Mike F. Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 Hi all, I'm fairly new to this forum. Just been lurking for a while and commenting on occasion. Really enjoying some of the talented work I've seen and picking up many good tips. I started posting this build on FineScale's forum, but it seems the vast majority of members there are into military modeling, which is fine, as I occasionally build military planes. However, after discovering this forum, decided to start a progress thread here, instead. Hope you enjoy. The model is AMC's Gremlin X. Going to be Black Metalflake over Candy Green. Going to be a combination of the street and strip versions. Below are a few starting photo's. A bit of primer to start Chose a medium dark green for interior color. Trying a bit of upholstery for the first time. And a bit of carpeting. Color scheme looks ok, I guess. Going to ditch that space save spare cover and just have full-size spare. Engine coming along nicely More to come...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted March 7, 2021 Share Posted March 7, 2021 Good start so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 A bit of an issue with the headers. Not sure if I did something wrong, or if the kit is a bit off. Either way, the side pipes did not line up with the header pipes outlet, so I had to make some adapter pipes. Also, the headers almost touch the ground. Probably because I elected not to use the rear slicks provided, which would have raised the back slightly. I did not use them because I dis not want to cut out the rear fenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLHCAHZ Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Looking good! I usually glue the headers on then set the engine in the chassis with the exhaust to make sure everything lines up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TransAmMike Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Ditto what Chaz said. Need to test fit to be sure everything lines up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Caution is good - I understand the Gremlin kit has some fit Gremlins! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 Michael you can skip Photobucket and past you pitchers directly here now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 Thanks for the tip slusher. Yes, this kit does have other issues. For one, there is no brake cylinder. I'm going to try and make my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 Painted lower half of body. Ended up with a couple spots of spydering, which surprised me, since I primed an lightly sanded first. Sanding them down now and will repaint. I do like the color though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomascoffey1959@gmail.com Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 never spray lacquer over enamel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 Another good tip. Thanks Thomas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) Lots of progress on engine, chassis and interior. Finished up some wiring and a bit of plumbing Interior is almost complete, aside from a bit of touch-up. A bit sloppy on the dash, but not bad considering my shakiness. And for your reading pleasure, I threw in a couple magazines. Edited March 8, 2021 by Mike F. Remove identical image Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisc63 Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Coming right along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 You have some good detail work going there. David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomascoffey1959@gmail.com Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 that cloth interior looks great !, I tried that Once Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 47 minutes ago, thomascoffey1959@gmail.com said: that cloth interior looks great !, I tried that Once Thanks guys for the kind comments. The cloth seats took a few attempts before I got it to my liking. I used pieces from an old pair of thin PJs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLHCAHZ Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Really looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 (edited) So, A bit more progress. I finished the body paint job, with exception of a bit of touch-up work followed by clear coat and polishing. Will try my hand at foiling after that. Tried once before, but I shake like crazy, so will be a challenge. A few trial fittings: I'm going to have to relocate the Tachometer. Or punch a hole in the windshield. JK I'll have to work on seating the body on the frame a little better, as there is a gap at the front of the dashboard. Hard to tell in my crappy photos, but I think the color combinations worked out well, interior / exterior. Although now I'm thinking that I should have gone green over black. Maybe overthinking. Edited March 10, 2021 by Mike F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bainford Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Cool look. I think the black over green is the right way to go. Looks aggressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomascoffey1959@gmail.com Posted March 11, 2021 Share Posted March 11, 2021 Don't close that gap at the top of the dash ,you'll need it for windshield clearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 11, 2021 Author Share Posted March 11, 2021 3 hours ago, thomascoffey1959@gmail.com said: Don't close that gap at the top of the dash ,you'll need it for windshield clearance. Thanks for the tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisc63 Posted March 12, 2021 Share Posted March 12, 2021 Could relocate tach to the hood, GTO fashion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted March 12, 2021 Author Share Posted March 12, 2021 8 hours ago, bisc63 said: Could relocate tach to the hood, GTO fashion! I was thinking the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F. Posted May 19, 2021 Author Share Posted May 19, 2021 Been a couple months since I posted on this build, as I have been struggling with trying to do foil. Just does not want to stick for me. Even tried to do a thin film of glue and let It dry until just tacky, then apply foil, but the foil would not stick then either. After becoming frustrated, I decided to mask off the trim and paint with spray chrome. I even did the clear spray first, which worked well for the two tone body. Turned out to be a disaster. The chrome spray paint worked it's way under the masking in many places. Going to have to wet sand the body and start over. I was able to do foil on the area below one door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLHCAHZ Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 That’s a bummer for sure, but it will be better next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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