1:18 Yatming 1959 Buick Electra 225

[Junkman]

The model needs some help.

- the most annoing thing is the silver painted trim around the beltline. This needs to be covered with Bare Metal Foil.

- the interior could be improved with a flocked 'carpet'.

- the grille is way too bling-bling.

Disassembly is very straightforward, the model is simply held together with six screws. Just take them out and the model comes apart.

You can just pull off the front seat cushions, and you will see, that the front seats are screwed on from above:

The back seat is screwed on from underneath:

Kit builders, eat your heart out!

Each front seat consists of SIX (!!!) pieces, two of which are plated.

The pedal assy is heat riveted in place:

Just scrape off the heat riveting from the back with an X-Acto knive and the pedals can be removed.

Out comes a well stocked flocking collection:

This colour is already very close:

but a bit too dark. It has to be mixed with a dash of light grey:

See:

Edited July 20, 2012 by Junkman

[Junkman]

For flocking, I brush paint the area I want to flock with semi gloss clear enamel varnish. Select a slow drying one, it stays sticky longer. I then rub the flocking through a tea sieve, let it sit for a few minutes, then shake the excess flocking off. It will not look very convincing at this stage:

But all you have to do is stay patient and wait. Once the clear varnish is dry, the appearance will be very uniform and smooth.

The lower portion of the door cards was carpeted too and hence also needs to be flocked:

Next is the grille. The entire bumper/grille assy can be removed by cutting away the heat riveting from behind:

Please note, that the bumper has neither a mold separation line, nor sink marks, nor was it ever attached to a sprue in a visible location. This is modern industry standard, but according to the model kit industry technically impossible. Bloody ridiculous.

Albeit this isn't apparent at first glance, the grille can be separated from the bumper:

Here is the grille after a healthy dose of black wash:

A lot more convincing, isn't it? Nay worries, it looks better once the paint has dried flat.

I filled the 'nostrils' in the bumper with black wash too:

You can also see that I prepared some Tamiya clear orange. This is used for the indicators. I know, it is factually wrong, but it just looks better. Here is the end result:

And this is what the flocked interior looks like when it is back in the car:

Entirely btw., the body colour Yat Ming applied does a good job approximating 1959 Buick Lido Lavender Poly:

[Junkman]

OK, out comes the Bare Metal Foil.

For Bare Metal Foil, I need exactly four tools. My metal ruler, a sharp X-Acto blade, a toothpick, and a Fingernail.

Now, as for the fingernail, if you are a bit challenged in that respect, like I am, they are available in every shop that sells cosmetics...

I got this pack from a pound shop for 1.50:

It contains 18 (!) pairs of nails, a tube of Cyanoacrylate glue, and a nice sanding stick, which may come in handy some time.

All this for 1.50!

So here I start to apply the foil:

The wheelarch trim needs to be foiled, too:

And this is the end result:

Certainly not AutoArt, but it will hold its own next to a Sun Star or Highway 61. And all that was necessary are two evenings of work and a few quid in materials.

[Scuderia]

Thats aweseome, and a great wip to show the simplicity of using detailing tools. I'll 'follow' this for some future kit builds. and now your car looks even more great, nice job!

[jeffs396]

Great job on a cool subject Christian!

[TooOld]

I agree . Great job and a very easy to understand WIP . I will keep this for reference .

Thank You .

[Harry P.]

No, not AutoArt, but a huge improvement over what the manufacturer gave you.

Beautiful work, Christian. Simple but very effective upgrades that really anyone with basic skills can do. A very nice how-to. Well done.

[gray07]

Great job, turned out perfect.

[jerseyjunker1]

simply awsom job detailing this fine looking car. i love the color on yours to. my only complaint with a lot of diecast vehicles are those darn dog leg hinges especialy on a convertable. if i don't do away with them altogether i usually paint them flat black. as i was looking at your car i was thinking a little blacking would make those interior dash parts pop a little.

Edited July 20, 2012 by jerseyjunker1

[SFRC]

Your work makes a great improvement. Good, good, good.

[Junkman]

simply awsom job detailing this fine looking car. i love the color on yours to. my only complaint with a lot of diecast vehicles are those darn dog leg hinges especialy on a convertable. if i don't do away with them altogether i usually paint them flat black. as i was looking at your car i was thinking a little blacking would make those interior dash parts pop a little.

Those dog leg hinges can only be found on very old toolings. I haven't seen a new diecast with them for at least ten years.

The progress is unbelievable. This Yatming dates back to the 90s and it was a cheap model to begin with. The 'upgrades' I only made so it can be displayed next to more currently released models without looking downright stupid. You should see the latest releases by Sunstar in comparison.

I will go further with this model, it's one of my favourites. Next, I want to paint the entire underside of the body flat black, and this will probably include the doglegs. I also want to paint the interior soft trim to make it less 'plasticky' looking. I may even do something to the engine compartment.

This model is not finished yet!

[jerseyjunker1]

Those dog leg hinges can only be found on very old toolings. I haven't seen a new diecast with them for at least ten years.

The progress is unbelievable. This Yatming dates back to the 90s and it was a cheap model to begin with. The 'upgrades' I only made so it can be displayed next to more currently released models without looking downright stupid. You should see the latest releases by Sunstar in comparison.

I will go further with this model, it's one of my favourites. Next, I want to paint the entire underside of the body flat black, and this will probably include the doglegs. I also want to paint the interior soft trim to make it less 'plasticky' looking. I may even do something to the engine compartment.

This model is not finished yet!

old model or not its a great looking car. i can't wait untill you finish it as it looks so great now. by the way i realy like the way you do your flocking looks exactly like the real carpeting would.

[Junkman]

by the way i realy like the way you do your flocking looks exactly like the real carpeting would.

Cheers!

The 'secret' is using a tea sieve. Really, that's it.

[AzTom]

Thanks for posting this one. I have a few of these put away to try the BMF on.

It is amazing how you made this low end diecast come to life.

AzTom

[David G.]

That's a tremendous improvement- excellent work!

David G.

[Harry P.]

Another cool detail to add (if you have an airbrush) is that blue-green band of tint along the upper windshield. A very "50s-60s" look.

[jerseyjunker1]

Another cool detail to add (if you have an airbrush) is that blue-green band of tint along the upper windshield. A very "50s-60s" look.

harry is right on the window tint. you can also use some stained glass clear color paint to get that look.craft store item.

[Junkman]

Another cool detail to add (if you have an airbrush)...

A what?