How To Scratch Build Frenched 53 Buick Headlights

[Ferbz]

At the completion of my 1:25th scale replica of Curley Tremayne's 50 Mercury, some folks asked me how I made the frenched Buick headlights that the original 1:1 car had. I realize this may be a bit advanced for the average model car builder, but with patience, planning, and careful work, I believe any modeler with some scratch building skills could accomplish this. Step 1: Using the diameter of a standard headlight(and thinned bezel), I cut and sanded two face plates (temporarily stuck together using double sided scotch tape to help ensure I end up with identical pieces) of sheet styrene to the upside down 'egg' shape of the Buick headlight area. Once I was pleased with their shape, I glued them in place to the front of the fenders. Before gluing them, double check to make sure your egg shaped plates are large enough to accommodate a standard headlight bucket/bezel. I used the AMT 49 Merc round backed buckets with the bezel lip diameter sanded down a bit. Step 2: Wrap these face plates around the outside with strips of styrene, carefully bending them to shape, then gluing them into place. Step 3: I'm actually doing this as I go from the start, but it's a good idea to double check your measurements to make sure both sides are as identical as possible! Step 4: Using the putty of your choice (I personally use DAP Plastic Wood for thicker work like this) add putty around the outside of the headlights and sand/shape until the headlights are molded nicely to the front of the fenders. As you do this, use the lips of the strips as your guide and shape/sand away just enough to get the lip depth you like. Step 5: Sorry not shown here, but cut out the round holes for the headlight buckets in the now frenched face plates. Open up the round holes slowly and test fit the buckets until they fit comfortably in them. As I mentioned, I used the AMT Merc kit's round backed headlight bezels by gluing in the headlight lenses and sanding down the outside diameter of the bezel lips so that they fit inside the plates. These pics show the prepared headlight bucket and the face plate material I cut out of plastic pill holders that have textured foil. Cut them out larger than you need, then slowly sand them to the shape and routinely test fit them as you go until they fit comfortably inside the frenched opening. I used a hole punch to cut out the turn signal holes in them. Punch the holes first before cutting/sanding them to shape or you might risk damaging them like I did shown here! lol For final assembly, glue the foil textured plastic pieces into place, then glue the headlight buckets into their holes. Paint the turn signal holes white, then add a drop of two part 5min epoxy to represent the lenses. I've included a pic of the finished results. Hopefully this helps and that I haven't missed anything lol Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions and hopefully I can help!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice toot.