Post by Jean B. on Apr 23, 2022 7:54:19 GMT -5
MARCH 2015
This thread has been transferred from S1/43. Due to technical reasons possibly not all comments of members are visible. I'd like to apology for this. The photos, hosted by photobucket, will be deleted in near future. They will be replaced by new versions from flickr, but this will take some time. For any questions, please contact Jean B. Thank you!
Hello guys, this time I will build up an old BMW 327 Coupé by Walldorf Miniaturen (Germany). The model car is mentioned in the Danhausen World Model Cars Books around the late 1970s and 1980s, and I love this model very much for its nicely flowing lines. A couple of weeks ago I was lucky to get one by internet, and the first photos can be bad guess. The model is nearly complete, excepting three hubcaps, but the complete car is finished with pounds of glue, including the wheels. The wonderful yellow painting :? was sprayed over the completed car in order to make the former black model car a little happier... (I noticed that when stripping it down).
On this topic I'd like to invite you to follow me for a while, I will post photos daily (hope so!) showing the process of restoring the car to a condition which will be worth showing it in my collection
The headlights actually are the hubcaps
After a long bath in hot water, most of the glue was solved so that I could decompose the car in its single parts. These were put in acetone to remove all paint, glue and whatever :?
Looks now like a very fine old white metal kit (as it really was). To my happiness the former builder did not deburr any single part, so that all of them were as right from the box.
After deburring and smoothening all edges, the seven parts (!) of the bodywork could be stuck together to get an impression, of what would be necessary:
So, stay tuned, I will be back soon!
On this topic I'd like to invite you to follow me for a while, I will post photos daily (hope so!) showing the process of restoring the car to a condition which will be worth showing it in my collection
The headlights actually are the hubcaps
After a long bath in hot water, most of the glue was solved so that I could decompose the car in its single parts. These were put in acetone to remove all paint, glue and whatever :?
Looks now like a very fine old white metal kit (as it really was). To my happiness the former builder did not deburr any single part, so that all of them were as right from the box.
After deburring and smoothening all edges, the seven parts (!) of the bodywork could be stuck together to get an impression, of what would be necessary:
So, stay tuned, I will be back soon!
So today not so very much happened, there were some other things to do around the house... I cut out dummies for the interior door panels and with them got some polyester putty onto the doors to get a flat level for the final assembly of the windows:
Now I have cut out the interior door panels from thin polystyrol sheet, with a cut-out at the front side for the dashboard. The small edged and rounded pieces are the dummies for cutting out the windows from glass. The main work now is building up the bodywork from all the single parts: the trunk, the side panels, the hood and the grille are now fixed together. In the end there will be a "normal" bodywork consisting of two parts, bottom and top.
The dashboard itself is a little overdone and a new steering wheel is already prepared. Sometimes it is difficult to think of all little details in advance :? , but the models get best if you have absolutely everything prepared before painting... By the way: the painting will be black-green and papyrus-white, tests will be made as soon as I have got the cans
The dashboard itself is a little overdone and a new steering wheel is already prepared. Sometimes it is difficult to think of all little details in advance :? , but the models get best if you have absolutely everything prepared before painting... By the way: the painting will be black-green and papyrus-white, tests will be made as soon as I have got the cans
... and I made up my mind a very long time if I should just get this one, I think it is a very fine model! But I always use to go the hard way, so I simply MUST have the old tin model I am working with now :roll: The colour scheme at my one will be a little different - tomorrow the lacquers should arrive, and I will made tests and will show the results here.
For today, I have primed some of the parts, for example the dashboard on the far right of the photo, as it has to be painted before mounting it in the next step to the upper bodywork. The bodywork you see in the picture has nothing to do with the BMW, but will be the test dummies for the painting mentioned above. On the far left of the photo there a very tiny white somethings, which will be the interior door handles and window cranks, plus the gear lever. The bodywork got some further putty to get it as smooth as possible. The right front headlight is already milled out for "real" headlights.
For today, I have primed some of the parts, for example the dashboard on the far right of the photo, as it has to be painted before mounting it in the next step to the upper bodywork. The bodywork you see in the picture has nothing to do with the BMW, but will be the test dummies for the painting mentioned above. On the far left of the photo there a very tiny white somethings, which will be the interior door handles and window cranks, plus the gear lever. The bodywork got some further putty to get it as smooth as possible. The right front headlight is already milled out for "real" headlights.
Very nice! I did not know that there is a model of the EMW 327 
Perhaps the interior is a little tooo yellow - the "Arbeiter- und Bauernstaat" (Worker and Farmer Republic - sub-official name of the GDR) normally did not support such extravaganzas...
