Thanks for telling me you guys. See you guys later.







Ryan

Welcome Ryan!!! Glad to have you here!!! Painting, let's see. Get you a scrap piece of flat plastic and a can of spray paint. Practice making a few passes on the scrap. Lay down a few light coats. Then come back with some heavy coats, just enough so it doesn't run. When you feel comfortable, get one of your Dad's cars to pratice with, you don't want to mess up your stuff!!! I'm sure he'll appreciate your eagerness to learn on his cars. If you do mess up, you can always strip it and start over. I know, I mess up all the time!!! So good luck and have fun!!! RM

What Randy said!

Practice practice practice! Plastic cuttlery is great to practice on. The frontside and backside of a spoon or spork is great to learn about film thickness and runs. On the backside it will run to the edges...on the front side it puddles in the middle. The little reinforcement ridges on the backside of the handle teach you about coverage. The little Barbie end tables that come in a pizza box work good too 'cept ya gotta wash the grease off 'em.
I use plastic doohickeys like above to get my air brush set up too.

If you do some searches about painting in our archives you WILL find tons of info from many talented people.

Randy's right always lay a proper tack coat! Subsequent passes should be heavier. The secret to great paint jobs is an EVEN film build.

THE four most important things to remember are...

#1. THE ROADRUNNER rule: Always always always have your paint slightly warmed.

Why? No arguements kid ....just do it!

#2. THE MODEL MURDERING rule: "Always point your bombcan/airbrush at something unimportant first!

Why? BECAUSE I told ya so!....LOL....and because the first third of most paint jobs are killed on the first pass when the bombcan nozzle misfires, you dont have your paint mixed right, or your airbrush isnt adjusted correctly!"

#3. THE BOB-ZILLA rule: "Just walk away!" I repeat! "Just walk away"

Why? Cuz Bob sez so!...and because another third of the aforementioned paint jobs are killed on the last pass because ya got greedy, tried to drown that piece of dirt thats right on hood or roof, or you get cocky and start thinking yer Chip Foose.

#4. THE HILLTOP rule: For that last third of paintjobs that actually survive the process, learn to find the "awesome paintjob" setting on yer camera. It's never clearly marked, but it's there....ya just have to look for it.

Why? Cuz even if it is the perfect job...when the picture is fubar then we assume yer hiding something....LOL!

I've cited the moron rules here because these are the ones that I personally need to remember. I've been screwing up paintjobs for forty plus years and I'm here to tell you that it's not because I dont know how....it's usually because I have forgotten to heed or practice one of the painting fundamentals.

Do the search, pull the trigger, and always remember that the devil is in the details and he will bite yer butt if ya break the rules. Some paintjobs just arent meant to be ....and thats what pinesol is for! ;)

If you dad is doing it, it's probably being done the wrong way!!! :tongue: At least that's how it feels.. sometimes. Lately I've been getting one out of every 5 close to right, and the other 4...rejects!! I got me a can of Adhesion Promoter, and still got fisheyes on the suburban body... I do have a few projects in the works, but still waiting for parts so I'm stuck for now..

Here's a few pictures of current and future projects..

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/b25b1fab.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/c1393071.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/3d43dd28.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/d6d6c0d5.jpg

Yes, the "Roaming Gnome" has made an appearance before in another thread, but now he's behind the wheel!! This slammed lindy bus still needs paint, some sanding and filling, And Gnomey needs a little trim off his bottom so he sits right. I'm still waiting for my Vincent wheels to arrive, and without them, I don't know if the slam will work. The RRR's were trimmed, and still rub. When I order the bumpers for the vette from RRR, I'm getting a set of decals he has... "Terminal Velocity" is on the set!!!!

The half slammed vette is the stripped cigarbox car I need the chrome for. Funky stains on the body means a coat of paint will be done, after all the mods are complete.. I'm thinking blower...

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/37c3d9c2.jpg

Is there a safe way to reposition decals without destroying them?? This wrecker looks sweet in it's banana yellow pajama's, and the decals are worth saving. The green wrecker is on hold until I can look at a Mega-G powerplant. It'll probably be too fast, but I won't know until I try. Until then, I'm still looking at ways to extend the axle length, and these wreckers are even too long for the Mega-G..

