Customizing Hot Wheels

[RotorNutFD3S]

Decided to mess with a 510 Wagon just a bit, removed most of the tampos, added some details and a set of real riders, and then put it back in its plastic prison. First time I've opened and resealed a car back in the package, sort of fun.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/16139405561_d377df6d73_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7469/15955233449_4b16b02c26_c.jpg

[Phatmiata]

How did you open it and reseal it??

[RotorNutFD3S]

Pretty easy to do actually:

- Brush acetone on the back of the card with a hobby paint brush. Watch it soak through from the front of the card to check coverage, don't worry, it will evaporate and leave no residue so nothing is getting hurt. Your main goal is to ensure thick and uniform coverage to release the glue and blister. The tip I was given was to release just the sides and bottom of the blister and that makes it easier to reseal later (and it does because everything lines up like it did when factory sealed). You may have to do some trial and error work here to see how much acetone it takes, I accidentally ripped my first attempt in a small spot because while it appeared that the acetone had soaked through there wasn't quite enough yet to release the glue, it takes more instead of less.

- After you've released the blister from the card, use something to keep them from touching until the residue dries. If they touch while everything is still wet they will become stuck together again. I use a popsicle stick on its side.

- To reseal simply take Elmer's clear drying glue and apply a thin, uniform layer to the blister where it meets the card. You'll have to figure out what works for you to hold the blister away from the card while doing this (all while preventing the car from falling out and ripping the top of the blister off the card) but it's doable if you're careful.

- Press the blister to the card and immediately wipe away any excess that shows up, start from one side and work your way around. Then place popsicle sticks on the front and back of the card and use office clips to clamp the blister to the card. The sticks will provide a more even clamping force and prevent the clips from damaging the card. This is pictured below.

- The glue doesn't state a particular drying time, I left it for 30 minutes and that was sufficient. Good luck!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/16141066052_0e33739f64_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7468/16116030156_084db104b7_z.jpg

[treeafodo]

Clever! I want to try to modify a couple cars.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Clever! I want to try to modify a couple cars.

Go for it! It's a lot of fun! This one was drilled apart to add some detail inside the "cabin" and to swap the wheels but you don't always have to do that.

[Phatmiata]

what screws are you using? where can I buy them online?

[RotorNutFD3S]

I'm not. I'm using Loctite Super Glue as it's easier and still very secure. I paint over the super glue once it's dried and it actually looks very clean as long as the glue is applied smoothly. I did a drill/tap/screw with a custom a while back, it does come out nice but not worth it to me as I'm not selling or competing with any of them. If I ever get that serious I would switch to using screws but right now I'm still learning and what I'm making does not come close to what I've seen online and in person.

[Phatmiata]

I moved this into its own thread so we don't loose this info in that 38 page thread

[Demon I Am]

That's pretty nice. I Might have to try it on some loosies first.

[Hammerhead]

I used to do this as a kid when I was big into model building, but I never tried putting them back into the blister.

[wannafbody]

Sell on Ebay as an error and profit:lol::fp:

I doubt that you'd do that but a few people do.

[Agent☣Orange]

Kinda makes me want to install tiny LED headlights.

[Paul B]

I know this is a Roadster forum but I love monster trucks, especially Bigfoot since I was 2 yrs old.

Some of the fans of the Walton Walmart special F150 casting may not like this, but just hours after the truck arrived in the mail, it was stripped of paint and chopped up.

The plan for this is to make it look like the Retro Bigfoot Racer monster truck. Old school looking body on new style chassis. 13277

I've already chopped off everything in the bed of the F150 and then cut off the support posts and tailgate from the Blue Thunder body.

I will transfer the tailgate and support posts from the Blue Thunder body onto the F150 body. Open up the wheel wells and arches then prime, paint, glue in the windshield and mount it on the Monster Jam chassis. Then print and apply decals.

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Here are my Bigfoot projects I am working on. The large metal body is getting ready for decals to arrive in the mail. The other old school Ford body I had from when I was a kid and was in bad shape. It's in the works to look like the original Bigfoot 1 or 2 mounted on an older style Monster Jam chassis. The one in the back right was an early 90s Hot Wheels Bigfoot that was beat up and will be going onto a newer Monster Jam chassis.

This customizing thing is a great inexpensive winter hobby when I can't drive or work on the Miata.

[Phatmiata]

Never been a fan of the Walmart truck.

I have a few monster trucks here, Grave Digger, of course, a '57 Chevy, and the rest are all themed trucks, Batman, TMNT, Ironman, Superman, other super heros. My kids love running over stuff with them. They have some of the shoebox size as well.

