Penske RS Spyder (ALMS)

[Brendan]

Brendan, that is looking great! You're really flying along on this build.

What type of clear did you use?

Chris

I used Scalefinishes clear coat. It's super thin so you have to spray multiple coats. I have six coats of the clear on and will probably do another three after the decals are on. It's strange. The more clear you put on, the brighter the yellow becomes.

[Brendan]

What is the point of the copper/brown areas?

I'm trying to replicate the composite material that they use for skid plates. It tooks like composite decking that you see for homes, but they use mixture of metal and plastics. That's why you sometimes see a lot of sparks flying from underneath the cars when they have low tire pressures. It's the same material that you see on the Formula 1 for their wooden skid plates. It's there to protect the chassis from scraping on the ground. Also if too much of the skid plate is scraped away, they can be disqualified.

[Brendan]

Got some decals on. Did not have very much fun doing this. I was up till about 12:30 last night trying to get them to settle.

Some of the problems were the decals were either too big or too small. So some splicing had to be done. Had some issues with the white on the back next to the roll hoops. The decals decided to tear on me. Fixed them up as well as I could. Another big issue was the white on the nose didn't come anywhere close to being able to fit on the car. Had to round the front of the decal as well as trim up the side to make it fit properly. Looks to me like the people who were drawing the decals and the people doing the kit weren't talking to each other when they were trying to make them fit. I've been running into several problems like this with Studio 27 kits when the decals and the P/E are either too big or too small for the kit. Really starting to frustrate me.

You can see some of the problems here where the decals are too big on the side of the wing. And this is due to the fact that the wing end plate is too small. There should be a big gap between the Adidas and Snap-On decals.

[Raul_Perez]

Look GREAT, Brendan!!

Decals HATE me!! That's why I don't build those types of models anymore...

[CAL]

Looking good.

Decaling race cars is one of my favorite things to do.

But if they don't fit right I could see how frustration could set in.

And if they really don't fit I'd be liable to make them fit with a big blank-n hammer.

Edited July 25, 2008 by CAL

[Nick F40]

Thanks Brendan! Now that's a decal job!

Look GREAT, Brendan!!

Decals HATE me!! That's why I don't build those types of models anymore...

yeah, but I still love em!

Looking good.

Decaling race cars is one of my favorite things to do.

But if they don't fit right I could see how frustration could set in.

And if they really don't fit I'd be liable to make them fit with a big blank-n hammer.

I actually like it too but I also agree!

I can't wait to do my KEI Office S15

[JHDrew]

Got some decals on. Did not have very much fun doing this. I was up till about 12:30 last night trying to get them to settle.

Some of the problems were the decals were either too big or too small. So some splicing had to be done. Had some issues with the white on the back next to the roll hoops. The decals decided to tear on me. Fixed them up as well as I could. Another big issue was the white on the nose didn't come anywhere close to being able to fit on the car. Had to round the front of the decal as well as trim up the side to make it fit properly. Looks to me like the people who were drawing the decals and the people doing the kit weren't talking to each other when they were trying to make them fit. I've been running into several problems like this with Studio 27 kits when the decals and the P/E are either too big or too small for the kit. Really starting to frustrate me.

You can see some of the problems here where the decals are too big on the side of the wing. And this is due to the fact that the wing end plate is too small. There should be a big gap between the Adidas and Snap-On decals.

Thanks for the updates and I'm kind of sorry you are the test subject on this project. Based on your photos I'm probably not going to use either red or yellow of the Scalefinishes paint. After attending the race and seeing it first hand. The trucks that do the shipping and the race cars are two different colors. Too bad since it sounds like great paint to work with. I will probably shoot the clear of theirs though.

Hang in there and keep it fun.

Jim

[Brendan]

Thanks for everyone's comments.

Raul, there's a reason why I do race cars. I can use the decals to cover up all my mistakes. If I could get finishes like you, I'd be a very happy man.

Nick, could be worse. I could be doing the Flying Lizard car that Profil 24 is coming out with. I can almost guarantee that those decals aren't going to fit very well. (Probably my next project. )

Cal, when you have decals go that wrong instead of a hammer, I prefer M-80's. At least that way I get an explosion out of it.

Jim, I'll get a list together and post it for the missing decals and missing parts that could add some detail to it. Would have been so much nicer if Le Mans Miniatures did this kit. At least the interior and the chassis would be more correct.

[CAL]

Thanks for everyone's comments.

Raul, there's a reason why I do race cars. I can use the decals to cover up all my mistakes. If I could get finishes like you, I'd be a very happy man.

Nick, could be worse. I could be doing the Flying Lizard car that Profil 24 is coming out with. I can almost guarantee that those decals aren't going to fit very well. (Probably my next project. )

Cal, when you have decals go that wrong instead of a hammer, I prefer M-80's. At least that way I get an explosion out of it.

Jim, I'll get a list together and post it for the missing decals and missing parts that could add some detail to it. Would have been so much nicer if Le Mans Miniatures did this kit. At least the interior and the chassis would be more correct.

Now you're talking my language... I prefer these

[Nick F40]

Nick, could be worse. I could be doing the Flying Lizard car that Profil 24 is coming out with. I can almost guarantee that those decals aren't going to fit very well. (Probably my next project. )

HUUUH!!! TRAITOR!!!!

