Hey guys,
I'm glad to have found this forum. Lot's of cool builds going on here. I just started this short track Chevy II project. I'm going for a mid 70s late model double duty (asphalt and dirt) stocker. I'm using an AMT Chevy II body and a NASCAR Chevy Lumina frame. I understand using the later frame isn't totally period correct but I'm just getting my feet wet with this type of build. I cut away most of the rear, leaving the essential frame components and scratch building around the existing kit for strength. Wheels are wide 5s from PPP and the asphalt slicks are from the AMT Chrysler kit car. These are early mock ups, lots more to come. Suggestions and comments are always welcome.
(https://i.imgur.com/OqeYR4G.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/vY2aRSW.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/bToTIRQ.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/w1dyOoO.jpg)
Looks great so far. 8) 8)
Ya man, got that good stance going on. Keep on, keepin' on!
Rett
Yes, welcome! No critics here. Just race fans and model nuts. You'll see a lot of builds here based on the AMT nascar chassis. Kind of like the 60s and 70s Stock car scene, use something fast, cheap and plentiful! Looking forward to your build.
Tom
:) Welcome, and what they all said. Looking forward to being with you here. Looking great already.
Welcome to the RACE shop!! Use anything you can....A part is a part. This is going to look pretty Cool I'm think'in....
This is going to be great. welcome to the forum.
Looking great and nice work on the frame!....and welcome!
Nice work so far, and welcome to the forum. Good group of guys here with lots of good tips and ideas.
:) There are those words again -- " so far. " lol
Looks FAST sitting still..............there are some serious scratch builders on here, your Nova looks really good.
Welcome to the forum.
Your models is coming along nicely, I will keep an eye on the progress.
Bob
I made some progress on the cage. Still need to add the dash, rear firewall, package tray and a few bars. Also need to put in a gas tank and support / protection bars around the rear.
(https://i.imgur.com/uuEx9hQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PTZpne5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NqqqG33.jpg)
Such nice work it's almost a shame to cover it up with a body.
Olderndirt
Oh yeah! We've got a builder here fellas! Great looking work!
Rett
Weekend progress:
I cut down a NASCAR seat to back date it a little. Along with the low back seat, I installed a couple vertical bars and attached a headrest behind the seat. I also made some headlight covers and a bar through the bumper.
Here's a few questions for the guys that used to race in the 70s. Did you run chrome bumpers or paint them? Would the signal light areas be blocked off or run with holes in the bumper?
(https://i.imgur.com/bAsnNhh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xiYK9Ws.jpg)
I agree with David. I knock out the signal lites just cause I think they look goofing left in.
Rett
Lots of nice detail work here....great job
Update:
I scratch built a fuel cell. The trunk will be closed so I didn't take the time to detail the top of it. Maybe the next one will have an open trunk with fuel lines and such. I tied the bumpers into the frame and they fit pretty well once the body is on. I also decided to remove the signal lights in the front bumper. I will touch them up with a chrome pen and then dull the chrome in final finishing. Next up: shocks and hood pins. Getting closer to race day.
(https://i.imgur.com/ntkxvck.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/py2gBzN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UXxDhm7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Gw1qHII.jpg)
This build is really looking good!
I am liking it alot. Looking forward to seeing it done
Nice fab work. This build is looking really good. I can't wait to see the finished product.
Bob
Update: I've been working on the engine. It's a Chevy small block from the AMT NASCAR kit. I cut off the heat shields from the valve covers, mounted the alternator where the dry sump oil pump was, made a taller riser for the carb and modified a parts box air cleaner. Still need to make valve cover breathers, oil filter, belts, wiring and fuel lines.
(https://i.imgur.com/nUmclw5.jpg)
Man..GREAT fab work. This is really going to look good with paint on it..
Update:
I finished detailing the engine and engine bay, painted the chassis, finished the dash with an instrument panel from a 1:24 Nascar kit. I got the wheels painted and the tire decals on. Scuffed and weathered the rubber. Getting closer to done.
(https://i.imgur.com/2LScRZ6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4QqBJgW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DlhJxDe.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tNw2lbm.jpg%5Bimg%5D)https://i.imgur.com/JBxdw5K.jpg[/img]
Oh yeah!!!
This is coming along quite nicely!!!
8) 8) 8) 8)
Lookin awesome!!!!
A lot of good looking work "thirdgear"! Looking forward to seeing the entire package!
Great work "so far" lol. I know this question has been asked before, but, ......what kind of glue do you use to hold all of the components together that you can take apart to paint?
Rett
Great job so far, looking forward to seeing the finished build.
Bob
Looking forward to seeing it done
This is really looking good.
Looks like a good start! Welcome
Rich
Quote from: Dirtman on May 29, 2018, 03:33:40 PM
Great work "so far" lol. I know this question has been asked before, but, ......what kind of glue do you use to hold all of the components together that you can take apart to paint?
Rett
I usually use blue Locktite putty for mock ups. I also use styrene rod to pin things together if they need disassembled before paint.
Quote from: thirdgearspeedshop on May 30, 2018, 08:34:06 AM
Quote from: Dirtman on May 29, 2018, 03:33:40 PM
Great work "so far" lol. I know this question has been asked before, but, ......what kind of glue do you use to hold all of the components together that you can take apart to paint?
Rett
I usually use blue Locktite putty for mock ups. I also use styrene rod to pin things together if they need disassembled before paint.
Tks for the answer. I will try the pin method in one of my future builds....Keep on building this one, it's really looking great!
Thanks, I'm painting the body now. Getting a good paint job is my weakness so we'll see how it goes.
