Lead City Customs

[Cool Hand]

Thanks Bob, I decided the cross ram was the better option for an old school custom, was contemplating a LS3 with double stacked superchargers.

Edited August 22 by Cool Hand

[Cool Hand]

Applied a colour coat to the test mule.

Apologize for so many pictures, I feel its necessary to show the colour shift 🤣

[Cool Hand]

I really enjoyed building the Holden Panel Van I recently completed, so why not build another one 😁

So dug out another kit from the stash.

I found this image a while back when searching for Holden Sandmans and it will be the inspiration for this build.

 

A fellow Aussie modeler sourced the paint for me from a model show as it was a limited run only available at the event. And graphics were sourced from another Aussie company Lazy Modeller.

I 3D printed some wheels that I got the files from Z Force Model Worx , they are pretty much the same as Holden GTS Sprint wheels. And have set the stance.

[Cool Hand]

Lifes to short to build one model at a time 🤣 

Bringing this one back to the bench for completion.

Started planning out the engine with some 3D printed components. I printed the inlet manifold, triple webers and using a Iceman Collections 6cyl distributor.

[STU111]

4 hours ago, Cool Hand said:

Lifes to short to build one model at a time 🤣 

Bringing this one back to the bench for completion.

Started planning out the engine with some 3D printed components. I printed the inlet manifold, triple webers and using a Iceman Collections 6cyl distributor.

G’day Luke, l’m a big fan of these little Toranas, so I’ll be looking in on this one. 👍🏻

[Cool Hand]

On 8/23/2025 at 9:01 AM, STU111 said:

G’day Luke, l’m a big fan of these little Toranas, so I’ll be looking in on this one. 👍🏻

Yeah having owned a LJ so am I mate, once I catch up and get a few other wips completed its all I will build for a while. I have a good stock pile of LJ's in stash 😁 

[Cool Hand]

Update on the Holden LC Torana.

Engine bay sub assembly complete.

Interior components done.

[Cool Hand]

Update for the Nissan C110 Skyline.

Decided to take a different route. And try something different that I havent done before.

Bit of rust modulation done with the airbrush. Realized when I started spraying I forgot to tape the rear spoiler and front turn signal 🤦‍♂️

Sealed with a couple light coats of Mr Colour GX 114 flat clear.

Next up will be the salt technique🤞

Edited Monday at 05:01 PM by Cool Hand

[BK9300]

8 hours ago, Cool Hand said:

Update for the Nissan C110 Skyline.

Next up will be the salt technique🤞

 

Looking forward to this!

[Cool Hand]

3 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Looking forward to this!

Yeah going to be interesting to see if it works or will I have to strip the paint again 🤣

[Cool Hand]

Just applied the salt, once that has dried I will apply the colour coat.

   

[STU111]

12 hours ago, Cool Hand said:

Update on the Holden LC Torana.

Engine bay sub assembly complete.

Interior components done.

G’day Luke. Those Weber carbies look the goods. 

[Zippi]

18 hours ago, Cool Hand said:

Update on the Holden LC Torana.

Engine bay sub assembly complete.

Interior components done.

Holly smoke man...killer looking straight 6 in the business end and those weber carbs look sweet.  

[Zippi]

7 hours ago, Cool Hand said:

Just applied the salt, once that has dried I will apply the colour coat.

   

Dang Luke, your just kickin these things out like and assembly line dude.  Super nice quality work man.  I'm really diggin this Nissan C110 Skyline.

[Cool Hand]

7 hours ago, STU111 said:

G’day Luke. Those Weber carbies look the goods. 

Thanks Stu,  Webers are so much cooler than Su's 😄

 

2 hours ago, Zippi said:

Holly smoke man...killer looking straight 6 in the business end and those weber carbs look sweet.  

Thanks Bob, the triples certainly fill out that side of the engine bay.

 

1 hour ago, Zippi said:

Dang Luke, your just kickin these things out like and assembly line dude.  Super nice quality work man.  I'm really diggin this Nissan C110 Skyline.

Thanks again Bob.

I love building model cars, I have so many kits and idea's its hopeless for me to stay focused on one at a time 🤣  

[Cool Hand]

After the salt dried out.

The lesson I learnt, dont apply as much. But use more of the fine grain table salt.

Paint stages.

Not bad for a first attempt, was a good learning experience and a foundation to build upon.

[SpikeSchumacher]

Looking good! I also recently saw on FB that you can use beach sand as it is a finer grain (I guess you could also grind the salt?).

[BK9300]

I get your point about the finer salt, but what’s turned out really clearly is the paint edge at the rust margins - hard to achieve that any other way!  I’m guessing some areas could be feather sanded to look like older areas of rust, leaving some of the crisp, paint edge areas as newer rust.  Good process for rusting, to be sure!

[Zippi]

That turned out pretty kewl looking luke.

[Mattilacken]

Cool idea! Want to try that as well at some point. Need to get me a rust color.

[Cool Hand]

20 hours ago, SpikeSchumacher said:

Looking good! I also recently saw on FB that you can use beach sand as it is a finer grain (I guess you could also grind the salt?).

Thanks Mathias.

Interesting idea with the beach sand, might have to go down to the local swamp and grab a small container of sand.

I have a mixture of table, ground, rock salt and baking powder. But I will need to take out some of rock salt, Before I try again.

 

19 hours ago, BK9300 said:

I get your point about the finer salt, but what’s turned out really clearly is the paint edge at the rust margins - hard to achieve that any other way!  I’m guessing some areas could be feather sanded to look like older areas of rust, leaving some of the crisp, paint edge areas as newer rust.  Good process for rusting, to be sure!

Thanks Brian.

Its a very effective technique. Going to be fun with further experimenting to see whats achievable and if it can be improved.

 

17 hours ago, Zippi said:

That turned out pretty kewl looking luke.

Thanks Bob, was very interesting to see the result once the salt was removed.

Definitely will be trying again on another build.

 

7 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

Cool idea! Want to try that as well at some point. Need to get me a rust color.

Thanks Anton, as ive mentioned it was interesting and good fun to try something different for a change. 

I used rust colours from this set, its an older version. But im sure it is still available, just with new box art.

[Cool Hand]

C110 Skyline is nearly complete. Just need to install the radiator and hoses and do a final once over check and prep for under glass pictures.

 

[espo]

The paint finish looks like a real rusted car that may have had less than ideal paint prep before the color coat was applied before the rust set in.  

[STU111]

G’day Luke, nice rusty and crusty looking Skyline there! I’ve got a couple of US pickup truck kits I’d like to try this on. 👍🏻

[Cool Hand]

12 hours ago, espo said:

The paint finish looks like a real rusted car that may have had less than ideal paint prep before the color coat was applied before the rust set in.  

Had a mate say the same thing. 

Old Skylines and Datsuns were notorious for rust, so the build is a good reflection of the 1:1's 🤣

 

12 hours ago, STU111 said:

G’day Luke, nice rusty and crusty looking Skyline there! I’ve got a couple of US pickup truck kits I’d like to try this on. 👍🏻

Thanks Stu, would have preferred the shiney clean look, but still happy with the end result. Its a fun technique with no stressing about the paint work.