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

I am sorry to see and hear about your misfortune with the door panel. I'm intrigued myself as to how that hapend. I've been considering trying Mission Model paints myself as I've read and heard really good reviews about the stuff. Might be glad I had not pulled the trigger yet. One reason I held off was the apparent challenge of finding the right ratios of paint/thinner/polyurethane to get it to work just right. Did you use just paint and thinner or did you also use the polyurethane additive? Seems to me that you should be able to touch that up right nicely and make it look just fine.

Don't be dismayed. You possess all the talent in the world to make it pop.

By the way, Thanks for the kind and encouraging words for motivation. They had a positive effect.

Joe, I'm baffled too. I've not read a negative word about Mission Models paints. A couple folk here swear by them.

I did add a bit of Polyurethane, and that might account for the funny opaque properties when I started spraying. It started on my test spoon. Why I was dumb enough to move to the actual door panels is beyond me.

Mission Model FAQ's are inconsistent. In one place, they say 1-3 drop poly to 10 drops paint. In another, they say 1-3 drop poly to 30 drops paint. Vallejo does this same thing, inconsistency among written instructions. I don't get it. They are talking paragraphs to proofread, not volumes.

Another thing, Mission Models are emphatic about not mixing in the a/b cup. I refuse to mix in a mixing cup (I'm a modeler, Jim, not a chemist) , I wonder if that might be it.

Sorry, I'm getting carried away. I'm hoping for a MM user to pop in here and straighten me out. Like you, I want to like the paint.

Thanks for your words of encouragement, Joe. And if I helped motivate you, I'm pretty happy. And you're right, I can touch this up and button it up.

Me myself, I never trust putting masking tape on Alclad.

As for mixing in the a/b cup, well, try this, Get a bunch of little paper cups, the shot glass size.

That can be creased to make a little pouring spout, and toss when done.

I went to spray the Norton this morning, yellow for all the fibrrglass parts.

Before I went with color, I had to clean the brush a little, the action was a little sticky.

So I ran lacquer thinner through it. Even blew air for a bit to dry it all out. Then I poured in a little of my yellow acrylic/ thinner into the cup. Started to spray and instant yellow snot.

Even the tiniest residual laquer thinner reacted with the Tamiya acrylic.

Total field strip, parts soak, the whole business. Once back up, I ran acrylic thinner through the brush before the color. Then the color, which you will recall was mostly still in it's little paper cup. All good.

That’s odd GM. I have used LT to thin and spray Tamiya Acrylics and worked just fine so don’t know why that reaction happened to you.

GMorrison

As for mixing in the a/b cup, well, try this, Get a bunch of little paper cups, the shot glass size.

I like this idea. I hate mixing paint in the a/b cup. I get "mixed" results.

plasticjunkie

That’s odd GM. I have used LT to thin and spray Tamiya Acrylics and worked just fine so don’t know why that reaction happened to you.

Sorry you had issues, Greg. My money is that it has something to do with the Alclad. 

I use these little plastic containers.  I like them because you can close the lid and shake the mix the paint up.

https://www.michaels.com/craft-smart-paint-pot-strips/10194253.html?cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_National_PLA_Shopping_Null_Null_All+Products_RLSA-_-RLSA+-+Crafts+and+Hobbies&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgOzdBRDlARIsAJ6_HNnlGUcQnCD_I7lL9G8UU3N3q8k9llNHxEKqRnj-SMVAmXxRMuyVU5saAmorEALw_wcB

I mix my paint in the ab cup and stir with a med size bristle brush to make sure all is properly blended together.

Greg

That’s weird, never have seen an acrylic eat into a lacquer or enamel but the other way around.

GMorrison

Me myself, I never trust putting masking tape on Alclad.

Hmm. This is the first and only time I've ever done it, come to think. I wouldn't do it over metallic, figured it ok for the lacquer primer. You might just be one to something.

