Let's See Some Glue Bombs!

[StevenGuthmiller]

2 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

A real glue bomb.

 

I've never invested time or money for a built model that looks like poop box material just because I might be interested in the subject matter. I prefer starting fresh from new or old virgin unbuilt.

I tend to agree.

I don’t mind starting with a nice rebuilder, but I won’t spend my precious modeling time repairing busted windshield frames, broken fenders, fused in glass, crushed roofs, severe glue rash, etc, unnecessarily, especially if it’s an easily replaced kit.

A bunged up original issue AMT 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix holds no value for me when I can get a pristine re-issue inexpensively and can start from scratch.

 

 

 

 

Steve

Edited September 28, 2021 by StevenGuthmiller

[Snake45]

2 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

I've never invested time or money for a built model that looks like poop box material just because I might be interested in the subject matter. I prefer starting fresh from new or old virgin unbuilt.

Then you'll never experience the joy and pride of bringing one "back from the dead." 

[Paul Payne]

It's always worthwhile for a kit that was never reissued. Years back I got a 1961 Thunderbird convertible from a buddy- my first resurrection- when I get a minute I'll take a photo. No wip photos, wasn't taking pix back then. The top of the engine was unsalvageable but some parts from the bin made a very healthy replacement.

[SfanGoch]

1 hour ago, Snake45 said:

Then you'll never experience the joy and pride of bringing one "back from the dead."

I don't disparage what others might do (not in the public fora, at least ); but, resurrecting terminally dead plastic ain't my church. Firstly, there are no toy shows around here for me to rummage through for model kits, builtups or glue bombs. Secondly, flea markets and porch/yard sales here are fantastic if you're looking for an old Remington typewriter missing all of the vowel stamps, dog-eared copies of Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" or vintage ( read used) underwear. The gentrifying interlopers aren't into common, pedestrian leisure activities like mainstream hobbies such as model building; and, neither are their kids. I'm also not going to pickup a ridiculously built ready-for-demolition-by-M-80 glue bomb with every single customizing accessory welded on with three tubes' worth of cement with broken and/or missing key parts on ebay for an equally ridiculous price  just because I have an interest in the particular subject. Trying to restore a styrene abortion such as described isn't worth the time or effort when it ends up being a laborious ordeal because of the condition and I still have to do a scavenger hunt for parts which are, more often than not. unobtainium. I don't feel like forking over twenty buck or more for a stupid hood ornament or taillight lens, among other missing necessary parts, if they are MIA or completely FUBAR.

[Plowboy]

2 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I tend to agree.

I don’t mind starting with a nice rebuilder, but I won’t spend my precious modeling time repairing busted windshield frames, broken fenders, fused in glass, crushed roofs, severe glue rash, etc, unnecessarily, especially if it’s an easily replaced kit.

A bunged up original issue AMT 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix holds no value for me when I can get a pristine re-issue inexpensively and can start from scratch.

 

 

 

 

Steve

I agree on an easily replaced kit. But, a pristine kit that can approach $200-$300 is a different story. I'd rather spend the time and save the money. Plus, for me, I enjoy turning an old model or promo that most would dismiss into something nice. There's a satisfaction that comes with it that you can't get from a fresh kit. Plus, there's something to be said about the skills one gains along the way. 

[Snake45]

2 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I don’t mind starting with a nice rebuilder, but I won’t spend my precious modeling time repairing busted windshield frames, broken fenders, fused in glass, crushed roofs, severe glue rash, etc, unnecessarily, especially if it’s an easily replaced kit.

A bunged up original issue AMT 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix holds no value for me when I can get a pristine re-issue inexpensively and can start from scratch.

Steve

In general and in principle I agree with this completely. 

On the other hand, that thoroughly roached '65 Elky I showed on the previous page, which I'm now working on? Ironically, just last week I bought on sale two brand new copies of the same kit! 

"It's like RAY-EE-AAAAAAAAIN, on your wedding day....." 

Part of the reason for this one is, I was inspired by the Flip/Kamikaze El Camino on Street Outlaws. It was built out of junk, scrap, and parts others had discarded, and I'm trying to build up this model exactly the same way, using only leftovers and castoff parts from the scrap box that would otherwise never see the glory of my display shelf. Gotta have some pure FUN every now and then! 

[StevenGuthmiller]

19 minutes ago, Plowboy said:

I agree on an easily replaced kit. But, a pristine kit that can approach $200-$300 is a different story. I'd rather spend the time and save the money. Plus, for me, I enjoy turning an old model or promo that most would dismiss into something nice. There's a satisfaction that comes with it that you can't get from a fresh kit. Plus, there's something to be said about the skills one gains along the way. 

I agree to a point, and believe me, I’ve done my share of resurrections, but I’ve always found it to be well worth my while to be very careful and selective when I am searching for vintage plastic. 
I would much rather spend an extra $30.00 on the built vintage kit that is intact, but covered in 8 coats of enamel paint, than spend $30.00 less on the one with the crushed roof and then spend countless hours just to make it whole again.