[Paul B]

Never been a fan of the Walmart truck.

I have a few monster trucks here, Grave Digger, of course, a '57 Chevy, and the rest are all themed trucks, Batman, TMNT, Ironman, Superman, other super heros. My kids love running over stuff with them. They have some of the shoebox size as well.

Only thing special about the Walmart edition was the RealRider tires. I'll use those for something else. The base, grille and rear bumper was still crappy chrome plastic so I didn't mind drilling it apart immediately. Only the bumpers & grille will be used.

Hot Wheels Monster Jam lineup look nice and abundant. I don't mind sacrificing a few trucks to make Bigfoots. Bigfoot hasn't had nice die cast since the Muscle Machine series almost 10 years ago and those are expensive on Ebay. I'd rather create my own so they match the Monster Jam trucks.

I've been trying to collect (or create) Monster trucks to show my son when he's old enough what I grew up with. Trucks like Bigfoot (all of them), Grave Digger (all of them), USA-1, Excalibur, King Krunch, Virginia Giant, etc. Once he's old enough I'm sure he will find ones that he enjoys. Some of the theme trucks are really cool looking. And I imagine we will have plenty of the larger scale ones too.

[Paul B]

Here is my attempt at a Super TH Datsun Wagon. Not finished but got the Real Riders from a Mini Cooper Italian Job Hot wheels. Paint is a red metal flake from Testors at Hobby Lobby.

Going to try to give it some detail in the fender mirrors and grille/oil cooler to finish it up.


13311

[Phatmiata]

Looks good, what color MINI Cooper did you take apart, the IIRC White version was the rare one.

[revlimiter]

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/15723263493_c47cd0d5a3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pXpQrT)Customized Ferrari Shark Nose (https://flic.kr/p/pXpQrT) by revlimit (https://www.flickr.com/people/50575726@N00/), on Flickr

Here's a minor mod - a wheel swap and interior detail on one of my old Shark Nose cars. This one has been in with one of my steering wheel shadow boxes for years. Eric gave me the idea to do a wheel swap.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7553/15723263223_89aa5730f9_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pXpQne)Ferrari front (https://flic.kr/p/pXpQne) by revlimit (https://www.flickr.com/people/50575726@N00/), on Flickr

This was my first time clipping a hub. The donor car was WAAAY wider than the Ferrari. I snipped and shortened the hub and JB welded it back together inside the car. Wheels still roll and everything. You can't tell anything drastic has been changed.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/16341449061_6d56ea40e3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/qU3ctK)Ferrari rear (https://flic.kr/p/qU3ctK) by revlimit (https://www.flickr.com/people/50575726@N00/), on Flickr

There's minor detailing throughout. The interior is all diecast from the factory. I did the wheel and seat in black. I also detailed the engine and suspension a bit, though it's very hard to tell. The wheels and body obscure it greatly.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Eric gave me the idea to do a wheel swap.

Actually you gave me the idea to wheel swap mine (the one you sent me, thanks again BTW!) when you showed me the picture of one someone else did. :lol: That looks great though!! Wish I had some Goodyear marked tires when I did mine.

[Paul B]

Looks good, what color MINI Cooper did you take apart, the IIRC White version was the rare one.

It was a blue one. Got it home and saw that the paint around the wheel wells were chipped so I took the wheels from it.

[Paul B]

Still have a couple details to finish on this one and connect it back together, but I'm trying to make it into a 1/64 version of the Miata I own. White paint, black bottom, wheel swap, painted interior black, detail in the lights. If I feel up to it I may try to mock up a roll bar for it.

13390

Here are a few others on the workbench. Just minor details in the grille and body of the wagon. Repainted the 620, detailed it and gave it some Real Riders from the 90210 Mustang. And still deciding what details and wheels to give the Skyline.

Also got the Corvette C6R in the mail today. It'll get some headlight detail and taillight detail...and maybe a wheel swap.

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[Phatmiata]

man that Skyline turned out great!! Nice work!

[Phatmiata]

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/15723263493_c47cd0d5a3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pXpQrT)Customized Ferrari Shark Nose (https://flic.kr/p/pXpQrT) by revlimit (https://www.flickr.com/people/50575726@N00/), on Flickr

Here's a minor mod - a wheel swap and interior detail on one of my old Shark Nose cars. This one has been in with one of my steering wheel shadow boxes for years. Eric gave me the idea to do a wheel swap.


