While waiting for paint to dry....

[Ramfins59]

While waiting about a week for the enamel clearcoat on my '59 Dodge "Tunaboat" replica to fully dry, I got bored and decided to clean, straighten up and reorganize my basement model workshop area. I moved some cabinets and shelving units around, and boxed up a bunch of really old built-ups to make some room in my display cases for 1950's cars that I have yet to build. I threw out a bunch of empty boxes, dusted and swept up the place...... almost like Spring Cleaning. I still have a few more things to clean up.

While I was cleaning I ran across an old display case with a small sidewalk, sewer grate and sewer cover, and a parking meter. I decided to try to make a small photo backdrop/base for taking pics of finished models. I have a Fujimi Garage kit that only has 2 walls, one of which has a space to cut out for the door. I cut the door opening out and sprayed the wall with dark gray primer. The fence is made from wooden coffee stirrers that I dipped in Weatherall to age them. I painted the door frame with dark brown paint, glued on some cigar box wood veneer and added the door lock, handle and a photo-etched metal number to the face of the door. Next I added the rear end window piece from the Boot Hill Express kit to the wall for a window. I also added 2 lanterns from the Boot Hill kit as outdoor lights, detailing them with Brass Metalizer paint. The cigar smoking figure is a resin piece I found in a parts box. The cigar in his mouth is a painted piece of a toothpick. For a little humor, I added a small painted alligator by the sewer grate. Here's how it turned out.

BTW, the enamel clearcoat on the '59 Dodge finally dried enough for me to be able to polish it out and start applying all the BMF. I should be able to post some progress pics of it in a day or so.

Thanks for looking. All comments are welcomed.

Edited February 16, 2014 by Ramfins59

[slusher]

That's really neat Rich. I have to do some cleaning myself...

[crazyrichard]

cool . love the door btw !! and the parking meter !!

and .. is that a baby aligator ??

[FASTBACK340]

I haven't seen that display base in YEARS! Nice to see it resurface again.

[Chris White]

I like the sign, very cool Rich !!!

[oldscool]

Is that Goober from The Andy Griffith show?

[rmvw guy]

It does look like Goober! Nice little diorama Richard. I've been finishing some old builds all year and trying to clean up my shop. Only two new ones so far this year but, finished seven old ones and it feels good. Now I'm working on an old Texaco gas station diorama for display. I think it's a neat idea to have a photo back drop like yours.

[cobraman]

Cool ! Looks nice.

[Ramfins59]

Thanks very much for all of your kind comments everyone.

Richard, I don't know if it is a baby alligator or what. It is a plastic piece I found in a parts box, I have no idea which kit it came out of. I painted it flat field drab green.

Gerald & Ron, I have no idea who the figure is supposed to represent. It is a resin cast figure found in a parts box.

The parking meter came with the display base and the Model Car Parking sign came out of an old SA issue.

[charlie8575]

Looks good, Rich. That'll make a nice background for your models.

Charlie Larkin

[Ramfins59]

Thanks Charlie, it's amazing how much cool stuff you find, that you forgot you had, when you start cleaning up and digging through boxes.

[flat-top]

Very nice.

[stang_crazy]

lets see some pics of this nicely redone room.

[Tom Geiger]

Cool dio Rich! I did the clean up bit right before the 24 Hour Build so I could move around better! I have that 'gator too! I believe he came from the old AMT '57 Chevy. I painted mine pink tones to match my interior.