68 VW, Revell ... first car model in almost 50 yrs (Finally finished)

JOE RIX

I do have a question after seeing your instructions. Is the steering wheel actually on the right of this kit? That's an interesting detail.

Great question, very observant. The kit is set up to allow either a LH or RH drivers side/steering wheel, foot pedals. It's a clever kit.

And great news! The mounting holes for the flower pot need to be drilled out, so though the instructions aren't totally clear, it is set up to be optional and I have no holes to fill.

I am relieved and also now don't have to worry about GM cutting me off.

First off, I think the flower pot would be a great idea. Secondly I'd sh@# can the flower idea growing in the pot and put a marijuana plant in its place. Put a little humor in there and have some fun with it.

Link to buy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Reality-In-Scale-1-35-54mm-Laser-Cut-Plants-Hemp-Plants-Diorama-Acc-VG3016-/112675245729?hash=item1a3bf7cea1

That idea looks fine, Joe.

So then, here is the reason for the latest delay (the first was a somewhat unexpected trip to Florida):

So I had painted these inside door panels and a couple other odds and ends with Alclad black gloss primer thinking I could save a few steps. It/they came out ok but I did a bad job controlling the spray and there were areas not so glossy.

Thinking I'm going to need to learn some ideas that don't include an airbrush (due to an upcoming change of venue), I went out and bought a can of good 'ol Testors Clearcoat Lacquer, Gloss.

Knowing full well how rattle cans works, I laid in on heavy figuring it'd be nice and glossy.

What a dumbass. Heavy coat of lacquer over lacquer. What would I think would have happened????

It isn't looking like my new degreaser (Super Clean) is touching the lacquer (trying to strip it off). Any advice?

As sorry as I am to whine, I'm getting kind of tired of waiting for paint to dry, all of these dissimilar coats, and various other delays. It seems worse on this car model than airplanes, and I wasn't expecting that!

How about brake fluid? Do you think that would work on lacquer?

Hey Steve 'ol buddy. I am wondering the same thing about brake fluid. That's what Mustang Joe suggested as an all-purpose stripper to begin with, I think. But once I get some silly idea in my head.......

Oh boy...it looks like the gremlin visited you too. I will have to remember this snafu so that I don't make the same mistake. 

Break fluid is a good bet. I used it many years ago. If you have any glue joins it might take those apart though. But at least you will have the paint stripped.

Steering wheel is white.

insert panels r red below, black above the door handle.

Sorry for the late reply Greg and hate to see the misfortune. Brake fluid IS the best bet. Just wash with warm soap and water after soaking with an old toothbrush to hit the stubborn areas and you'll be good to go.

Oh my dear Greg, That is indeed an unfortunate mishap. Seems that brake fluid treatment is your future. I use a product that is no longer in production. It's called ELO, or Easy Lift Off paint and decal remover. It was made by Testor's and it works very well. I sure wish I could say to you, "Gee, I'm not sure what to use". But, alas, that is not the case as I have had more than my share of paint stripping mishaps. In fact, I have 2 Tamiya P-47D's that I need to strip of their Alclad coating that did not turn out well. Good luck and be sure to keep us updated on your endeavors.

Remember, it's not about the mishap but, rather, it's all in the recovery. You got this Bro.

I like a product called "Chameleon". You can soak the part in it for a while, no harm done. It's also reusable.

Brake fluid you've got to think about what to do with it after.

Unfortunate, you''re on road to recovery.

Life is all about how you handle plan "B"

GMorrison

 

Brake fluid you've got to think about what to do with it after.

Unfortunate, you''re on road to recovery.

 

I'm enjoying this thread. About engines, I build this with a little pipe bending to fit the back of one of my 8 manx builds..

Turbo and all!

Thanks for all the help (and condolences ) re my mishap.

I got some brake flluid and though it was slower than expected, it worked. I do have concerns about even having the stuff around. I'm not good at properly disposing anything and am losing my tolerance for having caustic and other nasty materials around.

But I digress, it worked, thank you. And Bill, I think Walthers still stocks Chameleon (i'll find out), and I can have the train store across the parking lot from me order some. Thanks for that.

I guess I left my side panels in the soup a little too long, they warped a little but I'm sure everything will be fine.

Pat, for some reason, that dune buggy with the metal flake fiberglass evokes some very strong memories, which is odd since I'm never been around a real one. Nice engine!

Greg

Thanks for all the help (and condolences ) re my mishap.

I got some brake flluid and though it was slower than expected, it worked. I do have concerns about even having the stuff around. I'm not good at properly disposing anything and am losing my tolerance for having caustic and other nasty materials around.

Thanks, Joe.

I have memories of oven cleaner from days past and yes, sure do remember it being smelly and nasty. It is interesting that it doesn't harm plastic at all, I think maybe the brake fluid did just a little, but it's my fault for leaving my parts soak so long. (****No, it did no harm at all...please see corrected post below)

At any rate, it's full-forward now, the little goof-up is in the rear view mirror thanks to all the help here!

