Contest Question

[Metalmad]

I will driving up to Santa Clara Ca next Friday which will be about a six hour drive for me and this will be my second time attending the NNL West show and my first time entering two of my builds and wondering what would be the best way to transport the built cars without any damage to them. I have a few ideas but any input would be appreciated.

Thank You

[AZ Boy]

Shoe boxes and tissues are always a good, low cost way to pack them.

[Shardik]

...And use your seat belt to keep them from jostling around during the drive.

[lordairgtar]

Go buy some cheap dish washing towels. fashion them into rolls and place model in a shallow box (shoe box, plastic box with cover you can get at any big box store) Place rolled towels on sides and at front and rear so model is stable in box. Place on floor board of car, not on seat. If you for some reason have to stand on the brakes, your cargo won't fall onto the floor.

[blunc]

well...back in the olden days...a few of us in the scorching bowl called Arizona would get hard-side cases used by airlines for transporting delicate items.

I bet you could find some hard-side cases at Harbor Freight relatively cheaply then use soft materials like foam or plastic trash bags to imobilize your models inside the case.

it's always the finicky things like mirrors and antennas that seem to get broken, so remember to bring spares and some glue for emergency repairs.

[blunc]

plastic shoe boxes can be had cheaply at places like Costco or Target also.

[Daddyfink]

I just use the model boxes with plastic grocery bags for padding! Cheap!

[Harry P.]

  On 1/23/2014 at 2:47 PM, Daddyfink said:

I just use the model boxes with plastic grocery bags for padding! Cheap!

Great idea! Recycle the box and the bags. Cost... zero!

[DumpyDan]

Avoid potholes!

[Nitro Neil]

I use cotton batting to cushion my models. The cotton won't react with any paint. Go to any fabric store and ask for the undyed cotton batting.

[Danno]

I use clean, white (although color doesn't really matter at all, just my preference) wash cloths for 1/25 models, hand towels for larger. I place the model diagonally (pointing toward one of the corners) the center of the wash cloth. Then I lift it by the two corners alongside the length of the model and place it washcloth and all into an inverted AMT clear plastic display case. Roll the corners alongside, in front, and behind the model to take up any slack in the case, then put the base on it (upside down) as a cover. I either use a sufficient rubber band or masking tape to secure the top (bottom) of the case.

I can transport one model this way, or if I'm taking multiple models somewhere, I have some corrugated cardboard cartons that will hold three inverted display cases. In that instance, I load the cases into the carton, in towels, and tape the top of the carton shut. No damages, and everything is re-useable. I keep a supply of display cases, wash cloths, hand towels and the cardboard cartons dedicated to just transporting models.

For large scale models, I have some larger plastic cases and cartons and use hand towels, tea towels, or small bath towels as appropriate.

[W-409]

I have an old ('50s?) suitcase that I use to transport my models. I can fit 9 or 10 models inside it, but usually I'm bringing about 7 models in a show. I put the models in there and with polishing clothes I "lock them on place". They don't move and the only thing that has ever happened is that once Chevy Van's register plate came off.

[roym]

Good ideas all, and I've used them all. My favourite at the moment is using a sheet of aeroboard (not sure if it's called the same in the US) i.e. expanded polystyrene foam, insulation material; 10-20mm thick, cut to fit whatever box you are using. Kit box for one car model, shoe box for two, larger plastic box for more etc and models are secured in place with toothpicks/cocktail sticks pushed into the foam around the model.

Pretty safe unless the boxes are turned upside down.

[Jim Whalen]

I use a shoe box and bubble wrap folded over in the bottom as it gives some cushioning and the tyres grip onto it. I have regularly taken 4 '32 Fords in one box to shows and competitions without any problems. Drive smoothly!!

[Mike_G]

I wrap models in one layer of very thin foam sheet, then a couple of wraps of bubble-wrap and sandwich them in an appropriately-sized box lined with a layer of bubble-wrap so they don't jiggle around. I used to just use bubble-wrap but I had an incident where the bubble-wrap affected an enamel paintjob so I started using the thin foam sheet between the model and the bubble-wrap and haven't had any problems since. I avoid using tissue as it can be very dusty, and paper towels can scratch paint.

[Mrdarkmonkey96]

if theres no antennas or big mirrors,Ill put a soft tube sock around the model (actually putting the model in the sock) then wrap that in an undershirt, then wrap in newspaper, put it in the original box. Ive transported two models at a time, in a backpack, bouncing around on my back, while on a two mile bike ride to my buddys house.. and it was a beat up dirt road, so it was pretty rough. never had anything break, but then again, I dont put mirrors on alot of my builds, I just like the streamlined look.. But on a model where the mirror just glues on to the body (doesnt have an actual peg-to-hole connection) its possible the sock being put around the model could pull the mirror off...