The Mustang and Corvette Group Build

Eric - u r gonna love it.  Good luck. I'd never done it before, and it worked out.

Fan - love the engine work too. Same question as Rom. At first glance I thought aftermarket, but how did you do all that engine work, especially the distributor and the mesh hose connector ends? Last question, is that a NH plate??? When I expand it I can't tell.  I live in NH.

Fan, the engine looks great.  What did you use for the boots on the plug wires?  Lots of times I use small wire insulation but its a real pain and yours look good, I haven't figured out how to do a 90 like you have on the distributor.  

fantacmet,

Looking sharp. Like the engine work.

Ken, I picked up some embossing powder. I'm gonna give it a try.

L8TR,

Eric.

Some new updates.  License Plate is actual aluminum.

Rommel,

That's some cool fabricating!

It's all wet and nasty here too. I didn't work on the vette today but did practice some more with the metal foil on the Bel Air for the other group build. It's not perfect but I think I'm getting the hang of it.

L8TR,

Eric.

Well, its raining and coldernell here so it gave me some time to work on the Vette.   After cutting and bending up a half package of  evergreen .080 rod I managed to rough out the roll cage to the interior.  I still have short braces and door bars to finish. 

I got the filled frame rails smoothed and added a square tube tail section to replace the stock unit I cut away and I added the fuel cell mount made from small evergreen square tube and rod.

The only work I have done on the engine is gloo the halves together and cut away the stock oil pan.  I swapped it out for a dry sump pan with pump from an old stock car kit.  I have some nice detail items in my pile from Detail Master I plan to use on this one.  When I get the basic suspension and chassis built and painted, I can start plumbing and wiring….but I think it will be a while.  More later.

Thanks Dale.  I saw your post after I posted my answer to Alan.

Thanks Alan for looking in and commenting.

jWood Grain

The wood grain was done with some base techniques that I have both read and googled on youtube.

Essentially, after I primed the entire interior in semi-gloss blk, I let it sit for a few days (not by choice, i was very busy).

 Next, I hand painted on a base of MM enamel "Burnt Sienna" on just the panels I wanted to wood grain.  I let that sit for a bit to set up.

Next was a layer of MM Acryl 4697 Tan.  While still wet, drag a toothpick through it in whatever wood grain pattern you like.  This established the texture and grain lines.

Lastly, it was drying a little light, so I thinned out some of the burnt sienna as a wash, and used a very fine tip brush to add some darker tint over the existing lines and tone down the tan a bit.

That's it!!!

FUZZY CARPET FLOOR:

I can NOT take credit for this at all. About a year and a half (maybe 2), I started reading FSM and AutoScale on my visits to the local B&N way before my return to modeling.  In the 2012 AutoScale - Build Better Muscle Cars edition, there was an article by Clay Kemp featuring his build of the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T.  I would like to build that one some day. To say the least, it's an inspiring build and I thank Clay for that.

Props to Mr. Kemp for such a beautiful build and a great article.  He did a wood grain in his car too, but I didn't exactly follow that to the letter, but it's the same basic idea.  Back to the carpet.

His technique is so simple it is pure genius.

A white glue (Elmer's mixed with water) brushed on the area you want to carpet.

Pour black embossing powder (I used "ebony" found at any craft store) over the glued areas.  Make sure it is evenly coated, and then I poured out the excess.  I had already done all the detail painting including the floor mats, so be extra careful to not get the glue mixture anywhere you don't want carpeting!!!!  I got a little on the door chrome trim, and it came right off with a toothpick.

I found this at my local Michaels for a few $s.  It's worth it as it will do a LOT of cars in the future.

It is a very FINE powder.  All the stuff that didn't stick went right back into the bottle.

Any way, that is it.  Thanks for asking Alan, I really enjoyed sharing this little gem to make the detail pop!

Tony If you could update the roster, my plan is to have both kits done for this GB. Thanks

Ken the interior looks great, really like the wood grain.

Wow. Nice work.  How did you do the wood grain?  Was the kit floor textured for the carpet look or did you do something to make it like that?

Thanks Tony. I had fun doing it.

Oh yeah Dale, I totally forgot to comment on my last post.  That looks like a really cool and fun kit. Can't wait to see the parts busted out.

LOVE the woodgrain on that Ken.

