Cars: Muscle Cars
60's & 70's Classics
Revell 1/24 1978 Trans Am
Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, September 02, 2019 - 01:33 AM UTC
Russell,
That's a lot of work you accomplished.

I'm always leery about painting interiors as I just get a ton of over spray on them when I do the exterior of the shell.

For lights or mirrors I always cheat and go with silver, then when dry I apply Pledge up to the lip. When dry, they really look the part.

Nice job on the gas tank.

Joel
RussellE
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Posted: Monday, September 02, 2019 - 09:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Russell,
That's a lot of work you accomplished.

I'm always leery about painting interiors as I just get a ton of over spray on them when I do the exterior of the shell.

For lights or mirrors I always cheat and go with silver, then when dry I apply Pledge up to the lip. When dry, they really look the part.

Nice job on the gas tank.

Joel



Thanks Joel

This one definitely needs the interior painted as so much will be visible once assembled. No doubt I will need to mask it all off, including the engine bay before applying the exterior colour.

I've got to pick out some details like the battery and washer bottle first

Hmmm... I'm loathe to spend money on bare metal foil for just one job, but then there's the window trims as well...
Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, September 02, 2019 - 11:26 AM UTC
Russell,
But a sheet lasts nearly forever. These days I can't remember the last time I opted to use it rather then a Metalizer.

Joel
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Posted: Monday, September 02, 2019 - 12:39 PM UTC
Hi Russ,
Great progress! For what it's worth I think the headlights would better in black judging by the blue transam vs. the box art for the kit. Black wheels as well if you source the spoke hubs.

cheers
Michael
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Posted: Monday, September 02, 2019 - 12:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hmmm... I'm loathe to spend money on bare metal foil for just one job, but then there's the window trims as well...



Simple solution mate, build more cars!



Making good progress on the paint work, looking very nice so far.

Cheers, D
RussellE
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Posted: Tuesday, September 03, 2019 - 12:25 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Russell,
But a sheet lasts nearly forever. These days I can't remember the last time I opted to use it rather then a Metalizer.

Joel



Interesting thought, Joel


Quoted Text

Hi Russ,
Great progress! For what it's worth I think the headlights would better in black judging by the blue transam vs. the box art for the kit. Black wheels as well if you source the spoke hubs.

cheers
Michael



Thanks Michael yep, the headlights will be black with a chrome(?) trim-I hope. The wheels I've already painted the spokes gold to match the eagle on the bonnet which will also be gold as that's the decal on hand


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Hmmm... I'm loathe to spend money on bare metal foil for just one job, but then there's the window trims as well...



Simple solution mate, build more cars!



Making good progress on the paint work, looking very nice so far.

Cheers, D



Thanks D

not sure about more cars yet-got a stash of aircraft to work through first
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Posted: Friday, September 06, 2019 - 01:18 PM UTC
Russ, you're doing just fine. Good progress and yes, you managed a pretty neat job on the gas tank and window. KUTGW!

Gabriel
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Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2019 - 01:41 PM UTC
Thanks Gabriel

Hi all, sorry for the late reply and lack of updates. I've had a bout of pneumonia and stint in hospital

I highly recommend, that none of you experience that.

Anyways the Trans will be back on the bench soon. I've made the decision to get the chrome foil to highlight the trim on the doors, windows and headlights as it turns out I've the perfect project in the stash to use up the bulk of the remainder.

Anyways, hopefully I'll be well enough soon to post some sort of progress and wrap this up for the Garage Queen campaign finish line....
Joel_W
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Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2019 - 07:27 AM UTC
Russell
Sure glad that you beat the pneumonia stint in the hospital. nasty stuff for sure.

Joel
RussellE
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Posted: Sunday, September 22, 2019 - 07:47 PM UTC
Thanks Joel

Hoping to get some bench time tomorrow night
RussellE
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Posted: Saturday, September 28, 2019 - 10:45 PM UTC
Well, time for an update

it's basically been a case of prepping up all the components ready to lay down a coat of primer, before applying the colour. You'll also notice I've painted the coolant bottles in an off white. Revell don't provide separate parts for these items, instead choosing to model them as one piece with the shell, so guessing where the bottles begin and end is highly subjective





For those wondering what the purple "goop"is, it's liquid mask. I have a habit of using masking tape to block out the flatter areas, then using liquid mask (in this case Humbrol Maskol) to fill in the gaps.

