1958 Chevy Impala Sport Coupe

[Skip]

Roy, if you choose to tint the baking soda here's how I do it, I got it from someone else too (not my idea). I think it helps to provide contrast between the filler and base styrene.

Take about 2 tablespoons of Baking Soda then a couple of drops of food coloring, mix together until you reach a consistent color. If it's too light repeat the process until you are satisfied with the color. Next spread the mixture out on a plate, let dry completely, put it in an airtight container and use like you would regular old baking soda. Blue and green seem to show up the best for me, you can also use this method to match the plastic color you are filling if you want. Since I usually spray gray primer over it the color isn't an issue.

[cchapman195]

Roy, if you choose to tint the baking soda here's how I do it, I got it from someone else too (not my idea). I think it helps to provide contrast between the filler and base styrene.

Take about 2 tablespoons of Baking Soda then a couple of drops of food coloring, mix together until you reach a consistent color. If it's too light repeat the process until you are satisfied with the color. Next spread the mixture out on a plate, let dry completely, put it in an airtight container and use like you would regular old baking soda. Blue and green seem to show up the best for me, you can also use this method to match the plastic color you are filling if you want. Since I usually spray gray primer over it the color isn't an issue.

Skip, this is exactly what I wanted out of this forum build. I myself have never heard of doing what you outlined in your comment. This is definitely something I plan to try in the future. Thank you for throwing your two cents in.

[cchapman195]

Well it has been bit since I added a new progress report. I decided that the majority of you will know how to sand and prep your parts so I did not want to fill up this by putting a bunch of material that most are familiar wit. I did all ready cover how I do my prep previously if any newer builders needed assistance. So I spent the last week and a half prepping all parts and getting them ready for paint to move ahead. So on to my progress as of this point.

I like to mark in pink each part that is done with all sanding and gap prep. I then mark sub assembly pieces that were put together in green so I can keep track of what I already glued together.

I will now start to put the chassis together. Some parts will be mounted others will be assemble but installed at a later time.

Front suspension assembled and attached to the frame.

Chassis is ready for paint.

A quick mock up assures the body fits.

All tires sit on the ground.

I am using tires and wheels out of my parts box. This is so I can use the disk wheel covers.

It required me to use my dremel to open the inside of the tires so the new rims will fit.

I also use the dremell on the tread of the tires to show wear and tear.

Again I use toe nail clippers to remove the nubs from the rims

I then use a sharpie to color the bare plastic showing where the sprue was attached.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1781_zps52f81b3e.jpg

I use a file and sanding pen by 3m to remove the chrome plating were the glue will attach the parts together

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1782_zps94a3e495.jpg

Tires and wheels are finished.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1783_zpsbe17301f.jpg

Time for the interior. I put the front seat in and used a brown sharpie to mark the outside of the front seat. Then I put down masking tape.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1784_zps2dd1f70c.jpg

I then cut out the tape leaving the inside of the seat area. This way I can put on the flocking but still have a flat clean srface for the seat to sit and the glue to weld the seat to the floor pan.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1785_zps86d4d69c.jpg

After sanding and matching everything up on the doors I used Plasti weld to weld the door panels to the exterior door pieces.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1786_zpsbd9221cc.jpg

Interior parts are ready for primer. These will be primed as I will be doing some taping and want to make sure the paint grabs tight

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1787_zps4e4b28a2.jpg

Now that most parts are ready for paint I will stop now and return after I have some painting done. Thanks again for tagging along.

[cchapman195]

Okay people. It has been a while since I did and update. My comp crashed and I am just now able to continue. I must however, mention I lost a lot of my pics but have video's from my you tube channel to fill in the lost segments. I do hope this will help and some of you may have already seen them.

Sub assembly on motor is done

I drill a hole for my distrubitor

Ready for plugs.

Transmission is ready for paint

I start with medium gray

I then use a sterling silver wash

I dry with hairdryer

I put a satin polyurethane coat on

another black wash

final results

[cchapman195]

Okay. Time to start with the motor. I painted it motor red by Apple Barrel.