I loved this casting, it was kinda hard to find back in 2000ish when it first came out, totally not kid safe since they can swallow it easy (its tiny). Nice job on the wheel swap Adam. I need to pull out my Ferrari Collection and show you guys some older ones I have. I still need to the find the new Black 599xxr and the TH version as well.

[Paul B]

I need to find this sharknose.

[Phatmiata]

I need to find this sharknose.

I have have several extra, but not sure what box they are in. :fp:

[tsingson]

I'd be up for one if you have a few....

[revlimiter]

Nice job on the white Miata, Paul! That's just a turd of a casting (no offense intended), but you've polished it up very nicely. Which wheels were you gonna put on it? I ask because I have no earthly idea which came on it.

[Paul B]

I have have several extra, but not sure what box they are in. :fp:

Ugh wish I saw this before I did the "buy it now" to the cheapest one listed on Ebay. Midnight shift makes me spend money on Hot Wheels cars.

[Paul B]

Nice job on the white Miata, Paul! That's just a turd of a casting (no offense intended), but you've polished it up very nicely. Which wheels were you gonna put on it? I ask because I have no earthly idea which came on it.

Thanks Adam! That means a lot coming from you. My plan was to put on the lime-green 5 spoke-star wheels that came on it (IIRC only in 1993 they came on the yellow Miata and a BMW), only paint them silver, but so far they don't look the way Id like so these mesh style wheels may stay on it. Classic BBS wheel.

It really is a turd casting. I'm just happy to have a few of them in my collection but the Miata is one JDM model I wish someone at Hot Wheels would redo (cough~Jun Imai~ cough) The interior needs an update and the exterior could really go for some detail like a Trap-style or GV style front lip and those rivet-on fender flares that are on a lot of castings these days.Or at least give us an NB or NC to go with all the RX-7s they've ben putting out. Mattel needs more Mazda castings. As much as I love the Datsuns and Bluebirds and Skyline castings, the Miata, as we all know, is so timeless and deserves a proper casting.

[Phatmiata]

............... I'm just happy to have a few of them in my collection but the Miata is one JDM model I wish someone at Hot Wheels would redo (cough~Jun Imai~ cough) The interior needs an update and the exterior could really go for some detail like a Trap-style or GV style front lip and those rivet-on fender flares that are on a lot of castings these days.Or at least give us an NB or NC to go with all the RX-7s they've ben putting out. Mattel needs more Mazda castings. As much as I love the Datsuns and Bluebirds and Skyline castings, the Miata, as we all know, is so timeless and deserves a proper casting.

you mean like this? :ninja:

http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?9029-New-Hot-Wheels-Miata-Model

[Paul B]

you mean like this? :ninja:

http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?9029-New-Hot-Wheels-Miata-Model

That thread is exactly what I had in mind when typing that up lol

[RotorNutFD3S]

Played with a couple cars this weekend. The new 599xx was begging for a wheel swap, I sourced the wheels from the Boulevard Ferrari F40 as I had found a bunch at Ollie's over the past few weeks. I think I like it better with this color and wheels vs. the Super:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/16456968916_3dbedeff81_c.jpg

Popped a little color into the interior:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8644/16297068017_840d64575e_c.jpg

I was only going to do a wheel swap on the Civic:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/16481220551_f683564eea_c.jpg

But ended up adding some minor details here too:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/16295257938_486b8faefc_c.jpg

[Phatmiata]

I FINALLY found those 2 cars today!!! :slayer:

[revlimiter]

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/19213697944_dc9011c75c_c.jpg
Some wheel swaps and phone pix.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/19213693934_8298afdb3e_c.jpg
I've wanted to swap this one forever but couldn't decide on the wheels. I finally drilled a Boulevard Fiesta and liberated it of these 6 spokes. They're a dead ringer for the wheels in the movie, just with +1 spoke.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/19215427923_b4afd124c9_c.jpg
Escort RS1600. Wheels are from an Olds Aurora. I detailed the nose, chopped off 2 lights, and painted the 2 remaining rally lights.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/545/19649729049_16c9eea25d_c.jpg
Tail. Painted lights, trunk latches, and plate area (badly).

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/19215433953_4f71b57450_c.jpg
The chrome interior is now black except for the shift knob and wheel spokes.

and lastly...

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/429/19836357355_962f84c663_c.jpg
This little MR-S is in blind bags right now. I had no idea it was tooned out so much but kinda fell in love with it when it tumbled out of the bag. When I found the Real Rider Datsuns and other cars, I grabbed a blue wagon thing because the wheels looked to be about the right size for the Spyder.

I drilled the blue wagon thing without a second thought.

