Painting.

Painting is not my favourite pastime.

I use paint of two different types. For any work which will need rubbing down and is effectively being used as a filler I will use a spray can. Normally a primer, it is easy to apply, quick drying and easily rubbed down.
If the body is good, and I am priming to take a top coat I use either a Humbrol of Railmatch primer with an airbrush.

I would guess, (if the problem has not already been resolved) that several thin coats of primer after filling the crack may do the job. And i mean, thin coats...

Peter

Odd problem!

Whilst the Zagato overall is looking pretty sexy and getting closer and closer to moulding, a very strange problem has reared it's head. Virtually all the marks, blemishes etc. have now been eradicated and the final coat of primer was sprayed on this afternoon, with the idea of a top coat of paint going on to give a good finish. I have no idea why, but the primer decided to shrink. So after flatting off I tried again and the same thing happened. So after flatting off for a third time and another coat of primer, the problem persists. I'm aware that there is a certain amount of shrinkage with this product, but on such a small item I did'nt think it would happen. But the really odd thing about this is that it keeps happening in the same spot. Right on the bonnet.

It really is very annoying and I just can't get my head round it. The only thing I can think of is that there must be some contamination underneath the coating. Otherwise the bodyshape and details are looking very pleasing. The brake ducts have been added which were made from short lenghts of ali tube gently squashed in a pair of snipe nosed pliers. I'm not that keen on them but as with the flares to the rear arches, they can be sanded off the resin cast, if required. The spot lamps are from FPF Models and are the same as those in the Lotus Elite body kit. One area that i've constanly had a problem with from day one is vacuum forming. Some days all goes well and others, I wish I had'nt bothered. Creases appear right across the required section rendering the piece completely scrap. So a few changes here and there, including adding a couple of stops to the corners of the vac box, a change of material ( I have no idea what it is!) and slightly less heat. The result is now complete success, and no scrap. The first test pieces were fitted to the body master yesterday to make sure the gap around the glazing pattern was ok. They're not bad, with just a very slight alteration required to make them completely snug. A few "bubbles" appeared but i'm sure that's just down to not warming the patterns before starting to form. I'm sure they will improve. Hopefully I can get the rubber poured tomorrow with a view to casting the first body over the weekend. I can't wait! Graham.

Green paint.

With a coat of paint the Zagato is starting to come alive. I think the overall shape is now very pleasing and the essence of the car has been captured. The mystery of Aston Martin competition colours still goes on. The photographs i've been working from show a pretty nasty shade of green which i'm lead to believe is Sea green. This was also used on one of the John Ogier DB4 GTs. The shade i've managed to create however looks more like the Almond green that the DBR1s were painted.
Not much more to do now. The templates for the window surrounds, grille etc are all pretty much there and just need scanning into Corel Draw and tracing. It's then down to my etching guy to see how quickly he can turn them round.
Graham.

I guess some advertising is better than no advertising and I suppose advertising in a publication which concentrates on the subject we're all so fond of, I think I should be very content. It's going to be an interesting excursion none the less.
The Zagato is now looking downright lovely. It appears that i've captured the overall proportions and the side on profile is I think, pretty convincing. The lamp covers are progressing, albiet slowly. The shape of the covers is quite misleading. From one angle they seem to follow the wingline down over the lamp. From other angles there's a distinct bubble. Mr Zagato was famous for his "double bubble", usually placing them on the roof as in some Lancias. Maybe this is where he put them on the DB4 GT. The picture above shows the nearside rear arch sans flare. I do prefer it this way, but it will be added before moulding. Graham.

I would guess that editorial in classic car mags is a good way to sell a product. Whilst a bit out of touch with the classic scene these days I do recall the number of whitemetal/resin/etched models around some 25 years ago for the £80 mark for a 1/43rd model. It'll be interesting to see what the results may bring. Not wishing to complicate your models, have you considered doing a resin casting of the underside for static models?

A good picture must be worthwhile. I have almost given up with macro except for pictures where all in view is at the same focal length. My preference, for a serious photo, is to use a tripod, a high resolution setting and take the picture from at least a foot away. I can then crop the picture, get good definition and everything is in focus.

Peter

Classic and Sportscar magazine

Just to see if there would be a comment coming from the guys who contribute and edit C & SC, I sent a few photographs of the Astons. I had a reply from Mick Walsh no less. Editor in chief of said publication. He's asked me to go to their offices with a selection of completed models for them to do a proper job on them. The idea being that they do a little feature on them in the next few months.
On the Zagato front things are finally coming together. The shape just oozes flair and I hope i've managed to capture at least some of the fullsize. One of the final jobs is to create the headlamp cover formers. This is one area I find awkward to say the least. But persever we must. I hope to have them finished very soon as I want to see the "glass" formed and fitted before the body gets stuffed with wax and goes to mould.
My photographic buddy Si, who is an absolute natural when it comes to handling and shooting a camera, advised me recently on gaining a better depth of field. "Oh, just **** about with it". Hmm. With what though?? Anyway i've been doing plenty of ****** about and eventually found what I was looking for. The ideal shot should be from below the car and as close as is practicable.
So I set the camera to macro mode and focused manually. The focus was set just behind the front offside headlamp. Then open the aperture right up. Here's the shot. Graham.