New to the boards...returning to the hobby

[VVhiplash]

So I've done models (cars mostly) throughout my childhood and now am in my early 30s with two young boys of my own. It has been well over 10 years since my last project and I have no equipment whatsoever. I am very excited about re-igniting my passion for model cars...and hopefully passing some of it on to my boys (they're still a bit young...but hey).

A few things seem to have changed over the past two decades...

1) Where have all the model kits gone?!?! I heard that Wal-Mart stopped carrying them...and Toys R' Us also (called our local store anyway). This leaves me with only a couple local hobby shops. I have not determined whether this is good or bad news as a consumer. Less supply = higher price, but at the same time this may mean the models will become less "toys" and more "art/collectibles".

2) Resin models? I don't recall doing those as a kid. What is the main differences between resin and plastic and what are people around here mostly working with (just curious)?

3) Photography and photoshop manipulation of background scenery seem to be another art form altogether...can't wait to give that a try. Any tips/tricks?

Anyway, just wanted to stop by and introduce myself.

Edited August 6, 2010 by VVhiplash

[Tony T]

Welcome back to the hobby. Yes, things have changed. The big box stores don't carry the kits, so it's the local hobby shop (LHS) or mail order shops and eBay/auction sites.

I see in another thread you are in Gatineau - Howdy neighbour! There is a well stocked hobby shop (The Hobby Centre) that I support in Ottawa just off Merivale and Hunt Club on Roydon, near Costco. There is a hobby shop in Gatineau (actually, Hull area I think), not far from the Casino as well, though I have only been there once, and I forget the name. There is one on Montreal Rd near Vanier Parkway (Hobby House), but I haven't been there in ages!

-Resins are just that. Resin. They do not have the same characteristics as styrene plastic for glue, sanding, paint prep, etc. I build styrene, and have only two resin kits (a Batmobile and a figure) and I have yet to build either one!

-Photography - I've played around a bit with this after researching, and experimenting (love digital!). I built a garage diorama to serve as a background. I took it outside once a couple of Aprils ago now, and love the results from that. I have it set up near my workbench, with a tripod, and a light source, as the flash washes out so close without a diffuser (I don't have one) and I do like the results I get, but if it was less of a pain to take it all outside, I'd do that. So, I use my camera on a tripod (no shake), I use the macro setting (best for close ups) and use the timer for the shutter (again, no shake from pressing the button due to the longer exposure). I crop them with a photo editing software, and down size them in "Paint". I load them to Photobucket, and then can share them here. (You can check my photobucket album out).

You can get a tabletop portable/storable photo box set up with two lights meant for small items (It's probably 30-40cm square, er, cubed), that also has a very small tripod for tabletop use. My wife has one, and I haven't taken the time to try to use it yet.

Hope this helps to get you going...I'm sure others will chime in, too! This is a great forum for learning, and asking questions.

Have fun!

[Tony T]

Oh, and check out the forum rules...before you get a reminder from one of the mods...if you don't use your name, you are supposed to put your full name in your signature line. Makes it more personal.

[VVhiplash]

Thanks for the pointers Tony. Nice to see some local people are on here. I did not know of the hobby shop you support. I'll look it up. I have been in the one in Gatineau (Hobby2000) but they don't have much inventory. The one is Hull (Multi-Hobby) is closed I think. I plan on going to Hobby House (the one in Vanier) tomorrow morning with a buddy of mine. Looking to buy some painting supplies and a first model.

Do they still sell starter kits (testors)? are they worth it as an initial investment? Otherwise I guess I could buy some random colors I'll likely use (silver, black, etc...).

I've added my name to my sig...thanks.

Edited August 7, 2010 by VVhiplash

[VVhiplash]

So I went to the local hobby store and got the following supplies to get me started:

- Paint (7 colors)

- 2 cans of spray (Hemi Orange and clear coat)

- Glue

- A precision knife

- paint brushes

- My first model in ages ('09 Challenger - special edition - Revell)

Edited August 7, 2010 by VVhiplash

[crazyjim]

See what you started, Fabien? After all those years you came back and spendd money on plastic toys. This is the best place to learn new tricks, share ideas, and post your builds. Welcome.