Time to detail the motor

Plug boots

Wire ties from the Photoetch set.

applied into pre drilled holes

Exhaust manifolds are now ready for paint

Different browns and flat black make up for a used exhaust

Exhaust manifold added

A few completed motor pics.

Now a fuel line and filter will be added

Completed Fuel and spark plug wires.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1844_zps845cba9b.jpg

Well that does it for the motor for now. Up next Chassis.

[cchapman195]

Time for chassis and installing the motor.

Time for chassis.

I spray stainless steel onto exhaust parts

I use the salt method

Water and salt Then light mists of satin clear

Remove salt under running water

It now looks oxidized

A little earth brown acrylic thinned with water.

White glue placed so I can remove after paint so it has a clean plastic for the glue to stick.

Rear suspension in sub assembly.

Sub assembly complete

White glue placed for glue line.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1792_zpsa1f4ebc8.jpg

Flat and gloss black paint for chassis

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1795_zpsd2ddb13f.jpg

Mix ratio of flat black and Floor polish for thinning. A 50/50 ratio seems to work well.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1796_zps43adbbf6.jpg

Have to spray the bottom of the interior tub to match chassis.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1798_zps8cf15fc4.jpg

Spray at 23 PSI

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1799_zps4641e0f8.jpg

I use a hair dryer to dry after painting.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1800_zps6c387b2d.jpg

Rear housing, suspension and chassis all painted. I have removed the white glue so I have a clean place to glue the parts together. I do this by rubbing it off or using a toothpick to scrape it off.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1802_zpsc301ec4c.jpg

I now use chalks to weather the chassis

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q604/cchapman195/1958%20Chevy%20Impala%20MCM%20build/IMG_1817_zps3c4e5891.jpg

That will take care of this segment. Up next will be what I have for the interior. Be back soon.

[car-man666]

it's a great start ,,i love all the détails you have made ,,from the engine to the undercarriage,,, the salt trick was something i've never tried, but have eard,of,i got 2 58 in stock and just love that kit ,,but didn,t had the will to start them ,, but looking at this build ,,it makes me wanna start them real bad.

[cchapman195]

it's a great start ,,i love all the détails you have made ,,from the engine to the undercarriage,,, the salt trick was something i've never tried, but have eard,of,i got 2 58 in stock and just love that kit ,,but didn,t had the will to start them ,, but looking at this build ,,it makes me wanna start them real bad.

It's a great kit. I wish I had two more of it. Stay tuned I will have another update today and then I will post my how too vids from paint to trim.

[cchapman195]

I had a major problem and lost my computer. I was able to use my iPhone to retrieve footage of the completion of this build. However it is in video form. I lost some photo's but hope that posting the video's here it will bring this project to a close. I plan to retake some photo's to post in the under glass section of the forums as well. To all of you who have followed along I thank you and apologize for the delay on this build.

[W-409]

Thanks for sharing these pictures and a great information! I bet many guys have learned new things from this thread (Me included). Very nice work with the Impala! Only thing I was wondering is that you assembled the engine that far before painting it. When you do like that there is a danger that the paint will fill up the seams between those separate parts and then for example the heads and valve covers might look like they are one piece. Your engine doesn't have that problem, but someone else might have that problem when using that method.

The reason I'm saying is that I've done the same thing and then I had to start all over again. Of course the problem was my too thick paint coat, but anyway I like to paint the parts first before gluing them together. But as I said, your engine looks fantastic just like that!

[cchapman195]

Thanks Niko. I use an airbrush so it goes on much thinner as to not lose the separate part look to it.

[DynoMight]

I'll have to remember all those tips and tricks in those videos... Also your Impala came out good. Can't wait to see it under glass!

[Dominik]

[...] They are around two dollars each and they are tea strainers. Great for putting small parts in and soaking washing and drying.

Thanks for that tip!

you made a good and detailed progress on your Impala. great work Chris!

[cchapman195]

Thank you Dominik!