This attitude has served me very well over the years.

I have pretty much every model that I’ve ever wanted, and I haven’t had to fix an A-pillar on a single one! ?

 

 

Steve

[Mark]

Finding a restorable built model car is no different from searching out a restorable 1:1 car...buy the best, most complete one you can afford.  The cheapest one seldom turns out to be the least expensive one over the long haul.

But there are certain ones that you don't trip over at every swap meet, and seldom turn up on eBay.  If you really want one and nothing else will do, sometimes you have to take whatever comes along, and just deal with it.

[StevenGuthmiller]

21 minutes ago, Mark said:

Finding a restorable built model car is no different from searching out a restorable 1:1 car...buy the best, most complete one you can afford.  The cheapest one seldom turns out to be the least expensive one over the long haul.

But there are certain ones that you don't trip over at every swap meet, and seldom turn up on eBay.  If you really want one and nothing else will do, sometimes you have to take whatever comes along, and just deal with it.

True, but patience pays off. 
I never thought that I would see the day when I would ever find good rebuildable examples of some of the rarest kits in my collection, and in some cases it took years to find things like a Johan ‘68 Olds 442 or an MPC ‘66 Dodge Monaco, but they both eventually materialized, and I didn’t have to compromise on price or condition with either one.

In almost every case, (at least for me) I’ve always been glad that I passed on the basket case and waited the extra time for the nice one to come along, and in my experience, they usually do if you give it time.

 

 

 

Steve

Edited September 29, 2021 by StevenGuthmiller

[keyser]

I don’t see pictures of restorables like thread says. Let’s stick to topic of nice rescues. Please. Maybe a new thread to pro/con rebuilds?

Snake, great work, Plowboy too. End result and amusement is all that matters really. “Model on!”

[Tabbysdaddy]

Snake started the thread and is participating in the discussion so it seems he's fine with it. But you do have a heart by your comment so it is possible he has a heart on for you.

[Bills72sj]

Here is my 2008 vintage description of my 1st Glue Bomb.

 

This model was built to loosely resemble a black over red 70 Grand Prix I owned for a number of years in the late 90's. It started out as a built-up glue bomb purchased on ebay. It was brush painted blue and looked pretty bad at first. After a dip in the "purple lake" I surveyed what was salvageable. The body, bumpers and interior were fair but the engine was a blob. Fortunately, I had a Revell Parts-Pack Pontiac 421. I soaked it in Westly's to dechrome it and sourced the stock air cleaner and other items from the parts bin. I actually made my own wired distributor from supplies picked up at Radio Shack and Hobbytown USA. I used a technique I learned on Drastics about BMFing emblems BEFORE painting and then scraping off the paint on the raised areas to expose the letters. It actually worked quite well. Especially since the "Grand Prix" emblems are separate block letters. It did a fair job on the front fender louvers as well. The interior is pretty basic, with just some minor detailing. The underside being an old MPC offering with chassis screws, is nothing to write home about. I did do my signature red mufflers (a throw back to the Cherry Bomb glass pack days). The engine compartment is anatomically all wrong compared to a real GP. Especially in the fan shroud/radiator areas. I did not have the parts to correct it though, so it is what it is. The mags are Modelhaus Keystone Klassics which have been painstakingly detailed. I performed my signature rear tire widening technique to fill in the rear wheel wells. The tires have been lettered with a "Gelly Roll" pen from a local stationary store. The windows were boogered up but, using progressively finer grit polishing cloths, finished off with a coat of Future, they look as good as new. Sharpie markers applied here and there round out the small details. I am pretty pleased at how my first restoration turned out.

[keyser]

Lots to say. I started new thread. Heart on. Lol. Mrs. Snake doesn’t Let him date ?

Great GP Bill. Nice save. Good looking cars still. 

Edited September 29, 2021 by keyser

[Oldcarfan27]

1 hour ago, Bills72sj said:

Here is my 2008 vintage description of my 1st Glue Bomb.

Now, that's what restoring a glue bomb is all about! A gem from junk!

I wish you had a before picture of it.

Looks awesome, Bill.

[slusher]

1 hour ago, Bills72sj said:

Here is my 2008 vintage description of my 1st Glue Bomb.

