The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1994
Diecast Collector Forums
Eight forums, every scale, and thirty years of shop talk — new arrivals, restorations, reviews, and the finds you won’t see posted anywhere else, with the full archive back to 2002 restored and searchable. Free to Register.
8Forums
195,000+Topics
1,276,000+Posts
10,000+Members
Notifications
Clear all
Topic starter
31/05/2016 5:57 pm
Attention: Ted Slezak regards to the DM Turquoise LE 1969 Charger
I'm not sure if you own this model or not but the white vinyl top is definitely NOT just a flat white paint!! It's either covered with some type of vinyl OR a simulated textured paint, but it LOOKS and FEELS like a 1:24th scale vinyl top, grain and all! I own the model and definitely recall being impressed by this touch of realism! I haven't had a look at mine in a while but I do believe it is actual vinyl and not a textured finish.
31/05/2016 7:51 pm
I have it.
I have the Charger and regardless of how it feels it's a painted on finish on the roof.
It's definitely not any sort of glued on material, which would be doing it "right" in terms of precision.
It lacks the overlap seams of a true vinyl top of the time, if one wants to nit pick on accuracy. As for texture, mine has some texture to it, but it doesn't simulate a vinyl all that well either. Tops back then weren't a flat white. They had a semi-shiny look to them when cleaned and treated with vinyl top wax.
Saying that DM would have done it "right" is one of those eye of the beholder things. It depends on how "right" is defined.
Topic starter
31/05/2016 9:52 pm
then there's also scaling limitations!
That might be the reason the top is simulated using a textured material/paint rather then an actual material. The only reason I brought this up is because you made it sound like this '69 Charger simply had a coat of flat white paint, painted over the die-cast top (portion that is supposed to be vinyl) and that it looked completely unrealistic and painted on which to me it doe NOT and I'm fairly picky! The DM 62 Landau T-Bird has some type of molded insert over the metal roof which is supposed to replicate the vinyl landau top. Now THAT to me as as perfect as you could probably get in 1:24th scale! It has a shine, it has the correct grain patter molded into it and IMO the scaling of the grain looks to be pretty accurate! Don't forget too that the LE Charger was old tooling done at least 12+ years ago. Technologies, materials and advancements are always taking place these days. The Acme issued Challenger IS made currently so ..... enough said 😉
01/06/2016 3:49 am
Why I just love posting here.
"then there's also scaling limitations!
That might be the reason the top is simulated using a textured material/paint rather then an actual material."
Well thank you, for that "enlightening" statement. Gee, ya larn sumpin new ever day. Cup of condescension, anyone? 
"The only reason I brought this up is because you made it sound like this '69 Charger simply had a coat of flat white paint, painted over the die-cast top (portion that is supposed to be vinyl) and that it looked completely unrealistic and painted on which to me it doe NOT and I'm fairly picky!"
Your interpretation. Not to mention reading into the statement more than was there. The top is painted on and the finish is not glossy. In other words - flat. No?
Is it that black and white (pun intended)? No. Is there a common agreement about what "right" is. Clearly, there is not. That's my point.
One person may be satisfied with the result where another isn't.
None of these models have ever been perfect. Some better than others.
01/06/2016 12:37 pm
It sounds like "vinyl top wax" is something that an owner or the dealer would put on, so, gee, that's not "factory" and thus H61/Acme/DM have it "right" by having it flat.
02/06/2016 1:43 am
Sheesh, I do Not own a Cuda Mod Top however it is way out of scale but that is not why I didn't buy
We all love cars & since we all collect we each have to make concessions due to manufacturing abilities. Some carry on over certain issues such as Price or scale or legitimate factory color. I buy what I like & what pleases me. Sometimes it is out of the budget & I do without, other times it's a bad color or poor representation so I pass. That makes my collection unique to me. I'm not picking on anyone so please don't take it that way. Buy what you like and hope for the one which has not been made to finally arrive in your scale and price, Would that not be NICE?