Message Index

• First build for the years. PICs
  • Classy hot rod! 3d-printed engine? *NM*
  • Re: Very well done *NM*
  • Neat little hot rod Terry! I like the vintage supercharged flattie! Is that a 3D printed piece? *NM*
• Promo and snap kit Sunday. *PICS*
  • Not a bad one in the bunch! Isn't your primered '50 Pickup with the '57 custom headlights a snap, too? *NM*
• .Why is it sometimes when using rattle can paints, it pulls away from door edges and the like? Thanks. *NM*
  • Primer seems to help. I like Tamiya white or gray primer. *NM*
  • Surface tension of the paint is the usual culprint if applied too wet or thin too soon *NM*
  • Another factor is those areas (panel lines/seams) can have a bit of a sharp edge from the molds so may need to be lightly sanded to remove the sharpness *NM*
  • Might also be mold release agent still in the cracks. I'd try a soft toothbrush with detergent (or whatever you use to clean the body prior to paint) to get into the indentations *NM*
• New year,, New project. ,, , "Sour Apple" square body Chevy , , , [PICS]
  • Another winner I'm sure. *NM*
  • Okay, interest piqued. Looking forward to what comes next *NM*
  • Sour Apple, is that a hint to the color you've chosen? *NM*
    • Could be. '-) *NM*
• Hi everyone. A question. I bought The Treatment car wax. What is the proper way to use it? Apply it in swirls or back and forth. Should I remove the wax after it has dried on the body or while it is still wet? Thanks for the help. *NM*
  • Don't think I'm an expert, but.....I put it on in swirls, or circles, and wait till dry to buff off. *NM*
  • Be sure the paint is completely gassed out first - some rattle can enamels take FOR_EVVV_ERRR
    • And if you thin it with lacquer thinner (like some of us tried a while back), it'll smell even worse and take even longer. *NM*
      • That’s the opposite of my experience as I thin everything including acrylics with lacquer thinner. *NM*
      • Really? I've been doing so for over twenty years and have found that it makes most hobby enamels dry at about the same rate as Dupli-Color lacquer. *NM*
• Everyones 2024 builds are awesome. Thanks for posting the pictures. It was a productive year ! *NM*
• Thanks Marty for posting my pictures and thank everybody for your comments on my builds. I'll get my computer stuff straighten out soon. THANKS *NM*
• After seeing that Atlantis is coming out with the Prudhomme Pepsi Challenger Trans Am funny car, I've been thinking about other drag racing cars. I really like gassers for some reason. *LINK* *PIC*
  • Is it the Challenger version (yellow and white) or the Pepsi/Wendy’s version (blue and white) , either will be cool to see but the challenger one was a 1/32 snap kit Vs the other was the 1/24 glue version *NM*
  • The Atlantis car is the Pepsi Challenger car, Yellow and white. Pepsi was involved in just about every level of motorsports at that time all with the same paint scheme.
    • I checked their site and didn’t see it , what I’m trying to clarify is are they reissuing the blue and white 1/24 glue version or the 1/32 yellow and white snap version….or are they re issuing the 1/24 glue but with new (yellow and white) livery? Monogram never did the
      • It's shown in the 2024/25 online catalog as 1/24 scale, with the yellow and white Pepsi Challenger graphics.... If that is what they deliver is yet.to be seen. *NM* *PIC*
        • Soooo, guess we shall see, lol. I’d love to see the 1/24 with the yellow and white scheme *NM*
          • Ditto that... In my opinion it is far more attractive than the Wendy's/Pepsi car that Monogram originally released in 1/24. *NM*
            • He makes a good point. Atlantis has been doing straight re-issue so far, given it was never kitted as 1/24th scales
  • Neat article, he also has a Youtube video about those cars too. *NM*
• 1934 Ford 5 window coupes 7. *PICS* *LINK*
  • Thanks for sharing the PICS! *NM*
  • Re: 1934 Ford 5 window coupes 7. *PICS* There are a couple of really cool cars.
