Monkey Business...on a grand scale!

[Mence]

Hi Dicky.

This is plain Halfords automotive paint. They suggest it goes over a grey primer and is followed by a gloss top coat.
If that's their plan, I will run with it and see what happens!

[eastrock]

Prof a quick question do you seal alclad with
clear? I sealed mine with tamiya spray clear
and it eaten away the chrome.

And do you have some 101 tips with a burn exhaust
Using alclad? Thanks

cheers!
ER

[robbo]

Nice to see you moving along with this one Mence

[Mence]

Chaps.

Dicky, know what ya mean fella, despite my 'challenging' modeling environment, I'm doing ok, no major disasters so far

ER, sorry to hear ya having probs with Alclad mate. To be honest I'm probably not the right person to ask as I am still learning about Alclad and all the wonderful things you can do with it.
I believe they do their own clear? maybe its a different composition that doesn't adversly affect the base coat?
As for exhaust bluing, I have practiced with their blue and yellow with mixed results, couple of times it came out ok and the rest it didn't, I need to play around with the pressure on my AB, see if I can get some consistent results before I claim to be an expert! ;D

Robmeister, hello fella. Yep, we're off, fingers crossed for some good light and I will take a pic and post a small update...

[eastrock]

Thanks Prof have no choice but not to seal it with clear
I have barely 3 days to enter my entry for our 10th IPMS
nationals.

[Mence]

No problem ER, best of luck buddy.

Update time.

Not much I'm afraid. Frame and swing arm just about dry enough to handle.
Offered up the swing arm and slipped the nicely molded pivot bolts into place.
Shock Absorbers next. Tamiya offer two types in the kit, stock and some neat Kayaba ones. I have opted for the latter but they are a real pain to paint.
Anyway, I'm well underway with the process but wanted to check fit on the lower mounts as they looked a bit tight, all ok though. ;D



Promise the next update will be a little more interesting!

[Deleted]

"Slowly,slowly,catchy 'Monkey'" ;D ;D,as they say Prof!!!Anything you're updating is interesting,mate.....cos it means yer getting building time,eh? ;D

[bullardino]

Where did you find a lifecolor bottle so big?

[Mence]

Chaps.

CeeBee, yes mate, slowly, slowly but at least something is happening. Thanks for popping by fella.

Dicky, you're very kind, hopefully the following pic will prove slightly more interesting.

Luigi, very funny! ;D Looks odd doesn't it? Even though this is 1/6, the subject is pretty small!!!

Ok, paint. As previously mentioned, Ford Purple Velvet is the closest I could find to the original colour. When first applied it looks way off but once the lacquer goes on, it brings out the colour and it's far closer than I hoped!

So, flat down the styrene, two mist coats of primer, 2 mist coats of colour followed by a heavier one, then 3 coats of lacquer. Still needs a polish when properly hardened but here we are...



Due to fairly poor light (probably a builders bum blocking the sun), the colour doesn't look anywhere near as vibrant as it actually is, hope to get some better pics through the build.

[Mence]

Thanks Dicky, it looks better in the flesh, my photography skills aren't that clever. Bit ore done today, update tomoz I hope.

[robbo]

Nice colour choice mate, look nice and smooth

[chris0423]

Due to fairly poor light (probably a builders bum blocking the sun), the colour doesn't look anywhere near as vibrant as it actually is, hope to get some better pics through the build.[/quote]

Hey Prof, great paint job, colour looks great on the tank. Looking forward to seeing this one unfold.

Chris.

[Mence]

Robbo, Chris, cheers fellas, I was fortunate that when the clear coat went on we had a fairly warm day!

Ok, here goes. Rear fender installed along with the nicely contrasting hopped-up shocks. Rear wheel assembled and fat tyre fitted, finally, the chain and sprockets painted and installed.
Rear wheel may have to come back out for a touch of detail painting but we'll see.



In the background there is a piece of vinyl hose dangling, that comes from the Ignition Coil which lives under the rear of the frame. Don't forget it as it's near impossible to fit after the event.

Thanks for your support chaps.

[bullardino]

Wow, it looks like it'll start a go around when finished.

[Mence]

Cheers Luigi, more to come tomorrow I hope!

[robbo]

You the man

[armorguy]

Things look 1:1 on your work bench prof ! amazing job !

[Mence]

Very kind guys thank you.

There was going to be an update today but that has been shelved, the builder contacted us to say he's demolishing the kitchen wall next week so my efforts have been channeled into clearing stuff away!

Hope to update tomorrow now.

[Mence]

Hey Dicky, that's the way it is at the moment I'm afraid.

I should have a bit of me time tomorrow so should be ok, roof beams are going on the extension but that's not until the afternoon.

Just hope the new bi-fold doors arrive on time or we're gonna have one seriously cold house!

[Mence]

Chaps.

Slightly bigger update today as I'm really not sure when the next one will be, the building work will make it very difficult to do anything for a while.

Right then, having got the rear end under way, time for the front. Forks have metal springs inside and work in a similar fashion to the real thing. Many clear parts on this element, all secured in place with Canopy Glue very kindly supplied by our own Mr Barrett.



Back to the rear, I tackled the rack assembly which attaches to the rear of the frame. For this, you really do need the patience of a saint as the rack is multi part and incredibly flimsy until glued together and even then it's pretty fragile! I will add this element to the build last of all to avoid damage.



Update when I can, thanking you for your continued support...

[robbo]

Very nice job Mence, CB gave me a bottle of that glue too

[bullardino]

Both ends look quite good, prof

The rack was prepainted in chrome or did you paint it?

[WigWag Workshop]

This wonderful build is coming together. Work attention to details is amazing

-Steven

[Mence]

Very much appreciated chaps.

Robmeister, yes mate, good stuff indeed, I kick myself for not getting some sooner!

Luigi, the rack is chromed mate, although it looks good, pre chromed parts can be a pain as you need to clean the contact points off before gluing. The other issue is touching in the areas left bare when you seperate the part from the sprue.

Steven, thanks buddy, I need to do some more detailing yet which hopefully will make it look a bit better.

Back as soon as I can guys.

[bullardino]

I know how hard it can be to deal with pre chromed plastic. And the result shows a very good work

[`Boots`]

I love it matey ;D ;D, great colour choice for sure

[Deleted]

Hiya Prof,
Really nice progress, that's one beautiful finish you're achieving

[Mence]

Thanks chaps, little more progress in the past week so will try to post something today or tomorrow.

[eastrock]

Its coming alive prof the color looks great!

[Mence]

Thanks ER

Apologies for the poor photo, forks in, just need to be tightened down.