my kits off eBay finally came, and I want them to be my best ever. I haven't done any work yet on either, but I have bought their body colours; Nissan: Pearl Yellow, Volvo: TS-8 (Italian red). I also bought some white Tamiya primer ($14 ouch!), and some 220, 300, 600 grit sandpaper(highest grit avalible was 600). Can you guys please give me some pointers on how to build these right?
What do I do first? Sand 220, 300, 600, Prime, Paint? I'd love to see some tips form the pros!

Patients is the key thing. If you follow the indstrutions carfully you should be fine :)

Everything you need to know here:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=215864

Good Luck!

As Zubski points out, the Car Modeling FAQ is a great place to start - if you read through some of the how to's and tutorials there and still have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

The only thing that can be added is - TAKE YOUR TIME! Car modeling is not a race, it's a hobby that requires patience.

Thanks for the link, I plan to take my time this time. Can a mod please move this to WIP - Street.

for higher grit sandpaper, a decent auto supplies store should have 1200 and 1500. For 1500 and higher, you're going to have to go to a modelling supplies store that sticks Tamiya stuff or Micromesh.

Another question, the Volvo Estate has side trim that needs to be painted. should I paint it first, then mask it off so I can paint the body colour, or paint first, then do trim?

If you're talking about that black trim:
http://carview-img01.bmcdn.jp/ecrm/stock/839058_2.jpg
http://carview-img01.bmcdn.jp/ecrm/stock/839058_6.jpg
http://carview-img01.bmcdn.jp/ecrm/stock/839058_3.jpg
then i'd do the body first then mask off and paint the trim.

yes I'm talking about that grey (XF-63? german grey) trim. that car in those pictures is the same colour I'm painting my model!
EDIT: This is how I was going to paint it but now you say not to. (not my picture): http://www.nordicturbo.nl/gallery/albums/userpics/10002/PICT0003_(Medium)~0.JPG

If you paint whole car black first (so you could mask off the trim before painting red) the red paint will have darker shade, it won't be so bright as it would be on white primer/surfacer. Also it's easier to cover red paint with black than covering black with red one. Masking will be easy any way cause it's mostly flat surface.

Panel lines do with a GRAY pigment marker (black one will be to dark) You can use Gundam Marker, Pigma Micron or Faber Castel's Ecco Pigment.

If you paint whole car black first (so you could mask off the trim before painting red) the red paint will have darker shade, it won't be so bright as it would be on white primer/surfacer. Also it's easier to cover red paint with black than covering black with red one. Masking will be easy any way cause it's mostly flat surface.

Panel lines do with a GRAY pigment marker (black one will be to dark) You can use Gundam Marker, Pigma Micron or Faber Castel's Ecco Pigment.

thats just what I was thinking. I've masked the car now. I'll paint it today or tomorrow.

Update! Everything painted. I need some touch up paint for the body though. any Idea what X and XF bottles I should mix to get TS-8? (Italian red)
just a mockup:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/Models/102_3631.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/Models/102_3646.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/Models/102_3647.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/Models/102_3655.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/Models/102_3656.jpg


Oh, and my Nissan 300ZX model came with a clear hood. I'd like to paint it pearl yellow, I'd like to know if I should paint it from the inside or the outside.

Btw, Put a V8 in my S10 :)
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/Models/102_3614.jpg

I'd like to know if I should paint it from the inside or the outside

If it doesn't have scratches (mine looks like after sanding ;( i think i need to contact local Tamiya dealer - maybe i'll get new one) then paint it from bottom - You will get bautifull shine. And even if you won't like the effect you can allways paint it also trom outside.

Thanks for the help, and to who resized my pics (silly edit button doesn't work). The hood isn't scratched (just molding lines). My kit says manuafactured in 1989, and you say they still make these?

Update! I've painted the 300ZX Yellow, and I've just sprayed the window frames. I haven't peeled the tape off yet, but It doesn't looks to good. I tried to save $2 by buying Testors Enamel paint, but Its coming out rubbish on my Revell Subaru WRX STi, and its coming out in clumps on the window frames.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3667.jpg

The Volvo Estate, needs its paint stripped. the side trim leaked, once again, and there is colour discolorations, and its just a mess, that project is on hold untill I buy some paint remover.

