Good work there Tom...

Ah...some time. Where I am with the Ranchero:

Basics -



Cockpit was shot with yellow. I'll redo the black only leaving the center top/bottom of the seats yellow and the floor the Tamiya Enamel Rubber.

Underside:



Shot in gloss black. All those little spots need attention. May paint yellow and highlight in silver? The mufflers will go Aluminum as will the pipes.

More to follow.


Mike

Bench time. Dang...finally got some.

Some work done:



And a little more:



Mike

The roof. Was one part but I couldn't get a nice paint line between the yellow center (AC unit) and the left and right. So, I cut it apart. The texture on the two black parts is Faux Fabric spray. Excellent stuff (perfect for a Rhinoliner in the back). I wrapped thin wire for a contrast - a couple need tightening.



The Chassis. New axles out of copper tube and the engine in. Not going to wire it as the hood will be closed. I have a feeling I may need to tub the chassis for the tires/wheels in the rear.



Overview with body paint on:



Mike

A mockup of the Tonneau cover and roof parts:





Mike

Really nice build Mike. Some major scratch building too.

Pete

Sweet ride Mike!!

Thank you Pete and Brian.

After test fitting the body to the chassis, I will need to tub out the back end. Should be interesting.

Mike

Mike, Nice pickup!

Progress on the Ford Focus ground to a halt after painting the body. I am planning to get back to it very shortly. It has been sitting long enough that I think I can comfortably apply Tamiya Clear over top of the Tamiya Lacquer body paint (I've heard you need to wait atleast a month if you don't do it within the first few hours of applying the paint).

Thanks Van!

Update:

Well, I realized that to tub out the back (and make it look right) I'd have to cut the fender wells...and that I don't want to do. SO, I have an old Life Like '32 with some seriously flared fenders. Started looking at doing that (enough that I cut one up to 'test')...that would mean a lot of butchery to the Ranchero...which I really don't want to do. SO...going back to the stock tires and rims. All things considered, they still look good and the sprue nubs were actually put is a half-decent spot so the chrome is good.

Chrome bumpers. NO way to take them off the trees without damaging the chrome (which PO'd me good). I thought about changing the chrome to Gloss Black...but I really want that chrome radiator covering...masked off the cover and primed the chrome bumper (only) and then hit it with Gloss Black. Sharp...I like it. The rear bumper will be the same; GB only tho.

More to follow. Bench time tonight.

Mike

Not the greatest photo, but you should get the jist of the front bumper and chrome:



Test fit it to the front end; lookin' good. Test fit the cabin and body to the chassis; lookin' good again. Just need to make sure the top of the cabin's door sill and the body line up proper.

Back plate to the rims will be yellow (drying now) which should give it some tie in and..contrast.

Edit: Mixing some bright yellow with future...looking at tinting the headlights yellow.

Mike

Looks great Mike, really neat modifications.

Cheers, D

Some more done.

Windows in Future; drip drying:



Kind of an overview with the stock rims:



Maybe a little too much yellow mixed in the future; but can't change the Headlights now. Can't tell in the picture, but I highlighted the rear covers "buttons" with gloss black:



Hard to see them, but I'm using a set of Aber's hood pins. They're just sitting on the hood; not attached. With the Chrome/Yellow/Black scheme...I may paint those black for some "pop."

Almost there...

Mike

Tail lights. Here's a 1:1



The kit lights stick out a LOT further. I'll probably cut the inside of the lights down (which will hide the sprue cuts) or...I'll blacken the outside of the lights and keep the bezel chrome and do another mix of red and Future. Hmmm.

Mike

Where I am now; very close. Month and a half...I'll be done.





All three roof parts are on. Cockpit is 99%; just some touch ups. Windows are just about ready (Tamiya tape BLEEDS!! Dipped in Future, hoping I can remove the bit of bleed. Hood has two of the Aber "Hood Pins" (nice stuff BTW) Mirrors have a drop of Future for depth as do the two red taillights. I intended to 'tint' the headlights, but I think a got a drop or three too much yellow; can't fix it, so...it stays.

Before I put it all together, I'll pull out a super fine Sharpie and hit the emblems, door knobs, locks, wipers, and all that. Soon...very soon.

Mike

Aw Crap. Redo....

What happened Mike? This was looking hot...

Yes Mike it was looking good, do tell.

Cheers Rob.

Why? That was looking good......

Welllll....I was trying to do the emblems and door handles. And.... things didn't pan out so well. Some bleed into the yellow that couldn't be corrected.

So, now she'll be "slicked." Once all the paint is off, I'll remove the emblems and handles, etc. and shoot 'er yellow again.

Mike

What were you using??

That was a total shame, cause it was ĺooking great!!

I was using an ultra fine Sharpie. One slip...all it took. First coat of primer is on and it's lookin' smooth....

Mike

Mike I would suggest instead masking and using a different type of paint that won't react with the paint (acrylic/enamel/lacquer) used on the body rather than a permanent marker which, as you said, one slip and it's a goner. That way any stray black can be easily wiped away wit a q-tip dipped in thinner without harming the paintjob.

I figured I'd give it a try as I've used markers before. Anyhow, the Ranchero is quite nekkid now. Old school car, modern electronics.

Big delivery of lumber and hardware and sheetrock and the like today...hope I can sand the primer some and shoot it again today.

Mike