classics tailgate follow along

[chans formers]

this is going to be basically turning rts windcharger into classics tailgate.
the cost will be one original g1 tailgate fig and a rts windcharger.
start by dissassembling the g1 windcharger.(just a couple small phillips screws and he falls right apart).
next up,use side cutters and buck up his green front bot body half to gain a new face plate.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip001.jpghttp://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip003.jpg

kapow!!!
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip006.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip008.jpg

remove the stock head from windcharger.you have to remove the screw at the back of his head in order to allow enough play in the socket to release the head.
grind/sand down the front of his face,copying the same angle on the rear of the g1 face plate.the face plate ends up being really thin in the end because of the way his hood flips down in transformation.(more clearance is always good.)
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip009.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip011.jpg

reattach the head and screw,then glue the face plate onto the front of the head.
transform him a few times to check for any clearance issues.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip013.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip014.jpg

so to recap,he just went from windcharger head to tailgate head.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip005.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip015.jpg

to be continued....

[chans formers]

so after taking a hot soldering iron to each pin wheel for roughly 30-40 seconds,the stock wheels were popped off with a 3 pronged fork.(allows equal pulling pressure so you don't make the axle hole crooked when you remove the wheel/pin assembly)
now he looks like he parked over night in the wrong spot in jersey.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip030.jpg


on his front lower spoiler,a section has been cut out of the center portion to help differentiate him from a stock windcharger.
in the rear,his stock nipple sized exhaust tips were clipped off with a toe nail clipper,then replaced with a twin set courtesy of rotf sideswipe.

a set of mismatched hotwheels rims were salvaged.the reason for the mismatch is because windcharger is one of those bots/cars where the front wheels are smaller that the rear in overall diameter.you can find a set of 4 matching wheels the same diameter easily,but try finding a set that matches with two different diameters:crying:
paint and putty will fix the mismatch later on.
this is where he stands now.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip023.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip019.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip026.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip028.jpg

rear before
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip021.jpg

after
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip029.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip027.jpg

to be continued.......

[chans formers]

this is what he looked like right after sanding all over with grey scotchbrite pads.notice how he barely has camera flash anymore?
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip032.jpg
the next step was to pop him all apart again,and give him some 400 grit sanding in areas where the seams meet up and rub. then he went and got all primed with white primer.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip034.jpg

after a half day,he recieved a gloss white base coat over everything....and i do mean everything.
a day later,he's been gently reassembled and transformed back into car mode,which he'll now stay in for the next week as the enamel fully hardens.then it'll be onto actual hand painted details and other colors etc and finally the clearcoat.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip036.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/classicswindchargerwip037.jpg

to be continued....again...

[GMfan]

D'awwww you suck I wanted to get on making a Tailgate...all good...I'll go on to make Rook first and hopefully Tailgate down the line :)

[racerguy76]

I've got the same bot half finished on my workbench. I used a diffrent head, but the result is the same.

[Bruticus82]

Guess I will be keeping my spare Windcharger,and my junker tailgate! :)

[purple-bot]

awesome, now to find another windcharger, that should be easy right?

[Robimus]

This is going to turn out perfect.

[brr-icy]

damn, don't make me regret helping our neighbors to the south with all those windchargers @ cost lol

[The Ark]

That's what you're doing with the Windcharger you snipper from me?

[chans formers]

D'awwww you suck I wanted to get on making a Tailgate...all good...I'll go on to make Rook first and hopefully Tailgate down the line :)lolz!!!
there's a ancient chinese saying....."first come first serve"....or was it "first in first out"?:rofl:

I've got the same bot half finished on my workbench. I used a diffrent head, but the result is the same.sweet!!!
make sure to finish him and post bro;)

Guess I will be keeping my spare Windcharger,and my junker tailgate! :)lolz!!thanks
!!

awesome, now to find another windcharger, that should be easy right?even cheaper if you're lookin' for sun yellowed ones.you just need his face;)

This is going to turn out perfect.hopefully;)

damn, don't make me regret helping our neighbors to the south with all those windchargers @ cost lollolz,good on you!
unfortunately, i was only able to find this extra second one after a long while.i was just barely quicker than a local member....seconds:D

That's what you're doing with the Windcharger you snipper from me?speak of the devil:rofl:lolz!!

thankfully you're forgiving:D



updated with more wip progress.

[Breakdown]

I was liking everything up until the Mexican styled wheels. :(

[chans formers]

I was liking everything up until the Mexican styled wheels. :(no senor....dems be "latino" lo-ridah stylz:Dlolz!!
seriously though,the main reason i chose such wide "tubbed" wheels is because the original g1 versions of windcharger/tailgate among others featured giant wheels sticking out of the fenders just as far.(god i miss penny racers:crying:)
a bonus though of the simple screw holding them in is that if i ever find a better set,it'll be easy to swap them out now;).

[plowking]

really good follow along you got going here O.

Look forward to the finish.

[chans formers]

^thaks p/k:cool:


third post now updated with "color" pics of progress.no more red:D





edit: i just noticed something pretty dumb i did,
if any mods have some free time,
could one of you kindly change the title of this thread to "classics tailgate follow along",
thanks in advance:o:D

[primebein]

man i love what ur doing here g1ing up the classics mmm great job man

[Echotransformer]

This is going to be so clean! Chans, When you repaint the rim part of the wheels can you please let us know how you do it?

I tried making a die-cut foam mask and it, um, didn't work so well....

--Echo

[Autovolt 127]

Looks good so far man.

[chans formers]

man i love what ur doing here g1ing up the classics mmm great job man

Looks good so far man.
thanks guys,now's the hard part.......patience:crying:

@echotransformer, the easiest way i found for doing "rims" is to hold your bot stationary in one hand,the brush in the other hand,and with the hand that's holding your bot,use your thumb to spin the wheel around with the brush touching the outer edge of the rim,holding the brush stationary too.the only moving thing should be just the wheel.
this will give you the cleanest most even paint on the rims and it'll help reduce paint bleed onto the tire areas;)
here's a couple of hopefully helpful pics left over from this years customs class at tfcon:D
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/tfcon2011downshift051.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj172/chansformers/tfcon2011downshift054.jpg

[JLvatron]

Matrix, Otis this is incredible! :)

Thanks so much for your customizing skills and even more for your generous tutorials!! :)

[Echotransformer]

@echotransformer, the easiest way i found for doing "rims" is to hold your bot stationary in one hand,the brush in the other hand,and with the hand that's holding your bot,use your thumb to spin the wheel around with the brush touching the outer edge of the rim,holding the brush stationary too.the only moving thing should be just the wheel.


Thank you so much, very, very helpful.:raisetheroof:

(throws spray paint in garbage ;)

[chans formers]

Matrix, Otis this is incredible! :)

Thanks so much for your customizing skills and even more for your generous tutorials!! :)you're too kind,you're making me blush:plolz)
seriously though,i don't mind helping where ever i can.the more people bashing and customizing,
the more new ideas and concepts there'll be floating around;)

Thank you so much, very, very helpful.:raisetheroof:

(throws spray paint in garbage ;)lolz!!


you welcomes mang!:)

[Cliffjumper69]

Oh boy kid! I want one! :D