Started the Cuda Hemi

[NitroNewb]

And we're off and runnin! Supplys in hand except for dremel that's coming tomorrow. Got the body cut out. One place that confused me was the rear...(that don't sound right). For some reason it comes in 2 pieces (that don't sound right either). Impossible to snap so I just picked at it with the scissors and exacto. It seems the under part of the back end gets locked into the body with notches and some 2 sided sticky tape. I'm not thrilled with that. I'm sure it will fall off on the 1st run. I may just skip it. Anyone familiar with this?

 

[CharliesTheMan]

hmm, is this like a body stiffening panel? I'm just trying to imagine what the part looks like, It is on the interior of the body or exterior? It's not a spoiler is it?

 

[Rolex]

I just picked at it with the scissors and exacto.

We all know how painful that can be.

 

[neobart]

Yup that's how it is. it can be made to look OK. Just don't land on the roof to much. This body is brittle as hell, and will split along any of the sharper bends. Mine split all along the hood crease.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

oh yea, it may be too late, but on your next body, if you didn't know about this, on all of the corners, make them rounded instead of square. The rounded lexan corners are a lot stronger, and the square corners offer a good place for the body to start splitting or cracking.

 

[Rolex]

Pick up a tube of Shoe Goo at the Hobby shop. A few days after painting, when everything has cured, run beads of shoe goo in all the corners and edges to make it extremely strong and resistant to cracks and tears.
On the most vulnerable corners, like the back edges, bent a scrap piece of lexan, fit it into the corner, even with the bottom edge of the body, and Shoo Goo that in place.

 

[NitroNewb]

hmm, is this like a body stiffening panel? I'm just trying to imagine what the part looks like, It is on the interior of the body or exterior? It's not a spoiler is it?

I'll take a picture of it today. Shoo goo huh? And this goes on the entire outside edge (interior)

 

[NitroNewb]

hmm, is this like a body stiffening panel? I'm just trying to imagine what the part looks like, It is on the interior of the body or exterior? It's not a spoiler is it?

Here's some pics.

 

[Mattyfats420]

where did you get that body from? i wouldnt mind running a cuda body on my revo =]

 

[Candyman]

Ahhh....that's an HPI body. They do the same with the rear bumper on their '69 Charger. The double stick they give you usually works well. I've had my General Lee done and assembled for more than 2 years and the bumper is still holding just fine.

 

[NitroNewb]

I got it from rc madness http://www.rcmadness.com/index.asp?AID=25. It's actually a Savage body by HPI racing.

Ahhh....that's an HPI body. They do the same with the rear bumper on their '69 Charger. The double stick they give you usually works well. I've had my General Lee done and assembled for more than 2 years and the bumper is still holding just fine.

I'm wondering with the rear exhaust and all.

 

[Rolex]

Paint, but don't mount the rear panel till you know it will clear the exhaust. Once the body is mounted you'll know if you can use the panel or how much you'll need to cut it to make it work.

 

[NitroNewb]

Ok. All the holes are cut. Everything is trimmed. How should I smooth out the holes on the inside? I don't want to scratch up the holes because I'm taping over some on the back end for the stripe and I don't want any bleeding through the tape edges. Suggestions?

 

[Mattyfats420]

dremel is your best friend =]

 

[CharliesTheMan]

I have to agree with the dremel. Do you have one of those big kits that has like 40 different dremel tips? If not, you gotta get one. I gave about 10 or 15 bucks for a decent size dremel brand kit at wal-mart, and I gave 10 bucks for a HUGE off brand dremel tip kit at Harbor Freight. With either of those kits, I haven't found a project yet where I didn't have just the right tip to get the job done.

 

[NitroNewb]

Understood. I did get a huge kit of tips with my Dremel. I wasn't sure which to use to remove the burr left by the reamer without scratching the plastic. My 2 rear mount holes are right in the middle of the black stripe and I've heard that bleeding can occur if you tape over a rough edge.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

If you happen to get some bleeding in your tape line or anywheer else that is on the clear lexan and not onto the other coat of paint, I've learned that a Q tip with denatured alcohol can be your best friend.

 

[Lil Andretti]

Hey guys, its lil andretti keepin you up dated on the cuda body! my dad and i just finished masking it and it looks great!

 

[CharliesTheMan]

Wow, nice job. Are you going to be using Spaz Stix Chrome to spray the blower?

 

[Lil Andretti]

No, we are using the pactra "Indy Silver"