 

This model was built to loosely resemble a black over red 70 Grand Prix I owned for a number of years in the late 90's. It started out as a built-up glue bomb purchased on ebay. It was brush painted blue and looked pretty bad at first. After a dip in the "purple lake" I surveyed what was salvageable. The body, bumpers and interior were fair but the engine was a blob. Fortunately, I had a Revell Parts-Pack Pontiac 421. I soaked it in Westly's to dechrome it and sourced the stock air cleaner and other items from the parts bin. I actually made my own wired distributor from supplies picked up at Radio Shack and Hobbytown USA. I used a technique I learned on Drastics about BMFing emblems BEFORE painting and then scraping off the paint on the raised areas to expose the letters. It actually worked quite well. Especially since the "Grand Prix" emblems are separate block letters. It did a fair job on the front fender louvers as well. The interior is pretty basic, with just some minor detailing. The underside being an old MPC offering with chassis screws, is nothing to write home about. I did do my signature red mufflers (a throw back to the Cherry Bomb glass pack days). The engine compartment is anatomically all wrong compared to a real GP. Especially in the fan shroud/radiator areas. I did not have the parts to correct it though, so it is what it is. The mags are Modelhaus Keystone Klassics which have been painstakingly detailed. I performed my signature rear tire widening technique to fill in the rear wheel wells. The tires have been lettered with a "Gelly Roll" pen from a local stationary store. The windows were boogered up but, using progressively finer grit polishing cloths, finished off with a coat of Future, they look as good as new. Sharpie markers applied here and there round out the small details. I am pretty pleased at how my first restoration turned out.

Beautiful Pontiac sir!

[Plowboy]

That's a nice looking Gran Prix Bill! That's what it's about! I have a '72 promo that I need to build someday. 

[Snake45]

9 hours ago, Tabbysdaddy said:

Snake started the thread and is participating in the discussion so it seems he's fine with it. 

Wish it hadn't devolved into a "glue bombs yes-or-no" sort of discussion. The original idea was to show glue bombs in their original state, whether you were restoring them or planning to or just wanted to laugh at them as "a good example of a bad example." Before-and-After pics seem to be in the spirit of the thread. Pics of a nicely built finished model AFTER restoration/rebuild, without any BEFORE pics, are not. 

[thatz4u]

12 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

True, but patience pays off. 
I never thought that I would see the day when I would ever find good rebuildable examples of some of the rarest kits in my collection, and in some cases it took years to find things like a Johan ‘68 Olds 442 or an MPC ‘66 Dodge Monaco, but they both eventually materialized, and I didn’t have to compromise on price or condition with either one.

In almost every case, (at least for me) I’ve always been glad that I passed on the basket case and waited the extra time for the nice one to come along, and in my experience, they usually do if you give it time.

 

 

 

Steve

How true Steve, I have found a few by simply waiting a while....& spending less..the ratty glue bombs are sometimes good for rare parts....

[Tom Geiger]

Let’s face it.. you are either a glue bomber or not! For me, when I see an old classic in poor condition, I respect that it’s survived some 40-60 years and it’s time it shines!

A guy at a club meeting had a bunch of old built ups in boxes for $5 each. He was hawking that he needed money, so I bought four to help him out. 

I kept coming back to this one.. there was something about that flat green that grabbed me..

I needed a quick project so I turned it into this!  And this is the one that got me into the old Monogram Model A’s!

Then I got this one in a bag of parts. Again, it had personality.. that top chop done by a kid back in the early 1960s. It didn’t appear to have ever been completed.

And it became this blue bomber! 
 

A local dealer friend just handed me this in a plastic bag.. can ya fix it?  It was an original Blue Beetle so why not?

Restored and sitting on the shelf! 

Again a freebie. A guy knew I was into Valiants. I guess giving it to me was a better option than throwing it away!  I felt challenged to do something with it…

Everything came from the parts box. My favorite save!

And I’ve got more!

[Bills72sj]

13 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Wish it hadn't devolved into a "glue bombs yes-or-no" sort of discussion. The original idea was to show glue bombs in their original state, whether you were restoring them or planning to or just wanted to laugh at them as "a good example of a bad example." Before-and-After pics seem to be in the spirit of the thread. Pics of a nicely built finished model AFTER restoration/rebuild, without any BEFORE pics, are not. 

I humbly apologize for my incorrect entry.

[Oldcarfan27]

1 hour ago, Bills72sj said:

I humbly apologize for my incorrect entry.

Well, I enjoyed it.

Better to get back on track of seeing pictures rather than listen to the back-and-forth diatribe of "to build or not to build them".

[Nazz]

 Here is one I have which I think meets the criteria of glue bomb. I picked it up off e-bay a few years ago and have plans to rebuild it some day. I think it is fixable. 

 

Jerry

[keyser]

That’s appears to be a fairly rare MPC 66 Bonne HT. Looks nice, couple glue dimples but pretty nice! 

[Snake45]

2 hours ago, Nazz said:

 Here is one I have which I think meets the criteria of glue bomb. I picked it up off e-bay a few years ago and have plans to rebuild it some day. I think it is fixable. 

Jerry

 

That's a MAGNIFICENT example of a glue bomb, and very rebuildable! (If you ever decide you don't want to do it, contact me about a trade of some sort.  ) Drive on! 

[Can-Con]

OK, how about this ,,,

 

To this,,