So here we go: I made tests with the lacquer and I like the two shades very much. On the photo it is difficult to identify the shades, but it is a very dark and smooth green and a pale grey-white. The surface is quite ribbed, as the painting is not polished. The light blue putty is to make a screwed fixation of the two parts of the bodywork. Walldorf obviously intended to have the parts glued together, but I like my cars to be screwed. Futhermore the wheels are prepared by removing the rim and drilling the small holes properly. Instead of the rims I made wire rings, which will be painted. That's all for today, weekend will show some more progress - hopefully :roll:
I forgot: the dashboard has already been sprayed green
Perhaps the interior is a little tooo yellow - the "Arbeiter- und Bauernstaat" (Worker and Farmer Republic - sub-official name of the GDR) normally did not support such extravaganzas... So here we go: I made tests with the lacquer and I like the two shades very much. On the photo it is difficult to identify the shades, but it is a very dark and smooth green and a pale grey-white. The surface is quite ribbed, as the painting is not polished. The light blue putty is to make a screwed fixation of the two parts of the bodywork. Walldorf obviously intended to have the parts glued together, but I like my cars to be screwed. Futhermore the wheels are prepared by removing the rim and drilling the small holes properly. Instead of the rims I made wire rings, which will be painted. That's all for today, weekend will show some more progress - hopefully :roll:
I forgot: the dashboard has already been sprayed green
Lacquer tests have been continued (successfully), exhaust pipe has been made out of brass tube, graphic work has been done (BMW badge, licence plate, speedometer, not to be seen here), switches on dashboard have been painted ivory, and you can already see the chrome frame of the speedometer, the rest of it will follow tomorrow...
Well, difficult to get the shape of the speedometer... :roll: It's more a kind of sculpture than a normal instrument. On the following picture you can see the finished dashboard with the speedometer and its chrome frame. Now - I hope - there will be a little more "speed" from day to day, as the dashboard is essential for assembling the bodywork, and once this has been done, the "real work" can be started. Unfortunately I have to cover the dashboard when spray-painting everything... already thinking about how to ... The steering wheel is ready, the exhaust pipe is nickel-plated, behind you can see the two silver rings for the headlights, the licence plates and a first BMW badge:
Blob of metal :lol: But I love these "before/after" things... It would be half the fun if the model would have been nearly perfect right from the start... Today a really important step has happened: The bodywork is completed, that means it now consists of two halves, bottom and top. Windscreen/dashboard has been mounted, and afterwards the roof. Everything fitted and filled up with putty, everything grinded carefully, and at last new gutters were made from wire and mounted. Now you can foresee the flowing and sporty lines of the 327. And the front seats are ready; the interior door panels now wait for the wooden trim below the windows.
I'm glad you understand why I'm doing all this Of course I have many "modern made" model cars in my collection, by Ixo, Norev etc. But every time I hold an old white-metal one in my hands, I I feel a kind of WHOOOAAAHHH 
Meanwhile I have replaced some of the new cars by traditional ones, for example the Altaya Mercedes Autobahnkurier by the one by TinWizard (that means Metal43). Weight does matter!
At the moment daily business keeps me away from model-building, unfortunately, so the recent tiny result is to have applied the wooden trim on the door panels. The surface of the panels seems to be very rought on the photos, actually it imitates a cloth structure quite well:
Of course I have many "modern made" model cars in my collection, by Ixo, Norev etc. But every time I hold an old white-metal one in my hands, I I feel a kind of WHOOOAAAHHH 
Meanwhile I have replaced some of the new cars by traditional ones, for example the Altaya Mercedes Autobahnkurier by the one by TinWizard (that means Metal43). Weight does matter!At the moment daily business keeps me away from model-building, unfortunately, so the recent tiny result is to have applied the wooden trim on the door panels. The surface of the panels seems to be very rought on the photos, actually it imitates a cloth structure quite well:
... that's right! When I placed the steering wheel, I realized that you can hardly see anything from the speedometer But, however, it's the feeling, that everything is at its place! Meanwhile, finally, I could spray the body with primer, and here is the result:
The chrome parts are scratched out after every single coating, as it is easier to remove only one layer instead of three or four, which would leave hard edges in the painting. The already painted dashboard had been coated with 2-K-silicone, this works very well!
But, however, it's the feeling, that everything is at its place! Meanwhile, finally, I could spray the body with primer, and here is the result:
The chrome parts are scratched out after every single coating, as it is easier to remove only one layer instead of three or four, which would leave hard edges in the painting. The already painted dashboard had been coated with 2-K-silicone, this works very well!
