First model complete, time to ask questions!

[nicoga3000]

Hi everyone - this is my first post here, but it's going to be a big one.

I recently decided I wanted to get into model cars. I've only ever built Gundam and figure models before. I've never really gone as far as to paint something and build it the way a model car is done, though. For those not familiar with them, Gundam models (commonly referred to as Gunpla) are snap-fit kits with pieces molded in the intended color. Yes, you can get deeper into the modeling by doing custom color schemes, painting, lining, weathering, etc...But I never really got into that (yet).

As for model cars, I decided I wanted to do all that I could on my first kit. I didn't really do any scrounging on the internet for tips or tricks - I figured my first car kit should be a learning process on my own. As a result, I've come up with a lot of questions that I would love to get some thoughts and help on.

First up, the pictures of my first kit! I may make a topic in the "Under the Glass" section, but I figured I'd start here and decide if it's worth my time to share it there or not. I don't know why the pictures are screwing up size wise...I didnt' want to totally overload the thread with pics...But...

Pictures

General beauty shot

Front

Under the hood

Rear

Driver's side

Underside

Comments

So being my first model ever, I knew going into it that things wouldn't be perfect. I had to just bite that bullet and move on. I am a perfectionist most of the time...But in this case, I let it slide.

In the first picture, you can see the decal on the fin and how it's a bit crinkled. That decal was miserable to install. Like, I fought it for 10 minutes. This is one of my questions below (installation of larger decals).

Now the front shot shows another one of the glaring issues with my detailing...The decal stripe is not straight - at all. It bugs me, but it is what it is. Also, the color was not the same as the body. Woops. Again, there wasn't much I could do about it. I've learned to color test OR! Mask and paint the stripe on myself. That would have a) made it the right color and made it easier to make straight. Live and learn!

The hood shot is pretty standard. I had to cut off the driver's side "hanger" that keeps the hood in place. I simply couldn't get that to work right. It would keep getting off track, so after a day of fiddling, I finally brought myself to grab the cutters and snip the part. There is a lot of detailing I could have done with the engine, but I wasn't really sure where to start. I'm not really a car guy, but I'll be able to study some images for inspiration.

The rear shot just shows that I probably could have benefited from doing a sanding and another coat to really smooth out my paint job. Also, I had a hard time with the painting under the clear parts. I'll probably just mask and spray vs hand painting them next time. I used to hand paint miniatures for table-top gaming reasonably well, but I can't seem to get it right on models.

The driver's side shot is a loaded picture. I have a lot of questions that were specific to this model but that can be used on future models.

And the undercarriage shows that I probably need to learn about assembly/gluing...Another question I have. I could have touched it up, but I was just ready to be done and get some input and learn.

Questions

1. First and foremost, the assembly/painting/gluing process. There is probably a LOT of schools of thought on this, but I found myself questioning every moment of my build. I would paint an assembly after gluing, paint a part before gluing, try a mix, etc...Nothing seemed to feel "right". Does anyone have tips or a good article/tutorial that really helps give a good feel or clear up issues regarding this?

2. I battled hand painting with Testors, Tamiya, and Vallejo. I hated the Testors paints, so thankfully, my two bottles I bought to try only set me back a few bucks. I own the entire X-line of Tamiya (working on getting my hands on all of the XF colors). They spray amazingly well through my AB, and I've got the thinning down to a science. Hand painting this things is miserable, though. Vallejo was my paint of choice for figure modeling, but I just couldn't get the coat I wanted for the lights that you can see. I always thin to ~skim milk, but the coverage just never built right. Anyone have examples or suggestions/tips?

3. I used tacky glue for the clear parts and it seemed to work OK. I brushed the part with some Future to try and remove some of the fogging that came out of that (not fogging like super glue would cause, more just a light dusting?). Are there good resources for installing clear parts? I know Testors makes a clear part glue...Yay/nay? Any other thoughts on my installation? The front lights are actually pretty gross after I did a Future coat and the later gloss coat. Not sure why they jumped out like they did, but I wasn't pleased.

