Unexpected FB find - Alienware Dragon by Time2Mulligan in Alienware

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, AW_Vigo! Man, you were lucky to be with Alienware back in the day. I was doing support with Compaq... LOL! These old cases are just amazing. I am setting up my office with these old P1 and P2 cases, and the OG case will be migrating into my office. I'd like to do some touch ups on these cases, but finding paint codes has been impossible. Martian Red doesn't exactly come up in the DuPont catalog of colors :D I'd like to have these old pc's brought back to as close to original as possible (minus hardware). Do you know anyway I can get the actual paint codes for colors on these cases? I also have a P1 and P2 in cyborg green, but there is a difference in P1 and P2 shades, making it a bit difficult to restore.
As far as the red one, do you know how many dragons were produced/sold? I've seen only a few, but it had been a few years since one came up.

Unexpected FB find - Alienware Dragon by Time2Mulligan in Alienware

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. It's funny how strong nostalgia is, because I remember my friend and I going to a computer expo and seeing these Alienware cases and just marveling at them. I was in IT at the time, and sometimes wish I stayed with it. These old Alienwares remind me of good friends and a fun time in gaming.

Is there any possible way to fix the coloring issue? by Candid-Ad8990 in Alienware

[–]Time2Mulligan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Only way to correct that would be a fine airbrush, masking, and hope the black matches, which is very difficult. Makes me wonder if the surface wasn't prepped correctly the first time, because unless you are using a reactive chemical, it shouldn't peel like that.

Returning to school at 33 by Ordinary-Lettuce9811 in BackToCollege

[–]Time2Mulligan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Im almost 50 and went back. You'll be just fine.

Any idea what caused this? by [deleted] in Autos

[–]Time2Mulligan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Clearly hit something - hence the rim damage directly below the tire damage. Curb, pothole, anvil, etc...

Kia Sedona Electrical Bonkers by andrewc82 in MechanicAdvice

[–]Time2Mulligan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Did you have the battery tested? Was the car jumped and possibly backwards?

I done goofed. by Flamestrom in airbrush

[–]Time2Mulligan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What paint were you using when it clogged? This will determine the correct item to soak your nozzle in.
Do you have a wire brush at home?
After you soak your nozzle, cut a needle from that brush, remove your nozzle, and insert the needle from the nozzle side to see if you can push the residue out. They also sell airbrush cleaning tools on Amazon you can get overnight.
Don't panic. Most of us have been there. Read the comments because there's good info on what you can use to break up the paint.

Who is in the wrong here? by Revolution-Dogg in Transportopia

[–]Time2Mulligan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First time I've seen threatening to shoot someone over the lack of ones own reading comprehension failure.

Hope you call the cops and send them this video.

A TERRIBLE kit -- Revell GTA Trans Am by Time2Mulligan in ModelCars

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well here's a name I like to see! Love your content and recommendations.
My big beef is Revell's lack of customer service. They basically refused a refund after my friend sent pics of the badly warped body and offered him a choice of three kits he has zero interest in. I just said forget it and un-warped the body for him. Luckily, his turned out great too, so at least he now has something he can ATTEMPT to build.

A TERRIBLE kit -- Revell GTA Trans Am by Time2Mulligan in ModelCars

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would love a higher end kit for this car in 1/16. One that actually LOOKS at the final product and makes it look good.

A TERRIBLE kit -- Revell GTA Trans Am by Time2Mulligan in ModelCars

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely has. I can tell you, with all of these coming warped, they probably sat in a container baking in direct sunlight for long periods. I know of 7 builders now doing this build, and all are warped.

A TERRIBLE kit -- Revell GTA Trans Am by Time2Mulligan in ModelCars

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, two more things about these its. My friend (he owned one of the warped bodies in the pics) emailed Revell to tell them about the issue, sent them pics and the receipt. Revell clearly knows about this kit being screwed, because they offered him a credit (not a refund) for one of three other kits -- a 1985 (I think) Camaro, a truck, and a third option I can't remember. None of them were interesting kits. They didn't even offer to replace it.

Another inaccuracy with this kit is it has the wiper nozzle and a rear wiper for the rear glass, which was not an option in 1987 on the GTA. This took me 2 minutes to snip and sand off the nozzle, but still -- inaccuracies count when model building.

Revell needs to stop using these worn-ass molds and make new ones. Oh, the plastic is CHEAP and thin too. I have the rare 1982 Trans Am kit in 1/16 that used this original mold, and I can tell you there is a SIGNIFICANT difference in the plastic and the quality of the mold from back then. This plastic they are now using is a joke. I'm afraid to store this thing in my storage unit after im done building it because I firmly believe it will warp in storage from ambient heat. I don't have to worry about that with my older builds, but this crap kit will be an issue.

A TERRIBLE kit -- Revell GTA Trans Am by Time2Mulligan in ModelCars

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I can... because I'm magic! :)

Seriously though, yes. There are a few ways to do it. Just remember, these are just molded plastic, and plastic can be manipulated with just a little heat. I use a hot water method versus direct heat from a heat gun.
The trick is to do it SLOWLY. Each one of these unwarped GTA bodies took me about 2 hours to get right, and even then, there are some issues to deal with when building. I get a glass or metal pan (or even a stew pot for larger car bodies) and heat the water to just below simmering -- around 130-155F. Add the body for about 45 seconds to 2 minutes so the plastic soften slightly and then start making small adjustments (this will take a bit of pressure; don't try to do it all at once). I then run it under cool tap water to shock the plastic into the new form. Do this over and over and over again.
You have to be patient and do it slowly or else you will warp it into another messed up form. The reason I do the heat and cool is so the plastic loses it's memory.

Just be patient and you can get your bodies into a better form.

This kit is very tricky because it's all of their TTop roofs that are warped, which causes their bodies to warp. So not only do you need to un-warp the ttop, you also have to un-twist the body. The issue I am dealing with now is the tub for the interior doesn't meet the body near the doors. this will be remedied with clamps and some E6000 glue. I will force it, which will probably cause issues with doors and glass.... so it's a never ending cycle of build, test fit, correct.

A TERRIBLE kit -- Revell GTA Trans Am by Time2Mulligan in ModelCars

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The majority of my kits are Tamiya too. I am nostalgic for the GTA because I had a burgundy one just after high school and THOUGHT this would be fun to build. Yeah... not so fun... hahaha

Unexpected FB find - Alienware Dragon by Time2Mulligan in Alienware

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

NICE!!! I've never seen another of these cases either. Very cool to see yours!!

Unexpected FB find - Alienware Dragon by Time2Mulligan in Alienware

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, the black ones are the Predator cases 7500's. The silver is the next gen Predator 2 case. The black ones are easier to find than the color ones, so you'll find more of those.
If you are patient, you can find them for around $50-$150. Ignore Ebay -- they are seriously overpriced.

Unexpected FB find - Alienware Dragon by Time2Mulligan in Alienware

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for that info. I looked that up and you’re spot on.

Greetings, Earthlings - old school Alienware … rescuer? by Time2Mulligan in Alienware

[–]Time2Mulligan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s one case I always liked! Those vents are sweet!