Subaru WRX STi

[Scale-Master]

I picked this kit up several years ago, when these cars/kits were very popular. I almost built it many times over the last decade, but each time put it on the back burner due to different reasons.

I decided now or never is the time, and I wanted to paint something blue.

Once I cleaned up the mold lines and scribed the panel lines a little deeper, I primed the body with gray Tamiya primer, re-sanded and then put a base coat of Tamiya Intermediate Blue.

The wheels and calipers came pre-painted gold, but not on the back side, so I shot a coat of gold on the back to cover up the blue plastic while they were still on the sprue.

I shot the single piece chassis with the same base and color blues as the body will get, and then proceeded with the hand painting of silver and black as well as some washes mixed from black, smoke and earth.

[martinfan5]

Nice start Mr Jones

[Monty]

Seems like every time Mr Jones gets to going on a blue car (or any other color, really) we're the beneficiaries of his knowledge and abilities. Never hurts to watch & learn from the pros...

[Tonioseven]

I like where this is headed!!

[Nacho Z]

I'll be watching....

[Kennyboy]

I'm watching as well!

Is this the Tamiya WRX STI Mark?

[Scale-Master]

Yes, Tamiya.

[Modlbldr]

Looking great, but before you get too far along I was wondering if I could pay you to cast me copies of the headlight parts. I have this kit but it is missing some parts. It's been a while since I looked and I don't remember if it is the headlight buckets or the lenses. If interested, shoot me a PM.

Later-

[Jeremy Jon]

Always liked that era of Subi myself, looking forward to more!

[Scale-Master]

Looking great, but before you get too far along I was wondering if I could pay you to cast me copies of the headlight parts. I have this kit but it is missing some parts. It's been a while since I looked and I don't remember if it is the headlight buckets or the lenses. If interested, shoot me a PM.

Later-

Sorry, I already am "too far along", I painted the headlight buckets, and I don't have any clear resin if it turns out you need the lenses.

[Modlbldr]

Thanks anyway. I'll probably just black them out with styrene.

Nice looking build.

Later-

[Scale-Master]

You might consider using clear sheet for the lenses and then taping them up like a weekend racer might do.

[Scale-Master]

I sprayed the door panels German Gray and brush painted the blue inserts and speaker grilles as called out in the instructions. I did a really light wash of dark gray to enhance the engraved lines.

Shot the body with a few light coats of Mica Blue, let it dry for a week and color sanded it with 2000 grit. Then shot three more coats about 45 minutes before taking these pictures. It is really hot today.

[Kennyboy]

Looking awesome Mark!! Really nice blue (looks VERY close to World Rally Blue)

You should BMF the inner door handles (you painted silver).....they were chrome on the STI'S. Not criticizing....just throwing that out there.

[Modlbldr]

Looking great. I'm watching this one. You have made me dig mine out and put the few parts together that don't require painting yet. I think that I am going to paint mine Galaxy gray. If not, I may be doing it in Mica Blue also.

Later-

[Jordan 191]

I own this kit too. You are throwing down the gauntlet!

[Scale-Master]

I shot the gray portions of the seats with a dark semi-metallic gray then hand painted the blue inserts then assembled the interior. I’m not too concerned with the interior door handles being silver as opposed to chrome since the tint and the windows diminish the view significantly.


I masked the windows with the kit provided masks and shot the black trim.

Then I removed the masks from the rear and side rear windows…

…and sprayed the smoke tint.

I went with limo tint on the side windows, lesser density on the back glass.

[DynoMight]

Looks great! I want to build one now for my friend, he's really into Subies.

[Scale-Master]

This kit so far has been a breeze to build.

I decided to not use clear and just wax the Mica Blue. I painted the window trim and the panel lines. Looks like it’s ready to assemble…

[Modelmikey]

Sweet! This is the body style that introduced me to Subaru, and the sweet sweet turbo flat 4's!

[MikeBoyle]

Looks great Mark.

[Scale-Master]

Thanks Mike. It is a really enjoyable kit.

The headlights, taillights and side markers are very well engineered. Not only are the molded in color, the kit includes the chrome foil to back them. But the best part is how easily they install and how clean they look.