Whats Lying on your Workbench MK IV

[Big s]

44 minutes ago, Papa Rat said:

The pearl paint is so dreamy in person yet so elusive to photograph. It’s fun to share photos with everyone on the forum, but like most things in life it’s best in person. 🤷 
 

I know the problem you’re talking about. It can look like a dream in person, but let’s keep it’s coated with sandpaper in the wrong photo 

[Big s]

1 hour ago, tekering said:

Quite an exciting commission, actually.  The client wants a model of "The Blue Beetle" from The Dresden Files, a series of novels about a guy who goes around fighting demons in a poorly-maintained old Volkswagen.  According to the book, the original hood and doors were trashed and replacements were scavenged from other Beetles, resulting in a mismatched color scheme with all sorts of damage evident.  

This project affords me the opportunity to work backwards, starting with a completed 1:18 die-cast VW:

I disassembled it as best I could, but couldn't separate the doors or the hood.

Instead, I had to do a lot of careful masking to ensure distinct color separation.

Apparently, the original doors were torn off by hellhounds, so I'm adding gouges and claw marks around the doorframes.

Much of the weathering work I've done in the past is to make plastic look like painted metal.  Adding damage to actual metal parts is a very different experience. 😅

Really cool project and backstory. Although a poor choice of vehicle for demon hunting by the main character.

[tekering]

44 minutes ago, Big s said:

a poor choice of vehicle for demon hunting by the main character

Oh, you don't know the half of it... 

Harry Dresden is 6'9". 😂

[Papa Rat]

8 hours ago, Big s said:

I know the problem you’re talking about. It can look like a dream in person, but let’s keep it’s coated with sandpaper in the wrong photo 

Hahaha. No kidding. 
 

 

6 hours ago, tekering said:

Oh, you don't know the half of it... 

Harry Dresden is 6'9". 😂

Too funny

[505thAirborne]

I forgot I had a spare Metallic version of the Poseable Alphas (Not a fan of the Metallics), so it's time for a new paint job. 

Just like the MPC Betas, disassembly is super easy, barely an inconvenience. 

I stripped the old paint off, then primer, next step is some more ultra fine sanding before painting.

 

Just curious, does anyone here still make custom decals? 

[F18LEGIOSS2]

My dream is slowly coming true 🤼

Edited Tuesday at 10:18 PM by F18LEGIOSS2

[F18LEGIOSS2]

1 hour ago, 505thAirborne said:

I forgot I had a spare Metallic version of the Poseable Alphas (Not a fan of the Metallics), so it's time for a new paint job. 

Just like the MPC Betas, disassembly is super easy, barely an inconvenience. 

I stripped the old paint off, then primer, next step is some more ultra fine sanding before painting.

 

Just curious, does anyone here still make custom decals? 

Yes I do ! Check my svg files ! You'll need Inkscape.

LEGIOSS 1.svg

LEGIOSS 2.svg

[LocusPocus]

Gotta say @derex3592that SR-71 is lookin’ quite nice! Doin’ it some justice. I had one of those and a Hawker Harrier both of which got chucked out by the rents long ago. That build brings back lots of fun memories. I love this hobby and wish for more time to dedicate.

Must add, thanks @tekeringfor reposting your recon regult, your builds are top tier and your photography is art. Thank you for sharing, it’s truly inspiring!

[505thAirborne]

1 hour ago, F18LEGIOSS2 said:

Yes I do ! Check my svg files ! You'll need Inkscape.

LEGIOSS 1.svg 5.21 MB · 3 downloads

LEGIOSS 2.svg 3.87 MB · 3 downloads

Those look great, if only they were the Expeditionary Force type like the ones used by Maia's Alpha/Legioss. 

[nightmareB4macross]

Side covers.

not quite done as there is a bit more modifying and securing them in place that needs to be done.

[derex3592]

On 11/17/2025 at 7:52 PM, tekering said:

Yeah, lots of content to keep up with!

Speaking of which:

 That Neptune turned out gorgeous, Bruce!  I couldn't figure out what those bumps on the shoulder were supposed to be, and you turned them into a beautiful little mermaid. 😍

Isn't that a food dehydrator? 😅

@tekeringYes, yes it is!  Barbatos Rex recommended drying painted parts in one years ago on his YT channel so I jumped all over that idea and my in-laws hooked me up for Xmas.  Over here in north TX high humidity is a LARGE factor a large portion of the year.  I have LOVED having it to dry / cure painted kits/parts in.  113 or 122 degrees for 30 min to 1 hour is all you need.  One of my largest failings in the past was touching and working on my freshly painted models before they fully cured, (which is a word I had to LEARN does NOT mean dry to the touch!),  resulting in tears and resprays many many times.   Also the food dehydrator is GREAT for keeping DUST and CAT HAIR out of your drying paint!  

