'58 Impala 'ElCamino'

[DanielG]

It is a 1/18 die-cast by Ertl (belongs to the client). I mostly use CA to bond metal to metal and plastic to metal. The CA really grabs styrene and the metal that these things are made from. I sometimes use JB Weld for extra strength (especialy if adding brass). I use Tamiya spray laquers and sometimes lay it on a bit heavy! Hence the long curing time.

[RodneyBad]

Coming along Very Nicely..

Great looking paint and colors.

[DanielG]

Has it really been this long?! Anyhow, I finally got the rear window installed (complete with fingerprints!) and can now start re-assembling in reverse order!

[Guest Johnny]

Cool!

Looks like it might have been a pain to fit though!

[DanielG]

I only had to cut two templates before I got it right!

[mhadman]

Great work!Never have worked with metal.i love the way you went about the conversion...Looking excellent!

[DanielG]

Thankyou, it has been fun although a bit of a head-ache, mostly due to trying new techniques and simple impatience! Hope to finally get this off my bench this week.

[Chuck Most]

That is turing out very cool. I've never hacked into a die cast model before, and I've got to commend you for that!

I wasn't too sure about the way you did the top in the beginning, but the more I see it, the more I'm liking it.

[VVhiplash]

I'm impressed!

[Romell R]

wow Daniel your builds always seem to amaze me keep up the excellent work my friend.

[Peter Lombardo]

I love this.....great job.....Chevy should have done this. The balance is just right on the back bed and the length of the top....well done.

[High octane]

Daniel,

Your project looks awesome and very interesting to say the least.

[Modellpularn]

Interesting project! I own a '72 El Camino, and was wondering if you were going to add some inner side panels to the bed.... That would be the final touch, and also hide those screw bosses. Look at some real "Elkys", and you'll see what I mean. Or take a peek in a '59 El Camino kit.

Oh yeah, do you know the baking soda trick with CA? Just add some baking soda on top of your CA joint, and it will add strength. It also makes the glue dry instantly. You can repair all sorts of stuff this way. Even big holes. Tape the hole from the outside, then add CA and baking soda in two layers. Let dry, remove the tape, and the turn signal lens for the '62 Chevy wagon (in my case) was in one piece. Maybe not 100% in looks, but it was repaired!

Edited August 11, 2010 by Modellpularn

[Monte's Motors]

I love it.

Odd is great.

Two thumbs up on that one.

[DanielG]

Thankyou for the replies and comments. My computer has been down for a few days and I am just getting caught up. Here is a tale: the chrome fits very tightly now with the extra paint around the mounting slots but 'no problem' says I, a gentle tap with a padded hammer (small!) and it will be nicely seated. WRONG! I should have known, did know, that you NEVER shock anything put together with CA! I am now in the process of repairing a cracked loose rear post. There are lots of lessons to be learned (relearned) after this bit of stupidity.

[DanielG]

I have started to reassemble the beast and have now remembered that there are some details to add as the process continues, such as adding the small side windows!

[Guest Johnny]

Still waiting and watching Daniel!

[cazxr2]

This is super cool. What do u use for cutting the metal? And what is CA? I'm in the uk so it might be somthing else. Keep up the pics as this is cool!!!!!!

[pharr7226]

Wow! Phenomenal work.

[DanielG]

This is super cool. What do u use for cutting the metal? And what is CA? I'm in the uk so it might be somthing else. Keep up the pics as this is cool!!!!!!

I use a Zona saw (mostly) for cutting and then various files. CA is cyanoaclylate, super-glue.

[Jantrix]

Fantastic work. I knew there had to be some maniac out there customizing diecasts.

[Dr. Cranky]

Love it, great cutting and body work.

[DanielG]

Yep, call me crazy!

[DanielG]

Love it, great cutting and body work.

Thanks, Cranky. I have been trying out some of your rust techniques on my apoc build. Thanks for posting your 'secrets' so that the less knowledgable of us can 'steal' them! (besides, my chances of getting a 'new' look being what they are, I should make everything look 'pre-owned'!)

[DanielG]

We are calling this one done, moved to 'Under Glass'.

Edited October 5, 2010 by DanielG