How to Restore a Cut up Body, (Hopefully...)

Submitted by plymouth71 on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 13:37

Well I received a pretty cut up Police Car body from Ray to use as a parts car. I think he called it something that looked like it lost a fight with a lawnmower, or something to that effect. I have an extensive history of model building which includes scratch building, customizing and repairing models cars which are essentially the same, only larger. So I took the delivery of the car, or rather it's remains as a Challenge to Frankenstein a new police car. Unfortunately I did not take a picture of what I received and only after I slapped on the plastic putty did I think of taking one. So here is an in progress shot of the body.

It appeared there were zoomie pipes sticking out of the hood and possibly a rear wing supported by two struts. Filling the holes is the easy part, the real challenge is the wheel wells which are unbelievably large! My plan is to use one of my good police cars as the buck. I plan to use a modelling clay or similar substance to mold the side body panel of the car. I have a few ideas on the substance I will use for the new parts themselves. I have some experience casting small parts in 2 part epoxy as well as Polystyrene. The 2 part epoxy is simple enough, using styrene gets trickier. I use small bits of sprue from a model kit mixed with model cement. You have to let it sit long enough to become malleable but not too long or it hardens up. The other thing I want to try is 2 part Plastic Body filler, i.e. Bondo. I've used it extensively in my model car customizing, and find it does not normally shrink which can be a big problem with other body filler compounds. The Holes have been filled, Part II will focus on the wheel wells.

Tell Us How It Is Done!

Submitted by mgbbrown on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 14:24.

Dan; Please tell us how you filled in the zoomie pipes on the hood as to what you used for filler. Well written Lad! God Bless! Tonymgbbrown

you want to know my secret???

Submitted by plymouth71 on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 19:29.

First you must send me three runner bodies and a spare chassis or two. Then, you have to email 10 of your HO Slot car collecting Friends to do the same. One month after that, check your email inbox for a surprise!

But seriously, I used Bondo.Just a small mix of the putty and hardener, then let cure over night and sand. But seriously send me your slot cars... ( this is a hypnotic effect. let me know if it works.)

Yes Master! Egor will do!

Submitted by mgbbrown on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 21:56.

Dan-That makes PERFECT sense! We are talking body shop buy it at Walmart Bondo here right? Of course it is compatable! Why I remember using it on a 1/43rd 427 Cobra twenty years ago now that you mention it! Thanks for the tip! God Bless! Tonymgbbrown

No Problem...

Submitted by plymouth71 on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 22:05.

I figure I can only restore so many cars, right? Better I share the info and keep those old cars running, However... I might just have more competition for those runners on Ebay! Doh

found the pics i thought weren't taken

Submitted by plymouth71 on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 13:53.

Perhaps I'm starting to feel the effects of AGE like the rest of you... I could have sworn I didn't take before, pics, however here they are... will wonders never cease.

So why don't they show up?

Fixed

Submitted by Admin on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 14:06.

I edited for you, I think the problem is with trying to use photobucket - it's much better to upload the photos here.

AAAAAUUUUUGGGGHHHH!

Submitted by plymouth71 on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 14:16.

RAY !!!!! You just caused me to lose 10 mins worth of writing! I realized my mistake, and uploaded a bunch of pics, added new captions, and went to preview it. It said "Access Denied" and Your latest comment came up. It wouldn't allow me to go back to the editor. All that typing, cutting and pasting gone, sob, gone, sob, forever. whimper whimper

ack

Submitted by Admin on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 15:02.

SORRYYYYYYYYY! I was just trying to help!!!!!

Remember, comments are just that - this section not intended for huge postings, lots of photos etc. Having said that, I'm still sorry!!

Dan! I Feel Your Pain!

Submitted by mgbbrown on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 18:03.

Dan; I recommend the following as it has become a foolproof posting method. I am sure that Angel or Ray will agree, and they I am sure have alternate methods. I have had a rough day at work so I am staying put tonight-hence my ability to post this. I am a blogger so I usually use that posting method. I comment as a Reply generally, and I have in the past lost my share of blogs which I must confess is my fault and not Ray's at all. In fact-Ray has coached me all along to the heights that I have attained. I owe my computer skills growth to Raymundo. I have by no means arived, so that is why I am a site moderator as I do that fairly well I think!

