My first engine

[abelaxe]

Well I finally have the engine fully assembled. It took me a little over a week. I need to touch up the headers. The Wash I used consisted of dipping the brush in MM semi gloss black paint and then dipping brush into thinner and applying. Parts of it are a little dark, but Im pretty happy with the effect I got. I tried hitting the blower belt with a little bit of sandpaper to knock of some the shine....It didnt work like I had hoped. I have a lot to learn.

One other question, how do you guys do 24 or 48 hour builds? It took me over a week just to get the engine together.

Edited January 6, 2014 by abelaxe

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Looks like you are heading in the right direction to me.

Edited January 6, 2014 by Modelbuilder Mark

[abelaxe]

  On 1/6/2014 at 4:02 AM, Modelbuilder Mark said:

Looks like you are heading in the right direction to me.

Thank you for the comment. I want to learn and improve.

[Custom Mike]

Todd, I have no idea how anyone does a 24 hour, let alone a 48 hour build, I'm a slow builder like you, so it blows my mind that people can get something done that fast!

For your first engine, it's not bad at all, Yeah, the wash is a bit dark, but you're learning, that's what counts.

If you have an empty paint bottle, you can make your own wash. Start by putting a few drops of black in it, and about ten times as much thinner to start, and se how it works. You want it to be super thin, but with enough color to make the parts looks slightly darker in the recessed areas. If it's not thin enough, use more thinner, a few drops at a time until you get something that works right!

[abelaxe]

  On 1/6/2014 at 4:39 AM, Custom Mike said:

Todd, I have no idea how anyone does a 24 hour, let alone a 48 hour build, I'm a slow builder like you, so it blows my mind that people can get something done that fast!

For your first engine, it's not bad at all, Yeah, the wash is a bit dark, but you're learning, that's what counts.

If you have an empty paint bottle, you can make your own wash. Start by putting a few drops of black in it, and about ten times as much thinner to start, and se how it works. You want it to be super thin, but with enough color to make the parts looks slightly darker in the recessed areas. If it's not thin enough, use more thinner, a few drops at a time until you get something that works right!

Thank you Mike for the tip...I will try that. To say Im learning is an understatement.....This hobby has progressed farther than I ever imagined it when I was a kid. There are so many amazing builders....I bought my first 2 models right after Christmas, after stumbling across Dr Cranky videos on YouTube.

[Custom Mike]

If you're following the Doc, you'll be fine, he's a great teacher! We all start out at the bottom of the ladder, work our way up, then slide back down as the eyes and hands start failing us. Enjoy it for what it is, a cool hobby, and if you happen to get good along the way, don't forget that you started out at the bottom, and help the guys down there climb that ladder!

[abelaxe]

Mike I completely agree. Thanks again.

[bosshog]

  On 1/6/2014 at 5:37 AM, Custom Mike said:

If you're following the Doc, you'll be fine, he's a great teacher! We all start out at the bottom of the ladder, work our way up, then slide back down as the eyes and hands start failing us. Enjoy it for what it is, a cool hobby, and if you happen to get good along the way, don't forget that you started out at the bottom, and help the guys down there climb that ladder!

I like that! Amen

[Skypower]

I think it looks great, I too am a brand new builder working on my first build, I started in early December and I am still working on my Cuda, although I think I'm getting close to finishing but I keep seeing more detail I want to do. Seems like there is no end unless you choose to stop with a project. The guys around here are great, I am also learning a lot.

Anyway keep up the great work.

Bob

[abelaxe]

  On 1/10/2014 at 3:57 AM, Skypower said:

I think it looks great, I too am a brand new builder working on my first build, I started in early December and I am still working on my Cuda, although I think I'm getting close to finishing but I keep seeing more detail I want to do. Seems like there is no end unless you choose to stop with a project. The guys around here are great, I am also learning a lot.

Anyway keep up the great work.

Bob

Thank you Bob for the encouraging words. I agree I see things I would like to have done differently....But I want to get the first one done....There are many more models in my future. Im sure in yours as well.

[jbwelda]

looks great and I wouldn't worry too much how long it takes to complete a project, whether its the engine or the whole car. things usually end up looking better when you take your time with it.

about the wash, you might think about going to a water based wash. that way it wont "melt" the underlying finish you have built up with paint, sometimes that can expose the base plastic color which you don't want. if you use a water based wash its also easier to wipe off with a Q tip if you get too much on. and in most instances it only looks like you put too much on until it dries. try getting some India ink and dilute it down a bit with water or alcohol (I use denatured but they look at you funny at the drug store when you ask for it), or there is this line of products called "Detailer" that is basically different colored water based wash in a little bottle.

anyway great work there and keep it up, lets see what its going into!

jb