Wintersteen Grand Sport Corvette

[yves 95128]

On 3/23/2025 at 10:53 AM, Mark W said:

Hello Yves, I agree with all you said about VRM decals, the stripes were a bear, very brittle and some sponsor decals were way oversize. I even had to “glue” some down in places with Future. The one good thing is that they were very opaque. 
 

Looking forward to seeing your work!

Well, Mark, here it is. With poor decals from VRM and paint too dark, to my point of view from MCW (Pelham blue). I think that this build is cursed ans I'm thinking about dipping the thing in holy water before applying the clear coat😂.

[Mark W]

I don’t know Yves, it looks pretty good in the pictures. Think it over a bit before dipping.

I really hate to move backward in a build. It’s mighty pretty the way it sets.

I can’t comment on the blue, hard to tell if it’s a bit dark. It will lighten some when you do the window trim in black and maybe use some panel liner in the seams.

The decals are the real problem, I tried 3 different setting solutions and none worked. Like I said, I had the glue some of them on in places with Future acrylic. I see the problem on the roof stripe. The number on the hood of mine looks like BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH where I cut it. Trouble is VRM is the only game in town.

 

[RIXprints]

If the red is the problem, you might consider covering it with color marker to save it. An orange will give you richer color and a red will give you deeper, darker color.

[Shark]

Pelham Blue is correct, it is a Cadillac color. Maybe if you are comparing it to old color photos, they are not the most accurate.

I don't think VRM is still producing decals, I may be wrong. Patto is printing those Grand Sport and other VRM sheets by permission now. Most of the cars then had simple graphics so those with decal making abilities should have no trouble printing some of the non kitted versions.

Yves, don't give up on your build. I think it looks good.

[RIXprints]

You can't depend on the exposure of the camera during the photo shoot. The color name is the way to decide.  A spoon test is in order.

 

[yves 95128]

6 minutes ago, Shark said:

Pelham Blue is correct, it is a Cadillac color. Maybe if you are comparing it to old color photos, they are not the most accurate.

I don't think VRM is still producing decals, I may be wrong. Patto is printing those Grand Sport and other VRM sheets by permission now. Most of the cars then had simple graphics so those with decal making abilities should have no trouble printing some of the non kitted versions.

Yves, don't give up on your build. I think it looks good.

Thank you Todd, He's still producing decals, I got these a few months ago. The thing is that it was getting so long to get delivered; after 3 emails, more than a month later, I finally got the answer that he was going to mail them "soon", after a week, I cancelled the paypal transaction. I finally received the decals and sent him a check. Meanwhile, I ordered decals from Patto's place in Australia, I got the sheet very quickly, I didn't try them because the orange stripe is ..red, perhaps they are easier to use but it's not the same sheet as VRM. I'm not going to give up, I was joking when I said that I was going to dip it in Holy water, as in, to remove the curse.👋

[RIXprints]

This is the Duplicoloe color available.   Dupli-Color 8 oz. GM Bahama Blue Automotive Paint (BGM0533) | JB Tools

[yves 95128]

1 hour ago, Mark W said:

I don’t know Yves, it looks pretty good in the pictures. Think it over a bit before dipping.

I really hate to move backward in a build. It’s mighty pretty the way it sets.

I can’t comment on the blue, hard to tell if it’s a bit dark. It will lighten some when you do the window trim in black and maybe use some panel liner in the seams.

The decals are the real problem, I tried 3 different setting solutions and none worked. Like I said, I had the glue some of them on in places with Future acrylic. I see the problem on the roof stripe. The number on the hood of mine looks like BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH where I cut it. Trouble is VRM is the only game in town.

 

Thank you Mark. As I was saying to Todd, it was a headache to finally get the decals and, and well you see the result. There is also Patto's place in Australia that offers the same (ish) decals for a fraction of the price even with shipping. 

And as I also told Todd, It was a joke about dipping the kit in Holy water before the clear coat, to ward off evil spirits and end the curse. 

I'm not going to fight it, I'll finish it and it will be what it will be. It's for a group build with nice people and they'll be kind because they know that sometimes things don't work well. Here is the address from Patto's place in case you need something but his website is kind of a mess  https://www.pattosplace.com/home.html   👋

[yves 95128]

1 hour ago, RIXprints said:

If the red is the problem, you might consider covering it with color marker to save it. An orange will give you richer color and a red will give you deeper, darker color.

Hi Richard, The problem is not the orange that looks actually really good, it's the quality of the decals, (see the bubbles on that tiny trim on the roof?). 

I tried Microsol, it didn't do anything to the decal, I used Solvaset to get them to soften, but as they dried, they tried to go back flat, that's why it developed pockets of air. 

As for the color, I'll leave it as is, it's not perfect but to be honest, I want to be done with it, the fun is gone. Next one will be better...perhaps. Thank you and good continuation👋

Edited March 26 by yves 95128

[Shark]

Yves, for the bubbles, in the past I have stuck them with a straight pin and put some decal setting solution on them.

[yves 95128]

52 minutes ago, Shark said:

Yves, for the bubbles, in the past I have stuck them with a straight pin and put some decal setting solution on them.

Thank you Todd, I will try that on a small area, perhaps with a wet and hot Q-tip to soften.

[Mark W]

I wanted to share this update.

Got the side pipes and side windows on. Pipes are made from heat bent plastic tubing.

[yves 95128]

2 hours ago, Mark W said:

I wanted to share this update.

Got the side pipes and side windows on. Pipes are made from heat bent plastic tubing.

It's looking great, Mark👍

[Mark W]

It's finally done!

I'll post one pic here and put a link in to "Under Glass"

Thanks to  all that followed this build!

 

Edited April 8 by Mark W

[Pierre Rivard]

Amazing transformation!

[yves 95128]

52 minutes ago, Mark W said:

It's finally done!

I'll post one pic here and put a link in to "Under Glass"

Thanks to  all that followed this build!

 

Beautiful result Mark, you can be proud👍

 

[yves 95128]

My Corvette Chassis 004 is finished, finally ! It is what it is. I have an other one, now that I know, I might give it an other try, one day. Congratulations again Mark on your beautiful build👍

[Mark W]

You’re too hard on yourself Yves. It turned out great!

I see many details you spent a lot of time on. The stance is good and the hood closes on the engine, a major feat on this kit.

I’m working on my third AM kit, familiarity helps.

[yves 95128]

2 hours ago, Mark W said:

You’re too hard on yourself Yves. It turned out great!

I see many details you spent a lot of time on. The stance is good and the hood closes on the engine, a major feat on this kit.

I’m working on my third AM kit, familiarity helps.

Hi Mark, Thank you, it's alright, I guess, I just see the defects from having my nose sticking to it for so long😄. I hope that you'll share your next build. I'll wait a little and now that I know.., I might (one day) build the Grand Sport 1965 Sebring (top white, bottom Mecom blue), but for now, my next big project is the Porsche 910 driven by Niki Lauda (kit Tamiya 1/18, that should be easier😊) but I need to order custom decals, probably from Indycals. I might make my own post on modelcarmag's forum on this one. Until next time, good continuation👋

Edited June 10 by yves 95128