I use the Rich Text Editor for all of my postings. At the appropriate text spot for a photo I click on the tree icon, then the page icon, and a large window appears with a browsing option which allows me to open a picture file that exists on my computer from a camera download or off of the internet. When I send it to the Editor as the last step, I position it by clicking on the Appearance Tab, choose the location in the drop-down menue-usually Text Top, Left, or Text Bottom. I size it to 400-450 on the larger dimension square, and the other dimension is automatically configured. The photo you were trying to submit perhaps was too large. I now choose a 5x5 border.

Once this is in Editor the Blog is pretty much ready for a Preview, which is what I do if the Blog is NOT a long one. If it is LONG- I definately hit the SAVE button. This tip has rescued me from HOURS of lost posting time. Once it is saved it can be edited for spelling and the like. Saving is what puts it on the web page, and if at all in doubt of a successful posting, I would save it first.

Unfortunately any posting is indeed lost in the land of the Web Phantom if it is NOT saved, so once you have something to submit-hit the Save button and THEN make any editing changes. I am so thankful for all of your content-You are truly talented and a GREAT writer as well. PLEASE do not be discouraged-I have send Ray may email grumblings since the site opend, but in the end I count him as a GREAT friend. His wife hails from Wilson, so he has no excuses to perhaps swing a bit further west in the Old North State the next time he pays tribute to the inlaws. Brace yourself Ray-we may need a quick stop-by on our way to Phillie. God Bless! Tonymgbbrown

Didn't I just say...

Submitted by Admin on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 18:18.

Comments are meant to be that..brief commentary. :) Brief being the operative! Brief means short and to the point. I may be over for a beer week after next to demonstrate how to drive fast on Riverside, will advise.

Thank you Tony..

Submitted by plymouth71 on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 18:54.

I appreciate the support. It truly means alot. Please check out the BLOG I wrote with the information I tried to post here. Thanks!

Thanks Dan!

Submitted by mgbbrown on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 19:13.

I certainly did Dan! Well done Lad! You have quite a talent you know and it is not just in modelling. Your photo support of your work as well as your writing style is excellent too. I do look forward to being able to write more and once Mom is settled back at her home wher I grew up in Raleigh I should be able to write some more. What Dorothy says is true-There is no place like home-in Rougemont that is. God Bless! Tonymgbbrown

You are WELCOME!

Submitted by mgbbrown on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 19:09.

Ray; We are in Raleigh helping with Mom. UNFORTUNATELY Riverside remains in Rougemont, as I could not convince them of the need to transport the California desert icon to Raleigh in the bed of my Tacoma. I do have all of my slot cars here so you can see them though as they are far better in the flesh. Mom is a teetotaller so we can hoist a brewsky down in The Inner Sanctum among the most beautifully restored MGB parts on the planet. I suggest that you gander my Heuer clocks and steering wheel collection. The place is a mess though as we are living out of suitcases and bedtops. Will I have a chance to see just how good the Belgian Monks have performed their calling duties? Merry Christmas Lad! God Bless you man! Tonymgbbrown

Putty

Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 20:35.

I hadn't seen this stuff since 1971 and assumed it was no longer made. I saw it at a local Denver hobby store about two months ago, right next to the red tube of Testors cement. I had to have it! It acts and smells the same as it always did.

Body filler_0.jpg

Serge

maybe so ...

Submitted by plymouth71 on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 20:39.

Unfortunately I find it shrinks over time. You tend to get "ghosting" after it cures which can be months after you've painted it.

Hmmm

Submitted by Kelly Morman on Tue, 12/15/2009 - 17:28.

I am curious to know what you do with the wheel wells. I have mixed the plastic to a workable state, applied it to the wheel wells and then used a wooden dowel the size I want them to be finished to form them. But you either have to use a release agent or even crisco on the dowell so the plastic doesn't stick to the dowel. If it does stick to the dowel you have a Flintsone mobile.

Wheel wells.

Submitted by mountaindudetoo on Tue, 12/15/2009 - 18:23.

Nice imagery Kelly!

Well...

Submitted by plymouth71 on Tue, 12/15/2009 - 19:25.

The wheel wells are the hard part. I am making molds of the carside body panels. Once molded, I need to cast new parts, then splice them in. just like a real body repair. I tried some stuff yesterday which did not work, however I have a few aces up my sleeve, I'm just trying a few different products before I decide which to recommend. I'm trying to keep this cost effective, I could just cast a complete resin copy of my good car, but that defeats the purpose. I will post some more info in the next 7-10 business days. I am studying for a Flight test, so I need to focus on that.