Wheels went on and were the right size. AWESOME!!! Then I went to lookup the wagon thing to see what its proper name was.

Then I discovered the Chevy Greenbrier Sports Wagon did not, in fact, have mismatched wheels. The style on the back was correct. They were supposed to also be on the front. Instead, mine had these 5 spokes.

I opened and drilled a wheel error.

ugh.

[Phatmiata]

They look great!!! I want to start making some wheels swaps. Where do you get the new screws??

[revlimiter]

I just snap them back together and then glue them.

[TNRooster3]

When swapping out wheels do you always have to pull Real Riders off other cars or does someone / supplier sell them?

[revlimiter]

RRs come off other cars. I've seen them for sale in customization packs, but they're usually pretty stupid expensive. And selection is never what you want. Better to grab extras of cars you like the wheels on.

I cut them off donor cars with a dremel and cut off wheel. Just a quick slice down the center breaks the 3 grabber teeth free and lets the wheel + axle come out.

[Corifto]

I will not be drawn in. I will not be drawn in.

[TNRooster3]

Go ahead and jump in Corifto, the water's cool and so are the cars. Thanks to RotorNutFD3S, and Adam and Paul B for the info. Also Thx to to Eric and his DCPI website, used it and I found some RRs at Target today and bought extras to pull wheels from. Building up and saving a supply for this winter and do customs and want to try and build a diorama. I was pretty good at building models when i was a kid, maybe I'm going thru a 2nd childhood??? Can I blame Phat for this to??

[Malibu Q]

I normally just glue my cars back together too, but I saw this video recently and I'm keen to try this. It would be good to build cars to playable quality.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nemY4m3L5_E

Edit: Some cars like the Hot Wheels Miata don't always glue back together successfully, as there must be tension between the top and bottom halves. This method looks like it would work well on cars like the Miata.

[RotorNutFD3S]

maybe I'm going thru a 2nd childhood??? Can I blame Phat for this to??

Yup, this is all Phat's fault.

[Phatmiata]

maybe I'm going thru a 2nd childhood??? Can I blame Phat for this to??



Yup, this is all Phat's fault.


:fp:

[Paul B]

Lately my local Hot Wheels hauling has not been very fruitful. Going to the stores just to see that a hoarder/collector/scalper has taken every last one of the car I want and leaving all the junk behind makes my spirits low. Most of those trips see me leaving with a monster truck or two to make custom Bigfoot trucks and some other old school trucks.

Hot Wheels has not made a Bigfoot die cast since the very early 90s. Other companies have tried to make Bigfoot die cast since then but none of them really caught my eye as something Id like to collect. The HW Monster Jam trucks are abundant and can be had for less then $4. Add an old school Ford casting, a bunch of hours of work and you have a custom made Bigfoot.

Here are the Bigfoots that I have made so far, minus a few of my early efforts that I have traded or sold. Basically I am trying to make each truck that I remember from my childhood.

The last picture is a diorama with a quick little old-school track I made out of scrap household construction materials.

15085150861508715088

[revlimiter]

NICE! I dig that small-wheel Bigfoot quite a lot. Especially the diorama.

[revlimiter]

Here's my custom RLC Shelby 2000GT.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/624/22623682426_f2ac880048_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AtbhA7)RLC Shelby 2000GT (https://flic.kr/p/AtbhA7) by Adam Wolf (https://www.flickr.com/photos/revlimit/), on Flickr

Those who have one and have opened it know bout the shitty paint on the hood. It's a digital tampo. It's streaky and has no gloss and is generally disappointing. It's hard to see when in the package but easy to spot when out. I found an example on flickr.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/677/21396963873_a6c52bb32b_z.jpg

I repainted my hood and tail light panel by hand. I then sprayed several layers of automotive clear (with isocyanates!) onto the body.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5639/22461802960_15b96835f0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AdSBsQ)RLC Shelby 2000GT (https://flic.kr/p/AdSBsQ) by Adam Wolf (https://www.flickr.com/photos/revlimit/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5797/22623704876_b0e6ccc493_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Atbpgb)RLC Shelby 2000GT (https://flic.kr/p/Atbpgb) by Adam Wolf (https://www.flickr.com/photos/revlimit/), on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/692/22462252990_03411be288_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AdUVeY)RLC Shelby 2000GT (https://flic.kr/p/AdUVeY) by Adam Wolf (https://www.flickr.com/photos/revlimit/), on Flickr

Wheels from a Boulevard Mustang were used. The chrome FEELS right to me even though they should be a more matte silver. I painted the knockoffs to match the hood. There's also minor interior detailing.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5772/22624200676_3ec054dc2e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/AtdWDs)RLC Shelby 2000GT (https://flic.kr/p/AtdWDs) by Adam Wolf (https://www.flickr.com/photos/revlimit/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5623/22624224376_be6cf938b4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Ate4G5)RLC Shelby 2000GT (https://flic.kr/p/Ate4G5) by Adam Wolf (https://www.flickr.com/photos/revlimit/), on Flickr

I'm really proud of this custom. It's subtle, but worth the effort. I joined Redline Club for this car. Having the car I've wanted for nearly two years is extremely satisfying.