UtherJoe

Welcome to the boards slot jr (Ryan). You can learn a lot here.

If your hubs are getting thin Ujoe , one can always take a few thou off the frame rails to buy a smidgen of clearance. Granted it doesnt help with the cornering/handling but if they're rubbing your not even getting down the straights anyway.

The vette's looking great so far. I'm seeing red!....candy red that is!

I think someone mentioned Microset/Microsol will loosen decals. You might also try a little vinegar and water. Mix you up a solution and let the body soak in it. If you have cleared em, then we gotta another ballgame altogether...RM
P.S. when in doubt read the directions, doh!!! Micro Set directions: Brush MS on the decal, keep applying until it looses, then remove. I'd still mix up a vinegar/water solution and just dunk it, let the decal float off, to save it, then reapply it in the correct position.

Back to the 'swirly dipping' method for a minute......have you tried submerging the body first, THEN putting the paint on the water and pulling it out? You would have to have the body hooked in a way that it would pull straight up (level) or put it in a basket but it seems you would have more control over the final effect.

I'm hoping that the skinny Vincents will clear the vette and the VW bus body.. I won't know until they show up.. that and maybe a trim on the frame and comparable trim on the axles should do it.. I had a can of Duplicolor garnet metallic in my hand Bill for the vette, but my wallet said put it back.. I hope next week to place the order with RRR for the bumpers and decals..

I'll give the vinegar and water a shot Randy. I don't think there's clear on the body, but I didn't do it, so I'm not 100% pos. 3mm blinkies fit right into the roof on these wreckers, so even if I don't head and tail light them, they'll still flash..

I haven't tried the car in first, kraz.. these were an experiment, and my paint supply was old and nearly exausted.. lighter colors would probably look better. I'm not sure if the body being wet will affect the paint adhesion coming out. I had very limited success with dipping these, but I will try more probably in a couple months. Results will be posted here when I do..

Utherjoe

UJoe, Since your just experimenting, try a little latex paint mixed with enamel paint. The latex will not blend with the enamel. You may need to thin both. Same principle "trunk splatter paint" is made from if I'm correct. If I remember correctly, I did this with a 1:1 car once upon a time, but I was using a spray gun...RM

Understood Ujoe,

WHAT is the deal with these new talking wallets? I didnt EVER request one of those...must be something the TM's dreamed up!

Funny that the price of oil drove everything up...and yet it all still defies the laws of gravity and refuses to come back down.

Pehaps the Nasa poindexters could study the economy and finally perfect antigravity!

More like reading a fuel gauge on the dashboard... My "cashometor gauge" was reading dang near empty.. And I had just filled up that morning.. Think my spending habits need a tune up..

UtherJoe

I guess it's time for an update... After a few weeks off due to colds/flus and a problem with dexterity due to my previous neck problem, I have finally been able to get back to work... I'm still a bit shakey in the coordination dept, but am taking my time and finally making some progress.. Here is the lindy VW bus I've had on and off the burner for some time...

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/123c1527.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/9db2b978.jpg

This, as mentioned in the slam thread, is my first attempt at a Hilltop inspired two tone paint job. Provisions have been made for tail lights, and 3mm LEDs fit the lindy made headlight holes. The tail lights are a bit smaller than I'm used to grinding the 1.8mm down to, so if I need to , I might have to make the openings a bit bigger. This is back on the back burner as I await the reopening of RRR for the required decals and bare metal foil for the bumpers.

Also unfinished, is my Dash Xmas present 55 Chebby. I have tinkered with this on and off since it arrived, and is also awaiting decals to finish..

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/b4b9affe.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/42cbeb59.jpg

Not the smoothest painting, but the future should smooth it out..:freak: I hope..

Also, while not a "light up", here is an before and after slam shot of the 63 vette I've been messing around with..

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/d6d6c0d5.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/7eacece1.jpg

Oh, and yes, that is the same VW bus pictured above....until later:wave:

UtherJoe

UtherJoe,

Lookin' good man! That VW van in 2-tone is very kewl. Yeah Randy...has some nice ideas...zilla

The police 55 and Vette look great also but, I am a VW Freak-a-zoid and like Mr. Two-tone van the best by D-Fault. :freak:

Bob...I should be building right now...zilla

P.S. I feel a song coming on...lol

Slama - rama

Great stuff Joe! The 'Vette came out sweet.

