Modelhaus Resin Kits - Need General Build Info

[fseva]

I have just dumped my second Jimmy Flintstone body, and had a horrible time trying to get the corresponding kit's interior to work with it. Hacked it to death and it still wouldn't fit! So, now I'm starting to think that maybe an actual resin "kit" would be the thing to bring some new life to my modeling. What I really want to know is how good are they... really? Do they require a lot of preparation beyond normal flash removal to get them to work? Hope you can see where I'm going with this and that I've stated it clearly enough...

Edited June 14, 2015 by fseva

[72 Charger]

Frank you cant go far wrong with a Modelhaus kit . Ive just got my first (1958 Ford Fairlane) and it is very good. The body is cast very well with crisp detail and the resin is of an even thickness . There is some clean up needed. The fit is good with only a small amount of trimming and sanding needed . There is some very tiny pin holes in the body and seam lines but it didn't take long to sort those out . The chrome is very nice and fits very well after trimming . The vac formed glass fits well after trimming .

[mike 51]

Don's kits are very nice, however some require more effort than others because they are more complicated, for a first try I would suggest modelers with limited experience try one that is a direct repop of the original Amt kits, with a tub interior and a closed hood and one piece chassis. The 58 Fords mentioned above would be a good one to start with.

However, if you're having trouble assembling regular kits, it might be an expensive disappointment tho.....

Edited June 15, 2015 by mike 51

[fractalign]

This is common issue with resin bodies. There is always shrinkage when the bodies are cast, this coupled with the fact that resin bodies need to be thicker to avoid distortion means that fitting interiors into them will always be an issue. Another company to look into is Replicas and Minitures.

[Ramfins59]

To date I've built about 6 of the Modelhaus' kits and they have all been a joy to build. They usually require only a minimal amount of cleanup as far as pinholes or flash. Take a lot of care to trim the vacuum formed glass to fit properly. Be sure to give all of the unchromed parts a good soaking and wash with Westleys Bleche White to remove the mold release agent, rinse and let them air dry. Prime and paint using any products that you would normally use on your models. If you have to strip paint from any unchromed parts, use Purple Power to soak the parts for at least 2 days and scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse under warm water and let them air dry. Use either CA glue or 5 minute epoxy to glue the parts together.

You won't be disappointed with anything from Modelhaus. Their products are first rate.

[fseva]

Frank you cant go far wrong with a Modelhaus kit . Ive just got my first (1958 Ford Fairlane) and it is very good. The body is cast very well with crisp detail and the resin is of an even thickness . There is some clean up needed. The fit is good with only a small amount of trimming and sanding needed . There is some very tiny pin holes in the body and seam lines but it didn't take long to sort those out . The chrome is very nice and fits very well after trimming . The vac formed glass fits well after trimming .

You had to trim the CHROME???

[mike 51]

You had to trim the CHROME???

That NOT what he wrote....do you know what a 58 Ford even looks like?

Edited June 15, 2015 by mike 51

[72 Charger]

What I was trying to say was that the chrome fitting points on the reverse of the bumpers and the hood trim needed a bit of a sanding just to seat it down ready for paint. I do this so that once the body is painted the gaps for fittings will be slightly smaller . If its to tight the trim could rip the paint

[fseva]

What I was trying to say was that the chrome fitting points on the reverse of the bumpers and the hood trim needed a bit of a sanding just to seat it down ready for paint. I do this so that once the body is painted the gaps for fittings will be slightly smaller . If its to tight the trim could rip the paint

Whoa - that makes more sense, and it's a load off my mind! Thanks!

To date I've built about 6 of the Modelhaus' kits and they have all been a joy to build. They usually require only a minimal amount of cleanup as far as pinholes or flash. Take a lot of care to trim the vacuum formed glass to fit properly. Be sure to give all of the unchromed parts a good soaking and wash with Westleys Bleche White to remove the mold release agent, rinse and let them air dry. Prime and paint using any products that you would normally use on your models. If you have to strip paint from any unchromed parts, use Purple Power to soak the parts for at least 2 days and scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse under warm water and let them air dry. Use either CA glue or 5 minute epoxy to glue the parts together.

You won't be disappointed with anything from Modelhaus. Their products are first rate.

Thanks Richard!

[IceMan Collections]

I have yet to find a resin kit that just fell together. I mean all resin is going to need preparation. Even plastic kits need preparation. Maybe stick to plastic for now....maybe even snap kits. Sounds like you're afraid of the work you'll need to put into them. Many many kits plastic and resin will require some fidgeting with to get the interior to sit well, to get the wheels straight, to get the windshield with no gaps, etc.

Take your time. I know I've learned from a few old builds but I have accepted that hard work pays off.

[MrObsessive]

I've built a couple of Modelhaus's resin in the past, and yes, they'll require some work to make them look nice like any kit. Here are a few pics.............

Their '61 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe.......

1959 Buick Invicta

As Richard said, you'll need to take the time to do some pre-fitting to make the glass fit with no huge gaps, and in the case of the Cadillac, a bit of filing and trimming was needed for the interior, for it to sit properly in the body without making the whole car appear to sit too high.

They say "Patience is a virtue"------in the case of any resin kit, you'll need patience to make them display well. Some resin kits a lot more than others. Modelhaus kits are at the top of their game IMO as a lot of the work is done, but some work needs to still be done by the modeler.

BTW, embedded in the first pics of the Caddy and the Buick are links to the photo album of the in-progress work to these.

Hope this helps!

[fseva]

Thanks Bill!