65ss - Do you want me to update the build roster ? I've never seen that kit built before, which is ace. Go for it.

Cheers

Tony

Thanks all for the feedback on the engine.  The 428 still rocks if you are lucky enough to have one!

Dale - I am both enjoying and pulling my hair out at times with the detail work.

Eric - I had mixed results on a couple different parts with the gloss black too.  I even let the black set for 24 hours (at least).  For instance, my hubs and grill look great, but the chrome license plates look like crap to me.  Do you just sand them or strip them completely to redo?  just curious. 

Tonight, I was having problems with the dials on the dash, so I put it aside and went to work on the rest of the interior.  I have to say I am thrilled with the way it came out.

Here is the inside:

This weekend I plan to do the foil and spray the body, after I work out the dash.  The dash is 95% there, just the dials and knobs remain.  I still might send it to Rom if it gives me more fits!!!! LOL

Dale,

I used clear gloss enamel. The intake came out great but the oil pan came out splotchy. I don't know if maybe the clear wasn't dry completely or what. I read somewhere that the color doesn't matter as long as you have an enamel gloss surface so I wanted to test it out. I'm going to redo the oil pan tomorrow night and hopefully get it looking like the intake. If I can figure out the key I won't use black anymore as this is much brighter.

L8TR,

Eric.

Eric the Vette looks great, did you undercoat the intake with anything or just shoot it with Alclade?

Rommel Looking good so far. I'm looking forward to watching this build.

Ken the engine is looking good - I plan on doing a little extra pluming on the next auto kit I do.

speaking of next kit, I'm going to give this one a shot when I get the "69 done.

Tony, I thank you for the compliments on the Vette and your update was correct.  Photos do wonders for a built kit and I think it looks better in the pics than it does in person.  At any rate, I appreciate your opinion and thank you again.  I KNOW we are going to see some stunning builds from these guys in the future, there is some great looking stuff in progress.   Later----

Rommelkiste -  I was pushed for time yesterday so I went back for another look at your Corvette. That is one fantastic model, and sets a high benchmark for the rest of us. Congrats on it. I've also updated the build roster with your SCCA Corvette, and removed the 'stang, I hope that is what you intended.

Ken - Your 427 is looking great too. Its a very fine piece of work.

Fantacmet - Great progress on your Mustang too. I like it, I like it a lot.

No progress on my Corvette yet, but I did finish a kit for another GB yesterday, so I am that bit closer.

Cheers

Tony

Rom - Congrats on the first completed Vette!!!

Gee, the first Vette?  Thats a shock with all the problems I gave myself.  I was beginning to think I would never get that one together.  Thank you all you guys.

By the way, I have a large parts stash so if ANY of you guys should need a part or are looking for something to add to your build, let me know, I might have it.  I would be happy to help you out.

Fantac, you will have to let us know how you did the floor mats, those are sweet!  It never crossed my wee brain to add something like that.

Wheeler, you rub that Vette even just a mite and it will scorch the eyes!  It does that already!  Good luck with that build, I feel like its gonna ROCK!

Kt, the 428 is looking great, can't wait to see it stuffed in the Stang!  Got to ride in some of those back in the day and they would RIP!  There are some fast cars built today but lots of guys don't understand just what a beast those were right off the lot!

Lots of nice looking stuff here guys, keep glooin' an having fun!   Tony, you might update the build roster for me.  I think this Vette I'm working on will keep me busy till the end.  The Mods are gonna take me a while.   Later----

Great work everyone, the standard is exceptional.

I love your Corvette Rommelkiste, and congrats on being the first past the post. I updated the front page. Grab your new badge if you haven't already.

Cheers

Tony

Fantac - good progress and thanks for posting pics, gave me an 80s flashback.  I won't say more as I've dated myself enough around here.  LOL  How did you do the mats? aftermarket, part of box kit ???

Rom - off to another fine start.  Looking good.  I look forward to seeing the customization.  I know what you mean.  I feel like I got a lot of time in (here and there between work) but didn't get far.  I know that isn't the case, because some of it is tedious and time consuming work (but totally worth it in the end).

Dale - Time is tough, but I caught a break last night and today after a week of nothing.  Hope you find it.

