AMT 1957 Thunderbird

[Kenmojr]

Your turning this 57 T-Bird into a real beauty...

[espo]

Great looking color and the Pledge/ Chrome grill and bumper idea is something I'll have to try. 

[Duddly01]

8 hours ago, David G. said:

Nice color choice, very "Fifties".

The chrome looks good too, especially for having a clear coat on it.

I'll have to try that with the chrome paint I use to see if it helps.

David G.

Only way I can use the revell chrome. It looks great and is easy to spray, but even think about touching it and it goes all silvery. 

[Duddly01]

7 hours ago, Kenmojr said:

Your turning this 57 T-Bird into a real beauty...

Thank you. This is really not a great kit but with a lot of work I think it will come out ok.

Edited May 19, 2024 by Duddly01

[Duddly01]

7 hours ago, espo said:

Great looking color and the Pledge/ Chrome grill and bumper idea is something I'll have to try. 

It was actually someone here on the forum that mentioned it. I had tried so many thing but dipping is the only thing that worked and didn’t destroy the bright chrome look. Even spraying the chrome with pledge fogged it up. I still spray molotow for things I can’t dip like trim on the body. I lightly mist spray the body with the 2K clear over the trim first, let it sit for a little while and I lose very little brightness if at all. That takes practice though.

[Duddly01]

I am done with airbrush work and starting on detail painting.

As I have mentioned a lot in this thread, I hate this chassis. I painted it and gave it a bit of a black wash to give it some depth. Still don’t love it but it will have to do. 

 

I molotow chromed that remaining trim and hood vent. I will give it at least 48 hours to cure a bit then 2K clear the body parts. The engine compartment will get a full detailing and wiring with a lot of scratch built parts like the wiring, master cylinder, washer bag, regulator and hood hold down rod.

The trans is Alclad airframe aluminum, the dash panels inset is Alclad hi-shine aluminum. The top exterior is colonial white with the willow green headliner. The top is a resin version, I think it was at least based on the one that comes in the 56 kit from the looks of it.

[Rod666]

I love the color, the details are also perfect. The two-tone interior is my favourite!

[slusher]

Great color, I have always liked the green Thunderbirds when I see them on auction shows.  Real beautiful painting!

[Duddly01]

2 hours ago, slusher said:

Great color, I have always liked the green Thunderbirds when I see them on auction shows.  Real beautiful painting!

Thank you. Still need to 2k clear the body, and polish.

[David G.]

Beautiful color combinations and paintwork!

David G.

[Duddly01]

Painted and installed the wheel covers. Detailed the interior, added a trunk mat and pattern to battery cover. Started on the engine. Tomorrow I am hoping to 2k clear the body so it might be ready to to wet sand and polish this weekend.

[Duddly01]

Today sprayed the body and top in 2K clear. Assembled the engine with plug wires, fuel and vacuum lines. Put grill into front bumper. This weekend I am hoping to wet sand and polish and start assembly and detailing.

 

[David G.]

Great wheel and interior detail, the chrome came out great!

David G.

[Duddly01]

4 hours ago, David G. said:

Great wheel and interior detail, the chrome came out great!

David G.

Thank You!

[Musclecarbuilder]

14 hours ago, Duddly01 said:

Today sprayed the body and top in 2K clear. Assembled the engine with plug wires, fuel and vacuum lines. Put grill into front bumper. This weekend I am hoping to wet sand and polish and start assembly and detailing.

 

Man it looks great! I love that color.

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, Musclecarbuilder said:

Man it looks great! I love that color.

Thank you!

[Musclecarbuilder]

12 minutes ago, Duddly01 said:

Thank you!

No problem, I cant wait to see this one finished!

[Duddly01]

5 hours ago, Musclecarbuilder said:

No problem, I cant wait to see this one finished!

Me too, this kit has fought me all the way. Waiting at least 48 hours to wet sand and polish the body, but should be starting assembly and final detail this weekend. Have lot of plans for scratch building engine compartment details. As you can tell I removed all of the molded in detail.

 

[Musclecarbuilder]

52 minutes ago, Duddly01 said:

Me too, this kit has fought me all the way. Waiting at least 48 hours to wet sand and polish the body, but should be starting assembly and final detail this weekend. Have lot of plans for scratch building engine compartment details. As you can tell I removed all of the molded in detail.

 

Yup I've done that to a model several times, Amt just doesn't do a very good job with engine bay detail sometimes. Man I dont know if you need to polish it that 2k looks mirror! I'm pretty sure I've asked this before but what brand of clear do you use?

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, Musclecarbuilder said:

Yup I've done that to a model several times, Amt just doesn't do a very good job with engine bay detail sometimes. Man I dont know if you need to polish it that 2k looks mirror! I'm pretty sure I've asked this before but what brand of clear do you use?

I have been using splash paints 2K gloss clear. Mainly because it is easily available at my local hobby shop.  

It is mainly to get a few specks of trash and smooth the gap edges to look a little less rounded. The clear lays really smooth, no orange peel. 4000 to get the trash, then 6000 to smooth a bit 12000 to get the scratches caused by those two.

[Musclecarbuilder]

10 hours ago, Duddly01 said:

I have been using splash paints 2K gloss clear. Mainly because it is easily available at my local hobby shop.  

It is mainly to get a few specks of trash and smooth the gap edges to look a little less rounded. The clear lays really smooth, no orange peel. 4000 to get the trash, then 6000 to smooth a bit 12000 to get the scratches caused by those two.

Nice! I might have to try that 2k.

[Duddly01]

Wet sanded and polished the body and parts, started detailing the engine compartment, installed the interior to the body and installed the LED wiring harness.

[David G.]

Beautiful paint and detail work!

The lighting is great, love the yellowish color of the headlights.

David G. 

[espo]

Beautifully done paint finish and like the color. Great interior detailing and hiding all those wires and battery. 

[Duddly01]

8 hours ago, David G. said:

Beautiful paint and detail work!

The lighting is great, love the yellowish color of the headlights.

David G. 

Thank you. I use warm white LEDs for classic cars. The bright white lights I use on more modern cars just don’t make since.

5 hours ago, espo said:

Beautifully done paint finish and like the color. Great interior detailing and hiding all those wires and battery. 

Thank you.