Opinions needed on how to repair this

[J3cubfan]

Hello all:

I just purchased a Tamiya SRB F-150 and was wonder how best to approach this problem. Here's what I have.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/getuserimage.asp...004013710_1.jpg

There's a piece missing from from the front right-hand side which is pretty much gone for good. My intention is to make into a shelf queen which might get driven from time to time. So I am looking for opinions on how would be the best way to fix this problem.

[professorslot]

Get a shot Blackfoot body were this piece is intact, cut it out and glue it on to the f150 body, will also be nearly invisible if done correctly

franz

[Stevo309]

Using another shell is a easy route but an expensive one and ruins another shell. I would find some suitable and compatible ABS plastic such as from an old shell and glue a triangle into place using 2 strips of the plastic. You could build up strength behind it using a resin or fibreglass. Once set i would build up with filler and carve with a sharp knife to the desired shape and smooth down flat with fine sand paper. Sometimes a couple of goes with a filler might be needed. I did an edge repair on a window for a Jeep Wrangler shell recently using this technique that had a chunk missing and once painted you can't even tell it was done.

[WillyChang]

You can buy white ABS plastic sheets in various shapes/sizes from your LHS; Tamiya even sells it themselves, they call it "PLA card".

Glue it to your ABS shell with the suitable plastic glue and it'll weld it in. Then do your magic with filler putty & sandpaper.

[jhellman(2)]

I had even larger issues with SRB F-150 that I bought last year - the previous owner had cut off the sides from the back of the car. The body was probably badly cracked around the backtires or something.

I fixed that simply by cutting pieces from CD cases with dremel. Glued them on with instant clue and fixed the surface with plastic padding - followed by total repaint and self-made repro decals. Not really high tech, but works ok. The surface is pretty ok (depend how much time you put on it) and it has been durable too - atleast no breakages so far.

[DJTheo]

Cool, another one who uses CDs [8D]

http://www.vintagetamiyarc.com/infos/cdmethod.html

Cheers

[jonny_bravo]

I had exactly the same problem with the Ranger i am restoring (would be finished now if the spray job hadnt gone wrong []) I actually cut a piece from the old tailgate (i had to replace it due to no rear lights) glued it inplace then built up the surface with thin layers of putty, took me ages though and although i admit its not quite perfect im happy thats its gonna look fine when the bodys painted and decal'd up.[8D]