FLAWLESSVW

I want to try my hand at making my own decals here shortly. I am well versed at Adobe Photoshop so should be able to handle that side pretty well. My question is: color laser or inkjet? Seems like a no-brainer (laser) but figured I'd ask to see if any gotchas. I have access to a high-end color laser at work in our marketing department and thinking that's going to be my best bet but any advice between the two would be great.

You guys made me a fan of Duplicolor paints and I've all but burned my collection of Testors enamels since and not looked back. I'm needing a certain "vintage" yellow for an upcoming build and haven't seen the right color at my local auto parts stores where I've been buying Duplicolor. Yesterday I was at Ollie's Bargain Outlet yesterday, and not only did they have the correct yellow in Duplicolor, but the cans were only FIFTY NINE CENTS!!! I also scored one can of Bright Silver and an ugly blue color (never know). They are 5 oz. cans "Auto Spray" and "Import Auto Spray". I initially thought Ollie's was an Ohio-only store, but I just checked the site and it looks like they actually have about 130 stores across the US. http://www.olliesbar...om/default.aspx If you're OUTSIDE the Cleveland area, please check it out to see if they have some as well you could use. If you're NEAR the Cleveland area, please ignore this post - I don't want you buying up all the colors so there are none left for me!!!

Looks like Fat Brian and I are "around" the same age... O.P., I am 36, I've had a desire to get into model building for probably 15-20 years. I would browse kits at random stores when I'd stumble across them and never saw that kit that just clicked with me, so I never took the plunge. A couple months ago, I was at a very small hobby shop here in Ohio looking for parts for my 1/16 scale gas (nitro) RC Car. I saw two old ERTL kits (probably late 70's/ early 80's era) which were a tractor and trailer 1/25 scale big rig. I am a software developer for a company that designs software for the trucking industry, so these big rigs were right up my alley. The shop also had an old (same timeframe probably) Hasegawa T-38 fighter jet kit which I bought and built as my first ever build in my life (aside from snap-together pre-painted stuff when I was about 5!) to use as my "warm up / practice" for the big rig. I am now completely bitten with the bug and can see this is something I'll be doing as long as I am able. I still consider myself part of the "younger generation" and hope this hobby continues for many years as well.

One more question on paint guys: Do you always paint on the tree, or do you ever assemble sections of the same color (e.g. the underbody, etc) and spray it assembled? The first two small models I did, I painted on the tree and touched up with a brush in some small areas. So I wanted to know if that's the general method? Thanks!

You guys are awesome... I def need to go to my local meeting and chat with some experienced guys for an hour or so! Bill, I appreciate the detailed response. What are your thoughts on scuffing it with an automotive grade 3M Scotch-Brite pad? Is that ever good-practice? Also, you said "on your trailer where you need primer"... I am only priming because I figured it was the right thing to do. If I am dealing with something with fine detail like this, should I skip primer and just shoot color? If so, what brand/type of paint? I didn't prime the first 2 models I built and just sprayed Testors Spray Enamel after scuffing with a Scotch-Brite and washing with Dawn, and they came out pretty nice. Your thoughts?

This will be going on the side panels of a Great Dane semi trailer which has a lot of fine detail (tiny simulated "rivets" and small lines to look like a real trailer) so I'm wondering if "a little heavier" is a bad thing... I don't know if sanding at all is going to be good due to the small detail. What do you think?

Thanks for the replies guys. I am leaning more towards the Duplicolor paints after reading more on here. I'm taking your advice and doing the spoon test (with the ONLY plastic spoon I could find in the house! Going to need to hit up Burger King for more!) Fat Brian, I will deplete my wife's stash first then, and go to Sally Beauty to restock after she notices Ben, what type of aftermarket things do you mean? I'm not surprised that there is stuff available, but being so new to the scene, I have no idea what's out there. I got a message from a local guy inviting me to the meetup, so I'm sure after talking with all those guys for an hour or so I won't be quite so green!

Thanks for the reply Rick. Actually I just got back from the auto parts store. I'm good on the paint; I got the Perfect Match you mentioned. But I didn't get the primer you mentioned; I've got Perfect Match "Scratch Filler Primer" since I didn't get any replies before heading out Do you think I'll be OK with that primer? I'm doing the spoon test as we speak, and I can probably still return/exchange the primer if needed. Thanks again guys!

I'm leaving in about an hour to: 1. Return my Testors spray enamel and primer to Michaels 2. Return my Krylon Fusion to WalMart 3. BUY some Duplicolor after reading this forum for hours last night. But believe it or not, I don't find much mention on here of which flavor of Duplicolor you guys are using? My auto parts stores sell several different types. I am starting my Ertl Great Dane 1/25 semi trailer today and need: -White (gloss) -Primer The types I see available are: Duplicolor "Perfect Match" Acrylic Laquer, small 8oz red can Duplicolor "Premium Enamel" Acrylic Enamel 12oz black can Duplicolor Acrylic Laquer 12oz blue can And of course there are primers for each of the above variants. Do you use the same line primer as your paint or prefer to switch it up? Most threads I've read say to use the same primer, but I did see exceptions to that. These are likely total n00b question, but then again, I am a TOTAL n00b! It's possible the 3 listed above are not even correct, so if I'm way off, please post a link or name to the one you recommend. I really appreciate the help guys!

Hi Guys. I'm new to the forums, and very new to model building. I've got an Ertl International Transtar 4300 and a Great Dane 40' Dry Goods Trailer as my first "major" modeling projects ever. I've only built 2 other models: a Minicraft Hasegawa T-38A Talon 1/72 scale (jet) and a Testors F4U-1 Corsair 1/72 (plane). Both were to get my feet wet in model building, and both came out pretty nice. I am nervous to start the big-rig as I know it is going to be a WAY bigger project than the two little planes I built and they're the only previous experience I have, but I've got a good eye for detail and this hobby is something I've wanted to start for many years (I'm 36 and am enjoying the "mental escape" model building provides). I got the Transtar 4300 for $15 (can you believe that!) at a small hobby shop. It looks like it is from the late 70's / early 80's. The box had some water damage, but the contents are fine and even the decal sheet looks pretty good. The trailer was $30 and still in original cellophane which seemed like a good price as well. I've read lots of the threads on here already and will continue to do so for more education. ANY and ALL suggestions, tips and tricks are gladly welcome! Some of the 4300's on here look amazing, and I'm still debating on paint scheme ideas. I'm thinking of starting with the trailer since it seems less complicated than the tractor... Since I'm in the un-boxing stage, I need tips for early-on in the project. I'm going to begin prep sanding and was wondering if automotive grade scuff pads are acceptable for pre-paint preparation? (3M maroon pad) The trailer, for example, has tons of tiny bumps which are supposed to simulate the rivets on a real trailer, and I'm afraid even light sandpaper would remove them. I figure a scuff pad would be enough to prep? I have a can of Testors Spray Enamel Semi Gloss Grey primer, and Testors Gloss White spray (for the trailer). I also picked up a can of Krylon Fusion gloss white which I am debating using instead of the Testors white (over the Testors Primer). Thoughts? I look forward to talking with you guys and learning!