Cars: Muscle Cars
60's & 70's Classics
1951 Chev Bel Air - Charity Build
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Monday, March 18, 2019 - 12:56 AM UTC

Quoted Text

That looks awesome Damian. Sooo smooooth.



Thanks Jesper, I can't wait to get the masking off and get a first look at the whole picture now.

The more I use these new SMS paints, the more impressed I am. It really is good to have a locally manufactured paint that is easily available, especially when it performs so well. It also helps that I have become friends with the owner of the company now.

Cheers, D
AussieReg
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Posted: Monday, March 18, 2019 - 03:12 AM UTC
Late effort tonight, I just couldn't wait until tomorrow to unmask this and see how it looks.





Absolutely no sign of any lifting on the chrome paint, very happy with that result. A few spots of bleeding under the masking to touch up, then ready for a cut and polish.

Really happy with the colour combination and the way it is progressing.

Cheers, D
Stickframe
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Posted: Monday, March 18, 2019 - 03:20 AM UTC
Hi Damian,

Well worth the wait to see this unmasked! Beautiful finish!

Cheers
Nick
Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, March 18, 2019 - 03:33 AM UTC
D,
Outstanding, truly outstanding.

Joel
ChurchSTSV
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Posted: Monday, March 18, 2019 - 05:18 AM UTC
Great job, Man!!

Don't mind me, just stealing some techniques to try at home.

AussieReg
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Posted: Monday, March 18, 2019 - 11:44 AM UTC
Many thanks for the positive feedback guys, very much appreciated.


Quoted Text

Don't mind me, just stealing some techniques to try at home.



Don't mind at all, I'm only using techniques that I've stolen from others here mate!

I took some more photos outside thismorning, some nice diffused natural light with some cloud cover, to get a better look at the pearl finish as the other images were under some harsh fluoro lights. It also gives me a chance to have a really good hard look at what I need to do to tidy up a few spots.








I've spotted a small scratch on the top left of the rear window chrome, must have done that when I was trimming the masking.
I still need to hand paint the door handles, it was a bit too tight to mask and paint them chrome.
Where the chrome has bled onto the red paint I will try to gently rub that off with a toothpick.
I think on my next two-tone build I might mask and paint the top and bottom colours BEFORE I do the chrome to see if the process works any better.

As always, please let me know if you spot anything that needs more attention.

Cheers, D

EDIT: One with his nose on for good luck!
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Tuesday, March 19, 2019 - 03:32 PM UTC
Details, details, details!



Rims have been painted body colour and clear coated.
Tyres were masked and the white-walls were lightly scuffed up then painted Tamiya X-2 Acrylic White. Once that was cured a quick coat of Alclad Aqua Gloss and a pin wash of very thin black enamel to pop out the detail of the "Firestone" brand and the profile.
Hubcaps are kit chrome. I loaded my 20/0 brush with MLT, dipped it in a pot of Tamiya X-4 Acrylic Blue, and touched it lightly in the centre of the Bowtie. The colour quickly wicked out and filled the raised profile of the Chevrolet badge. I will check this again once it is cured and see fi it needs a second go but it looks very good so far.

Once assembled, I will give the rims and hubcaps a pin wash of black and the tyre treads a dry-brush of grey.

Cheers, D
Hwa-Rang
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Posted: Tuesday, March 19, 2019 - 06:08 PM UTC
Looks amazing Damian. White walls look very sharp.
Joel_W
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Posted: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - 01:29 AM UTC
D,
The soft natural light really does make a huge difference.

Absolutely love your White Wall tires. Those certainly were the days.

Joel
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - 03:57 PM UTC
Details part 2





Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 05:17 AM UTC
D,
Wow

Joel
Littorio
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Posted: Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 06:09 AM UTC
Wow D, that paintwork looks amazing. Love the tyres and dash.
betheyn
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#019
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Posted: Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 11:26 AM UTC
Hi Damian,
Stunning paintwork, and the tyres are very impressive.
Looking forward to seeing this all come together.
Andy
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Sunday, March 31, 2019 - 10:41 AM UTC
Not much bench time for the last couple of weeks, crazy busy at work!

