Monty

So now you're saying you can see into the future clearly?

Harry, the notification system used to send a message to my email address whenever I received a PM from another member. It did this flawlessly for years until recently, which is what prompted this thread. I'd never messed with the settings before, but I've gone ahead and clicked on the box you mentioned. I've got something to post later that should give it a good test. Thanks!

Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last

So what's the process for using it? How do you know what amount to use?

I'm kinda surprised to hear you're using any type of enamel since most of your builds seem to require lots of intricate masking. If I can ask, what's this project going to be?

It seems like someone mentioned a remedy for slow-drying enamels the other day in the Help section. IIRC, it involved using automotive grade hardener. The person who wrote it said it sped up the drying time considerably. In the meantime, a dehydrator is probably your best bet. Other than the slow drying time, what do you think of Humbrol enamels?

I'm guessing it was disabled during one of the upgrades, but the people I've PM'ed weren't aware they had messages waiting.

I guess that's good to know. Did you ever try the A.M. M8B?

I wish American model makers had taken a greater interest in Can-Am cars, especially in 1/25 scale. MPC made a McLaren Mk8D, but it was in 1/20 scale; I bought it but never bothered to build it. I know IMC made a Chaparral 2E, but they're rare and expensive now. When I heard that AMT/Matchbox had decided to come out with a Porsche 917/10, I was elated... then I learned that it would be made in 1/32 scale. http://t3.gstatic.co...XtBGHA5nA-7yTHg I enlisted the help of several longshoremen and sailors to help me invent new, more acrimonious cuss words to call them for doing that. Seriously, that car in 1/32? I'll bet the idiot who greenlighted that liked New Coke too. Here's another favorite Can-Am car I wish somebody would make a quality kit of. It's David Hobbs' 1973 McLaren M20. Lotsa these in slot car sizes and I assume 1/43, but AFAIK, nothing in 1/25. I've read that there were some Japanese kits (Union?) that were 1/28, but they were usually expensive and hard to find. Allegedly, the warehouse where the molds for these were stored was destroyed by the most recent natural disaster, so don't expect re-issues anytime soon. I do have an Accurate Miniatures M8B, but when SAE assigned a fairly reputable modeler to review it, he basically said you can either build it with the upper body pieces off to expose the details or you can leave off some of the detail items so the body parts fit nicely, but you can't have both. I was hoping these cars, along with their GS Corvettes, would turn American Miniatures into an American Tamiya - offering high quality models of non-mundane subject matter. Oh well...

This was done by one of our members using only Testors black enamel sprayed from a rattle-can. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=49366&hl=&fromsearch=1 No polishing kit, no clearcoat.

Excellent! I was hoping the same thing. Dear diary, today I learned another another great modeling technique... Good stuff! Thanks, Mark!

I think online shoppers in general are becoming used to the benefits of Amazon.com's way of business, where prices are fairly low, orders are often shipped same day and arrival time can range anywhere from a couple days to overnight. It's all about getting the product into the customer's hands ASAP. Like you, I'm not usually in a big rush for modeling supplies, and most of the paints I order have to be shipped by ground anyway, so...

I'll cede your point on Monday being a holiday, but my four previous orders from Hobbylinc went the same way. Even though the product has always been in stock, my orders have never even been picked until at least two days after having been placed*. Here's the counter to that: I can also buy Humbrol enamels and Tamiya lacquer spray paints from RedFrog at slightly higher prices (about 20¢ - 50¢ per item). If the order is placed early enough, it will usually ship same day. * Looks like Hobbylinc changed their home page. They used to have some sort of disclaimer about slow turnaround time.

I originally found them when I was looking for cheaper prices on Tamiya spray paint. At the time, they were charging $2.50 less per can than some of their competitors, so I loaded up on some colors I wanted for future projects. In addition to these lacquer paints, I found they also carried acrylics and enamels (including Humbrol!) at very low prices. OTOH, I'm going to agree with most of what Danny and Mike said in posts 13 & 15, respectively. I placed an order for some Humbrol paints (all in stock) on the 14th, and my status update shows it hasn't even been picked yet. Unlike Mike, I haven't had a packing issue with them yet, so I tell myself the one-stop shopping and the lower prices help offset their apparent lack of urgency.

