cj112674 Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 hi all, wow what a great site! i'm glad i stumbled onto it.. i've always loved putting together models as a kid and actualy have been thinking about picking the old art back up. my main question is, how the heck do you guys make your models look so good? i'm a body tech so painting and collision on real cars isn't an issue for me but plastic models is a hole different world it seems, if i want them to look good that is. is there a basic intro page, manual (besides the instructions) that can show me some hints and tips on how to make my models look like your guys'? what types of paint, sand paper grits to use, brush sizes on real small pieces, what types of putty, all the simple things you guys do normaly but a begginer like me doesn't know? can i pick up good tools from a hobby store or is there a web site i should get them from? sorry for all the questions, but im actualy excited about starting my first project, but just want to make sure i go about it the right way and learn as i go.. thanks guys!
Guest zebm1 Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 Check out the Tips and Tricks Section.....or the On the Workbench Section.
CAL Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 cj112674 said: hi all, wow what a great site! i'm glad i stumbled onto it.. i've always loved putting together models as a kid and actualy have been thinking about picking the old art back up. my main question is, how the heck do you guys make your models look so good? i'm a body tech so painting and collision on real cars isn't an issue for me but plastic models is a hole different world it seems, if i want them to look good that is. is there a basic intro page, manual (besides the instructions) that can show me some hints and tips on how to make my models look like your guys'? what types of paint, sand paper grits to use, brush sizes on real small pieces, what types of putty, all the simple things you guys do normaly but a begginer like me doesn't know? can i pick up good tools from a hobby store or is there a web site i should get them from? sorry for all the questions, but im actualy excited about starting my first project, but just want to make sure i go about it the right way and learn as i go.. thanks guys! Practice. Painting a model is pretty much same concept. I am sure you will get a bunch of different answers, but here are mine I mostly use an airbrush even for small items. Regular brushes I have a good selection of quality natrual hair "art" house brushes from 3/4 inch to a #1 and a lot of good quality gold synthetic brushes down to 10/0. Tamiya spray paints are good. I also use Testors enamels, but they take a long time to cure, and some acrylics - but not particularly fond of acrylics. 600 is about as corse of sand paper I ever use. I do use a lot of standard and fine micro mesh down to 12000 grit. I like Testors Pro Red putty. Stay away from Squadron putties. Sometimes for radical filling I will use Milliput - white. Future floor wax brings depth and the high gloss. My tool box is a collection of 15 years of modeling. We don't expect you to go out and get everything tomorrow. Building and asking questions on techniques and tools is the "right" way. HTH
ismaelg Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 Welcome to the forum, and welcome back to the hobby! You won't regret coming back There are so many things that can be talked about that I'm not sure where to start, but I'll try. Where are you located? Chances are there is a modeling club within driving distance from you. That would be a great start to learn first hand and to find out where to get what locally. Practice makes perfect and patience is the most important skill you need. Regardless of scale, whether 1/25 or a 1:1 full size car, prep work is the key to success. You already know the basics and they don't change. Many of us use real car paint and I think that would be your obvious choice too. Automotive paint is very strong and will usually attack and destroy styrene plastic. Primer is a must for many reasons and this is one of them. A good primer I personally use is Plastikote T235 because it protects the plastic, sands smooth, lays down thin and since it is lacquer based, it can withstand any type of paint short of nuclear fusion. There are also the hobby paints, which are formulated to work with plastic models and some of them can be applied over bare plastic. It's all a matter of preference. What can be considered a fine grit sandpaper in your shop can be considered coarse in our hobby. There are sanding pads that go all the way to 12,000 (yes, twelve thousand). I personally sand the primer before painting starting with 1000 (on rare occasions 600) up to 3200, sometimes maybe higher. Paint is applied in thin layers. Heavy coats of paints will cover details, fill door and panel lines etc. If you ask 20 modelers what putty to use you may get at least 19 different answers. Putties can be divided in 2 categories: solvent and chemical curing. Single stage putties dry by evaporating the solvents inside. They are easier to use but shrink because evaporation takes away mass. Two part putties like milliput (my personal favorite), dynatron and the bondo you probably use in your shop are catalyzed with an activator. Those cure by chemical reaction and do not shrink. Again, it is a matter of personal preference. Paint brushes come in hundreds of sizes and shapes. You need to decide which one works best for the application. No matter how expensive a paint brush is, if you don't clean it after each use it will be ruined soon. Start a project and share it with us. We'll try to help as much as we can. Always remember these 2 modeling rules: - There is no such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not to ask when in doubt. - HAVE FUN! Thanks,
Jello Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 Welcome aboard! We have a great bunch of guys in here to help out anytime and do feel free to ask questions! Theres no such thing as a silly question cause we have been there & done it. I have been building models for over 42 years and I still learn something new almost everyday! Don't get discouraged & frustrated..it takes practice & patience and you will make mistakes as we all do. Hope you will enjoy the hobby and remember, its just model cars and you are suppose to have fun! ~ Jeff
cj112674 Posted June 9, 2008 Author Posted June 9, 2008 awesome replies guys! i really appreciate the help and insight from all of you! i'm hitting the hobby store tomorow..ill post pics as soon as i get set up and ready to start, may take a few days but ya gotta start somewhere..thanks again!
