AMT 51 Chevy Bel Air - build start and a question

[eran_k]

from time to time i need to take a brake from the more involved builds and do something simple, so decide to build the 51 Bel Air. from reading around i know the kit has it's flaws but i don't really mind.

so started looking at the instruction and test fitting the frame and immediately ran into an issue.

there are front and rear "splash pans" in the kit, and while i figured out how the rear one should be installed an a little confused regarding the front one.

is it suppose to be part of the frame or glued to bellow the body?

if it's glued to the frame, how does it attaches? not very clear from the instructions and there are no pins or any clear locating tabs or guides.  is it just glued in front of the frame front "crossmember"? does it need to be flush with the top or the bottom of that crossmember?

i mocked it up does it look correct?

 

i found one thread on this forum where it looks like this:

so its kinda matches my mockup, but i also seen threads where the splash pans were attached to the body and not the frame...

any advice would be welcomed 

Edited May 26 by eran_k

[espo]

I would suggest a full body mockup on the frame before gluing anything together.  

[Dave G.]

I'll be watching fI agree with the mock up, but I'll still be watching the thread.or answers, I have this kit and the Fleetline, which I assume those pans mount the same in both kits. I haven't broken into these kits yet, but have worked up colors for each, to be built stock.

I agree with the mock ups. Still be watching.

 

[NOBLNG]

Not sure how involved you want to get, but here is a link to correcting the hood on these kits. It’s not too difficult and makes a big improvement in my eye. https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/191238-amt-‘51-chevy-hood-fix/

[eran_k]

trying to keep it simple but there were couple of things i couldn't just let go.

so spent some time sanding off the mold lines and cleaning up parts from flash.

built and painted the motor , frame, rear & front suspension.

rest of the body parts including the body shell are now in light gray primer and drying

NOBLNG - i have seen your thread about fixing the hood, excellent work but it's beyond my care level for this kit. hope it will still look ok sitting in the display cabinet.

for color I'm thinking wine red (mr Color) body and cream white roof, but i might change my mind.

[slusher]

Real nice start!

[Zippi]

Looking pretty good there Eran.  I like the body style of the 51 Chevy.  

[eran_k]

more progress today, engine in frame and the frame is complete, interior done les steering column and i also sprayed the roof white.

once the white is fully cured I'll move on to the second color.

[espo]

What color are you using on the lower body?

[eran_k]

had a little mishap with paint today, 

i had a jar of Mr. Hobby "wine red" which in the jar looked kind of deep red maroon, which was the color i wanted.

today i started spraying it and it's much more transparent "pinkish" then i wanted. i don't have any other color at the moment so i used it but not sure i'l leave it like this

this is on gray primer, i tried on a black primed piece of plastic but it was just invisible , so dark primer is not the solution.

Edited Wednesday at 06:18 PM by eran_k

[Butter 1]

It takes several coats of the wine over black to start showing color. Shoot several coats over black on a scrap piece to see if I am correct. 

[eran_k]

trying to get to the color i wanted, i sprayed the body with pale gold, following several thin coats of wine red. i'll keep going and hopefully it will be ok.

over the gold it looks like candy paint. this is after 2 or 3 coats