4. Decals. Oh my lord, decals. The big decal on the fin made me want to punch the wall. I couldn't get it straight, the crinkle is an eye sore, and the thing wouldn't grab the plastic (not to mention, it was slightly too large for the part). What tips do you guys have when dealing with "larger than life" decals?

5. The big one. The driver side door section shows a gross gap. That's because this model had a two part frame - the first part went over the engine block, seats, etc (I don't know the car terms for any of this stuff as I'm not a car guy yet, haha). After that was in place, the side walls were placed over that. So you couldn't instal the two parts at the same time...The first had to go over the seats and stuff, and then the second part had to be placed. But as a result of that, you had to already have the windows installed. How on EARTH do you go about removing the seam lines AND painting this without ruining the rest of the model? I was pretty upset at the way this came out. I KNOW there's a way to manage this, but I have no idea how to do it.

Better way of phrasing this - when a car body isn't just a single piece that goes over the rest of the model (and in this case, needs to be installed over the REST of the model), how do you go about painting and detailing? You can see in the rear view picture that the bumper/tailgate/whatever is recessed, so that also posed a challenge for masking and painting. Throw THAT into the mix with multi-part frames, and I'm even more lost.

Assembly tips (when to paint/glue/assemble) and multi-part frames REALLY have my head spinning.

Closing

I know I have more questions, I do...But I'm tired. I apologize for structuring this like an essay, but I imagine it will make it easier for folks to view and reply in a constructive fashion!

Given that this was my very first model ever, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Given that it took me about 3 weeks of working on and off to get it done (with work and spending time with the wife), I feel like I did the best I could without dedicating myself solely to this project. As I move forward, I think I'll be able to get similar/better results in less time. I do want to learn, and I do enjoy reading various articles/blogs/magazines. But getting tips from fellow modelers on a direct criticism basis really helps me in a hobby setting.

Any tips or comments are of course welcome outside the scope of my above questions! Thanks for muscling through this post and I really look forward to sharing my progress with everyone here!

[DrewCfromSC]

looks really good for your first car model. As you already know practice makes perfect. Some of us old guys are still learning, just keep on building and improve each time you build. Buy some cheap kits or used cars to learn on that you dont care much about.

Thanks for posting!

Drew C.

[Foxer]

I'll attempt a few answers. That IS a good looking first build.

1. There are many schools of thought on the build process and you'll find as many do it one as another. I'll glue some assemblies before painting but pretty much paint everything before assembly. Some parts, like engine halves just beg to be glued, joints cleaned up and then painted.

2. I'm not sure any brand brush paints real well. I spray as much as I can. Separating parts into similar paint and mounting to a piece of foam with toothpicks, rods or alligator clips works. I mostly have Testors and Tamiya bottle paints. They work for small parts well where you won't see brushstrokes.

3. Testors clear parts glue works ok, but I've always used crystal clear watch cement. recently I tried Liquid PSA and find I like that very much. It stays tacky forever and is easy to apply in small, controlled doses.

4. Decals ARE tough when large. You'll need to get setting solution to adjust and settle them down. Many like Microscale solutions . there are two ... Micro Set which can put down before the decal and softens and helps it stick. Micro Sol is usually used after applying the decal to really soften and settle it down. The decals you have already applied can be loosened and moved with these solutions. These are available are most hobby stores.

5. I'm not familiar with this kit so can't answer this one well. There IS a big difference in how various kits fit together. All need test fitting to see if adjustments need to be made before painting. Sometimes you even have to adjust for the paint thickness. It does take some thought on mulit-piece bodies as to painting and assembly. There will probably be as many solutions as there are bodies.

Hope this gives you a few answers ... and it should get more as people contribute their solutions. There is NEVER only one way to do anything as far as cars go!

[Jantrix]

Well the good news is, very few kits have a multiple piece body like that. Try straight Elmer's glue for clear glass. Most of us hand paint as little as humanly possible. If you can mask off and spray, do so. Decals - there are setting solutions available. I get mine through Micro-Mark. Makes life much easier.