Zoom Zoom Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 Greetings; getting model cars to look really good requires a bit of a steep learning curve; though some people seem better adapted towards conquering it than others. Your occupation should help in some respects. There are a couple spots on the 'net that can help with basic questions, if you want to do some reading/learning before buying a bunch of stuff. ScaleWiki Car Modeling Tutorials Those can help, and if you have questions about the best paint/supplies/tools to get, you can ask here before you buy.
george 53 Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 Welcome to the forum CJ.Youve already done the first step just by joinin an askin questions.These guys are the BEST! Some of em are even THE BEST of THE BEST! But they were ALL like you once.You shouldn't aspire to be like them right quick caz some of these guys got YEARS of doin this stuff, and IT SHOWS.Jus take your time, do what YOU can,and the most important,ENJOY what your doing.After all it IS a hobbie,an it's main objective is to help releave stress an anxiety,plus maybe show off your creative skills.The only one who counts ,in the end, is you!Have fun doin it,and learn as you go along.You'll get better before you know it and maybe even surprise your self!
cruz Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 Welcome, as you can see the modelling gods have spoken!!! Great advice from all of them. In my humble opinion, joining a model car club is always of great help, you will positively learn quicker and better by doing this but to tell you the truth, just keep up with this forum, it will be your best teacher. Lots of talented individuals here ready and able to answer any questions and concerns.....
Jason Rothgeb Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 These guys covered most of what I wanted to say, but I will add this: start simple in terms of a model that is not going to have fit problems and not overwhelm you in terms of parts count and complexity. My faves in terms of price and subject matter include the old Monogram tools of American Muscle car. Kits like the 70 Pontiac Trans Am and 71 Plymouth 'Cuda. Another good one is the old 1970 Mustang which was just reissued with the new option of building a Mach I in addition to the Boss 302 of prior releases of this kit. These kits also will allow you to concentrate on getting the paint fit and finish you want without worrying about too much else. Another good example of this is the Revell Snap-tite 2009 Camaro. Here is a kit aimed at beginning modelers that more expert modelers are using as a platform for their amazing painting skills. They won't go together in 20 minutes like the box states but ther finished product is out of this world. Another good place to look for well engineered simpler kits is Tamiya. They are a little more expensive than the Revell offerings. Sad to say I can not recommend a specific kit becuase although I own and have started build Tamiya kits, I have yet to finish one Blame it on the American Muscle car streak I've been on for the last couple of years. One last bit of advice I would offer is attend a model show if at all possible. All of the "major" shows have an unbelievable amount of talented building on display. Better still, at least 95% of the builders are more than happy to talk your ear off if you ask them how they did it, or what they used. Hope this is enough to get you started, Jason P.S. I don't know where you are at, but the air here in PA as I write this is thick enough to drink. High humidity is brutal for painting. Even more so for the slow drying enamels versus the quicker drying laquers like Tamiya and the new Testor's lacquers. If you are going to paint in this stuff use a lacquer.
m408 Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 A couple of tips from a guy who has been back for several months after a 40 year lay off. 1- Don't even try to do what these guys do. They have been doing it for years. I tried to match their skills right away and got so discouraged that I almost quit again. Take baby steps. Start with something simple that, when completed, will want you to try the next step. 2- ASK QUESTIONS. On this forum, you will find, that each and everyone here, regardless of skill level, will be more than willing to help solve a problem, or steer you in the right direction. 3- Go to Amazon our some other source and buy "Building and Detailing Scale Model Cars", buy Pat Covert. Everything from basic tool recommendations, painting basics, to detailing. 4- #2 again.
cj112674 Posted June 9, 2008 Author Posted June 9, 2008 once again, thanks for all the replies and useful info!! the biggest problem im having is finding a model to put together here in auburn hills michigan. everywhere ive gone to buy one, they tell me that they have quit carrying them. the closest hobby store where i can get one is over 20 miles away, which isnt a big deal but if any of you live in a big city like i do (detroit) then 20 miles seems like a lifetime, and the gas prices as well! so, i guess it's time to do some shopping online. i found this site for tools, http://www.hobbylinc.com/index.htm anyone use this one before, or possibly reccomend a better one? im going to try and look up some model club here in auburn hills, or even detroit and maybe go pay a visit. thanks againg guys! much appreciated!
CAL Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 cj112674 said: once again, thanks for all the replies and useful info!! the biggest problem im having is finding a model to put together here in auburn hills michigan. everywhere ive gone to buy one, they tell me that they have quit carrying them. the closest hobby store where i can get one is over 20 miles away, which isnt a big deal but if any of you live in a big city like i do (detroit) then 20 miles seems like a lifetime, and the gas prices as well! so, i guess it's time to do some shopping online. i found this site for tools, http://www.hobbylinc.com/index.htm anyone use this one before, or possibly reccomend a better one? im going to try and look up some model club here in auburn hills, or even detroit and maybe go pay a visit. thanks againg guys! much appreciated! I highly recommend http://www.stradasportsstore.com/
m408 Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 cj112674 said: once again, thanks for all the replies and useful info!! the biggest problem im having is finding a model to put together here in auburn hills michigan. everywhere ive gone to buy one, they tell me that they have quit carrying them. the closest hobby store where i can get one is over 20 miles away, which isnt a big deal but if any of you live in a big city like i do (detroit) then 20 miles seems like a lifetime, and the gas prices as well! so, i guess it's time to do some shopping online. i found this site for tools, http://www.hobbylinc.com/index.htm anyone use this one before, or possibly reccomend a better one? im going to try and look up some model club here in auburn hills, or even detroit and maybe go pay a visit. thanks againg guys! much appreciated! I have used them many times. Pretty good selection and great prices.
evilone Posted June 9, 2008 Posted June 9, 2008 you could also use evilbay(ebay) or ask for kits on the wanted thread heck i have 9 94 impalas that dont seem to be going anywhere ill sell you brand new still sealed
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