Correction:

In my post above I stated that brake fluid somehow harmed the plastic. Actually, I thought it warped the side panels....but it did not. So I have no reason to believe the brake fluid attacked the plastic in any way whatsoever.

Sorry about that!

Hey Greg I’ve been busy with other stuff I need to get back to my 59. I have used brake fuild on canopies with no ill affects btw . Don’t you just love painting models lol

crown r n7

Don’t you just love painting models lol

That hits home at the moment. This was supposed to be a light-hearted, fun build. Regarding painting, it's showing me how much I don't know!!!!

BTW, minor update, I decided to try to brush paint the vinyl door inserts red (per Bill's recommendation). I'm sure glad I sealed the repainted black in Alclad lacquer, all I needed to remove that mess was running water and a brush. Now, to figure out how to mask those panels..............

silly putty , Elmer's-tack buy the looks of Mr Morrison pic its not to bad to mask. hey its all good. I messed up my f2a canopy twice in the brake fuild it goes.

Greg

That hits home at the moment. This was supposed to be a light-hearted, fun build. Regarding painting, it's showing me how much I don't know!!!!

You WILL find your system and when you do you'll be off to the races. Hang in there guy.

Greg,

I built my first car (non armor) model in many years, AMT Avanti.

Car interiors are a real challenge. She had two interior colors, Ivory and Fawn. Add the body gold color, black carpets, chrome accents and it gets pretty complicated.

Have fun with Ill stop bombarding you. Going to be a nice Beetle.

crown r n7

silly putty , Elmer's-tack buy the looks of Mr Morrison pic its not to bad to mask. hey its all good. I messed up my f2a canopy twice in the brake fuild it goes.

 

It's just the radii at the corners of the vinyl I've been pondering, the straight lines maybe I can handle masking. Blu-tac is a great idea for those corners, Nick. Thanks!

mustang1989

 

 

Greg

That hits home at the moment. This was supposed to be a light-hearted, fun build. Regarding painting, it's showing me how much I don't know!!!!

 

 

Don't worry Greg. Just stick with it bud. You'll find your groove in painting. It took me a couple of years to find it but I think it's just because I'm too dang hard headed. lol.

 

You WILL find your system and when you do you'll be off to the races. Hang in there guy.

 

Always appreciate your encouragement, Joe. I'm almost starting to laugh at myself thinking building this car would be a walk in the park. Man, am I learning! I'll stick it out. All the help here helps.

GMorrison

Greg,

I built my first car (non armor) model in many years, AMT Avanti.

Car interiors are a real challenge. She had two interior colors, Ivory and Fawn. Add the body gold color, black carpets, chrome accents and it gets pretty complicated.

Have fun with Ill stop bombarding you. Going to be a nice Beetle.

 

Man, do I apprecaite your comments, Bill. I truly thought this interior was going to easy-peasy. I'm just plain surprised this is so much different than airplanes. And I thought building cars as a kid would come back to me. Not!

That pic is awesome, btw. Thanks! And thank you for your encouragment and guidance. Don't stop, it's helping me to keep going.

Greg, Sorry to have been s late catching up with your build. But WOW is all that's left say about your progress.

Re: the door cards/panels if you have any post-it notes you can make a template of the door frame and transfer that to a Tamiya or equilvent type low tack tape.  Paint, then peel away tape  at a 45° angle, "bending" it almost over its self. Then your red door panel will look grand and the door frame will still be black

(i.e. )

Here's another ;

 Took my almost new Bug to the dealer . Problem , Shifting rough . It's a stick . Went to get it at five ." Sorry sir , Won't be ready till this time tomorrow " they say . I say " Why ?" They say ." Well it seems they forgot to connect all the new shift cables up before they buttoned it up , now it doesn't shift at all " . I walk away shaking my head .

 The Bug at that time only had two cables . One for the forward four gears and one for reverse as I understood it  ! I still loved that car though . It would go places my 66 Nova S.S. wouldn't !

Greg ;

 That's what was easy-peasy on the 1;1 Bug . Paint the fenders ? Sure , Just let me unbolt them . I actually cut them off my Herbie model that was going to be a different color .

 You know that was the smartest thing I ever did with a model ? When I re-attached them I was able to put the little rubber gasket in there between the fender and body ? 

 Boy ,  did that get them talking at the model car show ! Paint and detail on cars always seems to be a challenge . I guess because it is shiny and shapely and folks spot flaws quicker on these .

Aw Gee !

 Question . Do You know how many Karmann - Ghia's you have in there ? I spotted a few . Nuther question . In the later V.W ( Type 2 ? ) Do you have or have you seen a notchback sedan ?

 I see the " Station Wagon " or as they call it Square-Back sedan " a lot around here