My assessment of the Patriot defense was based on the analyses of former NFL coaches and players. I think you and I could agree that, statistically, this was not a typical Patriot defense such as we've seen over the last 10 years or so. That said, what makes the Patriots so hard to beat is their offense. Best example: They're down 21-0 to the Bills and come back to win 49-21. They can bury you in points and make your offense one dimensional, which is pretty much what happened in Denver. If your D-line and LBs don't have to worry about stopping the run, it shouldn't come as any surprise that the defense racked up tons of sacks and negative yards. Admittedly I would've preferred to see a Super Bowl QB duel such as Brady vs Brees or Brady vs Rodgers, but (assuming my picks are correct) I still say, based on the health of the team and the way they finished out the year, the Giant defense will probably be the difference maker here.

As a Raiders fan who has had to learn to deal with disappointment for over a decade, my "wait till next year" chant may finally mean something now that Reggie McKenzie is taking charge as General Manager & cleaning house. Reggie's been learning his trade under Ron Wolfe up in Green bay, so I'm very optimistic. It'll be nice to watch the draft without hearing hoots of derisive laughter from half the planet. To me, Tim Tebow is a refreshing attitudinal change from the borderline NBA-ballah behavior we're seeing more and more of in the NFL. I think his faith is genuine and is what drives his desire to help the less fortunate. (Anybody else see Mike Tirico's report last Sunday on this?) That said, as long as he's wearing a Broncos uniform, I'll wish him nothing but years of exciting losses. I think the Pats will win the AFC, but I really thought the Saints or Packers would represent the NFC. Good thing I don't gamble. Super Bowl pick: Giants beat Patriots based on strength of defense.

About a month ago I came across a picture of a model I liked on another forum. The builder happened to mention that he'd painted it in Odds 'n' Ends Pewter spray paint, and since I liked the color, I went looking for some. Long story short, I can't seem to find this stuff in the US, (Lotsa UK links on Google, though). I'm assuming it's made in the US 'cuz one of the model-related links I found said the Plastikote factory is in Minnesota. I live within 5 miles of two WalMarts & neither of them carry this stuff. Any other sources for it? Plastikote does make 1:1 automotive touch-up paint but the Odds 'n' Ends line is what I'm looking for.

Jeff, when you get a second, check your messages.

For measuring exact amounts of paint or reducer, you can find pipettes and clear plastic cups with markings on the outside at online stores such as Micro-Mark. A well-equipped pharmacy may also have them.

You probably know this intuitively, but I can't stress how important it is to keep these things clean. I've heard that if water-based acrylics aren't entirely cleaned out, they harden & become extremely difficult to remove. Get yourself a gallon of hardware store lacquer thinner & learn how to strip down your gun for proper cleaning.

One of our members has a site with a lot of airbrush information that you might find helpful. https://sites.google...nsairbrushtips/ He really seems to know his stuff about Badgers, so check out those entries*. A lot of people are going to tell you to start off with the Paasche "H" because it's a simple single action that'll gt the job done. All of that is true, but I'm going to recommend the Paasche VL. I bought one used from a co-worker years ago and had to teach myself how to use it (no instructions). With the three different head/needle setup, it'll shoot about anything from Kool-Aid to pancake syrup. As an added plus, the additional adjustability of a dual action unit will prove to be a big help in any number of areas. If you really want to stay in the Badger line, try the Crescendo. It has the same features I like in the VL, but if you have something really big to paint, this is the one you want. * The reviewer somehow received an incredibly poorly made Paasche VL and didn't seem to like it that much. As far as where to buy, try pricing the brushes you're interested in here: http://coastairbrush.com/

Kenny, could I talk you into making some kind of announcement in here and the General section when this kit is ready to go?

Gotta love those Mk II's. Have you built a Mk IV in that scale yet?

OK, so let's take this one step further with a real world example. I'm going to be building the Revell '72 442 convertible as a surprise for a friend who owned one back in the early '80s. From seeing other people's builds on various model sites, it would appear that TS-54 is going to be a fairly close match for Olds Viking Blue, but IIRC, Tamiya lacquers require an extended gas-out period before recoating or clear coating. How long should I wait to apply the decal stripes and clear coat? (I've heard you can do the clear coat immediately after the paint so they gas out together, but that won't be happening)

I realize we have a lot of talented builders on this forum, but I couldn't help noticing that all the pics submitted for this thread featured beautiful paint jobs - the kind most modelers aspire to. The fact that they don't require a clear coat to look good is just one more reason for me to step up and try these paints. Curtis, thanks for the examples done in maroon.