I nver really considered residual lacquer thinner from cleaning reacting with acrylic, that is a good tip. Mission Models is quite emphatic about don't mix with anything except their own thinner and poly, you really may be on to something there.

I might stop being so stubborn and try the little cups. I'm so anal about wasting a few drops of pain.

I really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions, Bill. Thank you.

Bakster

Sorry you had issues, Greg. My money is that it has something to do with the Alclad.

Thanks, Stevie. This is interesting considering the Alclad as a possible culprit, I just hadn't considered it.

keavdog

I use these little plastic containers.  I like them because you can close the lid and shake the mix the paint up.

https://www.michaels.com/craft-smart-paint-pot-strips/10194253.html?cm_mmc=PLASearch-_-google-_-MICH_National_PLA_Shopping_Null_Null_All+Products_RLSA-_-RLSA+-+Crafts+and+Hobbies&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgOzdBRDlARIsAJ6_HNnlGUcQnCD_I7lL9G8UU3N3q8k9llNHxEKqRnj-SMVAmXxRMuyVU5saAmorEALw_wcB

 

 

Interesting. Thanks for the idea and link, John.

plasticjunkie

I mix my paint in the ab cup and stir with a med size bristle brush to make sure all is properly blended together.

I just use the thick end of a flat toothpic. Then usually backflow the a/b to mix it. Everything I read says don't do this.

plasticjunkie

That’s weird, never have seen an acrylic eat into a lacquer or enamel but the other way around.

Exactly why I am so baffled, Ernie. I'm liking the something to do with the Alclad idea. And Bill has me wondering if I contaminated the Mission Models with lacquer thinner.

All kinds of great ideas this morning from you fellers. Thanks!

First off I hate to hear that you're having these issues good buddy Greg as I know you've been battling these door panels for quite a while.

Secondly, while I will step outside of the box on some things, I try to stick with what I know works on certain things especially when it comes to paint. After the botch job I had when painting my first 56 Ford F-100, when I get ready to cross over in the paint arena I'll aways us a test piece for the whole painting process from primer to color coat to clear coat.

Give 'er another go Greg. Just chalk it up to backwards progress/ learning and move forward pal.

Sometimes it's just fine to rely on one's hand painting skills. Those can always use a little regular exercise.

Thanks for your continued encouragement, Joe.

GMorrison

Sometimes it's just fine to rely on one's hand painting skills. Those can always use a little regular exercise.

That's a pretty good idea, Bill. I think I'll find some gloss black and get 'er done.

Looking forward to the recovery Greg.

Bakster

GMorrison

As for mixing in the a/b cup, well, try this, Get a bunch of little paper cups, the shot glass size.

I like this idea. I hate mixing paint in the a/b cup. I get "mixed" results.

Off topic for a sec: I tried GMs paper shot glass method and Stevie likey. I found them at a grocery store. They are cheap enough. I don't remember exactly how many come with it but it's a few dozen for less than $2. These have a plastic coating on them, that's all they had. This is not a problem, just not as eco-friendly. 

I am all about simplicity. Use em, and toss em. Actually, with them being plastic coated, I could probably rinse them out and reuse if I wanted. The cups are still too large in a way, but there are ways to deal with that. I tilt them and use the side walls as a guage. Then do the same with the thinner. Mix it, and dump it into the cup. It worked well. 

I have not tried solvent based paint with these. My concern would be that the plastic melts. That wouldn't be good. Then I'd need to find paper only.

Anyway, something to chew on.

Off-topic is excellent....

Anything to keep this thread alive whilst I am diverted with an old Revell Motorcycle kit.

Interesting to hear you tried Bill's paper shotglass method and you like it. I'm bound to try it. My "but" is that most of the paint I use I count in drops, and the cheap-screw portion of my brain says too much waste. I guess I need to get past that, try it.

I had another Mission Models complete failure yesterday, so I probably should stop griping and start shopping (for paper shot glasses).

