Sun damaged, badly cracked tire on the right, looks to be a lot smoother now.
Really need the lettering troughs to be able to contain the paint/capillary action, to make this tire usable.
Tried glycerin on the other side, will compare tomorrow, while this dries.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 7:18 pm
by GreenBar0n
Got the front bumpers swapped.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Mon May 05, 2025 8:11 pm
by GreenBar0n
Polished and ready for paint.
Did get one good front tire.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 2:19 am
by Dangeruss
GreenBar0n wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 2:33 pm
Liked the Wurlitzer/Rhodes keyboard synth 70's stuff too, this one is stuck from 3 or 4 years old, can hear this one in a quiet room still
The synth keyboards for Rockford were awesome. But, hands down the best use of a harmonica in a TV theme song, ever
GreenBar0n wrote: ↑Mon May 05, 2025 7:18 pm
Got the front bumpers swapped.
The tube bumper on the Scorcher looks sweet.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 2:59 am
by GreenBar0n
For favorite blues harp in a TV theme, I have to vote for this one
The shabby junkyard front tire I have, will work until I can find a replacement.
The glycerin put it back in decent shape, the other stuff seals the moisture in.
Looks different with flash lighting.
Will see how that tire looks tomorrow, going to soak it in more glycerin over night.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 4:07 am
by Dangeruss
GreenBar0n wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 2:59 am
For favorite blues harp in a TV theme, I have to vote for this one
The shabby junkyard front tire I have, will work until I can find a replacement.
The glycerin put it back in decent shape, the other stuff seals the moisture in.
Will see how that tire looks tomorrow, going to soak it in more glycerin over night.
OOO... I forgot about Sanford & Son... Fed had more of everything on the show so, why not more harmonica too.
Sometimes hard to tell from photos with glossy things having a tendency to shimmer, is the appearance of the tire improving in person?
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 2:35 pm
by GreenBar0n
This new phone camera is bad in low light, blurs the background too, need to figure out the "Pro Mode", so I can fix all of that.
In the daylight, you can see the cracks are better now, have a presentable side to the junk tire now.
Soaking in a plastic bag in glycerin all night, and then rinsing with the hottest water the faucet puts out, made it look nearly good again.
The stuff from Germany repels moisture, I should not have put that stuff on and then tried to paint the tires, the paint wants to crack and bead up. Will remove it and start over.
Hoping to add that stuff from Germany, after the lettering paint goes on, to give it that new tire look, and seal the moisture in.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 2:33 am
by GreenBar0n
Here's that junk tire after soaking in glycerin, and with writing on it - the Streetbeater.
Put that Germany GPS on it after the writing.
no flash
Next to the good tire, for reference.
Might be able to leave the Streebeater on there, and quit the search for Sand Blaster JR front tires. Will check it out in the day light tomorrow.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 4:49 am
by mtbkym01
Looks like a great outcome so far
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 3:03 pm
by GreenBar0n
Thanks!
Had to save that tire, there's nothing else out there right now.
Day light pics.
Got the seam on the helmet sanded out.
Ordered more primer, will finish the driver when it gets here.
The second TS-10 can made it here, going to wet sand and add another coat today.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 3:15 pm
by Dustydrone
The build is looking great! The tire lettering really takes it up a notch You have inspired me to move the Buggy Champ in front of the Fighting Buggy build!
Thanks for the inspiration
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 5:04 pm
by GreenBar0n
Thanks for the kind words!
Tough call about the build order, that Fighting Buggy is a looker
The Tamiya suggested way, was to use Tamiya PC-1, which has been discontinued for a long time now. The replacement for PC-1, is decanting Tamiya PS-1 instead, in a lid, letting it thicken up for about 10 minutes, and then using a toothpick or fine brush to spread it in the troughs.
I would think the PS-1 method would be more permanent than the acrylic I used, but I haven't tried PS-1 yet, should try it on an old junk tire to see how much more durable it is than acrylic.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 11:38 pm
by GreenBar0n
Everything but the steering servo, and the Deans connector.
2500 grit wet sand, with a fresh coat of TS-10.
When the body dries, will mask it for the TS-26.
Will finish the tire writing this weekend, and order a servo.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Tue May 13, 2025 5:04 pm
by GreenBar0n
Got the electronics in and shortened to custom lengths.
It all works.
Going to use a magnetic coupler to attach the power switch to the lid, so the lid can be removed, instead of tethered by the switch wires - like this one:
Just need to order the right switch, the HW 1060 switch is tiny, and has no mount holes for the lid.
Going to sand the TS-10 French Blue with 3500 grit, and re-spray some bad spots if necessary, before masking for the white.
Re: Tamiya Buggy Champ - 2009 Reissue Rough Rider
Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 9:08 pm
by GreenBar0n
Got the lid quick-release coupler in.
Another can of TS-10 French Blue, and TS-13 Clear will be here tomorrow. I always run out of Clear in the middle, will have two and half cans of Clear now.
Got the primer, will get the driver helmet painted tomorrow too. Still need to go back over the tire writing and clean it up, then seal it up with that stuff from Germany.