55 Bad Boy Dragster....weathering project

Since I am really bad at this car modeling stuff....I needed to build entire suspension and undercarriage before priming....some parts did not fit, so I ended up making them fit....

 I am always eager to jump the gun, so I slapped some tires and the body onto the frame to get a visual....looking sweet(ha) I trimmed out the fender well, and added some damage(to be rusted out later).....

 A coat of rust colored paint.....I forgot to gloss coat this layer...it is important before you do the salt layer to protect the rust when you clean off salt

 stippled some different shades of rust colored paint, added some blue masking liquid to a spot or two....hairspray, then coarse and fine salt...still trying to perfect that...it is difficult to get the placement just right...but practice and reps make it easier....

 Also did a bunch of the other car parts...engine, and rims...

 this is the mocked up engine...I took all the paint off the valve cover on the right of the photo...so I had to slap new paint on to cover the yellow plastic...this is why you put the protection coat on...save you from errors like this

 on the engine I added some oil grime weathering liquid mixed with baking soda to try and produce a engine block that had been around awhile and had been hammered on a bit...should have added some black to the mix, but got the desired look to a point

 did the same to the rear end pumpkin...baking soda and rust colored weathering liquid....

 they call the process of using the baking soda and liquid weathering...3D weathering...because it stands out...this spot was one of my attempts on the body

 this side shot shows where I cut the frame away, and added the 3D effects to show extreme rusting

 Here she is...complete..so to speak...I lost parts in a 2 foot move from spray table to work bench...I don't know how I do it...but I always do

 I added some weathering powders to finish up the job...after I put the liquid weathering solution on(and a few coats of matte finish)...it adds a bit more depth and is kinda fun to mess with...


I learned a ton on this kit...my first attempt at vehicle weathering....the thing I really enjoyed was watching each layer of work bring life to a yellow hunk of plastic....It is a true pleasure to create...it does not have to be a master piece each time out...it should just be fun...I think I swore at myself the least of any kit I have built...so I must be doing something right...or at least starting to

Liam's Lego creation

pilot cockpit

 My 11 year old son Liam built this Mecha Suit....he has had several creative ideas, and I have been lax on taking pictures and sharing them...this was a recent build right before he turned 11...

Today is his birthday...So Happy Birthday Liam...keep the creativity coming...

front

back

50 Olds...one big learning curve...

Started with some suspension parts...thought I could paint them and assemble...it worked ok...because I did some test fitting...and the big mistake here was not using the proper glue when it came time to put it together

rear end and cross memeber

front end attached and sprayed

I built the front end and painted it attached to the frame of the car...I added the rear end after it was painted..I could have built it all then sprayed...but was not sure...Now I know....I test fit it on the interior frame...before painting frame......I next built most of the engine, fit it, and glued into place...because that is what the directions said...I was not really liking the order, but tried to follow the game plan

Test fit engine, and mounted it

frame and under frame

 Well...I was also working on my 55...so it got in the stream of photos...this will be in a different blog...but I was building the interior on the 50 here...not a great fit...and this being my 3rd car and first skill level 3...my not knowing what to do...showed...and some messy work found its way into the build

parts...freaking parts..

Tamiya Bronze

 I broke a whole lot of little parts trying to de-chrome  and sand and be cute...so...I left off a bunch of parts...I was very bummed...because I had a grand idea for the kit

I was a bit too excited as I tried to spray my chrome molding, and a did not let paint cure long enough..I got some tape residue...and some paint peeled off....but I was pretty happy with the results...even with the mess.....I learned I am very impatient, and need to chill...these cars take glue...unlike a gundam...which I love because of that fact...I learned if you are impatient, start a second kit to keep you busy(55)....

Car builders are pretty darn awesome modelers, I salute them...they make it look so easy...but it is a learned skill, much like Gundams, tanks, planes...what have you....I am not a Gundam expert by any stretch...but I can see the value in crossing over the modeling world to learn and build up skills...I still have my Sword to start...and in a future post...I will post up pics of the back log...and future projects..