Got this one in under the wire for 2022. Painted Tamiya LP-1 Black and cleared with Tamiya TS-13. Interior is Zero Paints Beige cleared coated with Zero Semi Gloss. Wheels are Tamiya LP-62 Titanium Gold. Wired the engine with Gofer Racing wires cut from one of their standard distributors.
What I Learned from this Build
1. I still need to improve upon my airbrushing skills. I tend to get orange peel on larger flat surfaces. I think I need to apply it with multiple, thinner coats and rely on the clear coat to provide the necessary shine.
2. The kit went together very well until final assembly. The chassis did not like to slip into the body. I was forewarned by a YouTube video where the builder had severe fit issues with both the body/chassis and passenger doors. He chose to build the 1988 version - not sure if that was worse than the 1985 version I chose to build. To complete the assembly I shortened the mounting tab on the back of the chassis; shaved off the front of both intake side fans as they barely cleared the vents mounted inside the body; shaved off pretty much all of the carburetors and the underside of the air conveyor so the engine cover would sit flush. The body then fit perfectly, however the engine cover still sticks up a bit. Door fit is ok, but could be better.
3. Should have tried airbrushing the windshield tint as opposed to using the supplied decal.
4. Zero Paint will melt plastic if applied too heavily. Thought I could get away with covering a blemish by applying the paint with a cotton swab... not so much.
5 Clear plastic must carry some kind of static charge. No matter how careful I am with CA glue, a tiny blob and/or thin string seems to find it's way onto the glass. :^(
Happy New Year everyone!