More-so, looking for tips & tricks!

[brentech]

Hello,

While I've done some builds in the past when I was younger, I've not done anything recently and am just trying to gather some information to help ease into the growing pains. I've had a lot of interest in the hobby for some time, but have been so busy wrapping up college and starting my career that I just never got around to it. Anyways, now is the time!

I'm just looking for some basic advice.

Reading some other threads, I see a lot of the same three brand names thrown around: Revell, AMT, and Tamiya. I'm just kind of curious if there are certain brands people try to stay away from or if everything is pretty much safe and it's just a matter of what's in production at the time?

One of my greater concerns is painting. Probably something I'll just need to research and read a lot on...along with practice. But there seems to a whole extra breed of lingo for all the paint topics.

For the most part, I'm just looking for some starter pointers; wasn't sure where to post it.

I'm curious what kind of tools you all suggest and if there is any must haves in that category, other than the very basic hobby stuff. I see some pretty fancy paint area setups in some of the pictures here, kind of wondering if most of you use spray or airbrushing?

I was also reading up on the skill level of the car kits and what they really meant.

Do most of you only build certain levels or just anything that intrigues you?

Appreciate any advice one can give.

Thanks,

-Brent

[Corvette.Jeff]

hello brent, though i may not be that much of help to you ill try my best. about the kits, i personally dont know of any bad manufactureers, most people just us amt,revell,and tamiya because those are the more popular brands.

paniting, Most people use airbrushing, its alot better imo and you can do a lot more custom paint jobs. you can still use spray paint if you want, i usually use it if im doing a hot rod project or something olang those lines. mosly because it comes out flat

some advice thoug, stock up on suplies if you dont youll run out pretty fast!lol

[Foxer]

You do have to just get in there and slash plastic, but this forum has a wealth of tips scattered throughout it. I'd suggest going through some of the work-in-progress threads to see techniques, tools and obstacle bashing at it's best. There much to pick up from all the talent here.. it just rubs off.

[randx0]

You are already ahead of the game as you have already discovered the best tool in your arsenal which is other modelers to ask questions.my advice to start out with is pick up a kit that interests you and start building it so you have a frame of reference,I recommend using a liquid type cement to begin with as you progress you will learn when to use other products like 2 part epoxy and super glues along with which types of super glues.there are a few books out there that do a good job of laying out the basics as far as tools and techniques that can get you started out off the top of my head Pat Covert wrote a good one pretty recently .as far as painting, spray will work just fine .however the airbrush is very versatile and if you start out with it you won't have to relearn later. resist using the old fashoined testors enamels stick to the newer lacquer paints and or the tamaiya brand they dry much faster and lay down a lot smoother . some tools that I would recommend ,a polishing kit useful for paint jobs and body work ,a flexi file,a pinvise drill and plenty of bits,a good pair of snips(sprue cutter) razor saw,a good set of files and a dremel mototool.in my opinion the skill levels on the box are so inconsistent that they really shouldn't be a deciding factor. there are a lot of good kits and there are some real dogs look carefully at the box art or just ask someone here . maybe start with a snap together to get the hang of body prep and basic sub assemblies. from there take it slowly don't try to turn out a show winner the first time out .just practice the basics and try out one or two new techniques as you progress . keep it fun and uncomplicated . hope this helps

[brentech]

The last car I built was the 96 Viper GTS, as I was in love with it after seeing them all at the 96 Indianapolis 500, probably did it within that year. Anyways, that one I remember using spray paint on, and it had a decent finish. But - I took an airbrushing class back in high school and feel like if the equipment isn't too ridiculously pricey it would be a fun way to go. On the downside, I'd probably have to wait a little bit for that as I'm only a few years out of college and we're hoping to get a house this year (not really a good place to do any sort of painting around an apartment).

Looking at a lot of the works in progress, I love the paint shop setups that a lot of people seem to have.

I'll probably hit up a book store today and see what kind of reference guides I can find. In the end, it's something I've been wanting to get into for while. My day job is working on/supporting computers all day; and I'd like something to slow down, take my time, and relax with.

Thanks for info and starting points.

[LDO]

As far as model companies go, you ***typically*** get what you pay for. I say typically because sometimes old kits get reissued in new boxes. An example of this is the 1948 Lincoln and Auburn Boattail Speedster from Lindberg. The molds are 1950s technology. The kits are real dogs. I don't know what type of subjects you're into but of course you won't have to worry about 1950s tech on a model of a Ferrari 599GTB. Sometimes 2 or more companies offer a model of the same subject. Tamiya and Revell both offer Enzo Ferraris. The Revell kit is much simpler than the Tamiya, and the price reflects that. In a case like that, it just comes down to how much detail you want to pay for. I'm not knocking Revell by any means. They make some beautiful kits. Check out the box art. It often includes a shot of the undercarriage and engine. If the detail looks kind of soft, it may be an old kit reissued.

WRT Airbrush VS Spray cans, you can absolutely get a beautiful paint job out of a can. You don't need a spray booth, either. I painted several cars with Tamiya cans while deployed to Afghanistan. I did have to rub out a dust particle or two, but I still got great results. You will need a polishing kit. Check out Micro-Mark for that. While you're there, get some Novus polishing compound to use after you finish with the polishing kit.

A previous posted mentioned getting a Dremel. I agree 100%, but get the battery-powered one. The 110AC version spins too fast. It will melt plastic.

[brentech]

ordered a kit and basic tool-set along with some other items on Saturday. Should receive mid/late this week. Excited to just get started and figure some stuff out.

[j_nigrelli]

file only on the "push" stroke.

and invest in an OptiVisor or other optical magification; makes a BIG difference. not only in the quality of your time spent, but how long you can keep at it before your eyes get tired. whe doing close work, eyes tend not to blink (lubricate) as often and become irritated. get some eyedrops, too.

Edited March 10, 2009 by j_nigrelli

[randx0]

  brentech said:

ordered a kit and basic tool-set along with some other items on Saturday. Should receive mid/late this week. Excited to just get started and figure some stuff out.

what kit did you get ? be sure to keep us posted and take some pics and keep it fun.

[brentech]

Revell --- rmx854215 --- '68 Mustang GT 2n1

Love the mustangs from the 60s, so I figured I'd do one early on and then go back to it when I'm a lot more comfortable building so I could see the difference.

Not to say I wouldn't build some in between, just for pure love of the car.

Edited March 12, 2009 by brentech

[LoneWolf15]

Good place to look for reference books would be slixx.com . They carry a set of three books by Larry Davis which cover drag racing from it's infancy right up into the ' 70's. You could'nt ask for a better starting point, a number of others that they carry are just as good. I always raid the bargain bins at Barnes & Noble , there is always three or four there that can be had for an excellent price .

Donn Yost

Lone Wolf Custom Painting

[Privateer]

If you don't have an airbrush use spray cans from Tamiya or Testors laquers. Both are light years better than the old Testors we used as a kid. Welcome back to the hobby!!!

[B_rad88]

anice kit you should try is the revell of germany ferrari 575 superamerica. i just got one and its molded nice and has a but load of foreign lisence plates. this kit is a real nice example with the flip-open sunroof!