76 Cadillac "Eldo" El Dorado Custom Convertible Roadster
Recently finished, it's originally a Vintage Johan Promo.
I cut the roof off of it, I lowered the suspension by cutting out the solid axle holes and opening em up some more.
I ended up wet sanding the entire body after the paint got a little too thick on the passenger side in a couple of places, then I clear coated it after I washed the body in Simple Green and I originally thought that the clear coat was bad since it left fish eyes or dimples everywhere in the clear coat, I threw out the can of clear coat then one of my model car friends said it just looks like it went on to thick. So maybe I threw out the can of clear coat a little too early. I'll end up getting another clear coat next spring anyways.
I made the down swept exhaust tip from scrap sprue styrene plastic I heated up with a lighter and bent it into place then cut it down and sanded it smooth, then glued it on, I originally had to cut off the molded in exhaust tip, to get this one I made to fit properly.
It's got a Parts box steering wheel and a Airplane hood ornament.
I used a Molotow blackliner pen for the door jams etc.
I used Tamiya black panel wash for the grille.
The last picture is what it looked like before the rebuild.
Working on a vintage model car like the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Custom Convertible Roadster can be both challenging and rewarding. One key aspect to achieving a flawless finish is getting the clear coat application just right. Thick clear coats often lead to imperfections such as fish eyes or dimples. If you encounter this, wet sanding the affected areas after drying helps smooth the surface before reapplying a thinner, more even clear coat layer. It's important to use cleaning agents like Simple Green before coating to remove oils or residues that may cause defects. Customizing parts such as the exhaust tip using scrap materials like styrene plastic showcases resourcefulness in model building. Heating and bending plastic sprue to desired shapes allows precise fitting and adds a personalized touch. Removing original molded parts to replace them with custom-made components can elevate the model's authenticity and detail. Using specialized tools like a Molotow blackliner pen to highlight door jams and Tamiya black panel washes for grille detailing enhances realism by creating depth and contrast. These finishing products are designed for model car enthusiasts seeking high-quality results. Lowering suspension by modifying the solid axle holes is another technique for improving the stance and visual appeal of the model. Opening these holes carefully while ensuring structural integrity requires patience but significantly alters the model's profile for a more authentic roadster look. Don’t hesitate to share progress photos before and after modifications to document your build journey. This not only motivates your own work but also inspires fellow hobbyists. Restoration projects often benefit from community feedback and tips for solving common issues encountered during customizations. Overall, patience, attention to detail, and willingness to experiment with materials and techniques are essential for successfully restoring and customizing vintage model cars. Such projects blend craftsmanship with creativity to produce unique collector-quality pieces.
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