A little touch of fine detail on the dials, just enough to suggest there's something there because it will be barely visible once we are closed up.


Dashboard, front inner guards and radiator in place.


Diff, tailshaft and exhaust assemblies installed.


I have also clear-dipped the glass ready for fitting, and rescribed and pin-washed the rear fender skirts but they still need some tidying up.

Getting close now

Cheers, D
jimb
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Posted: Sunday, March 31, 2019 - 11:43 AM UTC
Looking really nice, Damian. Just one question, though. Why is the engine blue? I thought Chevrolet engines were red/orange.

Jim
AussieReg
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Posted: Sunday, March 31, 2019 - 11:58 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Looking really nice, Damian. Just one question, though. Why is the engine blue? I thought Chevrolet engines were red/orange.

Jim



Hi Jim.

The early Chev models had the legendary "Blue Flame 6", up to about 1954, before the orange and red V-8 was dropped in. Even the first of the Corvettes were a blue 6-pack!

Cheers, D
jimb
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Posted: Sunday, March 31, 2019 - 10:57 PM UTC
Well, that explains that. Thanks.

Jim
Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, April 01, 2019 - 01:31 AM UTC
D,
For a guy with little modeling time for the last few weeks, you're flying through this build. All I have to say is it's looking real good.

As for the 6 cyl Corvette, my cousin had one. Not a killer speed wise, but I loved riding in it with the top off.

Joel
ChurchSTSV
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Posted: Monday, April 01, 2019 - 02:59 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Looking really nice, Damian. Just one question, though. Why is the engine blue? I thought Chevrolet engines were red/orange.

Jim



Hi Jim.

The early Chev models had the legendary "Blue Flame 6", up to about 1954, before the orange and red V-8 was dropped in. Even the first of the Corvettes were a 6-pack!

Cheers, D





Like this!! Great look on the chrome trim!!
kpnuts
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Posted: Monday, April 01, 2019 - 05:04 AM UTC
Superb work.
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2019 - 07:33 PM UTC
Thanks for checking in guys, much appreciated.

Wheels are on! They moved a little while the CA cured so they aren't perfectly lined up, but they look good and I'm happy.


Now, once the wheels are on, you have no choice but to test fit the body and get some shots to check the overall look.



And then, close to the end, comes the tripping point. The front glass doesn't come close to fitting. The angle on the quarter windows is out. I wasn't brave enough to heat it up and try to bend it for fear of cracking or breaking, so I got ambitious and lined it up with the centre divider on the windscreen frame, drew a line down the middle and gave it the chop!


I can scrape and sand around the edges now and tweak it to fit each side, and the join will be hidden behind the centre frame. At least that is the plan

Cheers, D
Hwa-Rang
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Posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2019 - 08:59 PM UTC
Looks amazing Damian.

I'm sure the front windows will come out fine. The solution, you've chosen, is the right way to go about it, I think.
Merlin
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2019 - 06:34 AM UTC
Hi Damian

That is looking very tasty indeed! Good luck with the windscreen - it looks like the route you're taking offers the best chance of success.

All the best

Rowan
Joel_W
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2019 - 08:42 AM UTC
D,
Now that's impressive. Nothing like cutting a windshield right in half. I'm voting that you nailed it with the center pillar installed.

Joel
Stickframe
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Posted: Thursday, April 04, 2019 - 05:44 PM UTC
Hi Damian - wow - the Chevy looks goooood! Nice save on the fender skirts -
I’m waiting to see how the windshield works out - fingers crossed from here! It seems almost predictable for me; complicated build, nice paint...then...finger with a small bit of CA....touch said nice paint...disaster! Your windshield will work!

Cheers
Nick