Now you're talking my language... I prefer these

ALRIGHT!!!! Now your talkin, I want 20 boxes!!! you are the man

[MrObsessive]

Don't know how I missed this thread!

Brendan, you're a better man than I when it comes to this type of decaling! If it's got more than simple roundels on it.....I can't deal with it!

Maybe that's why I like the vintage racers so much!

Just the same, keep up the fantastic work! It's lookin' really beautiful so far!

[Brendan]

Jim,

Here's the list I promised you.

These are just things that I noticed, but there's definitely more. I hope this will help you out. I don't mind being the guinea pig. I'm usually the guinea pig for a friend of mine when he produces a kit. I get to see all the mistakes first.

Missing Decals

Small Michelin over air inlet

Porsche consulting for front splitter

Emergency Shut off decals/extinguisher release

Decals in the kit with Problems

Adidas is oversized (I think because P/E inplate is too small.)

Mobil 1 on back of chassis is too small

Nose decal needs to be trimmed and rounded to fit front

P2 and IMSA are too big for the winglets on the top of the car

ALMS decal near the front wheel is too big (under front dive plane)

Missing Parts (these are just a few; there are a lot more)

Camera pod near roll hoop

Fire extinguisher

Round GPS unit

Radio box on inside of passenger compartment (antennas should be visible)

[Brendan]

Got the rest of the decals on. And shot the clear over the decals. A little disappointed in the fact that there were quite a few problems with the decals, either missing or oversized. (See list above.) Still need to add on all the little extras. Should get those done in the next couple of days.

Had to add the emergency shut off symbols and a GPS unit. Luckily I had some around.

Added a fire extinguisher and some electrical boxes. I'll still be adding more when I get the body on.

[Scalefinishes]

You sprayed scalefinishes clearcoat over the decals?

I've never done that. I figured it would be a bit hot and strip the decals off.

Looking great.

jameston

[Raul_Perez]

Thanks for everyone's comments.

Raul, there's a reason why I do race cars. I can use the decals to cover up all my mistakes. If I could get finishes like you, I'd be a very happy man. ...

It's all in the camera, my young friend...it's all in the camera...

[JHDrew]

Got the rest of the decals on. And shot the clear over the decals. A little disappointed in the fact that there were quite a few problems with the decals, either missing or oversized. (See list above.) Still need to add on all the little extras. Should get those done in the next couple of days.

That's turning out great and will make a great addition to your parking lot.

Thanks for sharimg all the problem information. Glad see the clear isn't too hot to shoot over the decals too.

Can't wait to see it over the wheels.

Jim

[Brendan]

You sprayed scalefinishes clearcoat over the decals?

I've never done that. I figured it would be a bit hot and strip the decals off.

Looking great.

jameston

I was going to spray the Scalefinishes clear over the top, but I chickened out. I did do a test sample and didn't do anything to the decals. Sprayed two light mist coats and then a heavy coat with about 5 minutes between coats. I ended up using my old standby which is Floquil Crystal Coat.

In all honesty, I don't think your paints are very hot compared to other automotive paints. I've been able to use a brush for touch up and it didn't hurt the paint that was already down. Usually when you do touch ups like that with hot paint, it usually eats the coats that are already down. I'll try shooting in on a kit that I use for testing products and see what it does to the other decals.

Here's a picture of my test. The cracks on the one edge are from my cutting the plastic, and not from the paint.

[JHDrew]

I was going to spray the Scalefinishes clear over the top, but I chickened out. I did do a test sample and didn't do anything to the decals. Sprayed two light mist coats and then a heavy coat with about 5 minutes between coats. I ended up using my old standby which is Floquil Crystal Coat.

I may put a coat of Future down first and then shoot the clear.

[Scalefinishes]

I've sprayed the clear over some chrome wheels before without any problems, but was to scared to spray it over decals.

Don't even think about getting it on clear parts. It will not work to tint windows.

I love that Porsche. It looks just like the ones I saw at the race here in Utah.

Jameston

Edited July 28, 2008 by Scalefinishes

[Nick F40]

This is amazing Brendan! I envy your decal...or camera skills!

[Brendan]

I really like the clear. It goes on very nicely. Only downside is that you have to do quite a few light coats to get a really good shine. Would relate it to what Cobra Colors Clear is like. It was real easy to use and it didn't run...unlike some other clears I have used. It also dries really fast.

[Brendan]

Got the chassis and body together. Everything fits really well; nice and tight. Some of the antennas are from an after market company, though I can't remember which one since the ones in the kit were not very good. Added a radio box on the inside of the passenger side compartment. Had a hard time cutting out the headlight and the taillight covers. I screwed up on one of the taillight covers but it won't be very noticeable when I get on the wing. Also put in small wind screens on the driver's and the passenger's compartment which shows it in my reference photos. Should have the wing and the rims on by late tonight. It should be in the under glass section tomorrow...if I don't screw up.

Thanks to everyone who followed along. Here's some pictures.

Another small issue is the rear P/E (screen/guerney lip) was just a little bit too small by about 1 mm on each side.

[crispy]

Brendan that is spectacular work. Thanks for your input on the Scalefinishes clear coat. That will help me in future models.

Can't wait to see the final product.

Chris