Gentlemen, give me a little time The only thing which is really really necessary for model building is - patience! Believe me, I can hardly sleep this night because I have just sprayed the body white and have already discovered some blemish, and now I have to wait until tomorrow to check it out what can be done :cry:
And yes, model building is the best hobby I have ever had
Can only recommend for everyone! When I was a teenager I made some plastic kits by Revell and so on. Then all this got out of my sight, and now, some 30 years later, I am so deeply involved in model building that I'm always aware of being picked up by the men in white... You know, like old ladies collecting cats :roll: Being a psychotherapist I hope that I would notice if a serious psychosis is impending. :mrgreen: Stay tuned, tomorrow I'll go ahead...
The only thing which is really really necessary for model building is - patience! Believe me, I can hardly sleep this night because I have just sprayed the body white and have already discovered some blemish, and now I have to wait until tomorrow to check it out what can be done :cry: And yes, model building is the best hobby I have ever had
Can only recommend for everyone! When I was a teenager I made some plastic kits by Revell and so on. Then all this got out of my sight, and now, some 30 years later, I am so deeply involved in model building that I'm always aware of being picked up by the men in white... You know, like old ladies collecting cats :roll: Being a psychotherapist I hope that I would notice if a serious psychosis is impending. :mrgreen: Stay tuned, tomorrow I'll go ahead...Yes, lots of work, life can be very hard, but it's a "chosen fate". As there were only two hubcaps left and used as headlights, I've had to copy them. On the photo you can see the original ones, the silicone mould with black-tinted resine and the first two finished ones:
As I have just overdone the white painting from yesterday, I will post a first picture of the painted bodywork later this day.
As I have just overdone the white painting from yesterday, I will post a first picture of the painted bodywork later this day.
Wheels are painted white, inner side metal-gray; rear bench brown-red like front-seats:
Upper body is white, blemishes have been removed successfully , and now the white painting is covered with silicone where it should persist, all other parts will be sprayed black-green tomorrow. To paint the absolutely clear silicone onto the lacquer is dreadful :evil: So I cannot say if the painting will be successful in the end :cry:
Please cross your fingers and send some prayers; painting will be made tomorrow, the results will be seen on Monday. Hasta la vista!
Upper body is white, blemishes have been removed successfully
, and now the white painting is covered with silicone where it should persist, all other parts will be sprayed black-green tomorrow. To paint the absolutely clear silicone onto the lacquer is dreadful :evil: So I cannot say if the painting will be successful in the end :cry: 
Please cross your fingers and send some prayers; painting will be made tomorrow, the results will be seen on Monday. Hasta la vista!
Right now I'm back from mental hospital; caring neighbours brought me there with the suspicion of serious nervous breakdown :cry: But one after the other... Yesterday I sprayed green, having covered the white areas with silicone:
It's really funny: When trying a technique on some scrap it works fine, when making it with the real object, everything ends in a mess :twisted: So I cannot recommend masking with silicone, the edges are to wavy, the borderline between the two colours is unclean. When having taken some valium, I proceeded work and tried to clean up the worst. By now I have calmed down a little bit and ended work with this result:
The edges are quite o.k., even not perfect. The dull look of the painting is due to a fine grinding which should be made after every layer of paint. This smoothes the surface and gives better adhesion to the clear lacquer, which will follow soon.
The wheels are fitted with the rims, I think this will be fine:
O.k. guys, that's all for today. Tomorrow I'm busy with several appointments, so the next bigger steps will be made on Wednesday. Thanks for your support, this will bring nice dreams, and tomorrow the sun is shining again
It's really funny: When trying a technique on some scrap it works fine, when making it with the real object, everything ends in a mess :twisted: So I cannot recommend masking with silicone, the edges are to wavy, the borderline between the two colours is unclean. When having taken some valium, I proceeded work and tried to clean up the worst. By now I have calmed down a little bit and ended work with this result:
The edges are quite o.k., even not perfect. The dull look of the painting is due to a fine grinding which should be made after every layer of paint. This smoothes the surface and gives better adhesion to the clear lacquer, which will follow soon.
The wheels are fitted with the rims, I think this will be fine:
O.k. guys, that's all for today. Tomorrow I'm busy with several appointments, so the next bigger steps will be made on Wednesday. Thanks for your support, this will bring nice dreams, and tomorrow the sun is shining again
Couldn't sleep this night, but finally got the right idea! As the edge between green and white was not really accurate, I decided to add a pin-stripe in dark-green, and here is the result (not yet finished in every detail, but already recognizable):
What do you say?
What do you say?