Good job on the vette, Dad. The cop car came out sweet. The bus came out nice and good job on the cars.


Ryan :cool:

This one will certainly be chasing the 'vette. Take a stomped squad car, a cheapo ligher that flashes and a thin piece of plastic for a light bar. At one point someone had the "Cops" theme attached but I lost it.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/hotrailz/th_policecarvideo-1.jpg (http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p8/hotrailz/?action=view&current=policecarvideo-1.flv)

I will eventually be doing a newer type PD car.. I just haven't decided on the model yet.. If you check through my links on this thread, you will find one for Evans supplies. They sell a rectifier equipped flasher LED that will work on a running slot. Also check some of my videos, and you'll see a JL popo car with one of them modified for an alternating red/blue strobe on the roof... I'm hooked on blinkies, I guess!!!!!!

UtherJoe

After a short hiatus for recooperation from my spastic finger syndrome, I have finally got back on track. The Terminal Velocity roaming gnome VW Bus is back on the burner (almost literally..LOL) and nearing completion!! I am attempting a new method of powering the LEDs, which will make lighting and body removal of lighted cars much easier. This method utilizes brass spacers (available from RRR 4 for $1.00) and a different wire routing. The left shoe is positive and is wired to the front, the right is negative and is wired to the back. By using 4 spacers, current is carried to the body via the posts. There is a slight issue with this, as the posts need to be shortened to bring the body down to a satisfactory height, but I would be trimming the posts anyway.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/f9d20469.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/50b2162b.jpg

Wiring this way will make disassembly for maintainance easier, and after the job on the nova making me pull my hair out, making assembly easier too!! The LEDs wiring harness is assembled out of the car, and installed as a complete unit. Resistors can be JB Welded to the underside of the hood, or in the passenger compartment (gotta paint the windows for that..)

In related news, my LED supplier.. dmmwem has 1.8mm warm white LEDs in stock now!!! From my request, he researched the market and has stocked them!! 1.8 is the 2nd smallest size I've found for white ones, and the smallest warm white I've seen. I'm still tossing around methods for lighting Xtractions in a way that will allow body removal, but haven't come up with anything solid yet. I am also still trying to find a match for the full wave bridge rectifier that evans mfg sells with their flashing LEDs. I don't have the resources to look up parts by number and find out the stats for them, or what is comparable. If someone out there has cross reference material by part numbers for small electronic "chips", please let me know.

Way back when I was 18, there was a 68 barracuda gasser body sitting at a gas station, with the wildest paintjob I had seen at the time. Since dipping bodies in the florescent paint flopped too many times, I decided to try something different, and somewhat reminiscent of that cuda.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/18e1de7e.jpg

I painted the body the lightest color (yellow), and followed up with spots of the remaining colors. Then I cut strips of pinstripe up and taped random designs on the body. I then followed up with a couple coats of white. What's really cool about this job was after the black light got plugged in..

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/d8644383.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/2143a02a.jpg

The fisheye express ( AW suburban) that gave me so much trouble finally got a coat of paint that worked!! This will be lighted also.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/a6a6875b.jpg

A last minute stay of execution saved this body from the garbage, so I could practice doing two tone paint jobs. I'm really not happy with the BMF I used. Maybe it's just the way I did it.. More experimentation is needed, I guess... By the way, the pinstripe tape was removed as I felt it was too wide and too thick. Luckily, the paint stuck this time.. More to come later!!

UtherJoe

what;s a good source for 12 volt LED's?

Very nice work, Joe! And the black light...I thought I was having a flashback to the early 70's. Cool stuff!

Thanks!!! Here is a source for LEDs that will work on 5 up to 19 volts http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/ledfaq.html They are pre assembled, with a built in fullwave bridge rectifier and a small capacitor which helps correct the flashing LEDs are prone to on a slotcar. They also have flasher LEDs which will work on a slot. These are the only ones I've located that work correctly on a slotcar. A bit pricey, but the results are worth it..

