Detailing KATO F Units

[thumpernickle]

I started detailing my SP Black Widow F7s with the Atlas/BLMA detail kit. I have a few questions on how best to add grab irons.
1) For the side door grab irons that are already molded onto the body, do you shave them off and then add the etched grabs? Or do you simply place them over the molded on grab irons? Remember this is a factory painted shell.
2) How does one go about locating the top side nose grab irons? Do you eyeball it? Is there a jig somewhere I could use?
3) How you do paint these parts? Do the etched parts need a primer to hold paint? What paint is best to use on these etched detail parts?

[SP-Wolf]

I started detailing my SP Black Widow F7s with the Atlas/BLMA detail kit. I have a few questions on how best to add grab irons.
1) For the side door grab irons that are already molded onto the body, do you shave them off and then add the etched grabs? Or do you simply place them over the molded on grab irons? Remember this is a factory painted shell. -- I shaved off the factory grabs -
2) How does one go about locating the top side nose grab irons? Do you eyeball it? Is there a jig somewhere I could use? -- No jig. (However in Gold Medal Models grab kit - he has fixtures for the width of the grabs - this helps) - Honestly - I eye balled it (For the location).
3) How you do paint these parts? Do the etched parts need a primer to hold paint? What paint is best to use on these etched detail parts? -- I painted after installation. Best - ? What ever paint brand you have.

Here is an example of one of my Kato F- unit sets. - Not factory paint.



Thanks,
Wolf

[Cajonpassfan]

That's very nice, Wolf, and I really like the plow. We'll need to do an "espee detour" here
Otto

[SP-Wolf]

That's very nice, Wolf, and I really like the plow. We'll need to do an "espee detour" here
Otto

Thanks, Otto

We sure do.

Best regards,
Wolf

[thumpernickle]

Here is an example of one of my Kato F- unit sets. - Not factory paint.



Thanks,
Wolf

Wow Wolf. Exactly what I hope to achieve.
Do you use the Atlas/BLMA grab irons or are those grab irons your own creation?

[SP-Wolf]

Wow Wolf. Exactly what I hope to achieve.
Do you use the Atlas/BLMA grab irons or are those grab irons your own creation?

Thanks,
For the door and ladder grabs I used Gold Medal Models. For the nose and roof grabs - .010 Detail Associates SS wire. Windshield wipers and wind deflectors are from BLMA/Atlas. Plos is from Sunrise Enterprise (Unfortunately, long out of business) - For the plow, I believe Showcase Miniatures offers them.

Best regards,
Wolf

[thumpernickle]

Thanks,
For the door and ladder grabs I used Gold Medal Models. For the nose and roof grabs - .010 Detail Associates SS wire. Windshield wipers and wind deflectors are from BLMA/Atlas. Plos is from Sunrise Enterprise (Unfortunately, long out of business) - For the plow, I believe Showcase Miniatures offers them.

Best regards,
Wolf

For the nose grab iron just under the front window, how do you bend it with the two little bumps on either end. I added the Atlas/BLMA etched one but it looks too flat/thick as you view it from the side. I would post a picture of my work here but don’t have enough posts to unlock posting pictures.

[SP-Wolf]

For the nose grab iron just under the front window, how do you bend it with the two little bumps on either end. I added the Atlas/BLMA etched one but it looks too flat/thick as you view it from the side. I would post a picture of my work here but don’t have enough posts to unlock posting pictures.

The "ladder" grabs are from Gold Medal Models #160-56 Assorted Grab Irons.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Wolf

[thumpernickle]

The "ladder" grabs are from Gold Medal Models #160-56 Assorted Grab Irons.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Wolf

That does. Thanks.