Update:
This is the part of the build that is my least favorite. Painting the body. I still have to wet sand/polish, decal and one more coat of clear before I can put the body on and call it done. The paint is Tamiya Italian Red and Tamiya Gloss Aluminum rattle cans.
(https://i.imgur.com/hRh1nSP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nIY4jhA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DbzWWx0.jpg)
ThirdG, I am like you, I don't really like the body painting and I find it tough to get that show quality paint job. I always tell myself that these cars looked great from the stands but when you got up close and looked at em there were dents, wrinkles, scrapes and tire marks. None of them were pretty. With the crappy painting I do, I just add some mud, dust, and maybe some dents with a tire mark or something and hide my poor painting skills. It will add to the flavor of the subject and nobody will think any less of it. I can tell you right now my Camaro will not have perfect paint! Its a short tracker, I expect to see some dings and dents so don't sweat the paint. Keep Pluggin' you're doing just fine.
Quote from: thirdgearspeedshop on June 04, 2018, 08:33:14 AM
Update:
This is the part of the build that is my least favorite. Painting the body. I still have to wet sand/polish, decal and one more coat of clear before I can put the body on and call it done. The paint is Tamiya Italian Red and Tamiya Gloss Aluminum rattle cans.
(https://i.imgur.com/hRh1nSP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nIY4jhA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/DbzWWx0.jpg)
With the Tamiya paint , if you get a little closer and get it wetter without making it run you wont have to sand and polish. just clear it.
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With the Tamiya paint , if you get a little closer and get it wetter without making it run you wont have to sand and polish. just clear it.
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I have seen others do that. perhaps Im moving across the model too fast, not laying down enough paint.
I always Prime and sand the surface first. I also put the can in a can of warm water before shooting paint. I agree, the Tamiya cans are great, but I have never been able to get a decent finish without lots of polishing, clear coats, more polishing. Trial and error I guess. I've also noticed it takes at least 2 cans to get decent coverage.
Paint seems to be one of those things that you get so many suggestions and conversations about. Everybody has different methods. So many variables. I just do what seems best and try to salvage a decent finish each time
ThirdG, I agree with David, I can get at least three cars out of a can of Tamiya paint. If it is taking you two cans to get coverage are you shooting it from the other room? I was trying to remember my last couple of paint jobs and I doubt I was more than 8 inches away at the start and around 6 inches away at finish. And as David said, the tips on Tamiya are pretty durn good. With Testors you never know what you will get. I am NO painter either but my paint does improve when I use Tamiya. Paint up some junkers at different distances and speeds and I am sure you will get a handle on it. I know this sounds silly but I find painting like welding. You gotta watch the "Puddle" to get the distance and speed right if that makes any sense. If you're not a welder, I am pretty sure I just lost you.
I'm not a welder, but I get what you mean. Welding is a skill I've wanted to learn for a while.
Third, I usually lay down a couple of "Tack" coats in which I don't try too hard to cover. Then I do a "Color" coat. When you make a pass you should see the paint gloss up as it lays down. If you don't I would think you are still too far away. If you get too close, you really will see a "Puddle" and get runs and sags. Just keep trying, I have more barfed up paint jobs than I ever got good ones but I learned in the process. The more you do, the better you get. Everybody does it different and there must be at least 100 different ways of shooting paint so develop your own style and do what works for you. What works for David and myself may not work for you or someone else. Your Nova looks fine to me, I would put it on my shelf anytime and be proud of it.
The bottom line is: I'm cheap and don't invest in paint for testing. I figure it out as I go on complete builds. So I shouldn't be surprised at all if I haven't done the proper testing / practice. It's all good, though. It will be buttoned up and ready for hot laps soon!
Update:
Numbers are on, and we secured a sponsor for the race season ;) After taking these pics I shot a coat of clear over the whole thing. I'm pretty happy with the results so far. Now I'm wrestling with the front windshield. Almost there!
(https://i.imgur.com/Jg6Gclr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/i0dHJOq.jpg)
Now that looks GREAT!
The colors pop even more with the decals applied!!
Lookin' GOOD!!
Quote from: David Bogard on June 05, 2018, 01:22:15 PM
Whoa! Something's off! I can do several cars per can. You might be shooting too far away and the paint mist is drying before it gets there or something. Not sure. I just know that 2 cans per car means that a lot of paint is going into the air. I am NOT the best painter in the world but here are a quick three (out of probably 100) that are Tamiya rattle can and no clear or polishing. These all came from the same can.
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2JpVAbNxAyY5G.jpg)
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2JpVPr5xAyY5G.jpg)
(https://media.fotki.com/2v2JpVYhFxAyY5G.jpg)
Awesome jobs, David. You've solved the Tamiya riddle for sure. I have also found that Tamiya doesn't polish out that well for me. That's why I try really hard to get a good finish with just the can and then clear it with future. Its not a mirror finish but good enough for me. Like I said , I hate to polish.
I finished this one up this weekend. Still waiting on some hood pins to come in the mail, but I'm calling it done. I was really bummed to find the windshield came unglued a little on the drivers side, but overall I'm pretty happy with it. It was a super fun build.
(https://i.imgur.com/O25POy8.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2KdOnKS.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yyJXHIQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7bGd7GA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8MBGRbr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BCyRStg.jpg)
Great job!!!!
This really came out fantastic!!!
8) 8) 8) 8)
That looks GREAT.
Very nice build, I really like the color combination and decal work. That color really pops.
Bob
All of this looks good to me! Seems like a lot of paint to me also, but, if it works for you......it works for me!
Nicely done!
Rett
Awesome job. Super clean build.