I've finally begun work on my first custom Alternator. This will be the first of 5 I will be doing. I am "updating" Wildrider and making him into a Ferrari 360 Modena. Here are some early pics of the progress. Quite time consuming as I have never done one before. I had to plan this one out quite a bit.

 

I am using Tracks as a base. I tried to remove the pins for the wheels but in the end it was easier to just cut them out as I had to move the wheels back anyways. Tracks got his rear end trimmed way down so I can fit the arms into the back end of the Modena.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got my Airbrush out and I am now finally going to start using it! But I can only use it with Acrylic paint and not enamel...:(

 

 

I am also working on the Custom Engine / Weapon.

 

 

More pics to come as I progress....

DJBomberman,

 

I read about your problems with the pins. A friend of mine has an article about removing them at Sector 70, a kitbashing resource. Also, they have some articles on "reshelling" (when you put a new body or "shell" on an existing transformer body) over there.

 

here's a link:

 

http://www.sector70.com/faq.asp

 

Hopefully, this should help you out.

 

Also, if you need any advice or info, feel free to post in the Idiot's Guid to Kitbashing, located in the Workbench section of the customs forum.

 

I look forward to seeing your kitbash, DJBomberman. It looks pretty interesting.

 

Good Luck! :thumb

 

 

-WraithVerge

Thanks for the link. I read through it. Pretty close to what I'm doing. I chose Tracks as I don't have to scratch build to much. I didn't think that Tracks would be a good fit for the Ferrari Body due to the engine being in the back, but it is turning out better than I expected. Here are some more progress pics.

 

I'm now priming him to be painted. I have a nice Enamel Aluminum paint that will look really nice on him. I just finished the base primer coat. It looks pretty good since the red comes through little and make the black look a little greyish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next I'm going to tint all the windows in the car a light fuchsia

 

 

More Pics to come!

Now for the Aluminum Paint job. First coat.

 

 

 

 

 

That's all for tonight...

Tried a few different techniques tonight. I had some pearlized Metalic Silver Acrylic Paint. I ran that through the Airbrush and test painted. I didnt' like the results. I then used Enamel Paint and thinned it with testors Paint thinner. Beautiful. From my hand painting with strokes to a nice even coat. See for your self.

 

It's kinda hard to truly see the color. When I used a flash, it washed out the color completely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Added the Metal Transfer Decal to the Engine Block. Sorry for the crappy pic. I'll repost this one tomorrow. My camera battery died.

 

 

That's it for today.

:eek

 

WOW!!!

 

That IS coming out nicely!! The way the aluminun looks in the pic, it has almost a "hammered' look to it, like it the shell was formed with a hammer and anvil. It really looks good, DJBomberman!

 

I can only imagine how this will look finished; keep it up! :thumb

I started working on both the Interior Paint and Engine/Weapon Fitting..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the example that I am painting it after...

 

 

Probably do a second coat on the interior parts. Then I will apply the decals to the Dashboard and detail paint the console.

 

Anyone know when I should apply the clear coat sealant to make sure the paint is protected as well as the decals?

 

Once I am done with all the painting, the fun really begins....

 

More to come.....

Some quick update pics...

 

I tried using Rit Dye to stain the clear plastic...but it did not work. I used a transparent Paint and airbrushed them instead. Here is some quick pics.

 

 

 

That's all tonight.

 

Anyone know if I am suppose to seal the paint now with a clear coat before I start to cut the sections into their respective pieces or do I do it later after that's done. I also wanted to know if it was okay to spray the clear plastics with a coating to prevent the Acrylic paint from scratching off. Anyone? Thanks.

Been a while since I posted...

 

Some challenges building it still, but nothing I wasn't expecting. Even with planning, there are always things that need to be tweaked.

 

Some more update pics.

 

Finished the Engine/Weapon. I think it's really cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My family was in town for a couple of weeks so I had a couple of weeks in between.

Fantastic job man. Too bad Alternators aren't as prevalent now as they were a couple of years ago.