AMT 1960 Starliner Done! *Updated Photos*

[David G.]

This weekend I finished the AMT Starliner I've been working on for the past couple of months.

 

A quick shot engine showing the plug wires and fuel line that I added.

 

The red interior. The floor is flocked, though it can't be seen here, or in the assembled model!

 

Finished engine with battery cables... another first for me!

 

 

Batmobile Fins! Also my first successful black paint job.

 

 

Interior detail also showing the chrome trim that I decided to mask and spray on with Testors Aluminum Metalizer paint. I still have difficulty getting foil to work to my satisfaction.

 

The Metalizer looked good until I clear coated it. I never did get that buffed-up sheen back. Next time, Alclad!

 

 

As always, please feel free to offer any tips, comments or critiques. I do value honest opinions, it's the best way to improve my skills.

 

Thanks for taking the time to look.

David G.

Edited September 21, 2020 by David G.
Refreshed Photos

[Scalper]

Nice looking Ford. dont see to many of those around. nice paint job.

[fordmoparman01]

That looks neat

[Harry P.]

As always, please feel free to offer any tips, comments or critiques. I do value honest opinions, it's the best way to improve my skills.

Thanks for taking the time to look.

David G.

Forget painting your chrome trim. Use foil, it's not hard, just takes a little practice. You'll never get the look of chrome with paint. Foil isn't perfect either, but it's a whole lot closer to chrome than any "chrome" paint is (except maybe Alclad).

[Greg Cullinan]

Nice clean stock Ford.(One of my favorites )

I really like the interior.How did you achieve the two tone?

[Pro 48 Fleetline]

memory lane right there good stuff indeed

[David G.]

Forget painting your chrome trim. Use foil, it's not hard, just takes a little practice. You'll never get the look of chrome with paint. Foil isn't perfect either, but it's a whole lot closer to chrome than any "chrome" paint is (except maybe Alclad).

Yep, right above the last photo... "Next time, Alclad." I've done a bit of foil work with some other cars that have less chrome trim, and I still need more practice. I'm not going to try to practice on a car with this much trim, I'll go postal and never finish it.

Thanks for the input, I really do appreciate honest evaluations.

David G.

[Steve Keck]

Great job!

Harry's right. Bare metal foil is the way to go. Clear coating over Alclad will dull it as well.

[tuffone20]

David, you did a great job on that Ford!! The black paint came out really nice!!! What paint did you use? And like every one else has already said BMF would look way better on it, yeah it can be a pain some times to work with but when you get it right it looks awesome!!

I need to pick me up one of those kits some time and I think the one reason I haven't is because of all the chrome trim on it................

[Danno]

Nice, David! Very nice.

[Guest]

She's a beauty! I have one in the works in this exact same color sacheme. Where did you get the engine comp. decals? And how did you do the houndstooth in the interior?

[David G.]

Great job!

Harry's right. Bare metal foil is the way to go. Clear coating over Alclad will dull it as well.

Thanks for the tip, that'll save me some time and aggravation. I guess I'll just have to break down and get better with the foil.

-D-

[MrObsessive]

David, it all looks beautiful from where I sit! I really like the engine details with the decals and such-------it really brings the engine bay to life!

[David G.]

David, you did a great job on that Ford!! The black paint came out really nice!!! What paint did you use? And like every one else has already said BMF would look way better on it, yeah it can be a pain some times to work with but when you get it right it looks awesome!!

I need to pick me up one of those kits some time and I think the one reason I haven't is because of all the chrome trim on it................

Thanks for the compliment. The paint is Tamiya TS-14 gloss black, two coats- color sanded, buffed out, clear coated with Tamiya TS-13 clear, then polished with Meguiar's Cleaner Wax.

-D-

[David G.]

Nice clean stock Ford.(One of my favorites )

I really like the interior.How did you achieve the two tone?

Thanks, it's one of my favorites too.

