Hi all,
I’m building an unconventional Duesenberg (made from wood). I was wondering if there’s a product other than Bare Metal Foil that would allow me to easily chrome parts that need such treatment? Also, I’ve only been able to find pictures of Monogram’s model. Does anyone know of a reference book that I could pick up, or an online site that would have size specs and other important dimensions and pictures? Thanks in advance for your help.
Chris
Try the web site for the Auborn, Chord, Duesenberg Museum in Indiana. They may have a reference section, and/or a selection of books for sale. Do a search for a Deusenberg club. Members may be able to give you the technical data you are looking for. Alclad chrome paint gives a very realistic chrome finish. The wood will have to be completely seald in order to get a realistic finish. Sounds like a fun project.
If I remember right there was a 30s vintage “boat-tail” that had a wood body. I think it was a Duesenberg, but it could have been an Auborn. Good luck with your build. rangerj.
Thanks, the website looks cool, as does the museum, wish I could go to Indiana. They listed a few books that I’m going to look for in local bookstores or online at amazon first.
About the Alclad, can it be airbrushed or does it have to be hand painted?
Thanks again for the info.
Chris
Chris,
Alclad has to be airbrushed. Some of the metal finishes require that it be sprayed over a black base coat of either lacquer or acrylic paint. The chrome is one of those. Alclad can be sprayed right from the bottle, i.e. it does not require thinning. It is relatively expensive. They also have other metal finishes, such as aluminum, copper, brass, etc. They also have a few “flip-flop” colors. It is neat stuff. rangerj
Nice to hear of someone building a Duesie instead of all the modern stuff.
Making it in wood? Sounds like a scratchbuild. I wish you luck.
I’m in the process of building a very old SJ Phoeton kit by Hubley ( Gabriel / Whatever!!). As it is a hybrid kit of die cast and plastic parts, I am attempting to utilise all the main metal parts and replace all the plastic bits with scratchbuild items from metal and wood. As a guide I will be using the Gerald Wingrove book the Complete Car Modeller 1. He has a great passion for Duesenbergs. Very evident in the book. His Complete car Modeller 2 book is almost entirely devoted to the Weinberger Bugatti Royale as it was originally manufactured. The real car is in the Henry Ford Museum.
The Duesenberg is a lovely car. Perhaps the finest looking automobile ever to have been made. There is only one over here in England which is in a motor museum owned by John Haynes who publishes Auto repair manuals and other books. I think he had it shipped over about 7 or 8 years ago. I have only seen it once and spent ages looking at it on the roundabout it is displayed on.
Info books on Duesenberg cars are really thin on the ground over here. Any recommendations would be wecomed with the ISBN numbers.
Good luck. Regards Noel Smith
Noel,
Try collect.com for books about old cars. The Duesenberg was indeed an all time clasic car, as was the Auburn. But my favorate is the Cord 812. rangerj
Chris - Wingrove’s Duessie build can be accessed from his homepage
http://homepage.mac.com/gawingrove/Wingrove-Collection/Menu30.html
This Guy is the ‘Guru’ but I’m sure he would be pleased to help you.
Martin
Ref my earlier thread.
I completed the Hubley Duesie and sent the article in to FSM to publish.
Did’nt do as much scratchbuilding on it as I had hoped due to time constraints.
Managed some modifications to improve the kit like respoking wheels etc.
Generally pleased with the outcome, but cleaning up all the flash on the die castings was a nightmare!
I would use basre Metal foill.Here is a Duesy SSJ 
Alclad chrome must be airbrushed over gloss black ENAMEL. Ideally you want the smoothest finish you can achieve, then paint the black, let it dry thoroughly, the polish it again. I have not tried it however some swear by clear coating the gloss black with clear gloss ENAMEL prior to Alclad.
Alclad is easy to use if you take your time. Airbursh at low PSI and sort of “fog” it on. You’ll start to see results almost immediately. Stop just before you think you should and it’ll look great.
DON’T clear coat the Alclad, that’ll f’ it up and the finish won’t be as good.
Alclad is acetone based and dries fast but you must wait a day or so before handling.
I wish there were more kits of those really old cars like the Duesenberg. Some were made (I built MPC’s [?] ancient kit of a 1932 Chrysler Imperial some years back), but kits of such models probably would be poor sellers compared to the Mustangs, '55 Chevies and NASCAR kits that hobby shop shelves almost groan under the weight of.
Post pictures as you build!