Cayman update: Tired of polishing Leaving it as is 5/21/07

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Last time, we were here:

I forgot to take a pic of the primer ready for color. But basically, I don't move forward until the primer is perfectly even and smooth. I sand it smooth to an almost polished finished. I used Plastikote T235 followed by a coat of Cobra Colors Moon Mud primer.

I have seen top end shops applying colored primer between the initial primer and color. What I did was to lay a very light color coat that will be the foundation for all other color coats. I also did something different this time: I "spot painted" the areas I know are succeptible to rub throughs while polishing. I am usually very aggresive in polishing, resulting in rubbing thru clear, paint and primer and having to start all over again. These areas are the door handles, A pillars, wheel well bulges (both back and front), fuel filler door and the back hatch ridge. I will now start color coats, but since this is red plastic, I'll take it very Very VERY easy to slowly build up color and prevent any bleeding.

Let me know if you like these in progress installments...

Thanks,

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

Love progress shots!!!

Looks to be some sort of yellow...what paint are you using? Or is that a secret :twisted: :!:

[ismaelg]

Thanks Marc. The yellow is Cobra Colors Giallo Midas.

Thanks,

[Guest zebm1]

Tha Mini-gator is looking good Izzy. :wink:

zeb

[Modelmartin]

You have to love a mid-engine street Porsche. I have a 72 914 in my garage -only 4 cylinders though, but I will take it.

I also have this kit and was quite impressed with it. Is that Midas yellow going to be the final color?

[ismaelg]

Is that Midas yellow going to be the final color?

Unless I change my mind between now and the last color coat, yes, it will be the final color.

Don't tell anybody, but it is actually the basecoat of Giallo Midas Pearl, a Lamborghini factory tricoat option. But, this basecoat (without the translucent midcoat) is the closest I have to Porsche Speed yellow... And..... I have already used all the other yellows

So it will be Porsche Speed Yellow. That's my story and I'll stick to it!!!

Thanks,

[simonr]

Oh Nooo!...the little lizard it's coming up, another great Porsche build it's around the corner!

Simon Rivera

[ismaelg]

Not much progress this week. The body has 6 color coats. A few more will be added before final inspection and correction of any problem before clear.

Thanks,

[hookedonplastics]

Izzer, is that paint laying down flat?

[ismaelg]

Yes Russ. Lacquer usually lays down flat. The important thing is to have it smooth and even, not shiny. Polishing will bring it up to life eventually.

Thanks,

[Luis Ayala]

Nice!!!!

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Not much progress this week in this or any other model for that matter.

About 7 or 8 color coats, gave it a few days to dry and inspected over the most powerful light you can get; the tropical sun at mid Morning with polarized sunglasses. A few minor teeny weeny micro flaws were found and fixed, then went all over the body with a 6000 polishing cloth and plenty of water. Then a good "shower" under tap water and let it air dry/ bake in the sun for about 10 minutes.

Then... one final coat of color with 50/50 thinned paint.

Now it is ready for clear...

No sign of bleeding so far. The body is red plastic and the spoiler, mirrors and grilles are black plastic. Color is uniform in all parts.

Thanks,

[ismaelg]

Hello,

After 2 weeks of rain, I finally got a chance to apply clear to this project.

WOW! I can't believe it but this thing has 20 coats on it!!!!! (Of course there was a lot of sanding on some of them) and each one of them was a gloves-off "in your face" open challenge to the red plastic bleeding gremlins

2 coats of T235 primer

2 coats of moon mud primer

8 color coats

8 coats of clear

It will have plenty of time to dry before polishing. I'll work now on the chassis, interiors and everything else, which is usually a few weeks. Then I'll polish it before final assembly.

Thanks,

[ismaelg]

The body was cleared and it is taking a nap of at least 2 or 3 weeks before polishing. After that I started working on the underside of the car. These cars have panels covering the bottom, so they are pretty much all black. But if those panels are removed, you can see some overspray from the painting process. I painted this model as if some panels were removed. I also added heat insulation over the mufflers.

Now it is on to brakes, followed by interiors

Still a long way to go, but slowly getting there...

What do you think?

Thanks,

[Guest roadkill2525]

I forgot how much today's cars have everything covered, the paint and detailing look spectacular.

[Gray Smith]

Excellent job on the undersides man, great textures too..for some reason my paints all come out looking smooth....

Look forward to seeing this one done..

Gray

[hookedonplastics]

Izzo, how did you do the pattern on the heat shield? I am lovin this build!

[ismaelg]

Thanks guys!

Russ, the heat shield is a piece of heavy aluminum foil. Trimmed to shape and then pressed over mesh material so the pattern gets embossed. A drop of superglue keeps it in place. Other than that and the parts box oil filter decal, the rest is 100% box stock.

Currently working on the interiors. I'll post pics soon.

Thanks,

[simonr]

Hey man, just finish the model, my heart can't wait no more!...it's just so good to see it unfinish again.

Simon Rivera

[ismaelg]

Half of the interior work is done. I now need to work on the dash, shifter, steering wheel, pedals etc.

I still need to dust off some flocking material from the seats. The cargo net shows some weird reflections, but it looks better than in the pic.

Thanks,

[MrObsessive]

Excellent job so far Ismael! What did you use for the exhaust insulation?

The interior looks so good, at first glance I thought it was the 1:1!

[bestfreshman]

As always Ismael, you are doing an excellent job!

[MrObsessive]

Trimmed to shape and then pressed over mesh material so the pattern gets embossed.

Okay, I see..........very clever trick! I have to give that a try sometime........

[George Christy]

Looks good Izz

GeorgeC

[mikelo]

looks great! I really like the color of the interior. The cargo net looks OK too. I like how it looks stretched across the shelf.