Eric - Love the red.  Hope you get the hood worked out.  You have set a new bar for chroming!  I shall have to do better :)

Gord - credit to the group, as they gave me the tips. Go back and read the original post, as they stress "misting" it on, and Tony talks about how it lays down (maybe Eric did too, sorry Eric, I am a bit muddled tonight).

So what I am hearing from most (if not all) is GASSER!!!  It does look fun so that will do.  I will probably work on "Lola" on the side too, but we'll see what the coming days bring.

I am calling the engine done!!! (for now):

Keep up the great work everyone!  I am learning a ton and having fun!!!

Hi all,

Rommel, wow what can I say. That looks amazing. The weathering on the pipes is a nice touch hehehe.

Ken, I like the wood-grain. And I also vote for the gasser hehehehe. I recently picked up the reissue of the Bad-Man. Can't wait to get started on it lol.

Well here's my progress so far,

I got the first coat of clear on. It went perfect on the body, but for some reason it pebbled up a little on the hood. I sprayed them at the same time.

Got the undercarriage painted.

And I got the intake cleaned up and re-chromed with alclad. This was an experiment that worked on the intake, but failed on the oil pan. Once I figure out how to do it consistently I'll let you guys know. As you can see it much brighter. (Gloss black was not used).

I also started cleaning more parts.

L8TR,

Eric.

Oh man.  I remember the 89 LX 5.0 Mustangs.  They ruled the streets back when I was rocking a mullet.  That blue looks to match the stock colour perfectly.  Well done.  

Thanks for that answer and tips KT.  I knew I read more about Alclad mentioned some where.  

I'll hit up my LHS guy for some to try out.

Gord

65, I know what you mean about getting back to building.  I have been away from it for a while and what few skills I have seem to suffer.  I have jumped back into my next project today and although it don't look like much, it took most of the day.  The Chassis is molded with lots of the floor pan in place and the frame rails are molded as channels not solid.  the first pic shows this.

I cut away all the un-needed stuff and filled the frame rails with putty.  The rear section and spare tire carrier was cut away after some thought and will be replaced with square evergreen.  I will have to fab up a fuel cell mount and also make the 33 Gal. fuel cell.  I hacked up the interior tub to open up the rear section that will hold a dry sump oil tank and fuel filters and pump.  I cut away the rear cargo hatch on the body to make it removable to give access to view this area when complete.  The body was given a "guide coat" of primer for finishing off the mold lines and low spots.  Oh yes, the door panels were also removed to allow for the side door bars of the roll cage to extend into the door area.  I will fab that up with .080 evergreen rod and tube.  As it begins to look like a car again I will post more progress.  If this project goes to my liking, I might do up a trailer for it.  Keep glooin' guys and have fun, thats what this is all about.

Rommel the Vette looks great!

Ken, go with the gasser, I almost got that kit for the GB.

Every ones progress is looking good. I need to make some time to get back to building.

Ok here is pretty much where I am right now.

Body

The wheels I intend to use

Interior so far with the floor mats

Gord, I had the same question early on in this GB.

Yes, Alclad II Chrome is what I find most builders on the forums are using because it's really great stuff.

The biggest reason for stripping and re-painting the chrome is to get rid of the unsightly white cut marks when removing the piece from the sprue.

I've only seen posts of people who airbrush it on to get a great finish but I'm sure there is a master or 2 who can brush it on although I'd love to see the work of someone that good.

The guys also advised spraying over gloss black.  I followed their advise and it turned out pretty good.

I am letting it dry right now, and pics are difficult due to lighting in the man cave.

I'll post some of the piece work as I build it in.

My vote goes to the gasser.  That thing looks awesome.

Well done guys.  Everyone's progress is looking great.  It's great to read the progress from everybody this morning.

I don't have much to report.  I got some engine detailing done, lots of sanding on the body.  It has some weird mold lines.  I coated up the interior pieces and stripped some other chrome pieces.  I keep forgetting to snap a pic here and there.

I did get a PE kit of Edelbrock valve covers and some other tiny little do-dads.  I've never done PE before so this should be interesting.

Is Alclad what is commonly used to create a more authentic appearing chrome?  I typically just use steel or aluminum paint-whatever I have.  It never really looks that good.  Fortunately the vette doesn't have much.

I'll post up some pics if I find something interesting enough.  :)  So far, so good!

Gord

I'm so non-committal. Lol. I think there is enough time for both but we shall see what the holidays bring!

Thanks Rom!