[bigmikevee]

Welcome aboard and have fun!!

Mike

[Tony T]

That's a great kit, Fab...I just finished mine recently.

Four things - trim the two pins from below the rear window, and the two circle holes from the back of the interior - If you don't the interior does not fit right up against the bottom of the window, and there is a gap you can see.

The second is that the hood fits tight when painted, so sand a bit of the edge of the hood on the front edge, and both sides.

Third-don't glue the front of back fascias on the body before the interior and chassis are in place, or you'll never get them together. (I did do it with just the front one glued on, but it was a tough go!)

Fourth - open up the hole that the front wheel locating pins go into a bit, or it will never go in without breaking the front suspension. Put the pin and locator for the front wheels before installing the suspension to the chassis, just will make it easier! I also used a piece of glass to put the model on when I installed the suspension and wheels to make sure all 4 touch the ground at the same time.

The interior, chassis and body are a very close fit, so test fit before paint, and after.

Most importantly though...have fun with it!!

I did find some useful pictures of the real car for detail painting by google image search for "2009 Challenger". Really helped.

I think it was Multi-Hobby I had been to. Will have to check out Hobby 2000 some time.

Take care!!

Oh - there is a model show on Aug 22 in Gatineau, put on by AMRO. May be worth a look!

Edited August 7, 2010 by Tony T

[Bruno]

Welcome aboard!

You can take a look at Zellers, I've seen kits there along with nice Testors paint kits.

If you go to Montreal sometimes, you have to go to Udisco, it's on blvd decarie, this place is huge and have thousands of kits and good prices. You can take a look on www.udisco.com.

[VVhiplash]

Thanks a ton for the pointers Tony! I'll need to look at the model closely to make sure I trim the right things...lol...but thanks a lot. Pretty invaluable information.

Bruno, merci pour l'info. I don't go to MTL too often (go Habs go) but if I do I'll check it out.

Tony, I found the flyer for the AMRO show. Link. Thanks.

Edited August 8, 2010 by VVhiplash

[Tony T]

My pleasure, Fabien...hope it helps!

[Jeff Johnston]

I was exactly where you are 10 years ago. I built as a kid and as an adult. then I met a girl, married her and had a couple kids...as soon as I met my wife I stopped building for about 8 years ... Mostly because girls are one of the few things I enjoyed playing with more than model cars LOL

Then I bought a mustang and decided I;d do a model of it. The rest is history.

some new things I learned right away once I got back into it.

Lacquer spray paints work sooo much better than the old Testors enamel. I assume the paint you bought was lacquer, but if it wasn't, get some lacquer and come clear coat.

I swear by Testors "Acryl" paint for my brush painting of solid colors. Black, Red, Blue, etc. It dries fast with no brush strokes. The metallics and silvers don't cover well but the solids do.

Bare Metal Foil...I never used it before I started up again. I live the stuff - both chrome and aluminum.

The other thing that really struck my when I got back into it was the paint jobs in general. I thought I painted pretty well, until I went to a local show. WOW...did I ever get an eye opener. Then I learned about paint polishing using the micro mesh polishing cloths and about using model wax like Novus. This was the single most satisfying step in my newly discovered hobby...what a difference it makes. Anyone on here can elaborate if your interested, but suffice to say if you paint with a lacquer base coat with a good clear coat...and you polish (sand) and wax the clear, you;ll get a mirror finish.

Lots of f#11 blades and sandpaper.

I use Wal Mart super glue (the stuff for a buck). It dries cast but not too fast.

JJ

[VVhiplash]

Wow. Thanks for the tips Jeff!

We indeed have similar paths...lol. I bought a can that required two steps (color and clear coat) so I assume I got what you recommend.

I will give a few tries and might try my hand at some airbrushing (always wanted to get good with that).

Also, I'll look into the polishing and waxing...sounds awesome! Thanks.