My next project i decided to take a build i did many years ago when i was about 12 yrs old, strip it down (which isn’t hard since it was unpainted except the hood and int/chassis) break it down to it’s components and rebuild it with a proper paint job and hopefully detail. i have been wanting to do this for a while but didn’t know how i would replace the custom TA stripe for the sides. that got a boost this past october when i found a set of the original set of the kit decals in a discount bin at a contest. the kit the original monogram Dodge Challenger TA.
I probably should have taken a photo of the car before i broke it down but i forgot so here it is after it is broken down. most of it broke apart easily since at 12 i didn’t practice scraping paint from gluing surfaces. the only issue i had was separating the engine from the chassis which didn’t go so well. i broke off the engine mounts despite a spell in the freezer. also i did not even attempt to remove the glass, i will mask them when painting
I then striped the chrome from the bumpers. i will use alclad chrome on them.
I used my trusty eagle 1 etching mag cleaner on the kit chrome. unfortunately i bought this over 20 yrs ago and i don’t have much left. i did find another one at ollies a few years ago that works but it smells awful.
strangely it didn’t remove the license plate decals and i assume the chrome beneath them.
I plan to order some custom paint from scale finishes to try them out. i can’t decide between the chrysler bright red or plum crazy purple. i am leaning to the red since the plastic is red (metallic) and i am concerned about the color bleeding into the paint.
next step is some engine detail and work on the interior. i am planning to try some embossing powder to replicate carpet and some wood grain for the center console and instrument pannel.
I will post more soon
Joe
