Chopped Hemi Deuce

[OldNYJim]

I’ve got two hot rod builds on the bench (actually, stashed away in Buddig meat containers) with paint drying before I can do the next steps, so whilst I’m waiting here goes another one.

I had the idea of doing a quick box-stock Revell Deuce build to give me a chance to test my ‘modelling basics’ skills...but then that plan went out of the window immediately when I decided to try a roof chop on this thing ?

Kit body:

I wanted to give it a healthy, but sensible, chop but I also didn’t want one of those little mail-slot rear Windows that you can get if you’re not careful.  Marked out the chop with my trusty Ticonderoga pencil:

Removed the roof, leaving the rear window intact so I can lower around it:

Mocking it back up:

Because I didn’t lean the pillars back and do it the ‘easy’ way I have a gap to fill...but a little styrene strip and some filler later and I’m not too far off:

I try and use an absolute minimum of filler when I’m doing work like this, but it does help fixing all those chops and gaps nicely.  Someday I’ll be good enough not to need the filler ?

Some primer and sanding in progress...got a few more rounds of this before I’ll be ready for paint

And a quick mock-up to give an idea on how this is gonna look on it’s wheels...

Just getting started with this one but I like the look so far!  More soon! 

Edited September 19, 2020 by CabDriver

[NZanglia]

Sweet chop. Are you going to channel it too? I Mean it's only another small deviation from box-stock

[NOBLNG]

6 hours ago, NZanglia said:

Sweet chop. Are you going to channel it too? I Mean it's only another small deviation from box-stock

Yeah, that would be cool!?

[Steve H]

Hi Jim, 

I really like the way you did the chop, leaving the rear window, well played. Looks like it will be another sweet build. I have to agree with the others, it would look sweet channeled, but... it’s your build.

Cheers, Steve

[speedy5963]

Great start, looking forward to seeing this one come along 

[slusher]

Great chop Jim, looking forward to the build!

[OldNYJim]

You guys would lead me astray and have me channel this thing huh?  That’s how simple builds get more complicated ??

In day 7 of messing with this body now - keep doing a little, letting the glue, Bondo or primer setup and then getting it closer the next day for another try and rinse and repeat...definitely getting close now though, once I figure out a nice way to fix the door gaps and get them perfect...

Had the urge to paint something today, so picked the wheels as a quick easy project to shoot some color on.  Lately I’ve liked Rustoleum’s silver, which is a kinda polished aluminum finish when dry, with some Vallejo natural steel misted over the top for a nice polished steel kind of look.  Gave the vents a black wash and I’ll give the lutnugs some attention tomorrow and add valve stems and whatever else I can figure out to do to them:

Whilst they’re drying, I spent an hour or two buffing the shine off the tires - I want to mess with textures and finishes a little on this build and see what I can do to add to the realism a little...the front tires are the kit ones but the rears got jettisoned in favor of some Goodyear slicks:

Still some more buffing to go on the fronts  but my arm got tired ?

And final mini project today was getting the frame smooth and prepped for paint and then contemplating how to fix the holes in the airbags that these Revell kits all have.  In the interests of TRYING to keep this thing close to how Revell intended I was going to fill the gaps and sand them, but honestly it’s quicker, easier and probably will look better to just slice them off, add pins and make some real rubber bags from o-rings...so that’s what I did ?

As you can see, I’m doing a GREAT job of just building what’s there right out of the box so far ??.  I’m REALLY trying though - at least, my wife says I’m trying anyway ?

Oh, and picked out some colors - I imagined this thing in a nice pearl white with some kind of yellow or gold flames, seeing as I haven’t done a flame-job for a couple of builds:

A more interesting update next time, I promise! ?

 

Edited September 21, 2020 by CabDriver

[OldNYJim]

Ok, here’s the more interesting update ?.

Got the body in primer, then silver base then candy lemon:

Then, a little candy orange:

Then some color-flip red, just because I had a new color to try out here:

Then some candy red highlights over that to add some more red and stop it looking too soft and peachy:

Then, some flames - this is the fun part ?:

Next up, into the outdoor spray booth for some chrome silver

Then some Wicked Colors pearl white

And finally, peel those masks off....tada!

I wanted to go for some real bold, wild looking flames on this one, have them kinda freeform and asymmetrical and interesting looking - I think I like it!  

Soon as the white pearl setups up a little I’ll do some little touch ups that it needs and shoot some clear - but I’m pleased with how it came out so far!  More soon! ?

 

Edited September 24, 2020 by CabDriver

[AmericanMuscleFan]

You are the master of the fire Jim!  I love the roof chop you've made, just enough!   I would dare to say that just the first base of candy lemon would have been satisfactory for me on one of my build, you have an undeniable talent with painting my friend!!! ?

[espo]

Very nice looking flames. I like how you did this and the pearl white body is a little unusual, but that's all the better anyway.  

[dragcarz]

Reminds me of those late 60s early 70s customs. Very well exicuted. Looks great. 

[NOBLNG]

She’s a beauty! Is that all Wicked Colors paint? What clear do you use over it?

Edited September 26, 2020 by NOBLNG