Full Metal Jacket JK

[Bulldog]

You did it!!!!!!!!!! I've been off the grid and got my updates just now. You nailed it! Great job all the way around. I just need to go back and read and see what I missed.

DAMN fine job! Greg

[Hwheeler73]

Thanks Greg! As always, you're thoughts mean a lot to me!


Sent from the great unknown!

[Hwheeler73]

So I had an idea today. I know.... I smelled the smoke too!

I wondered if there was an easy way to put tinted windows in Full Metal. It's no big deal to use clear styrene to make windows but you usually paint one side with translucent spray paint that's meant for lexan bodies. In my experience, limited as it may be, I can never get that paint to go on thin enough to still be able to see through it easily. So, I started thinking..... I wonder if I can use some cheap Walmart tint on clear styrene? You know what I figured out? It worked GREAT! And it was a heck of a lot easier and faster than the spray paint! So I used 35% light transmission. It was the lightest that they had. I just used some lightly soapy water to clean the styrene and then sprayed it again with the soapy water. Then I sprayed the tint as I pulled the clear backing off. I used a rubber squeegee to smooth it out and get rid of all the water and bubbles. I dried it all off and let it sit for a couple of hours. Remember, I do all of this in my truck. I'm always at work. So the end result was a tinted piece of clear styrene! From that point, I just cut out the pieces that I needed and glued them in place. I only did the rear doors and the windows in the removable top. I want opinions as to the front doors. Should I leave them without windows? Should I just use clear styrene for windows? Or should I use tinted styrene like all of the others?


I'm sorry that the pictures are so bad. It's dark outside and they are the best that I can do tonight. I'll post better ones tomorrow.

[Bulldog]

I'd go tinted on the front. It keeps it mean looking. By the way, if you're ever trucking through the DC area, let me know. I'll take some photos that will stun the crowd.

Oh, and you better keep this thing in a steel, duffle bag proof box!

[Hwheeler73]

LOL! I was just in Jessup, Md the other day! And yes, I'm keeping it very safe!


Sent from the great unknown!

[Hwheeler73]

Oh! I forgot to post these pics!


Sent from the great unknown!

[Bulldog]

Did you ever see this one? Half metal tank top.

[Hwheeler73]

Yah, I remember it. It was one of your last builds wasn't it? It's a cool looking jeep!


Sent from the great unknown!

[Hwheeler73]

New pics from outside!

[Hwheeler73]

Ok, so I know it's not that big of a deal but it was bugging the crap out of me! The small spot lights in the lower corners of the windshield didn't come with lenses in them but the light bars did. So I found something that would work.
Much better!!!

[Hwheeler73]

So I had a unique opportunity yesterday! There is a guy here in Springfield, Mo that bought one of these Jeeps from Starwood Motors directly. I was driving down the road and saw it and caught a glimpse of it. I made a quick u-turn and went back. He was a really nice guy and was absolutely amazed at how close I got to the real thing! Just a cool experience!

[Bulldog]

If he can afford that, he probably has paypal ready!

[SAL45]

Awesome build! Makes me want to red0 my JK again!