Revell Chevrolet 1969 Chevelle SS396 in Ash Gold Metallic

 I saw this color of a full scale car, and loved it... so decided to track down a kit and get to work.

Started a Chevelle SS396 hard top... put in a little extra work replicate the vinyl top. (Felt this gave the car a little more "upscale" look).

This was a really great kit with lots of sharp details, so everything went together really well.

The sharply printed decals, as well as the pre-printed tires are real standounts.

I added a few details under the hood, but didn't go crazy with the detailing... just enough to add some realism. Spark plug wires, and some careful painting of some of the small little bits.

My "new experiment" with this one was the use of Splash Paints premixed automotive colors paints. I have airbrushed a few things before and this paint worked beautifully.  I also used their 2K gloss clear which came out amazing! I actually didn't even polish this... it's just the way the clear layed down straight from the airbrush!

If you want to check them out... here's the link.

https://www.splash-paints.com/

Now to decide what to build next...so many choices.

Fujimi Porsche Carrera2 EVO - with 3d Printed Rims

 A little while back (maybe last Christmas) I got myself a small 3d printer, and have been experimenting with printing of different parts for model kits.

I had this older Fumiji kit laying around, and decided to try printing up some simple wheels for it. Nothing crazy, or overssized.  I actually ended up using the kit tires, so it worked pretty great. 

Found some RUF style 5 spoke wheels and had a quick print of them.

They are a little hard to see in black... but I really liked the way it changed the overall look of the kit.

Painted in a color-correct hue know as Rubystone Red.. I am really pleased at the overall finished look of this one.

Kept the overall build pretty clean and smooth.  Avoided the temptation to put the giant wing on the back, or huge over-fender flares. (Don't get me wrong I love the Rauh-Welt style, just not what I was going for here).  Even used the "spoiler down" rear end for the very classic 911 style and shape.

The paint finish is growing on me. Used a urethane 2k clear for that super deep, high end clear look. This is actually how it came out... no polishing...no buffing... In the past, I would have stayed away from this finish as I always felt it was "too much" for a scale model (especially a road car), but it does look really nice.

Maybe I'll have to do a quick post in the coming weeks on the paints I used for this one.

-More to come.

Datsun 240z BRE - Barn Find

 This Revell Datsun 240Z did not start as a planned "barn find" build.  I was going to build a nice, shiny racecar... but had some issues with the decals tearing.  My next thought was we'll strip it back down, and just make a "race inspired" street car.

After a first dip in the Isopropyl Alcohol that I use as a stripper... it only took half the decals off. After letting it sit on the work bench a couple of days... I started to think that's a pretty cool look.

Since I had already put the chassis together I decided to just finish it "as is".

I little extra grime, some rust, and a fine mist of flat tan made it look nice and dusty. Just like it had been pushed in to a barn and forgotten for years.

   

I had considered going for flat tires, and even more rust... but liked the way this one worked out.

Not totally rotted to where it was completely forgotten... just put away for storage, and took on some patina over time.

Still a "driver" with a little TLC ,and a definite candidate for restoration is where the look wound up. Sometimes a "happy accident" can lead to something fun and different.

Tamiya Ford Mustang GT4

 Another one that was finished over the past several months was another amazing kit from Tamiya.

They kitted up a Ford Mustang GT4 racecar, and decided I needed to do one for myself.

The box art shows a dark metallic grey, but I decided a nice, bright yellow would show off the shape well.

Like most every other Tamiya kit I have built, this one went together without any issues. Well I did have one, but it was certainly more "user error" than the kit.

I even got a little extra creative, and printed my own Michelin tire decals.  Once the whole kit came together, the wheels and tires just looked plain... 

So I scanned the tire decals from another kit and printed them off, and a little thinned white glue, and you can't even tell the difference.

Just makes it feel more "race-y" in my opinion.

Might have to keep an eye out for another one of these for a deal, and build another one.

Would also love to see a Camaro GT4 kit (if Tamiya is watching!).