Well, I made up my mind for a very long time which colours I should use... The 327 is one of the cars which look great in almost any combination. And yes, there will be gaps between the parts, but anyway - everytime I build a model I'm curious for myself what the hell will come out at the end
Today many details have been made: retouching painting and pin-stripes, applying of the BMW badges on grille and rear hubcap and the winkers behind the doors, sticking of the headlights and bars on the running boards and - making new bumpers. The ones that came with the kit are in fact the bumpers of the 326 sedan, which I find a little bit too "hard" for the smooth curves of the 327. So I decided to make new bumpers of half-round brass strip with attachments made of nickel-silver. Tomorrow the clear lacquer will be sprayed, and I will report
Today many details have been made: retouching painting and pin-stripes, applying of the BMW badges on grille and rear hubcap and the winkers behind the doors, sticking of the headlights and bars on the running boards and - making new bumpers. The ones that came with the kit are in fact the bumpers of the 326 sedan, which I find a little bit too "hard" for the smooth curves of the 327. So I decided to make new bumpers of half-round brass strip with attachments made of nickel-silver. Tomorrow the clear lacquer will be sprayed, and I will report
As promised, clear lacquer has been sprayed on. Everything alright, so far, of course the bodywork needs a good polishing, that requires some time and nerves However, the depth of the green is now recognizable. The tires are already put on the disc wheels, floor and ceiling have been painted a lighter beige to give some brightness into the interior. Tomorrow polishing will be made and I will start cutting the glass windows - one of the most difficult steps in model-building.
However, the depth of the green is now recognizable. The tires are already put on the disc wheels, floor and ceiling have been painted a lighter beige to give some brightness into the interior. Tomorrow polishing will be made and I will start cutting the glass windows - one of the most difficult steps in model-building. 
Well, blood, sweat and tears... Call it the Cinderella-syndrome: to start with something dull and unimpressive, and turning it into something wonderful. So perhaps I am the good fairy :oops: Today I have polished the painting (the small white somethings on the photo are dust...), attached the wheels with new axes (the former axes were much too short, I guess that's the reason why the former owner glued the wheels completely onto the chassis), and fixed the seats, the pedals, the gear lever and the exhaust pipe.
Glass windows are cut out! I use 0.1mm glass, thinner than paper, so the slightest inattention lets the glass crack... 
This time it worked quite well, for seven windows I only failed with two windows. On the other hand, nothing is so thin and so clear and plain as glass - even polycarbonate, which comes very close, has at least the double thickness:
The rear windows are already at their place:
And I forgot: the front seats are foldable! In a white-metal model!
This time it worked quite well, for seven windows I only failed with two windows. On the other hand, nothing is so thin and so clear and plain as glass - even polycarbonate, which comes very close, has at least the double thickness:
The rear windows are already at their place:
And I forgot: the front seats are foldable! In a white-metal model!
Land ahoy! Windows are all in (how the hell get fingerprints on them when only touching them with tweezers??? :evil: ), and thereafter I decided to paint "wooden frames" around them, looks quite nice when looking from the outside into the car . Rearview mirror is attached (of course not only the photo-etched part but also with mirror foil applied onto), steering wheel (rotating) and the already finished door panels.
Not very much left to do, so hold on, guys
. Rearview mirror is attached (of course not only the photo-etched part but also with mirror foil applied onto), steering wheel (rotating) and the already finished door panels. 
Not very much left to do, so hold on, guys
It's done! Front and rear bumpers are attached, including license plates, and the spare hubcap as well:
As a sneak preview:
To increase the suspense I'll take a day off tomorrow, to cure my postpartum depression, and will be back again on wednesday with the complete show, o.k.?
As a sneak preview:
To increase the suspense
I'll take a day off tomorrow, to cure my postpartum depression, and will be back again on wednesday with the complete show, o.k.?wow 0.1mm glass, where do you get that and how do you cut it?
I get the glass here: saemann-aetztechnik.de/index.html (not to see on the web, I think only in the catalogue). The glass comes in small sheets of ca. 5 x 3 cm. Cutting of the glass is a little bit difficult: You need the right underlay, and it is to cut with a small glass drill (by hand, of course). If you want to, I will try to post the complete course at some time here in the forum.
Tadaaa - here we go! My day off ended successfully with a lumbago (in Germany we say "witches shot"), but of course I grabbed my crooked stick and took some photos, nevertheless. Hope you can see the details and enjoy this nice example of a slightly streamlined sports coupé.
Before:
... and after:
And thank you all for your kind support, your encouraging posts, the questions and hints! It was a pleasure to share the making with you this way and if you are interested, I will repeat this with another "making of" at some time. If you want to see particular steps for copying, please write, I will do my best to show single steps. (Some more photos on the "30s & 40s topic" scale143.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=6&t=2000)
Before:
... and after:
And thank you all for your kind support, your encouraging posts, the questions and hints! It was a pleasure to share the making with you this way and if you are interested, I will repeat this with another "making of" at some time. If you want to see particular steps for copying, please write, I will do my best to show single steps. (Some more photos on the "30s & 40s topic" scale143.com/posting.php?mode=reply&f=6&t=2000)