I started this model at a teenager back in 2007, 17 years later I rediscovered my model car stash in my mother in laws basement. After repairing some of my completed models I couldn't wait to get started building again. The Tamiya 911 Turbo being a very simple mosly snap together kit seemed like a good one to start up again.
Previously all I had completed was spraying the interior, chassis, and suspension parts semi gloss black. I had also masked and painted the body color parts of the chassis. I had also painted the body TS-94 metallic gray. It was full of orange peal and I didn't have full coverage around the bottom of the body. I sanded the body with the intension of respraying. I'm my haste I decided to use the the unopened 17+ year old TS-17 gloss aluminum and TS-13 clear cans I had in my modeling supplies box. I knew the risks by I didn't care, this model was just for practice after all. It went every well until the 4th and final wet coat of TS-17, the paint started coming out in larger droplets. I stopped immediately and let it dry overnight to assess the damage. Overall it wasn't terrible, a few little blemishes on the hood was all I could see. The paint went down with minimal orange peal as well. I then sprayed it with clear and covered it up to cure for at least 7 days before I attempt to sand and polish the finish (something I have never done before but am looking forward to trying).
BTW I masked the clear headlights 17 years ago using Micro Mask. I'm curious to see what is waiting for me underneath when I remove it...
Moving on to the interior and chassis. Nothing fancy inside. I painted the dashboard and seat controls using reference images on BringaTrailer.
For the engine and chassis I brush painted the individual parts and then used my new favorite paint Tamiya Panel Line Accent to give them some depth. The Tamiya Acrylic paint is super thick and my local hobby shop didnt have any Retarder so I ordered some, its not due to arrive for another two weeks, so I forged ahead. I used by Badger 350 airbrush that was still new in the box from 2006 along with the aerosol can to spray the exhaust system with both Allclad Exhaust Manifold and Chrome. It worked so nicely that I am seriously considering buying a compressor and spraying more parts in the future. I then tried my hand at weathering using Tamiya Weathering Master D set, which was so much fun! My wife was watching me do it and couldn't believe how much it changed the appearance of the painted parts.
I did notice from other completed builds of this kit that the exhaust sits way too low compared to the body, so once the paint is fully cured I'll fit the body and adjust the height of the exhausts as need.
Working on painting the rear lights next.
On another note, since it is still winter here I sprayed the body in our guest bathroom shower with the vent fan on and some plastic sheeting to catch the overspray. (I was wearing my respirator). After spending a few hours cleaning up all the overspray the sheeting didn't catch I ordered a spray booth. Looking forward to using this in the future. I'm impressed with the LED lighting.