Bentley 4.5L Blower - Heller

John Hubbard
The project has started from seeing an inexpensive kit on eBay and recalling the models from many years ago.
A few pounds won the kit, although to Malta the postage was more than the kit. This was rapidly followed by the shock of prices for liquid glue and paints here not to mention the limited range, but on the flip side drying times are short 🙂
The kit has been started now and I at the stage where the engine block and ancillaries have been painted and assembled. The wheels have been cleaned up painted and assembled with the tyres added temporarily*. The chassis and petrol tank are now in the paint shop.
A couple of comments about the wheels, my wife prefers the 'steel wheel look' hence they are not green, but I also have a question, what is the best way to get rid of the greasy plastic look of the tyres? I would rather not paint them, and I have yet to wash them in any form of detergent. There was no sprue to check cleaner performance on so I'm a bit cautious with the approach on this bit.

I'll load a photo of current progress a bit later, but next step is to complete the chassis painting and add chassis items, at least that's the target for this week.

John Hubbard
Images #1 and #2 added today.
Since these were taken I've had the chance to paint the springs and hangers on the chassis and the steering shaft, although it is not yet fitted.
While these are drying I'll try to add the plug leads from the two distributor caps, although for this I need to find good reference photographs of both sides of the block in order to get the leads in the right order, i.e. cylinder order to cap order.

Calvin Gifford
John, perhaps try a little bit of automotive engine degreaser, or spray a little oven cleaner on them. You can rough up the tread with fine sandpaper, it is just a matter of getting rid of the "shinyness" of the vinyl tires.

Phil Marchese
My rule is always least intrusive first. dish detergent would be first. effervesent denture tablets work ggreat a clear parts. that might be a low custic try. moving up, cleanser would bleach, scuff microscopically and clean.

Calvin Gifford
Never thought of using denture tablets to clean! I will have to remember that!

John Hubbard
Thanks for the advice. Tonight is 'house work' night, so I can combine tasks 🙂