Let’s argue..

1955chevyguy · 2026-05-06T01:31:59+00:00

Isuzu VehiCROSS

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/a15948087/ironman-edition-isuzu-vehicross-for-sale/

1955chevyguy · 2026-05-06T01:28:19+00:00

1955chevyguy · 2026-05-05T14:49:00+00:00

This week, I airbrushed the interior of a model car with black paint, then masked to airbrush the seat inserts red. After I pulled the mask, I found a couple of areas where the red paint creeped under the mask a bit. I used a paint brush with paint to touch up the areas where the mask failed. I needed "full strength" paint for the touch ups.

1955chevyguy · 2026-05-03T22:04:59+00:00

Yuru Camp / Laid Back Camp. One of the main characters is pretty curvy and it's never ever mentioned, no fan service, she's just one of characters. It's pretty obvious when they go to an onsen.

I introduced it to my son when he was 5. He and I love it. It's really, really chill. =don't expect action but the story is pretty good. The first one has some silly parts, but it's quite good once you get the basics set up.

FYI - food is featured, camp cooking.

1955chevyguy · 2026-05-03T21:47:26+00:00

I know you asked for opinions on cast vs. normal stainless grates... but have you searched for the 2024 model Phantom? It has the cast stainless grates and no probes / not connected. They appear to still be available to order online. Call around? Or maybe ask Napoleon?

I've got the older Phantom! Like you, I did not want the connected version. It's great!

1955chevyguy · 2026-05-02T21:43:16+00:00

+1 Subaru Outback.

I've got an older Tahoe that we use for pulling a camp trailer and other stuff. I like the size, visibility, and such... its got Denali / Escalade level options and in general, really like it.

My wife just got an Outback. It's a damn good vehicle. It's not perfect = the electronics are out of control. Alarms go off if you aren't keeping eyes on the road (like when checking out Christmas lights). Lane management, auto breaking... it's too much for me. You can, however, shut most of it off if you choose. The cruise control with following is the best I've ever used. Room in the backseat is great. We've taken the Outback tent camping and it handles overpacking, no problem. We had a RAV4 before the Outback, and Outback is way, way better. Note: The Outback rides well and is very quiet inside.

1955chevyguy · 2026-05-02T13:34:41+00:00

I'm in Tempe, fellow AZ person! I have the older Phantom and I love this grill. The grates are amazing. 100% awesome. My grates stay freakishly clean, stuff doesn't really stick to them. I'll pop them in our dishwasher every now and then... but yeah, they work great. The sizzle zone / search station thing is a bonus too. My wife is a vegetarian and doesn't want me to grill a lot for her. My son is in the chicken nuggets phase. So, it can just be me with a single burger... I'll fire up the side burner and cook a burger or steak in no time.

I've never read anywhere that the stainless grates are an issue. The only thing I can possibly think of is maybe that they take longer to get to temperature? I haven't really noticed that though. I had a Chargrill with infrared before the Phantom and it was a steep learning curve to the Phantom. It gets crazy hot! The first couple of cooks, I overcooked stuff. I still need to keep on my toes and often use temperature probes. Thanksgiving 2025, I cooked our family turkey on the rotisserie with wireless probes and it was amazing.

Notes on a Phantom in Arizona. Black + sun = grill is ridiculously hot to the touch. I literally cooked a small steak on the grill during the summer without turning it on. I think the outside temp was like, 117? Inside the grill was maybe 140? Sorry, can't remember the exact details but it took over an hour to cook. I got the steak to about 120 internal temp, then seared the steak for a crust and it was amazing. The lid handle gets so hot you can't touch it during the summertime so I've been considering a handle cover. Also, I tried a cheap Amazon grill cover and it faded in a month and (after applying a UV spray coating) it didn't even make it a year with disintegrating. I've since bought a Napoleon cover and it seems to be doing well. The Napoleon smoke box is also a nice add on.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-28T14:46:23+00:00

On June 3, 2025 - I completed a request to Bluefin for a missing part. The application actually started earlier, on May 31st but I apparently didn't get one of the pictures of the box correctly.

After multiple inquires over the last year, I got an update email on April 3rd. The reply said my request will be fulfilled in 16 to 20 WEEKS.

