you paint the eye, I don't care if you think you can paint every eyelash; if you can't get it in the right location on the face, you have lost the likeness, and the whole portrait." So it goes with models, more details don't necessarily mean better model; first you gotta conquer the basics. Someone else here mentioned Tim Boyd's building style, and Tim's articles and models were an inspiration for me as well when I got back into this hobby in the early 90s. His cars focused on an overall concept, and he sweated the stance to get just the look he wanted. I like that approach. A good sketch beats a bad painting every time! It's easy to get swept up with the wealth of resources we have available to us today. It's hard to not want. I have to remind myself to keep it fun, too. I love seeing a well crafted, scratch built model that is nearly indiscernible from real, and can respect the craftsman that made it, but that ain't me, and never will be. I have a couple of Impala projects under construction that I hope to make realistic, but not enough to fool anyone! I'm having fun with them, and if were a Dave Deal Glitterbug, or a Horten 229, it would feel the same to me. It must be that way for most of us; look at the views of a good build thread - it doesn't have to be the latest and greatest kit, a zillion modelers will check in to see another Monogram Bad Man kit built! (AS THEY SHOULD)

That Syd Mead stuff is on another level; such an artistic presentation. Every inch of his composition is considered, and his work is so visually rich and engaging; more than simple illustration. Thank you, Richard, for reminding me of his work!

Very cool! I always liked these world rally cars; have a few unbuilt in my stash. Haven't seen the Citroen before, who makes it? I like the improvements you've made. You've really upped the realism!

If your hardware store carries a product called "KILZ", I recommend trying it! It comes in gallons, quarts, and spray cans; just be sure to stir/shake thoroughly. It's meant to be a stain killer/primer, which it excels at, but if you need a good barrier coat, it can be thinned and airbrushed nicely. The good news is, if you want to use shellac, KILZ is white pigmented shellac! It makes a quick-drying, easy to sand surface quickly. BUT...avoid water-based KILZ-II; not so impressive.

Ha! Seriously, that one should clean up really well

Wasn't there some JoHan repops from Okey Spaulding floating around in the late 90s/early 2000s? I seem to remember a Plymouth, pretty sure it was a 55, but it may have been a 4-door. I got one of his 55 Pontiacs about the same time.

Very happy with my trade from "57olds88", went just the way a good trade should! (...although part of me already misses my 59 Imperial. Luckily, I have another!)

Just made a smooth trade with glusnifr, and it couldn't have gone better! Quick shipping and good communication throughout our negotiations. No problem recommending him as an honorable trader!

Shaping up beautifully! Tight squeeze on that engine, just as it should be!

Love the engine; VERY clean, but that interior is just outstanding. Way to go!

Very clean build, especially for the scale! Love that plane's design; wish it were ours!

You could always throw in a small fixed quarter glass to maintain the door window geometry, something like used on a last generation El Camino. One solution...

That color looks SO good on many Chevies!

Tiny disco balls, with a coat of chrome spray maybe...https://www.ebay.com/itm/200pcs-Acrylic-Ball-Beads-Faceted-AB-Color-Tiny-Disco-Ball-Opaque-White-8mm-DIA/283560565032?hash=item420586d928:g:oJkAAOSwIK9dOn7p Oops; just noticed those are 8mm, so not so tiny in scale; about an 8-inch ball!

Who made the '76 Camaro, MPC? Regardless, this is a neat build!

Those wheels are outstanding! Your choice of colors is very tasteful; I DIG IT! Can you share exactly what color/brand of maroon that is? Loving this build - model on!

Very nice; that's a beautiful red. Don't see enough of these built up. I really liked Polar Lights interior engraving.

Cool old show rod! I never knew this kit existed; I'll be watching with much interest!

Oh yes, well done!

Shaping up nicely, and the black wheels DO look nice there.

Looks like you are getting close to having all you need to get this going!

Just beautiful! LOVE that shade of gray. What paint/color did you use? This is one of my favorite builds on here, no joke.

Love that blue! Nice builds all around.