A few more bits to mask up then it's off to the paint shop
AussieReg
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 12:42 AM UTC
Good update Russ, all of that prep work can only result in a better finish in the end.

Have you considered trying out some of the reusable masking putties rather than the one-shot like Maskol?

Looking forward to the next update.

Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 01:09 AM UTC
Russell,
Those off white bottles really look quite good, and certainly pop right out in that black engine compartment.

Like D said, just a perfect masking job. I've yet to try liquid masks, instead using Silly Putty and White tack which sometimes falls off or separates at the worst time.

Looking forward to seeing the shell in it's color coat.

Joel
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 01:15 AM UTC
Good preparation, Russ!

Everyone hates molded in detail, except the model manufacturers!

Have you got good results with that blue tape? in my climate at least have a tendency to un-stick itself and leave lots of "goo" behind. I have relegated it to stick the tiny parts for airbrushing on it.

Gabriel
RussellE
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 10:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Good update Russ, all of that prep work can only result in a better finish in the end.

Have you considered trying out some of the reusable masking putties rather than the one-shot like Maskol?

Looking forward to the next update.

Cheers, D



Thanks D

Haven't heard of re-usable masking putty per-se. But I've tried blu-tack once or twice but was never really convinced on it's re-usability as the overspray embedded into the blu-tack and then seemed to work its way back onto the model at the next use


Quoted Text

Russell,
Those off white bottles really look quite good, and certainly pop right out in that black engine compartment.

Like D said, just a perfect masking job. I've yet to try liquid masks, instead using Silly Putty and White tack which sometimes falls off or separates at the worst time.

Looking forward to seeing the shell in it's color coat.

Joel



Thanks Joel

There's still a little bit of tidying up around the bottles to do thanks to bleeding under the masking tape, and a wash to be applied as well, but I'll do that later on after top coats


Quoted Text

Good preparation, Russ!

Everyone hates molded in detail, except the model manufacturers!

Have you got good results with that blue tape? in my climate at least have a tendency to un-stick itself and leave lots of "goo" behind. I have relegated it to stick the tiny parts for airbrushing on it.

Gabriel



Thanks Gabriel

Agreed, manufacturers are always looking for ways to cut costs and it seems the engine bays are the number 1 target. Would be lovely to have separately molded battery, brake boosters, washer bottles and cabling, alas.... 'tis not so. (And I don't have the urge to scratch build them in )

As for the blue tape, well, it's scotch blue. It's not the low tack stuff (i keep that for mounting sensitive PE for painting as as you suggested) but rather the medium tack. It does peel a little, but the cost advantage over say, Tamiya tape makes it worthwhile when blocking out these larger areas. Having said that, I do use Tamiya tape as well, when detail masking, for example, ship components, or in the case of the Trans Am here, the washer bottles. But as you can see, it still bled a bit and will need tidying up.
AussieReg
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 10:27 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks D
Haven't heard of re-usable masking putty per-se. But I've tried blu-tack once or twice but was never really convinced on it's re-usability as the overspray embedded into the blu-tack and then seemed to work its way back onto the model at the next use



Hi Russ.

Give THIS a try from SMS. If you haven't seen their gear, it's a husband and wife team from Ballarat making some great products for scale modelling. I use their paints a lot.

Cheers, D
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 11:50 AM UTC
Russell,
For $15 it better be re-useable, and stick like glue. Usually Blu-tac hardly sticks well enough for me to use it with confidence. That's how I ended up using Silly Pully, which I've used the same two eggs worth for years now. Talk about being super cheap.