    • Re: A lot of people like that striped coupe, but I find it quite ugly myself. Nicely done build that could have been so much cooler. *NM*
  • I like the first one. *NM*
• Thank you sir *NM*
• Some other "Old Stuff..." *PICS*
  • It's a beauty! *NM*
  • The large color pictures really make an impact compared to he small BnW pic, The delicate flower artwork at that scale is remarkable. *NM*
  • Nice work!! *NM*
  • The detail work on the sides still amazes me *NM*
• Frank's first generation Chevelle collection has a new addition... He has finished the black Revell '65 that I shared in progress pics of the other day.... *PICS*
  • Pretty cool !!! Takes me back to high school... *NM*
  • Very Nice! Really like the stance and wheel combo *NM*
  • Nice build!! *NM*
  • Re: Very well done *NM*
  • That is one bad Chevelle *NM*
  • Thanks Marty for posting this for me... This was sitting as you saw it earlier for about 15 yrs, it was suppose to replace the first car I had photographed back when the car was issued but was part of a fire I had so with the others I've pulled down this had to be finished. *NM*
• 2024 Builds, most of them. PICs
  • You are having WAY too much fun! I like the Grumpy's Toy Vega and the early Cobra with the funky shaped soft top best. *NM*
    • Thanks, and yes it is fun. *NM*
  • I like the Broncos and the drag cars, especially the Willys gasser. *NM*
    • The Willys is probably my favorite of the year, thanks. *NM*
  • WOW!! *NM*
    • Thanks! *NM*
  • Re: great looking group of builds *NM*
    • Thank you. *NM*
  • Nice job on the Willys, especially after seeing 60s photos of the real car *NM*
    • Thank you very much. *NM*
• A Glaring Omission.... *LINK* *PIC*
  • That is a very cool build. And clean. *NM*
  • Sharp custom touches well executed *NM*
  • Crisp subtle custom well executed. Sharp! *NM*
  • Very nice build Dave! *NM*
  • The custom work on that is visibly subtle, but it enhances the original design *NM*
  • Sure don't get any prettier than that :) *NM*
• Just wow! Tremendous work, Tim. Do you have any more pix of the two at the very bottom of the post at left and right? TB *NM*
  • Not "good" pics, those two were just finished and outdoor photos haven't been taken (uncooperative weather) *NM*
• My very best to all who will attend the NNL West #40 tomorrow, and our continued appreciation for all who attended past NNL West, NNL Western Nationals, and original NNL West events from 1982 to today. What a legacy! And special thanks to all who organized/ran these events! *NM*
• Straight Line Friday......
  • Very nice stuff, but....Kalitta Air? Is that for real? *NM*
    • Yes. Connie built his fortune with his air freight business.... Drag racing was just a hobby back then. *NM*
      • He bought the first plane in 1967, with winnings from two or three events won one after the other. The factory contacts made in racing brought some business too *NM*
        • Someone told me he had a niche in express part delivery
    • yes *NM* *LINK*
      • Thanks. *NM*
  • Fantastic PICS!! *NM*
  • That was FUN!!! *NM*
  • All those front engined dragsters....Very cool! *NM*
    • And the Gassers. Inspires me to get some built. Thanks, CD. *NM*
• Speaking of Mercurys, I discovered a built Mod Squad Merc woody at a LHS last weekend. It was in a display cabinet, unpriced, and the cabinet had a sign thatread 'buy 2 diecasts, get one free.
• I like to take apart hot wheels to repaint the bodies and such, but I often struggle to drill out the "rivets" as my drill wonders off center. Anybody have any tricks to offer? Thanks. *NM*
  • What do you use to drill them out? *NM*
    • Probably too big a drill, but when I use a real smnall one to start, they tend to bend, and occasionally break. *NM*
  • I start with a small sharp drill bit and then use a larger bit. *NM*
  • Question for the enquiring mind... How do you keep them together after drilling out the rivet ends? *NM*
    • When I did it I ground the squashed part of the rivit off leaving the post. *NM*
      • X2...A little dremel work saves the post and a dab of glue/epoxy holds it together. *NM* *PIC*
    • Epoxy. *NM*
    • I tap the post for a 2-56 thread and use a 2-56 button head screw. *NM*
      • I have drilled and tapped thousands of holes in my many years as a mechanical tech, from 5/8" down to a 4-40, but I don't think I would attempt a 2-56. *NM*
        • I do it all the time in 1/64 cars. Diecast is soft enough to not worry about breaking a tap. *NM*
          • Bet I can break one. Unfortunately, I'm a bit heavy handed. *NM*
            • Oh I've broke them too. The diecast just makes it a bit easier. *NM*
  • Don't drill them out, just grind off the squished "head". HSS, or carbide "burr" in a oval shape should work good. Get the double-cut ones, they are so much easier to control. *NM* *PIC*
  • I bought a cheap set of drill bits at Walmart recently…
  • I've seen videos on social media where the person drills or grinds out the rivet and then screws the car back together after refinishing it. *NM*
  • Spring loaded center punch to dimple the center then your drill bit won't wander. *NM*
  • What I wound up doing was taking the smallest drill that would chuck up into the drill motor (which happened to have never been used), cut it in half, and chuck it into the drill motor so that only about 7/16" stuck out, then I can drill a pilot hole with no wobbling. *NM*
• Miscellaneous Mopar Madness *PICS*
  • The black RR, please. *NM*
    • Which one?
