350z

I couldn't get myself to throw this one away. This kit was painted over 4 times, finished once and destroyed again. One of the front A-pillars were broken as well as the front bumper beyond repair.

Half of the front bumper has been cut off and re-created. Armed with my trusty plastic card and putty, I began to just throw things on and let it take shpae gradually.

The front end looks to have a fairly good profile/shape thus far- I'll probably leave it alone until the first shots of primer. The fender flares are halfway done as I don't want to finish off the bottom portion of it yet until I figure out what to do with the sideskirts.

I envision the rear end to have blister flares blended into the body. Won't know how that will turn out until I start working on it.

As always, this is going to be one long build :icon16:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/front-02.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/front-01.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/side-01.jpg

a.

WOW!!!

I'm really looking forward how this is going to turn out.
Keep it coming!

Those flares look great. Keep it up!

your body work always looks so clean...what kind of putty do you use?

your body work always looks so clean...what kind of putty do you use?

Believe it or not, I ran out of the putty that I normally use and just tried somethig local from the hardware store... Bondo. I can honestly say that I will only use this until I run out of it. I'll probably not use it again. It does not stick well to the plastic nor does it feather well... but it was easy to get my hand on. Hopefully I can finish this build with this without any problems with the putty.

a.

Believe it or not, I ran out of the putty that I normally use and just tried somethig local from the hardware store... Bondo.

Is this the red stuff in a metal tube? I got some from Wal Mart and noticed it tends to melt the plastic if it's applied too thickly.

It's looking great so far. Very clean! I can't wait to see this finished :D

Is this the red stuff in a metal tube? I got some from Wal Mart and noticed it tends to melt the plastic if it's applied too thickly.


it appears to me that it is the traditional 2 part bondo, and it looks like it could have used just a bit more hardener (I usually mix mine so it is a bit more tan, so it dries faster)

Is this the red stuff in a metal tube? I got some from Wal Mart and noticed it tends to melt the plastic if it's applied too thickly.

That stuff in the metal tubes is called red lead. Its for fine scratches after you bondo and sand your car. Dries quick and sands easy. Later,Q

cool wide front end, although it looks funny without the rear widened. Cant wait to see progress on this. I've always thought about using Bondo, anyways keep up the great work.

Quickie update:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/back-02.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/back-01.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/p-01.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/p-02.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/p-03.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/w-01.jpg

a.

wowww, very very clean. I like! :thumbsup:

Looking GOOOOOOD!!

Is that Bondo easy to work with? Cause you make it look like it is. Very clean widebody looks good!

Wow you are really good with putty and scratchbuilding. Lookin good so far

Is that Bondo easy to work with? Cause you make it look like it is. Very clean widebody looks good!

Its not that bad but you just really need to get used to it. It can get pretty messy pretty quick if you lay alot of it on all at once. I tend to go slowly and layer it up thin so that I can see it take shape. Otherwise you'll basically be sculpting... which may not be too bad either.

I've noticed that Bondo does not feather well with the plastic body. It tends to just come off. That might just be an indication of ghost line problems when I come to paint as the putty does not stick well to the plastic. I couldn't get around that with the front end as I've already started to feather the bodywork into the plastic. However, that's the main reason I made hard lines on the rear bodywork and not feathered into the quarters. That being to avoid any paint problems when it comes down to laying down color.

The tedious part now is to go back after the initial body work is done and fill in the little voids and finish feathering in the front fenders.

a.

Love your work keep it up man. Don't let me down your using my favorite Wheels. The Super Advan:
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t248/White_r34/Wheels%20Wanted/ADVAN19.jpg
I going to save you images so that I can use them to help my 350Z Ka.

:sunglasse It's great to see you back to building!! I'm lovin' this one so far!!:sunglasse

Thanks mate, ill have to pick some up and take a jab at it.

although u have done a realy neat job with the widening~ i feel the body lost some of its original flow~ espiecially the rear guard, looks too ridget. but thats just me tho, to each their own riight~

Im always very impressed with your body work. You make it look so easy. Great progress, and keep it comin.

although u have done a realy neat job with the widening~ i feel the body lost some of its original flow~ espiecially the rear guard, looks too ridget. but thats just me tho, to each their own riight~

Thanks, Bai. I thought that it would look a bit odd at first too. Then once I finished blending and fussing with the front fenders, I thought that it looked kinda cool. I took a couple of weeks off this project (and started a new one) to get a new perspective on it and see how it looked once I picked it back up. Tonight was the night and I think it might be the angle that I took the pic from. I mocked it up with the interior as well as the windshield just to see how it looked. I think it works... even from different angles :icon16:

The plan is to paint it in black once I'm ready. I think it'll be pretty agressive in black once it's done.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/w-02.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/w-03.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/appleseed415/350z/w-04.jpg

a.

Now THAT is looking SWEEET!!!! Those wheels fit it perfectly and it's looking great! Can't wait to see it in paint.