Filling holes on a body I don't want to paint

[sjordan2]

I have a Mercedes 500K coupe kit that has perfect body color and finish as molded. I don't want to paint the exterior, though I will paint the undersides of the body. This kit has holes for mounting mirrors and spotlights on the cowling (because it's adapted from the roadster kit), which don't exist on the coupe.

Any experienced suggestions on invisibly filling the holes without compromising the molded body color? Obviously, sanding will be a problem.

[Mike Kucaba]

Here's aloooonnnggg shot. Sanding "dust" from some kit sprues mixed with epoxy or super glue. Put tape over the holes from the outside and apply a tiny amount of the "putty" to the holes. let cure and remove tape. You still may have to sand,buff and polish the plastic. Have you considered a clear coat overall?

[Steven Zimmerman]

My opinion, no matter what you do, it will still show.

[Casey]

My opinion, no matter what you do, it will still show.

I agree. The plastic you fill each hole with would need to be the exact same consistency as the plastic surrounding the hole...not likely to happen.

Why are you opposed to painting the outside of the body, but willing to paint the inside?

[Deathgoblin]

The others are right. You can attempt this, but it's still going to show as imperfections in the plastic. Your best bet would be to match it as closely as possible with a true paint, and you'll be happier with the results.

[sjordan2]

I agree. The plastic you fill each hole with would need to be the exact same consistency as the plastic surrounding the hole...not likely to happen.

Why are you opposed to painting the outside of the body, but willing to paint the inside?

The original molded plastic color (burgundy/maroon, which shouldn't show mini repairs on these tiny holes too badly), is exactly the way I want it, and there are no swirls or visible sink marks or mold seams to deal with. There are so many compound curves, panel lines and louvers that I'm afraid my painting skills at 1/25 won't give me the results I want. I would prefer not to clear coat it because just a little polish gives it a very correct period look. I'll paint the underside parts of the body (including head liner) to avoid light show-through and create a little bit more of a feeling of density.

But I think there are some very good suggestions here. I appreciate them and I'll experiment with them.

[sjordan2]

You may have been thinking of the Monogram 540K Cabriolet and, yes, that metallic body would have to be painted if there were any detail work like I'm thinking of. In fact, while there may be exceptions, I have yet to see a plastic body molded in metallic that didn't have some consistency problems like swirls, such as the Chrysler Atlantic.