But I wouldn't worry too much about the issues right now. It all comes with time and experience. Check out other folks work, ask how this and that was accomplished. Learn as you go. Adult builders who begin the hobby often get frustrated when they aren't overnight experts. If you can avoid that pitfall, you should be fine.

Lastly as a new builder, I'd like to offer the link below called Walk then Run. It's a thread I began a couple years back geared towards new builders.

[nicoga3000]

Thanks for the tips and info guys!

I sort of figured the build and painting process would vary widely across the hobby. This build in particularly presented me with some really odd siutations (like the two part body) that I think I was able to expose myself to and try and work out on my own...With variable levels of success...I think I'll be reading and following some other WIP's to try and gather some tips and tricks that other folks find useful and see how I can apply them to my building.

As you put it Jantrix, as an adult builder, I'm finding myself wanting a certain level of results earlier on than really feasible. It really is a problem that plagues me, ha. That being said, I was able to snag a really unique kit that looks to be a little easier than the Viper pictured above. I should be able to work on some of my basic modeling practices on it while moving forward and getting another kit under my belt. That may be my first WIP topic that I can get critiques as I go and try and apply things at the onset.

@Foxer - Thanks for your reply on my points. Large decals are going to be a pain for a while, but I'll definitely look into those decal setting solutions. I brushed on Future to try and set them, but I don't think it worked as well as I hoped. The little buggers like to slide around while setting. I'll try and grab a bottle of Liquid PSA to try. Anything that can help make improvements will be welcome!

I do still want to try and hunt down an answer or some other modeller's experiences regarding two-part body kits like this one and how to approach it. My modelling career is in its infancy, so I really don't even have any good speculation on how I could have made it work! I'll be interested in seeing if anyone else tackles and does this kit justice at some point.

[clovis]

Sean,

Nice job!

Just wanted to let you know that I am in the Indy area too. I am building a car too...the second car model that I've built in the past 25 years.

[azers]

For a first attempt you car looks very nice. And by being on the forum here will be a big help. They are the friendliest most helpful group youll find anywhere. So have fun and lets see your next project when done.

[Deathgoblin]

Nice first build! I tend to paint some things first and then build, but like Foxer said, some have to painted after assembly. I do a lot of brush painting (mainly because I haven't gotten the swing of mixing for the airbrush yet) and don't run into many problems. I use a lot of Testor's Acryl line and craft acrylics, and lately I've been using some Citadel paints.

[ScaleDale]

You did a good job on this car and should be proud of yourself. A lot of people try model cars from other types of building and just give up because it'd different from armor or Gundom/Scifi. Keep it up and you will find it has it's strong points and it's pains as well.

As for paint in bottles, I have found that it's often just one or two things. One is the brush, Camel hair from the craft or art store is best and the other is thickness. If it's too thick or thin it won't brush well. Thin takes many layers and thick covers up detail too fast.

Bodies with too many parts are a real challenge. I built a Revell Enzo Ferrarri that had something like 14 seperate parts for the body and it was a pain. I painted all of them with an airbrush in sessions and covered each part with the same number of coats per session. When I assembled it I used very small amounts of Tamaya Thin cement and didn't handle it much at all.

Clear parts require a white glue that dries clear rather than plastic cement that will destroy it if you make a wrong move. Glue them dead last and don't handle them more than needed.

Dale

[hacked]

hi Sean, first up, well done, it looks good and you finished it, probly not the easyest kit to start with. you'll find the next won't be so hard. it's all about building what you like and having fun while you're at it. again well done. Jeff

[nicoga3000]

Thanks for the kind and encouraging words folks! Definitely is a VERY welcoming community here! I will say, seeing the results that some of you guys get show that sticking with the hobby and pushing yourself to learn and apply new techniques over time really does pay off!

@ScaleDale - I am pretty sure I have the exact kit you're talking about in my stash. I will hold off on it for another day. I'm intrigued to see the work you did on it, especially if you did any seam removal!

[ScaleDale]

Sean: This is the Enzo. It's a Skill 3 build. I found it hard to paint but didn't have an airbrush at the time (or a lot of skill). The Xs mark seperate parts for the body.

Dale