      • The '70, guess I missed the '69. *NM*
        • I'm not so sure the '69 is a Road Runner. Seems to be missing all the emblems/stickers. Probably just a lowly Satellite. But I agree, the one-year-only '70 is by far my favorite Mopar. *NM*
  • I REALLY dig that Warlock!!! *NM*
  • Had the honor of meeting Bob Karakashian at PSMCD this summer
  • Great *PICS* Bill!! *NM*
  • That F8 Green RR floats my boat!!! *NM*
  • The Top Hand: anybody ever do decals for that? Kinda cool... *NM*
• The pics of the T-Bird how to are great! Many thanks - I've probably had a dozen of these over the years but none that ever looked as good as this. *NM*
• While a student at MSU in the pre-computer dark ages, the used book store had a very nice copy of "ABC's of Custom How" ...
  • Maybe a link to a copy on the internet would be useful ? *NM* *LINK*
• Love the notch Mustang FX and the Styline Ranchero! *NM*
  • Re: Thanks *NM*
    • Pics are buried in my "Scrapbook Sauce" boxes in storage, but my father built one nearly to that spec for me years ago
• Amazing.... ! *NM*
• Fantaastic work, Tim. I realy enjoy studying your trucks. Like a lot of us, your model collection follows the gas laws and expand to fill the available space. *NM*
• Laugh at you? For building 2 cool models? Are you kidding me? They look great! Plus, you built 2 more than I did last year. *NM*
• Do my eyes deceive me!? Over on another site I see that Atlantis is bringing out 1/24 Don Prudhomme Pepsi Challenger Trans Am Car (formerly Monogram). THIS IS TOO COOL!! I hope this is a precursor to a string of other older funny car kits. *NM* *PIC*
  • I'm hoping this one is in the works. *NM* *PIC*
    • It would be great to have any of these back. This was just before Funny Cars got too “funny” looking in my opinion. I think I did see that Atlantis was doing the Firebird (originally a Monogram tool), but the Omni…
      • I have plans to rebuild this one using some Prudhomme aftermarket decals.... *PIC*
  • Happy to see that they will be doing it as one of their 1/24 scale releases. That particular paint scheme was only released as a 1/32 snap kit by Monogram back in the day..... The 1/24 release was the less attractive Pepsi/Wendy's livery from a couple years later. *NM*
  • The original Monogram Pepsi-Wendy's together with the Miller Highlife Warrior Trans Am and the Chief-7-Eleven Mustang was the start of the modern era Funny Car kits back in 1985 from them...
• Mirrors, antenea and mudflaps usually fall victim the Dust Brush Of Doom *NM*
• Nothing to laugh at! Those are nice! Two more than I got done this year... hopefully to be remedied for me in 2025! *NM*
• Wow, you must have some collection of vintage built ups! Cool stuff. *NM*
• Dad had a '64 Buick Wildcat 4 door hardtop. I think the 2 door '64 Wildcat kit with some rescribing of the doors and the top of the 4 door '63 Buick Electra hardtop kit might be close for a good start on a replica.
  • Dang, I forgot to note *3 PICS* in my post above. *NM*
  • That 4 door hardtop roof looks like it could be the same as the roof on the AMT '62 Electra kit, except for the A pillars. *NM*
  • Correction: The Buick Electra 4 door hartop kit is a 1962 model. The 1963 is the convertible. *NM*
    • I was correcting my initial statement above, not Mark C. *NM*
• No expert, but I think the cans have a mark or indicator for the best locaiton and direction to spray from the can. I believe it means the pickup tube is toward that side so when you are painting with the can at an angle the tube is still in the paint if it is not
  • Thanks, makes sense. *NM*
• Remarkable productivity! And it is great work, too. *NM*
• Cool Camaro. I love the look of the open rally wheels. *NM*