Restoring a 58 Buick

[gloobombking]

I picked up a gloo-bomb AMT 1958 Buick HT a few weeks back and it is now on my bench getting a make-over.  I took some good "Before" photos of this mess and with my fumble fingered actions I managed to delete them from my camera.  The older I get the more I seem to delete things-------Maybe I should spend some time in Washington D.C.??  

Any-hoo, you should be able to get the idea what the thing looked like at first---gloo-smears on the body, 1/4 tube of glue for each wheel and wheel cover and the grill and rear bumper welded on with enough gloo to build a whole collection of kits.  I went into panic mode removing the grill and rear bumper cause if I destroyed these pieces it would have been game over.  The only place I knew of replacements was the Modelhaus and Don has long since retired.  With some careful file and sandpaper work I did manage to save these parts and since the chrome was pretty much destroyed I was happy to find Rust-oleum Bright Coat Metallic Finish paint saved the day. 

Now I have spent a couple of weeks sanding out gloo-prints, smears, chips and gloo weld damage and finally got some primer on the body.  I think I have managed to save the chrome engraving for the trim except for the gunsight fender orniments.  I have chosen to two tone this beast with Arbor Green and Calypso Cream from MCW finishes.  I consider this AMT Classic "Hard to Find" not "Rare".  They are out there but how often do you see them turn up?   The body is looking better and the chrome fits pretty well after a lot of sanding fitting and gloo removal.  I will post up some finished pics in the finished section when I complete this mess.  Right now it is too cold to do any painting so I will choose some nice custom wheels and tires to make this beast pop.  I really don't have a "holy grail" kit but this is about as close as it gets.  If I could own and drive one of these things in 1:1 I sure would hate to hit anything.  But if I did, I would make SURE it was a Prius.  (while listening to a recording of Stars and Stripes Forever)

[JCON]

Looking good!!!

[BUCKY]

When I was just a wee lad, one of the neighbors had a '58 Buick. It was a 4 door, in a nice medium blue metallic, and to a small boy, as I was back then, it looked absolutely HUUUUUGE!!!

You look to be having things going in a great direction with this save. Keep up the great work!!

[JED]

Looking good so far, I don't think I'd have the patience to rescue somebody else's build!

[BUCKY]

Jan 1, 2023 5:23:45 GMT -6 JED said:

Looking good so far, I don't think I'd have the patience to rescue somebody else's build!

Some of them do require a good bit of work. I have a few in the stash waiting for me to get the courage to tackle them. Sometimes, though, it's the only way to obtain a certain subject, such as this Buick, because it has not been re-issued.

[gloobombking]

Update on the Buick----------or should I say final.  There will be no final photos as I sold this project along with about 6 others and around 150 unbuilt kits.  It seems I just do not find this fun anymore and most of the crowd I once knew are all gone.   No need to comment, just hit the "Like" button if you can find time. 

[JCON]

Sorry to hear that as I always enjoyed your work... best to you in your new endeavors...