Pete75

It’s wrap time! ? For the body paintjob (mark 2) I flatted back the colour coat as well as the clear coat, which is something I haven’t done before. I don’t know how soon you can sand the colour coat, but I left it for the same five days that Scalemodler recommends before flatting the lacquer. My process is to wet sand with 1200 then 2000 grit, followed by the Tamiya polishing compounds. Next, I sprayed the window rubbers with TS-29 semi-gloss black, before brushing on the black trim under the rear spoiler – I masked it with AIZU Micron 1mm masking tape, which I found to be awesome! The light recesses were coloured with Molotow chrome markers, something which definitely gives the finished article more realism. Then it was on to sticking everything together. I’m still learning which glues are best for each task, but I’m of the view that (with much care) the rapid grabbing quality of super glue works best for windows and mirrors. I also picked up the tip of using clear varnish to fix light lenses in place by holding them in position and brushing around the edges - it’s safe & easy to clean up with a cotton bud and some water or thinners. A small custom feature I added was some mesh inside the radiator inlets. I got a sample of #50 mesh from themeshcompany.com (0.32 aperture 0.19 diameter) which is perfect and will last for many models. I sprayed it black with the Chaos primer and discovered it’s necessary to spray very lightly in several coats or else the holes become saturated. The panel lines were accented with Vallejo dark grey wash. I’ll wait for the decals to dry then I’ll do a vanity gallery for her after she gets a last polish & some wax. And that’s another one in the garage! Thanks for looking ?

Super mean looking - excellent!

Thanks Jonelle! I had to do quite a bit of research & found out that F1 cars are definitely a lot of work! ?

I might have to take some impractical detours to find enough water, though! Real cheating would be the Back to the Future Delorean: you could finish before you started! ?

I'd like to join in with the Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me. It'll be the Fujimi kit (currently on it's way from Japan). No "twist" plans as yet, but it'll be fun to take part & it's gonna look good on my shelf! ?

Ecshellent work, Mishter Tier: Dann Tier... Love this solder-piping technique - looks cool even before the paint!

I'm by no means an expert, but I found this, just today... I use Vallejo gloss varnish to set light lenses into vehicles. (I hold the lens in place then brush around the perimeter & let capillary action suck the varnish in - it works really well as it's invisible & can be tidied up with water & a cotton bud). Today I wanted to take some lenses out that had been set a few days - I wasn't sure it was wise, but I was pleased to find they popped out fine using a thumbnail and, most importantly, there was no damage - not even to the chrome marker I'd painted in the recesses! In your case, I guess any residue (if there is any) could easily be cleaned with thinners ?

Excellent. This is the Charger kit I have had an eye on. (Also a Dukes fan of old, but not really interested in going full General.) Will be interested to watch - provided you stick to your New Year's resolution! ?

Loving it! I'm planning on using that body colour later this year - pleased to see it looking great. Keep up the good work!

Wow David!? Just discovered your thread. It'll take some time to go through your pages & I'm looking forward to it - brilliant stuff. It's not geographically correct, but the Wallace & Gromit music suddenly turned on in my head...

Ils sont magnifique, Claude! (That's about as far as my French goes!) Great work - really impressive.

Nice work Spence - looks great ? You definitely win the award for most original residence, BTW; only allowed to leave once a year, though?!! Important job - keep up the good work

John, Bruce & Joe go straight on to my list of favourite people! ? Cheers guys ?

Thanks guys ? All plaudits are very welcome, especially after a battle like this one!

Thanks JC & Gary ? Cheers for the tip Rich - appreciate it ? Believe it or not the "lid" is actually being pulled down by magnets already - and this was after surgery as well... The thing just didn't really want to respect my wishes!

Thanks Atin ? I think I had a Countach poster and one of a "Vector W8". I just had to Google it to check it existed - not something I've encountered since, but pretty cool looking!

My second model build, completed in October 2019. Body: Tamiya TS-8/13. Tobacco/tyre decals: from eBay, sold as Decalpool (not sure if they were). Carbon decal: Tamiya Extra Fine Twill. Reflective lining: Bare Metal Chrome. Radiator hose: Evergreen 0212 styrene rod. Fuel cap: drilled sprue. Hydraulic/oil radiator lines: painted electrical fuse wire. Overall I found it quite challenging, not least wrestling with the bodywork in an attempt to get it sort of in line. I think if I were to do it again - or any single seater, for that matter - I would be more mindful about the big picture and test fitting from the outset, rather than narrowly focusing on individual segments and hoping that it all marries up in the end. All part of the learning process!

Thanks Leroy ? Much as I'm enjoying it, I really hope I don't end up needing more kits!! BTW I got if from ebay from a seller called "icanucan": £25 delivered to the UK from Hong Kong in 4 days...??

Cool - we can pester JC together! ?Had to look Gemballa up. I like their body tweaks, but a bit out of my experience bracket. Would be good to watch you do it though, Dann!

You're a gentleman, sir! ?

Ah... Porsche wheel flares. I have a Fujimi flat nose turbo lined up for 2020 & something bothers me about the rear quarters in pictures I've seen. I know who to bother when the time comes! ?

What a great build. Would've loved the Tamiya RC model back in the day. Shame they didn't do a 1/24 kit because I couldn't even begin to do all this; still, I enjoyed looking at yours! The display base really sets it off well ?

Great work. Love the engine bay. The "wooden" steering is really effective - will bear this in mind for when I come to do something more "classic". As a modelling noob(ish), I find the notion of cutting BMF around (?) letters mind boggling! ?

If there's a better General out there then I want to see it! Great work ?

Awesome. I'd only seen this thing on PlayStation - looks like it was even harder to drive in real life! Will enjoy following ?