Notifications
Clear all
Forum 43
9
Posts
6
Users
20
Likes
954
Views
Topic starter
19/12/2021 6:10 am
I remember some discussions on here a few years ago about Neo and some of their models having a drooping rear wing line. The '58 Mercury Turnpike, '59 Oldsmobile and Jensen Healey being some of the worst examples.
I wondered if it would be possible to improve this by applying heat, so attempted it on my '58 Mercury, being as it's not the most prized model in the collection. So off came its chassis, and I held it over an electric hob for up to a minute each time, then attempted to bend the back body upwards and hold it there while it cooled.
Wouldn't say I've cured it but it is definitely improved and no longer such an eyesore. Am tempted to try with the 59 Olds but being a fixed head may not be as straighforward.
First image shows the factory model and second two post the heat treatment.
19/12/2021 7:33 am
Well, that was a pretty brave move!
I've done quite a lot of model modifications and conversions but I imagined that if I applied enough heat to a resin model to be able to bend it, the resin would warp or crinkle in some horrendous fashion and the paint would come off in chunks. Or probably both.
Glad to see you got away with it. A definite improvement. I also have the Mercury, which is just about presentable, and the Olds, which looks so bad I don't even display it. But I don't feel confident enough to try your remedy on either of them. I suspect that bending the lower body on the Olds might crack the very delicate roof.
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
Topic starter
19/12/2021 7:59 am
I fear you're right with the Olds. I have the gold 2dr HT and it's a shame as it is a very nice model otherwise. For some reason the Mercury always bothered more.
This post was modified 2 years ago by Carlo14
19/12/2021 8:18 am
I'm surprised and happy for you that it survived the operation; those NEO bananas are hard to look at. IMO Neo should be ashamed of themselves for such poor quality control; which is why I stopped buying them except for the odd sedan. Btw...what is an electrical hob?
renato bardi and renato bardi reacted
Topic starter
19/12/2021 8:35 am
That's the word we English use for the top plate of an electric oven i.e. where you put the saucepans.
This post was modified 2 years ago by Carlo14
19/12/2021 8:41 am
Thanks Carlo. The Mercury looks great.
19/12/2021 10:35 am
That's the word we English use for the top plate of an electric oven i.e. where you put the saucepans.
Really !!! Now I really am amazed the surgery was a success. Well done!
19/12/2021 2:33 pm
A while back I got away (sort of) with straightening a 1958 Lincoln convertible, not with heat but by cutting a V shaped groove a the door shut line. Had to touch in the paint a bit which was the downside of this operation. Maybe better with an easier to match color.
Perhaps using a finer blade in the saw in this photo would have given a better result. With a hardtop car I think it would be necessary to separate the top from the body at the C pillar area.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
19/12/2021 5:03 pm
I applaud your daring and bravery! As far as I can see, you've made a drastic improvement in a model that needed a lot of help.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
John Quilter and John Quilter reacted