Greg years ago in the early 70s the neighbor across my moms house had I believe a 1953 split rear window bug that he used as a daily driver. It was dark green and looked brand spanking new. One day he was out of town and his wife asked me to please move the car cuz she didn’t know how to drive stick. I had the pleasure to drive it around the block  before parking it on the side driveway.

plasticjunkie

Greg years ago in the early 70s the neighbor across my moms house had I believe a 1953 split rear window bug that he used as a daily driver. It was dark green and looked brand spanking new. One day he was out of town and his wife asked me to please move the car cuz she didn’t know how to drive stick. I had the pleasure to drive it around the block  before parking it on the side driveway.

 

Cool! You know, not every kid knew how to drive a stick back in the 70's. My buddy's bug which I've probably referred to already in this thread was so darned cool. But at the time I'm not sure I realized it. Never asked to drive it!!!

Thanks for your story, Ernie!

Speaking of driving a stick, if I may share, here's one you just reminded me of.

It's high school, most likely '74, senior year. Teacher is a very Italian gent. Thin, handsome, three-piece suit every day, all the girls crazy for him, the whole nine yards.

One day apparently teacher parked over the fuel fill thingie, someone from the office came in and asked him to move his car. He reached in his pockets, dangled his keys from his raised arm and dramatically asked "which one of you boys knows how to drive a stick?". So I am the only kid raises my hand.

Will never forget, Sam must have had long legs. I reached under the seat to adjust forward, the adjustment lever came loose in my hands.

I pulled it out, guess what, it wasn't an adjustment lever, it was a little chrome plated, pearl handled revolver. Never said a word to anyone until decades later.

Now I wonder if it was a VW?

:)

Greg

 so I probably should stop griping and start shopping (for paper shot glasses).

 

Bakster

 

 

Greg

 so I probably should stop griping and start shopping (for paper shot glasses).

 

 

 

 

Or punt! If the paint is that fickle, is it worth it. Frustrating business when it doesn't work. Been there. 

 

 

Good point. Been meaning to post a general question or three about the paint in the paint section, never seem to get around to it.

Jack up the back end remove a couple of bolts and lower the engine out from under the car. The heat exchangers can pump exaust gas into the car if the exaust has leaks inside the exchanger. No fun!! AND if you drive under a flooded viaduct it will float until the water drains down so the rear wheels can get traction. A friend of mine had one and got a ticket doing 64 in a 45. The judge threw out the ticket because he did not believe a VW beetle could go 64 MPH. Maybe with a 50 MPH tail wind!!! Fun days of my mispent youth. Going to a drive-in movie in one on a double date was interesting. Use your imagination. 

Nice project, looks good so far. OH yea, we called them pregnant roller skates back in the day.

Interesting ideas and fun stories.

Thanks for taking a look and taking the time to comment, rangerj!

Some time ago I had messed up the masking/painting on the door panels. gmorrison suggested some hand painting practice.

Procured some good 'ol Testors sq bottle enamel black and went to town. Not perfect, but as we used to say in the machine shop, 'close enough for government work'.

Thanks, Bill!

By the by, Bill, you might be happy to note that I stuck with the classic white window crank knob and elbow rest ....even though I messed up the steering wheel.

And thanks to the rest of the gang for your continued encouragment. I'm slow but I'll get there even though it might be next spring!!!!

Looking really nice greg!

Hey Greg, it looks really nice! Good job.

You have done a remarkable job on your interior. It looks really sharp. Always refreshing to see some progress from you regardless of how long between updates. 

I'm really impressed by that brush painting job on those door panels Greg. Looks like a very well detailed out interior man. Looking forward to more on this one.

You guys are great! Dragging my heels and still you cheer me on. Thanks!

I did a test fit of the door panels last night, they fit like a glove and it is a pretty complex join. (or is it joint???). Knock wood, this has been a good Revell kit so far.