After masking the seats "cloth" inset areas I sprayed everything with Tamiya TS-49 Bright Red. After removing the masks, I painted the cloth areas with Poly Scale Acrylic Soo Line Red, darkened with about 25% Poly Scale Acrylic Engine Black. After it all dried, I sprayed the seats with dull coat then used a thin black wash on the cloth insets, another dull coat then I very lightly dry brushed some flat white on the cloth bits to highlight the texture.

Thanks Again,

David G.

Edited June 15, 2010 by David G.

[Harry P.]

David, from your photos I can see that you obviously have a high level of skill. Foiling should be no problem for you. Try it... you'll like it. I have no doubt that you will be able to do a great job with it.

[David G.]

David, it all looks beautiful from where I sit! I really like the engine details with the decals and such-------it really brings the engine bay to life!

Thanks Bill. I have a lot or respect for you skills and your compliment means a lot to me!

David G.

[David G.]

David, from your photos I can see that you obviously have a high level of skill. Foiling should be no problem for you. Try it... you'll like it. I have no doubt that you will be able to do a great job with it.

Harry,

Thanks, I appreciate your optimism. I've tried foil before, that's why I tried to make the paint work. I have some Model Master foil that I'm told may be a major contributor to my difficulties.

I looked into ordering some BMF online, at about $6.00, the price isn't bad but the shipping is a killer. It was like $7.50 through the BMF site! I mean jeez just put the stuff in an envelope with a piece of card stock! Consequently, I've been trying to assemble a list of tools and such for an order with Micro Mark, so hopefully, soon.

Thanks again,

David G.

[CEKPETHO BCE]

random question but did you use a normal brush or spray it?

[David G.]

random question but did you use a normal brush or spray it?

Specific answer to the random question:

The body, chassis and "chrome" trim were masked and sprayed with rattle cans, as was the bright red on the interior. The darker "cloth" insets on the seats were brush painted along with the flat white on the headliner.

Cheers,

David G.

[Jim Gibbons]

It came out great! I REALLY want to finish mine now. I agree with the comments on foiling, although the ribbed rear fender trim may work better with the metalizer. On my 1:1, the trim was pretty much dullish aluminum, with the raised ribs being more polished. I'm going to experiment with the dull side of cheap aluminum foil first and see if a light sanding of the ribs makes a difference, If not, then maybe I'll dullcoat the foil and again sand the ribs. At this scale, it might not even look any different. At any rate, your build has inspired me to ramp up on mine. Thanks for sharing it!

[David G.]

David, one of the keys to successful foiling is to not try to do it all in one sitting, especially on a car with a much chrome as a '60 Starliner. Do a little at a time, and, when you start feeling yourself burning out, stop! I just finished BMF'ing a Revell '66 Impala _ a car which, although it may not look like it at first glance, has a TON of brightwork to be foiled _ and it took me 5-6 sessions to complete.

Your model looks great, though!

Thanks for the tip/reminder. Even though I work slowly, I still get impatient sometimes. I'm still working on exercising will power over my will power!

[David G.]

She's a beauty! I have one in the works in this exact same color sacheme. Where did you get the engine comp. decals? And how did you do the houndstooth in the interior?

The engine comp. decals came with the kit. Sorry I took so long in getting back to you on this one, but it took me a couple of days to figure out that "comp." was compartment!

[Brett Barrow]

I don't think the trim detracts at all from the finished model, I think it gives it a sort of "sleeper" feel. Reminds me of some of the later Ford "light-weights" with fiberglass bumpers.

You might want to pick up a fresh sheet of BMF if it's been giving you problems. They just re-did the adhesive, it's supposed to be a lot better than it's been in the last few years. The new sheets say "new and improved" (or something like that) on the sticker. Make sure it's good ol' #1 Chrome, not #7 Ultra-Bright Chrome, that stuff has always stunk, and still does!

edited due to accidental quote!

Edited June 19, 2010 by Brett Barrow

[stevegt738]

Nice build David, well done.