[Corifto]

In before Jun comments more on Instagram

[Paul B]

Awesome work Adam. Car looks great. The wheels that came on those were awful. Bummer about the tampos too. Did you redo the taillight panel too?

[revlimiter]

In before Jun comments more on Instagram

lol lol lol


Awesome work Adam. Car looks great. The wheels that came on those were awful. Bummer about the tampos too. Did you redo the taillight panel too?

I did. I only painted the inner red area and the red lights. I blended my brushed-red around the top and bottom edges of the tampo red. I wasn't confident enough to paint the outer red tiny fineline with a brush. My paint stops right around the inner edge of the red tail light.

I should have painted the silver tail light part. I didn't notice exactly how jagged it was until seeing these photos. The silver area is really nothing compared to the horrible red tampo, but when it's next to real paint it looks pretty low quality.

[Phatmiata]

How it should have came ...................... :bow:

[RotorNutFD3S]

So this happened:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1486/24085875582_fa018410b3_c.jpg

Because I wanted to drill it open and put a nice set of Real Riders on it, like a couple other RLC cars of mine:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1524/23898301640_8931d80123_b.jpg

And now it's happily at home on the top row of my case:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1589/23826101329_6b67b925a0_b.jpg

[Phatmiata]

dang son!! :slayer:

[WASABI]

So this happened:

Because I wanted to drill it open and put a nice set of Real Riders on it, like a couple other RLC cars of mine:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1524/23898301640_8931d80123_b.jpg



dang son!! :slayer:

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/62679329.jpg

[Corifto]

I am ready.

http://i.imgur.com/g8xzUlY.jpg

[Corifto]

So this happened:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1486/24085875582_fa018410b3_c.jpg

Because I wanted to drill it open and put a nice set of Real Riders on it, like a couple other RLC cars of mine:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1524/23898301640_8931d80123_b.jpg

And now it's happily at home on the top row of my case:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1589/23826101329_6b67b925a0_b.jpg


Of course you have multiple Bluebird Supers

[RotorNutFD3S]

Of course you have multiple Bluebird Supers

I had a few...

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5336/17723351640_c9ab78804a_b.jpg

[Corifto]

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Corifto]

Side note, where do you buy your protectos?

[RotorNutFD3S]

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

:lol:


Side note, where do you buy your protectos?

I was getting them from a little hobby shop, they've since stopped ordering them. They are Protecto-Pak brand, they are about the best in terms of rigidity and not screwing up the corners of the cards.

[Corifto]

I'll have to get some for my Supers and others. All the ones I have are from you aside from two. One from "Shawn HW Hunter" and one from the RLC Toyota

[RotorNutFD3S]

This guy has three 10-packs, not a bad price if you order two or three packs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Lot-Total-Of-10-Hot-Wheels-PROTECTO-PAKS-New-/231790956961?hash=item35f7d151a1:g:kG4AAOSwLzdWSdJ n#shpCntId

[Paul B]

Anyone still customizing hot wheels??


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160630/fb875de582915a0178ed630bece42ec7.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160630/967ddb88f7d803724019df9ec733ffc5.jpg


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[tsingson]

That looks awesome.

[Paul B]

Thanks!!


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[RustRat]

I've seen them on Instragram. Seriously cool.


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[Paul B]

I've seen them on Instragram. Seriously cool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you! Feel like no one else is doing 1/64 bigfoot trucks. Im addicted lol


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[revlimiter]

I've gotta chime in too and praise those Bigfoots (feets?). Always enjoy seeing them on instagram.

I need to take more pix of my customs and work on the yellow/green 2000GT a bit.

[Paul B]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you guys like.

Really excited that 3d printing will expand my work.

Post up more customs!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Phatmiata]

Good stuff.

[Paul B]

Heres some more i just completed. Anyone else customizing?? http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160723/8606efaaa2ce180ce6dd21d99d999b7a.jpg


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