That Van is great I did not think I would like it as well as I do. I usually prefer the more
realistic paint schemes.

thanks for the link Slotcarman.... I ordered a few to give them a try

thanks for the link Slotcarman.... I ordered a few to give them a try

No problem Jimmy!! The rectified version can carefully be modified to handle more than one LED. The requirements for the LEDs need to be equal (same type) to mix them. You need to carefully slit the shrink tube and cut off the LED that it comes with, and then solder wires to the rectifier, and run the wires to the new LEDs. You can bend them right below the LED, but use caution. Too much bending will break the rectifier.

That van looks SWEET!!!

Uther Joe,

Neon paint with a white and pinstripe trick is Great...Love it!!:cool:

Bob...love groovy vans...zilla

Love the new service friendly design Ujoe!

Hoooooray!!! Making progress again on the VeeWee!!! Had to redo the taillights a couple times, but Mr. Gnome finally got his bus through inspection and he was ready for his maiden voyage!!! I heard rumblings that a shear toting Gnome was going to pass or "heads" will roll!!!! Without further adieu, here are the pics and a very, very short video.. Please turn down the volume, one of the kids was banging something, and I didn't see the sense of putting 18 seconds of music on this lil vid!!!

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/100_1353.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/100_1355.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/100_1350.jpg

I did learn a good trick with these LEDs. There are 3.0mm warm whites in front. I shaped them with the dremel and they got kinda opaque from the grinding. I quick coat of brush on instant krazy glue brought them right back to the clean clear look they had.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdy0mbBtia4

UtherJoe

UtherJoe,

That video realy shows the way your handy work makes this van a "Fun Times Machine"!

Bob...Fletcher & Bree are gonna freak when they sees this thing...zilla

Awesome Lil van, Ujoe! The lights are perfect. Thanks for the cool Vid! :thumbsup:

Fine handywork there joeLED. :thumbsup: Looks like yer back in the saddle!!! Keep up the good work. nd

OH WOW MAN the colors the colors.......Great looking van. And the other stuff is great. Swweet looking Suburban.

Thank youse to all!! Kraz, the van was an experiment.. The florescent bottle paints were to thin for dipping, and too thick for brushing. I think the frisket would be a better masking medium for this concept, and airbrushing the base colors on would yield better results. I'm tossing around all kinds of ideas with this concept, like 3 fade florescent flames, etc.. Thanks for your patience win!! Yours is still in the concept phase.. And them lindy vans prices are on the rise again.. Next one coming up on the bay topped 21.00 already... Geeez!! I have so many ideas for them vans, it'll be the first casting project I do for sure, along with a modified version with flares and a spoiler too!!! You ain't seen nuttin' yet!!! ;)

UtherJoe

Very nice slammo bus with working eyeballs Ujoe.

I like seeing your creations in action.

The van comes with a micro dot for mind expanding purposes! LOL!

Hoooooray!!! Making progress again on the VeeWee!!! Had to redo the taillights a couple times, but Mr. Gnome finally got his bus through inspection and he was ready for his maiden voyage!!! I heard rumblings that a shear toting Gnome was going to pass or "heads" will roll!!!! Without further adieu, here are the pics and a very, very short video.. Please turn down the volume, one of the kids was banging something, and I didn't see the sense of putting 18 seconds of music on this lil vid!!!

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/100_1353.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/100_1355.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp251/slotcarman12078/100_1350.jpg

I did learn a good trick with these LEDs. There are 3.0mm warm whites in front. I shaped them with the dremel and they got kinda opaque from the grinding. I quick coat of brush on instant krazy glue brought them right back to the clean clear look they had.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdy0mbBtia4

UtherJoe

I really like them little red taillights UJoe!!! Both front and rear lights look good. Looks like you're on track again!!! Nice striping on the VW, you seem to be on track with that too...RM

OUCH!!!! I really need to start casting these! This is NUTS!!! :eek:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300286479124&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=&salenotsupported
Just outrageous!!! And I almost pulled the trigger for 27.50 until I thought that's half the cost of molding and casting supplies... Whew!!

OUCH!!!! I really need to start casting these! This is NUTS!!! :eek:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300286479124&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=&salenotsupported
Just outrageous!!! And I almost pulled the trigger for 27.50 until I thought that's half the cost of molding and casting supplies... Whew!!

And you missed the Lafrance Fire truck for 9.99.. good thing I caught it .. Har!


