1974 AMX Javelin

Myke

Active Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2010
Messages
1,202
While my restoration project on my AC-47 is going on, I've also been tackling a couple of old cars for a buddy I work with. He has these old pre-built models given out by the dealerships back in the day. The goal here is to replicate the paint job on his actual car that he has restored. The goal of this build will be the purple ride in the beginning photos..., the AMX 1974 Javelin.

This is my first car kit that I've touched since I was about 10, and I'm looking forward to cleaning it up and giving it a proper paint job and duplicate the finish he has on his actual car.

To start, here are a few "before" shots to give you an idea of what I'm working with. The purple is the one I'll be targeting in this build log here. Note: The blue car is actually modeled in that color so no paint stipping will be needed.

IMG_20110819_184438.jpg


IMG_20110819_184447.jpg


IMG_20110819_184502.jpg


IMG_20110819_184426.jpg


IMG_20110819_184418.jpg


IMG_20110819_184352.jpg


Here I've disassembled the kit. It is assembled in three body pieces, two axels, and the rims and tires. I had to cut the clear plastic out in order to refinish it, but the rest came off with little fuss and goes back together nicely.

IMG_20110819_185250.jpg


IMG_20110819_185549.jpg


IMG_20110819_192927.jpg


Got the paint stipped off with a good soak of Super Clean degreaser. Stuff really is awesome (TIP: When stipping the paint, soak for 10 mins, brush off the top coats, and soak for another 20 mins. The paints will literally wash off.)

IMG_20110821_114944.jpg


IMG_20110821_114952.jpg


IMG_20110821_115005.jpg


I then began work on the clear parts.

IMG_20110821_151820.jpg


I started sanding with 1500 grit Tamiya papers, then moved to 2000 grit

IMG_20110821_152403.jpg


It's nice and cloudy for now, but not for long

IMG_20110821_152421.jpg


After going through the sanding sponges, finishing with Tamiya polishing compound...,

IMG_20110821_152501.jpg


IMG_20110821_153235.jpg


...then a quick dip in Future Clear and VIOLA!

IMG_20110822_193004.jpg


Finally to finish up the day I completed the priming and base painting of the interior piece and bottom of the car.

IMG_20110822_134552.jpg


IMG_20110822_134543.jpg


And now I'm off to ice my fingers that I stubbed. Can you guess which ones?

IMG_20110822_073623.jpg


Next up will be the cleanup of the interior plastic. Smooth out the surfaces and get rid of those seam lines and nasty ejection marks.

If you have any suggestions or tips, I'm all ears. Autos are definately not my expertise, but I'm very confident and comfortable enough in my skillz to make this a really nice car.
 
well, at least your windshield looks a lot better than whats on road ace... that thing is a mess, but thats all i had, the Brand new windshield is MIA.
 
Great job so far...really nice work on the windshield!!! ;) Hope the Fing Fings feel better soon! :-X
 
Myke, the wheels look solid... a little mod will do a job.
Great Job on the clear :eek:
 
Very cool, Myke!
There are lots of my kits that I've been modeling at the beginning of my life of a scale-modeler, that I'm not quite satisfied with and can't decide whether to leave 'em alone or try to redo, but with a chance of coarse of complete ruining (which always exists)
So it is very nice to see such great restoration projects, kind of inspirational :)
 
WOW! Great response from all the great people here in the Herd... Thanks guys!!!

@ TRM: Fingers are doing good, just really swollen. Thanks ;-)

@13aos13: Hope you find that windscreen bud!

@ Solander: Don't be afraid, just jump in and do it. Take confidence in your work bud! I find that redoing previous work is just as satisfying, and sometimes more! I've redone a few of my old kits (working on that AC-47 right now as well), and I have one more I want to redo.

So here be the next update.

As my weekend wears down, and I continue on with this restoration project, I have managed to get to a point where the main body is ready for some primer and a finish.

The Wheels are primed and cleaned up. Next up for them will be Alclad Gloss Black Primer and then the Alclad Chrome.

IMG_20110823_093231.jpg


Removed the dashboard..., there are some decent details that I'd like to bring out a bit more than sloppy brown paint that was apparent before.

IMG_20110823_093231.jpg


Removed the steering wheel, and sanded down some old lumps and bumps on the plastic.

IMG_20110823_095653.jpg


Cleaned up the seam lines, and those nasty ejection marks

IMG_20110823_103438.jpg


IMG_20110823_103445.jpg


Once cleaned up and all the dust washed away, I flooded the floors with Testors plastic cement. This will help level out the scratches in the plastic left over from the scraper and the dremel.

IMG_20110823_115638.jpg


And finally I've cleaned up the body detials with lots of q-tips and some alcohol to remove as much of the previous purple color as possible, and clean up the details such as the door handles, the edges around the lights and trim, and the windshield wipers.

IMG_20110823_115216.jpg


IMG_20110823_115222.jpg


IMG_20110823_115229.jpg


Before painting, I've had to mask off the tail lights as I was unable to remove the thin red strip of plastic that makes the lights. They look good enough that I don't want to replicate them with paint and such. Since I am using enamel paints on the finish, I use Micro Mark (a water based liquid mask) to mask it off. I simply glob it in there and then once it sets I use a fresh blade on the exacto and cut away the excess. Once the painting is finished, i just remove it with a toothpick.

IMG_20110823_115601.jpg


Thanks for following along lads. Very much appreciated.
 
Looking good, I have a few kits that could use this type of treatment. Good to see one being done!
 
Thanks everyone for the kind words!

I've got a lot of momentum on this project as my vacation is quickly approaching, and I want to get all the "in progress" stuff off my workbench before I head off to the beach.

So with that being said... here we go!

Moving on with the bottom of this beast I wanted to add some interest to it so out came the Mr. Metal colors and I added some metals here and there. Next up came a good soaking of Pro Modellers (Phil Flory) dark dirt wash. I'll post the "after" shots of the bottom tomorrow.

IMG_20110825_112838.jpg


IMG_20110825_113118.jpg


I wasn't satisfied with the masking of the tail lights so after some careful analysis..., out came the dremel and the tail section was cut up to get to that red film.

IMG_20110825_120211.jpg


After some light sanding and alcohol soaked q-tips, the parts are cleaned up and ready for the next step.

IMG_20110825_122039.jpg


The dash and steering wheel recieved the same treatment.

IMG_20110825_113220.jpg


And now, everything is ready for primer.


Thanks again for following along everybody!!
 
Getting there Myke!!! I know I heard PAINT!!!! LOL Great work so far!!! ;)
 
Alrighty folks.... Time to start painting

Got some primer laid down!!!

IMG_20110826_181236.jpg


IMG_20110826_181259.jpg


IMG_20110826_181308.jpg


IMG_20110826_181245.jpg


IMG_20110826_181250.jpg


Off to do some REAL painting now.
 
Got me excited Myke...LOL...I like the primer coat, very clean!!!! On the lookout for some paint!!!! ;D
 

Latest posts

Back
Top