Joel
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 05:29 PM UTC
Making good progress Russell. That's a lot of Maskol:)
I like Maskol, easy to apply and easy to remove. Shelf life not so long though. One day you have Maskol, the next a rubber ball, in a glass jar.
I tried a liquid mask, from microsol, didn't like that one very much. A pain to remove that stuff.
RussellE
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 08:06 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Thanks D
Haven't heard of re-usable masking putty per-se. But I've tried blu-tack once or twice but was never really convinced on it's re-usability as the overspray embedded into the blu-tack and then seemed to work its way back onto the model at the next use



Hi Russ.

Give THIS a try from SMS. If you haven't seen their gear, it's a husband and wife team from Ballarat making some great products for scale modelling. I use their paints a lot.

Cheers, D



Who knew? Good to see locals getting in on the game!


Quoted Text

Russell,
For $15 it better be re-useable, and stick like glue. Usually Blu-tac hardly sticks well enough for me to use it with confidence. That's how I ended up using Silly Pully, which I've used the same two eggs worth for years now. Talk about being super cheap.

Joel



Super and cheap are two words that fit the bill perfectly for me Joel

Well folks it looks like I'll be checking out this re-useable putty thing a bit more closely. Seems to be the way to go especially for aircraft camo...


Quoted Text

Making good progress Russell. That's a lot of Maskol:)
I like Maskol, easy to apply and easy to remove. Shelf life not so long though. One day you have Maskol, the next a rubber ball, in a glass jar.
I tried a liquid mask, from microsol, didn't like that one very much. A pain to remove that stuff.



Thanks Jesper Maskol is great isn't it? Until like you say it turns into a rubber ball

I've found the trick is to keep it in the fridge next to my CA glues. The colder temps seem to extend the shelf life of both

I'll definitely be giving the putty a try on the next a/c build though as I've always found Maskol a clumsy way of masking the camo patterns...

Looks like next time I need to restock the masking tape, I'll be going down the road of Tamiya tape as their prices continue to come down, whilst Scotch's blue tape has now gone up, making the Tamiya tape cheaper!
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 09:18 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I've found the trick is to keep it in the fridge next to my CA glues. The colder temps seem to extend the shelf life of both


I will certainly give that a try. Thanks.

I tried a product similar to AK's camouflage elastic putty. Used it to cover decals, when applying a winter wash. It did the job fine, but, when removed, tore of part of the decals, even though they where sealed with satin varnish.
RussellE
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Posted: Sunday, September 29, 2019 - 11:17 PM UTC

Quoted Text



I tried a product similar to AK's camouflage elastic putty. Used it to cover decals, when applying a winter wash. It did the job fine, but, when removed, tore of part of the decals, even though they where sealed with satin varnish.



Ouch! That's got to have hurt, Jesper!

Meanwhile, ready for paint
Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, September 30, 2019 - 02:17 AM UTC
Russell,
Your masking really looks like the prep work will pay off in Spades. Can't wait to see the body shell in it's color coat.

Joel
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Posted: Monday, September 30, 2019 - 04:39 AM UTC
as an owner of a couple real 2nd Gen T/A I'm going to enjoy watching this build! Great work so far...
RussellE
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Posted: Monday, September 30, 2019 - 09:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Russell,
Your masking really looks like the prep work will pay off in Spades. Can't wait to see the body shell in it's color coat.

Joel



Me too Joel... it's been a long while coming!


Quoted Text

as an owner of a couple real 2nd Gen T/A I'm going to enjoy watching this build! Great work so far...



Thanks Jeff. BTW if you need someone to take one off your hands and take care of it for you let me know early 2nd gen T/A's are my one of may favorite muscle cars!
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Posted: Monday, September 30, 2019 - 03:02 PM UTC
Wow, this brings back some great memories! I was a high school senior in 1978-'79, man I loved this car. (as did many other people. ) Next to the original "Bandit" edition this blue one was my fav. I still remember early senior year when a friend pulled into the school parking lot in a brand new '78. White, with a silver red and black phoenix on the hood. All of our jaws just dropped! I was one of the first couple a guys to go for a ride in it. Good times! Looking good Russell, keep it up!

Cheers, Mike