{"id":2760,"date":"2014-08-28T12:18:16","date_gmt":"2014-08-28T17:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/importnut.net\/models\/?p=2760"},"modified":"2015-10-20T10:13:13","modified_gmt":"2015-10-20T15:13:13","slug":"the-bench-july-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/importnut.net\/models\/the-bench-july-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bench – July 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

During July, I pushed to wrap up a few projects. \u00a0Although I only finished reassembling the ’69 Camaro, I was able to make great progress on the 71 GTX and 70 Challenger rework projects.<\/p>\n

Earlier in the year, I experimented with brake fluid as a paint stripper. \u00a0For the most part, it worked, but it was slow and wouldn’t cut through flat paints. \u00a0I had read about using Castrol Superclean floor degreaser and thought I would give it a shot. \u00a0A gallon was $7 at Walmart…at that price, I just had to try it! I also picked up a plastic food container to keep with my modeling supplies.<\/p>\n

The results were astounding! \u00a0Chrome plating melts away in minutes. \u00a0I let the parts soak overnight, but once I pulled them out, I used a toothbrush under running water to remove all of the paint. \u00a0Gloss, flat, silver, everything came off. \u00a0I stripped paint from a hood that I used to experiment with different painting techniques well over a decade ago. \u00a0I did not sand the hood before the experiments so I was able to see that the plastic was completely unharmed by the stripping. \u00a0It looked as good as if I had pulled it from a new kit!<\/p>\n

With the rest of the challenger parts stripped, I was able to move forward with the project quickly. \u00a0At this point, I still need to paint the engine and finish the detail work. \u00a0I may also pull the interior to paint the wood grain trim.<\/p>\n

The ’71 GTX is nearly complete, along with aluminum exhaust tips. \u00a0The only thing left to do is paint the air cleaner. \u00a0I stripped the original piece and it’s waiting for paint.<\/p>\n

I also started working on my VW bus kit. \u00a0I saw a picture of another kit online that gave me inspiration of how I wanted to finish it. \u00a0I will be aggressively lowering the bus since the original ride height is comical!<\/p>\n