Reviving an old build, Heller's Delahaye

Posted by: @chris

Posted by: @rich-sufficool

It took a load off my mind because if I had guessed wrong, it would have driven me crazy... forever!!! LOL

I can relate 1000%     That old saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff,"  is BS to me. I ALWAYS SWEAT THE SAMLL STUFF! 😬 😬 😬 

Chris, here is my guide to this build. Highly recommended!

https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/escaping-perfectionism/  

@rich-sufficool Love your build Rich, it looks better than most of the builds I've seen. It has a character!

I am debating the colors of mine (potential choices bellow, even if not the same French car). The kit recommends the 2-tone French blue scheme. I like the black versions but black is hard to get right.

Posted by: @chav

Chris, here is my guide to this build. Highly recommended!

https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/escaping-perfectionism/  /a>  

Trust me, I understand all of that, nonetheless, I will continue to "sweat it out."   You've made peace with your decision & your "P of A" (plan of action ) regarding this build and that's all that matters. I look forward to your progress/pics.

Coupled the body and the chassis with 3 screws for easy access of the interior as I plan to add more interior details in future. Also that allows me to test and adjust the wheels position to get the right stance as these are not the original wheels. 

Fabricated some parts to mount the front wheels, will add later assembly photos.

Sprayed the chassis with a coat of primer, looks much nicer.

Sweating on details.

I hope Chapron is be proud of me correcting their signature detail on the Heller Delahaye's body. None of the builds I've seen online has this corrected.

The car

the model

corrected (2 hours of scraping and sanding), also had to correct the shape of the windshield opening, now I have to make new windshield frame, new windshield and new dashboard.

Also corrected this

thats remarkable work Chav. I hope you can keep us updated. 

Little progress to report... got a sinusitis, my wife (she is lung doctor) thinks I have chemical sinusitis from breathing all these vapors of paints, glue, the putty and spray paints are really bad... since I was a child going to the model club in my home town I love the smell of these chemicals, there was something mysterious in these odors, especially the epoxy... anyway bought a mask, at least to use it with the spray paints, don't have a spray booth yet (oh, just checked, they are not that expensive, under $200).

The research however is ongoing.

Here are the best reference pictures I have found.

https://www.artcurial.com/en/lot-1939-delahaye-135-m-coupe-sport-chapron-3980-37#popin-active

And another interesting conversion to cabriolet (unfortunately in French), one thing the builder succeeded is to make real spokes wheels (you have to scroll through the many pages of comments to find the "substance" pictures), otherwise the build is average, but excellent effort. The kit is just very difficult to work with ...

https://forum-auto.caradisiac.com/topic/383586-une-fran%C3%A7aise-des-ann%C3%A9es-30-la-delahaye-135/page/15/#comments

sorry about the sinusitis Chav. I tend to work outside as much as I can. Not sure if it helps? That gold build is excellent, but, gotta say I think the gold might be a bit overstated for the car? Now the 'beige' on the 1:1 is beautiful.

@geoff-jowett I like the beige too, but already bought blue paint. I don't think I can easily find these tones of beige as premixed paint. I still have to mix white and blue for my planned colors, that will be another thing I have not done.

Posted by: @chav

I have chemical sinusitis from breathing all these vapors of paints, glue, the putty and spray paints are really bad...

Sadly, your wife's diagnosis is undoubtedly spot on. I paint often and I too have (too often! ) surrounded myself with glues, putty, chemicals, etc... my son is a doctor and tells me the same thing. I ventilate/work outside as much as possible (I don't have a spray booth either  🙄) At least I don't smoke! 😀   

For what it's worth (I know nothing about these cars ) I agree with Geoff, that gold seems a bit much. I think your "softer"  blue/white scheme would be nicer. You noted that you haven't mixed your paint yet....I assume you're referring to an airbrush application.

Those are great & sometimes it's the only way to achieve a desired look, but they're also very labor intensive. Many years ago, I put mine away; I'm too lazy to spend time cleaning airbrushes. I know of a few guys (1:1 cars too! ) that purchased  20 year supplies  of CHEAP airbrushes. When they become too dirty.... it just doesn't matter. 😏 😏 

Good luck & post pics!

@chav 

I have spray painted models for many years (airbrush and spray cans). Though I do not do it that much any more, I always use a respirator. I highly recommend one, even if you have a spray booth.

@chris Yes, I am referring to mixing the paint for airbrushing, I have the airbrush and compressor, bought them many years ago. Since the model is assembled, I will have to direct paint towards the recesses between the fenders, it these areas will be hard to apply even paint with a can spray.

Posted by: @ed-davis

@chav 

I have spray painted models for many years (airbrush and spray cans). Though I do not do it that much any more, I always use a respirator. I highly recommend one, even if you have a spray booth.

Thanks Ed, got a respirator for the painting, however when working at the work bench for hours that is hard to wear, will have to come up with some good ventilation in the work area ... and some maintenance drugs, too early to give up ... never had this problem before, now twice in 2 months.

@chav 

What types of paint do you usually use; enamel, laquer, water based, etc.?

Posted by: @ed-davis

@chav 

What types of paint do you usually use; enamel, laquer, water based, etc.?

Most often Tamiya water base, and Testors. Tamiya spray cans. For diecast touchups I have a range of automotive touch up paints, enamels, they dry so quickly and are so sturdy that can be sanded and polished. I mix the automotive touchups to get the right color.

This guy had multiple paint chips just above the driver's door, with multiple touchups of automotive paint and sanding in between coats, I was able to build the necessary volume. The paint is slightly metallic, so I mixed maroonish metallic paint (from my Subaru) and bright red paint and that did the trick.