Primer

After getting the sideview mirrors attached I was ready to put down primer on the first set of cars.

After letting them dry for a couple of days and sanding down any remaining perfections, they'll be ready for paint!

It's been a little while since I updated, but I've been working hard on getting the first round of Masterpieces out.  All parts have been cast, but prepping them for primer and paint has been time consuming.  Little pin holes and divots need to be filled with model putty and sanded down.  The window cut-outs all needed to be cleaned up.  As I go,  I've made sure that trim pieces and lights all fit so that there won't be any surprises after painting has begun...

These aren't the most up-to-date photos.  But today all prep has been finished, so all the interior pieces and main parts are ready for primer tomorrow!

I got all the interior details finished.  I made two matching wheels house covers that will attach to the casket floor.  Got some thick styrene strips cut...

And then made this wood guide to have something to bend them to correct to shape:

This stuff is so thick, it takes a lighter to bend it.  Then I scored the ends to snap them off at the correct length:

Here's  the finished pieces all assembled with decorative "vinyl" padding and upward directed lights:

The lights point up at these (got a  mold and cast made of this so I could have two identical carvings):

Also got the upper portion of the partition created.  The slot in the middle is for the "glass" to sit in:

Pretty much all that's left to do is mold and cast all the pieces and then primer and paint!

Casket Table

Progress continues with these interior details. I finished the rear 3 interior door panels and put the finishing touches on the casket table and partition.  Here you can see the rear loading door panel:

And the casket floor joined with the lower portion of the partition.  These were done with thick sheets of styrene plastic which was heated with a lighter and then bent into shape. The partition is made of two thick pieces with a thin center sheet below them, creating a groove for the partition "glass" to sit in.

And finally, these are the panels inside the landau panel area of the car, which the diamond shaped panels with the "wood" appliques attach to.

Mold Making!

After completing my sculpt of the Masterpiece, with clay underneath to prevent the silicone mold material from going under the car, I was ready to pour the silicone and let it sit over night.

I got the exterior mold all created...

After making a basic cast, I chopped the top and attached it to the original lower body.  With this I'll be able to add the interior details and create an interior mold.

Almost there!  Be sure to order now (Buy it Now button off to the right) if you want it there by Christmas. =D

Waterslide Decals

I got some clear decals made up for the interior wood appliques and the "S&S Masterpiece" badges on the exterior landau shield area. VERY tiny and hardly visible to the naked eye, but add a nice little detail.

Windshield and Window Work

I got some work done on the shape of the commercial glass side windows and their trim.  Of course after creating the mold and resin cast, the windows can be cut out and fitted with clear windows.

Adding styrene plastic to the sides will give a structural shape visible through the "vinyl" top, the way the 1:1 version appears.  I added a center crease to the rear door, but still have a lot of work to do on this with adding trim, door handle and vinyl treatment.

I was happy to get the commercial glass windshield formed (Thanks for the measurements, Brady!)

Next thing to do is finish the trim, rear door, coach lamps and "S&S Masterpiece" badges and then I can do the vinyl top!  I got a lot of requests for Cobra grain, so that's what it'll be.