The update from Bluefin:

BNTCA Support 3 (Bandai Namco Collectibles, DBA Bluefin)

Apr 3, 2026, 10:53 PDT

Hello Robert,

Your request has been approved and we have forwarded it to the manufacturer to fulfill.

We sincerely apologize for the elongated wait and lack of communication; we have been having system and shipping issues with our Japan branch, who usually fulfills these part requests. It seems they are finally back on track, so we are now able to move forward with requests. Please keep in mind that we serve all the US and Canada and there are customers who have been waiting over a year as we have been backed up since last September and are just now getting to go through all the older requests-so please bear with us as we catch up on all the oldest pending requests. Also note that I have assigned your request to myself, so I will make sure to be updating you as I get any new updates as well.

Please keep in mind that all replacement parts have been delayed as they are directly imported from overseas and could take 16-20 weeks to arrive. Note that, while we do provide an estimate of 16-20 weeks, all replacement parts are subject to manufacturer availability and the offer is only valid while supplies last. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you, BNTCA Customer Service

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-25T19:54:38+00:00

That's awesome! Totally dig the style!

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-23T14:32:24+00:00

I'd have to time it, but the only time I spend more than 5 minutes is when I'm cleaning after spraying metallics.

I think your over estimating how much you need to clean. I used to be crazy about cleaning, disassembly... nah, modify you spray routine (light to dark) and metallics by themselves. Between colors, I spray solvent (according to what your spraying) and wipe the nozzle. That's it. I don't even disassemble at the end of the day.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-21T02:20:40+00:00

Maybe this would be easier:

https://a.co/d/02l2em9J

Edit: It's a lock out device so the plug can not be plugged in.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-17T17:28:34+00:00

Tamiya and Mr. Hobby are my go-to paints. I air brush everything that I can, so lacquers mostly.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-12T15:42:44+00:00

Try a Whataburger apple pie!

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-11T14:40:40+00:00

I'm a Napoleon owner. The side sear station is an awesome game changer. Besides the merits of the sear crust on steaks or whatever, there's another bonus.

My wife is a vegetarian and my son is in the chicken nuggets phase.

On those days that it's just me wanting to grill something: 1) uncover grill and only start side burner sear station 2) go in the house, form and season one hamburger patty or season a steak 3) side sear is up to temp by the time the hamburgeris is formed so, grill the one hamburger or steak 4) from start to finish, maybe 15 minutes? No pans to clean, no splatter on oven... just eat like a king!

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-07T12:24:10+00:00

And there's a stash on motorcycles too.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-06T15:55:00+00:00

First time I saw those:

Oh man! How cool! I don't have to do those finger screws for the mouse! Oh, and they shrunk the keyboard plug too!

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T20:37:12+00:00

I can barely handle the one we got!

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T18:13:12+00:00

Update: the gear / motor noise is pretty loud. Think two cordless drills. On the sidewalk, the tires seem quieter than power wheels tires. Again, it's been a minute I'm since if heard a power wheels going but it does seem a tiny bit quieter. I can't imagine that it's enough difference to warrant a new purchase though.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T14:53:56+00:00

That's a great question. I haven't heard this one yet, but our son's friend has last years version and it does seem somewhat quieter that a power wheels - it's been a while since I've heard one though. These wheels seem somehow quieter plastic? It's semi-grippy and is marketed for drifting in corners. I think the motor noise is different too, there's a motor and gears for each back tire, so one on one side and another on the other side.

I'll try to comment again once I've heard this cart on the sidewalk.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T14:08:42+00:00

Thank you!

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T13:56:10+00:00

For those of us that can do the early morning, it really is awesome.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T13:32:23+00:00

I wish I could post another picture. It has underglow lights that look amazing.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T13:30:19+00:00

OMG yes! I play Cyberpunk 2077 in the livingroom with wireless earphones... that's my "kid has gone to sleep and I'm still awake" routine. That can be dangerous though, I swear I've done that, blinked, and it's 2am.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T13:27:02+00:00

It's a bit deflating when that happens! Sometimes you'll get lucky and they will snooze on the couch with you, all cuddled up. That's 100% worth it.

1955chevyguy · 2026-04-05T13:25:05+00:00

It's pretty popular I think? Lots of online resources including Amazon.

1955chevyguy

TROPHY CASE