The Hornet's Nest: Hudson Hornet Build Madness!

[Chuck Most]

Keep it going, Chuck. Man, you're almost finished with your second Hudson and I haven't even finished my first. Geez, too many projects.

Well, it's a ways from finished. And it's actually the third one.

[Harry P.]

You guys are all doing some fantastic work here.

It's so cool to see a new kit get such an enthusiastic customer response. If the guys at Moebius have seen this thread, they must be pretty psyched!

[Dr. Cranky]

Wait, I thought they were all tuning in over there! LOL!

[Chuck Most]

#3 is barely started, and I've already got a plan in mind for #4

And #5

[W-409]

Gold is the engine color. I used testers spray paint. It gives it a decent look. I have seen other golds and they don't have the right sheen so it seems.

Thanks for the information! I think, we don't have Testors paints here in Finland, so maybe I'm going to use an other one. I think, the right sheen is not so important, because bit wrong sheen looks good in finished model anyway, and it's still looking pretty factory stock, I think.

[Dr. Cranky]

Nice plan, Chuck. That thing looks killer.

[W-409]

I just got started with my Hudson Hornet. After I assembled the engine block halves together, I had to do some filling with putty. I also added some putty on that oil pan. After sanding them, I painted golden engine parts with Revell's enamel. Once it was dry really fast, I painted the gearbox with Humbroll's Metallic 56. I have almost every part of that engine painted now, and started assembling it a bit. These pictures will show, where I am at.

Air cleaner parts were painted red. They need still some detailing and more colors too.

One more.

[Chuck Most]

The Revell gold looks to be a near-perfect match for the 1:1 engine paint.

[W-409]

Yes, it's pretty close, luckily.

Now before I paint the oil filter, what color it should be in 1:1 car originally?

[Chuck Most]

Kind of a red-orange, like a Fram-brand filter. (The kit filter may even represent a Fram-built unit, not really sure.) I've been using Ford Engine Red (really more of a medium red-orange) for them, and it seems to be an fairly close match, if not perfect.

[W-409]

Ok, thanks for the information. Needs to paint that right now, and maybe I can get it installed too, if the paint dries....

I'm not sure about the interior and exterior colors yet, maybe blue and white combo for the exterior... Needs to find out, what's the interior color if the car is white and blue.

Edit: Instructions show, that there were gray, tan or Muted Blue interiors. I'm going to paint my interior Gray. Carpet seems to be dark gray, seats front and top parts Medium gray, Seats-Plated inserts are light gray, as the headliner. I think, it'll look good when it's painted like that, and white and blue exterior matches really nicely to gray interior.

Edited December 4, 2011 by W-409

[W-409]

Ok, I tested some interior colors... I tried Humbroll Matt 67 and Revell Matt 77 as Dark Gray. I ended up as a result, where I'm going to use Revell paint, because it's bit easier to paint, and looks better. I tried Humbroll Met 56 as Medium Gray, it works fine, so I'll be using it. And as Light Gray, I will use Revell's Matt 5. Here's one picture about those paints tested on styrene sheet. I had to write, what those paints are to the picture, so it's easier to look, what color is Medium or Light etc...

[W-409]

Little update. I continued assembling the engine. Installed spark plug wires too. There were no problems with the parts fittings, only problem was, that my Super glue bottle got empty. It was bit hard to glue small parts with Revell liquid cement, which takes forever to dry. But I think, engine looks pretty good now. Also painted that interior floor with Dark Gray. Other interior parts are still unpainted, let's look again tomorrow.

[wgflatliner]

I started making more progress with mine. I finally found a color scheme for my "his" version of the car. The bottom portion of the car will be arctic blue metallic and the top will be Ice blue pearl. The interior colors will be complimentary to the exterior along with a gray flocking.

The chassis work is under way. I airbrushed the bottom of the floor pan under the car the arctic blue metallic. This is the first time I have thinned enamels with lacquer thinner and it works well. When I get home then I will start assembly of that along with some chassis details like brake lines and whatnot.

I have also started working on the body work by shaving off the handles and locks and seam lines. I think I got em all so I will get it in primer to verify the work.

I do have the rest of the week off so that gives me a lot of time to get a lot done. Pics in due time!

[Dr. Cranky]

Nice work on that engine.

[Chuck Most]

Can't believe I forgot this, but Dave Metzner has some great shots of a Twin H six out of the car in this album- http://dmetzner.smugmug.com/Cars/Hostetler-Hudson-Museum/18245855_HSHmWV#1403272190_qK5Cffc

[W-409]

Thanks, Cranky. And Chuck, great pictures. Looks like I have some incorrect color choices, like the transmission. Must paint them again, correctly. Nice pictures for reference too.

[Chuck Most]

I don't know- I kind of like the contrast of the gold and raw cast iron look you have on your engine- I'd leave it as is. But that's just me. Besides- that engine is restored to new specs- who knows how long it might have taken the gold paint to start flaking off the gearbox?

[W-409]

I like that too-if everything is gold, it doesn't look good... And it's really good point, how long gold paint is on the gearbox before it flakes off... Well, I'm building a factory restored car of course, so it would be golden then. But I'm not sure, needs to think about it. Maybe I could just leave it like that. And I think, many people don't know REALLY without reference pictures, what is factory correct color for 1953 Hudson Hornet transmission.

[W-409]

I have just a little update. I assembled wheels and tires together. Tires needed no cleaning or anything else, they were ready straight from the box. I painted those red logos from the wheels, and valves are painted black. Assembled them together, and there were no need for glue. Wheel back halves aren't still glued, but this side is ready.

[wgflatliner]

i'm glad this is a group build or i'd completely overlook some of the amazing detail that others have captured.. like those wheel logos and valve stems. i didn't even THINK about painting them... looks good niko!

[W-409]

Thanks, Mark. I like these wheels, and I had to paint those logos, they just look right with those painted on. Usually I like to details wheels and tires nicely, because if they are toyish, whole model looks easily too toyish, I think.

[Chuck Most]

And I think, many people don't know REALLY without reference pictures, what is factory correct color for 1953 Hudson Hornet transmission.

Another good point!

[tabsscale1]

Okay did some more body work on mine. Took the wide part of the chrome strip off. Made some hols for he frenched antennas. I also frenched in the headlights. I also got another hudson in the mail today. It will be chopped aswell when I can get to it have to many other projects started to start on it.I need to sand the primer and the first color will be going on it.

[tabsscale1]

Okay now i have a few light coats of HOK Blood Blue on it couple more coats to go.This is the first color.