Dave

And you missed the Lafrance Fire truck for 9.99.. good thing I caught it .. Har!


Dave

Yes, I did miss the fire truck.. I just don't care for them!!! :p But you missed the jaguar for 3.25 new unassembled!! Har right back atcha!!:tongue: I just hope that insane van price brings some of them crawling out of the woodwork... I have been trying to add to my collection so I don't dip into the one perfect body I have set aside for casting. When I do cast, I want the molded van to be as flawless as possible, so nothing but the best master will do. I did get stupid crazy with them Vincent wheels last night.. 3 auctions worth. Sorry if I stepped on someone here's toes!! But someone has to go nutsy once in a while on them wheel auctions.. If they don't pay off once in a while, he'll list them in Germany only..

Yes, I did miss the fire truck.. I just don't care for them!!! :p But you missed the jaguar for 3.25 new unassembled!! Har right back atcha!!:tongue: I just hope that insane van price brings some of them crawling out of the woodwork... I have been trying to add to my collection so I don't dip into the one perfect body I have set aside for casting. When I do cast, I want the molded van to be as flawless as possible, so nothing but the best master will do. I did get stupid crazy with them Vincent wheels last night.. 3 auctions worth. Sorry if I stepped on someone here's toes!! But someone has to go nutsy once in a while on them wheel auctions.. If they don't pay off once in a while, he'll list them in Germany only..

t'was my toes you poacher...and I have 5 Jags right now I let it go.. lol...I'll wait for you to mold the van though.. 22 bucks yikes...


Dave

Joe,

I just want to say Thank you for sending me this Sweet Lighted VW Van man! :thumbsup: You do some nice work and this thing is just plain fun to drive in the dark.

The only reason the lights are on here is because, Godzilla has a hard time finding all the green Jelly Beans in the dark. After he piled up all the green Beans we flicked the lights off last night and ran the wheels off of this VW

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc339/1970peaches/aabjelly1.jpg

What is so Kewl about this van is that the LED lights stay at a constant lighting and not bright to dim depending on the power put to her. The headlights realy light the track up as it cruises around....WOW this is a neat van.

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc339/1970peaches/aabjelly2.jpg

Thanks again Uther Joe and a care package is coming to you by snail mail. I'm sorry but, I forgot the Zotz...I have been doing that a lot lately & only 44 years old. I need to write a note to send Zots in care packages. Also better write a note to write a note....lol

Bob...You light up my life, you give me hope to cary on...zilla

ohhhh mannn thats a sweet looking van!!!! :eek: :eek:

nuther joe you need to make mopars!!!!! :)

Wes

Working on it Wes.. I'm working on it!!! Still looking for a small male/ female plug to detach the body wiring from the chassis wiring... Once I get that, I'm gonna light up some xtractions too.. Plans are in the works for a charger, and challenger.. and a rework on the camaro lame thrower....and maybe the torino too... and lets not forget the ram pick up..

Good thing you had them green jellybeans handy Bob!! Or the gnome would have found himself a home...... cooked dinner.. and not in a good way!! LOL

Working on it Wes.. I'm working on it!!! Still looking for a small male/ female plug to detach the body wiring from the chassis wiring... Once I get that, I'm gonna light up some xtractions too.. Plans are in the works for a charger, and challenger.. and a rework on the camaro lame thrower....and maybe the torino too... and lets not forget the ram pick up..

whhoooaaaaa!!! cannot wait to see that!!! Hurryyyyyy up!! just kidding !! :)

Wes :thumbsup:

Love dat bus Ujoe!

Now ya can race in the dark AND see where yer goin'!

Ujoe, That is sweeeeet! :thumbsup:

Oh, and Bob..ya lucky bastage...zilla....ya better tell the big lizzard to lay off all of that candy. He is gonna get fat! :D

Cool Termintor!!! "You'll be back", as long as I don't run off the track!!!. Never cared that much for lighted vehicles because of the light power inconsistancy, but I like those Ujoe. I believe you've solved the problem!!! Nice work on the striping too...RM

What is so Kewl about this van is that the LED lights stay at a constant lighting and not bright to dim depending on the power put to her. The headlights realy light the track up as it cruises around....WOW this is a neat van.

What fun is it seeing where your going....:D:lol:

Cool V W slot!!!!!

nice!