[Papa Rat]

34 minutes ago, derex3592 said:

@tekeringYes, yes it is!  Barbatos Rex recommended drying painted parts in one years ago on his YT channel so I jumped all over that idea and my in-laws hooked me up for Xmas.  Over here in north TX high humidity is a LARGE factor a large portion of the year.  I have LOVED having it to dry / cure painted kits/parts in.  113 or 122 degrees for 30 min to 1 hour is all you need.  One of my largest failings in the past was touching and working on my freshly painted models before they fully cured, (which is a word I had to LEARN does NOT mean dry to the touch!),  resulting in tears and resprays many many times.   Also the food dehydrator is GREAT for keeping DUST and CAT HAIR out of your drying paint!  

Thanks for that tip. My work area is in the basement which around 70% humidity so I’ve started to run a dehumidifier which has helped a lot but a dehydrator sounds like a nice option to get it cracker dry. 👍

Also like the added bonus you mention of keeping dust and hairs off a freshly painted surface. 

[derex3592]

@Papa Rat - There's lots to pick from around, I would say if and when I ever get another one, I would make sure to get one that was slightly taller to accommodate parts being on holding sticks easier. Mine's just slightly to short sometimes. 

[Papa Rat]

23 minutes ago, derex3592 said:

@Papa Rat - There's lots to pick from around, I would say if and when I ever get another one, I would make sure to get one that was slightly taller to accommodate parts being on holding sticks easier. Mine's just slightly to short sometimes. 

Ahhh. Good idea. That reminds me. One day I need to cut down my skewers and replace the clips. Having them more compact would be beneficial. 

[tekering]

Aging and weathering the driver's side door.

7 hours ago, Papa Rat said:

I’ve started to run a dehumidifier which has helped a lot but a dehydrator sounds like a nice option to get it cracker dry. 👍

We use dish driers in Japan. 😉

[Big s]

10 minutes ago, tekering said:

We use dish driers in Japan. 😉

But the real question is, can you still do jerky while the paint is drying?

[nightmareB4macross]

2 hours ago, Big s said:

But the real question is, can you still do jerky while the paint is drying?

You probably can, but then the jerky would taste like paint and your build will forever be known as “the beef.” 😅

[nightmareB4macross]

Well, I had to revert back to a more basic style of side covers. 

The version with the armpit thrusters were not going to look good in operation as half of a door would be missing on each. Oh well.

But I was capable of making a much better side cover piece that wraps around the cockpit and sets secure on the body. 

Still need to add the panel lines and then sides cover is done.

Feeling good.

[Papa Rat]

Looking good! Getting work done. 👍

[Thom]

That is really impressive @nightmareB4macross!

[505thAirborne]

Well, at least my Maia Alpha fighter isn't alone anymore. 

I wanted to see if I could match the paint used on the MPC with my Poseable Alpha... sadly it worked until it didn't. I had initially nailed the colors, that purplish/lavender color is Purple, Rose pink, a dash of red and some midnight blue all mixed up. The daker shade is Navy blue, black and a dash of purple. 

Everything looked great until I applied some clear-coat, I knew it might darken things a bit, but that purple is darker than I wanted it to be... #%$@!

In the end, this old Alpha Poseable served as a test bed for A) could I match the colors, B) could I make the air-intakes look like a Shadow type and C) is this worth trying again on a Beta or another poseable Alpha. 

The answer is yes, only next time with an airbrush, properly made decals, Tamiya/Mr. Hobby paints and something other than clear-coat or just be really careful next time in the future. 

 

@nightmareB4macross That custom VF-1S keeps getting more impressive with each new addition. 

 

 

[tekering]

17 hours ago, 505thAirborne said:

The answer is yes, only next time with an airbrush

If you want to match that toyetic factory finish, you can't do without one!

If you're going for the heavily-weathered look, however...

...a Dremel and some Q-tips may suffice. 😉

This bug has shiny chrome hubcaps, even on the spare tire.  They've gotta go.

Unfortunately, there's no sculpted detail underneath them... so I'll need to replace the hubs with 3D-printed VW rims.

This is the look I'm going for.

Now to start adding grime and rust to the body itself.

[electric indigo]

Progress on Mr. Stalker

[Papa Rat]

33 minutes ago, tekering said:

If you want to match that toyetic factory finish, you can't do without one!

If you're going for the heavily-weathered look, however...

...a Dremel and some Q-tips may suffice. 😉

This bug has shiny chrome hubcaps, even on the spare tire.  They've gotta go.

Unfortunately, there's no sculpted detail underneath them... so I'll need to replace the hubs with 3D-printed VW rims.

This is the look I'm going for.

Now to start adding grime and rust to the body itself.

Love it. Appreciate the updates. 👍

My wife’s first car was a POS VW beetle. It also looked like it was attacked by some hell hounds. Hahahaha. 

[Papa Rat]

7 minutes ago, electric indigo said:

Progress on Mr. Stalker

Looking great! Such a nice color scheme. Reminds me of that Blassty. 

[Big s]

59 minutes ago, electric indigo said:

Progress on Mr. Stalker

It looks so sexy, I didn’t realize it was a MR.

[505thAirborne]

1 hour ago, electric indigo said:

Progress on Mr. Stalker

What series is this from? I like the design & color scheme a lot.