My Metal Mistress: Finished !

[FASTBACK340]

You nailed it: with the exception of some vehicles that have snap-in trim, there is at least ONE overlap seem. The windshield & back light in my Fastback is 4 pieces each. We'll tackle that next..

I'm torn between one coat of clear, or just hitting it Future.... Choices-Choices.

[charlie8575]

Honestly, John, I wouldn't clear/Future that at all. It looks very authentic as it is, and is such a nice paint job that to do anything else would almost be tragic. Like putting ketchup on prime rib.

Charlie Larkin

[FASTBACK340]

Well, if you knew me, you'd already know I cleared it…….. and it looks pretty good in my opinion. Not syrup, not frosted, not "wet"…. just a nice scale finish. I'll probably do the final assembly Thursday into Friday. I'm giving it time to cure. I did a test shot this morning before work on that 1/43rd. Cuda I did test shots on. I came home and that little lump looked GOOD! So I figured, hey….why not.

I blew on 2 light coats of Testors Gloss lacquer. Check it out….

I can't wait to trim it and install the glass. I can't wait……

[Belugawrx]

Nice

Now let it sit

Till the weekend

Lookin'awesome

[Ramfins59]

John, that is looking just awesome..!! Seeing this car in person on Saturday is going to be a real treat.

[FASTBACK340]

I know I'm pushing it…. I'm hoping the lacquer is hard enough to handle with gloves. I can TASTE this one……that's how bad I want to finish it.

[Belugawrx]

stop!!!!

[Belugawrx]

!!!!STEP AWAY FROM THE BODY!!!!!

[FASTBACK340]

Thanks Rich….. It's all just assembly now with some minor paint details. I'm going to cut the glass now while I watch the Mets. Tomorrow & Wednesday I'll install the engine and plumb the exhaust, hopefully Thursday bare metal, install glass, trim, grills, & lenses. Friday I put it together. Saturday I share with my peers.

I can't believe how much it looks like the real one. Especially when the big one came home from being painted.

The day I flat-bedded it home from the paint shop.

The little one tonight

[FASTBACK340]

!!!!STEP AWAY FROM THE BODY!!!!!

LOL!!! This one is too nice for the F-up Fairies to mess with. If I don't make it, I'll display it un-finished. I'm NOT hacking it together!

[charlie8575]

I stand corrected. That does look very nice. Like horseradish with prime rib- the right accent.

I really can't wait to see this, John.

Charlie Larkin

[FASTBACK340]

I stand corrected. That does look very nice. Like horseradish with prime rib- the right accent.

I really can't wait to see this, John.

Charlie Larkin

I love Horseradish w/ Prime Rib. I had Horseradish Mustard with our baked Ham yesterday…..

The only thing is it looks blue in photographs. When you see it Saturday you'll see the true shade….

[1930fordpickup]

[charlie8575]

I love Horseradish w/ Prime Rib. I had Horseradish Mustard with our baked Ham yesterday…..

The only thing is it looks blue in photographs. When you see it Saturday you'll see the true shade….

Horseradish mustard....hmm, sounds good.

The Surf Turquoise looks pretty, even if the color registration is off a little. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Charlie Larkin

[Belugawrx]

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmm

horseradish mustard

[FASTBACK340]

Fast update: Paint is dry, had an unexpected chunk taken out of my night…..screwing me up, but I made my window templates. Here's a tip or two now as once I start stuffing this together I won't have the time to photograph the procedure.

I use an old spare body (hey, I have a "few" stashed away….) and I make paper templates by tracing the openings, then free-handing it a little bit bigger.

Now, here's the tip: Leave a tang on the template so when you cut the glass (thin, polished clear plastic) you have a surface to glue. It doesn't have to be this long as I exaggerated the tang.

Now crease it so there's a slight bend in the sheet. Here Im using the paper template. The plastic will do the same.

Now when you epoxy the glass in, you can do it no where near the visible area. And the tension of the bend will keep it taught against the frame if you align it right.

From the outside you can see how it hugs the body, nice and tight.

You can usually do it to the front & back glass too.

[freakshow12]

That is a very good tip!! I have never had to make a bunch of glass. What type of clear plastic do you use?

[Skypower]

Sweet I'm learning more stuff, thanks John. I so can't wait to see this one done.

[FASTBACK340]

Teaser shots…...

[mikemopar70]

Your Barracuda will be beautiful!

Can't wait to see it completed!

[charlie8575]

Looking good, John.

Charlie Larkin

[Skypower]

Sweet so Sweet.

[FASTBACK340]

I was up at 5:30 am epoxing in the windows before work. I finished foiling at 11:00 last night.

I just have to assemble it....

[Mopar - D]

I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures with all the BMF foil and full assembly.

Thanks for the information on the decals I've got a set on order now.

[FASTBACK340]

Wait until you see the marker lights.... wow.

While it's not perfect, it's coming along nicely. All I have left to do is:

Install door handles, wipers, mirrors

Make an exhaust system

Assemble the interior into the shell

Install the engine and;

Wire battery

Plumb brakes to master

Install the MSD box

Install radiator & hoses

Install suspension

Stuff it together

If I don't get any sleep tonight Amy will drive my exhausted carcass to the show tomorrow morning. Hopefully with my little Mistress.