In additon, I was dissasembling my Tamiya Nissan GT-R, badly put together and I don't like the colour. I was suprised at how easily the parts detach. Alas, I did break some. The left rear lights(could be glued back together, as the break cannot be seen from the outside, but the parts are painted the wrong colour, one of the rear arms is broken, and I can't get the badly painted windows out. I wondering If I should buy the kit again, and do it from scratch(at a tune of <$40), or strip and repaint everything. And how do I remove paint from clear parts?
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3688.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3687.jpg

If it doesn't have scratches (mine looks like after sanding ;( i think i need to contact local Tamiya dealer - maybe i'll get new one) then paint it from bottom - You will get bautifull shine.

I wouldn't.
I'd just treat it like any other plastic part and prime and paint as usual.

that what I did. :)

just some picts of the ruined trim. :(
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3692.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3691.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3690.jpg

This thread should problibly be named "Zoomy's WIPs" as I have another WIP.
Revell Subaru WRX STi:
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3696.jpg

Stupid edit button refuses to work.

I sprayed the car with Testors Enamal Gloss black, but it seems too thick, then I find I can peel it away with my modeling knife, with little effort! whole body needs to be striped. More bad news, the windscreen was scratched sense the first time I opened it. :(. On the plus side, the engine looks great!

what masking tape did you used on that 300zx ?? I had similar problem before i used Tamiya masking tape. Also it's better to use a brush instead of spray when it comes to window trims - gives less paint, soit doesn't spoil that much around.

I used Tamiya tape. 40mm wide. nothing less. It could have been that I didn't seal the edges with my finger or something.

I use 3Ms green car paint tape.

It could have been that I didn't seal the edges with my finger or something.

A toothpick is very good for that.

I got was naughty and bought another kit :/
Honda S2000. Mostly painted now.
Toyota Supra. Still in box.
at my LHS I also saw a Mercedes 600SEL model by a company called LEE. It looks like a Tamiya. I've heard its a rebox. its $24 CAN, should I buy it?

pics of S2000
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3705.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3704.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3701.jpg
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3702.jpg
Windows have paint problem. looks like tamiya masks leaked through middle?
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3703.jpg
All the models I have to finish. the Alfa needs restoring.
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa201/zacharyzoomy_2007/102_3707.jpg

Another question. My LHS doesn't have the right colour flocking. Is there any way to paint my flocking a different colour? I don' want to order some because I want to use it now.

pardon me to ask this...are you rushing to go anywhere bro?

gee, from the pics you took on the whole lot of kits...i can sense you're gonna lose parts & directions soon! so take it easy, will you?

try to restore one at a time. you'll get very confused & lost by doing all work simultaneously, not to mention easily damaging them.

frankly, i'm having the same problems as you...doing 8 heavy mods at one time. but i'm a little better cos' i'm only doing the bodyworks, only car bodies from the other incomplete or damaged kits. i've yet to make / find the parts for them yet, so i'm still in control of my builds.

take it slow ok?
cheers!

I'll take it slow. 2 on the shelf there need to have paint striped, and I don't have anything to do that yet.

Your work is improving a lot Zachary.

May I offer some advice?

The window didn't have a leak in the masking, it looks more like overspray. Make sure that you keep all the parts separate when painting. Overspray is a
sneaky one, it gets everywhere if you don't have a controlled booth.

Did you spray paint or hand brush the door cards and seats for the S2K? Try lighter coats of paint in either situation. You will get cleaner looking result. Also, with doing lighter coats of paint you will lesson the chance of leaky masking jobs because the first light coat basically seals it.

When you mask, use the edge of a toothpick to burnish the edges of the tape. Rubbing the toothpick across the tape will help to ensure that it is sealing correctly.

You are certainly improving. It seems to be the only thing holding you back is your impatience. Strive for results not time. :wink:


One more thing. Somebody mentioned using a brush for painting the trim around the windows. Brush or spray it doesn't matter: A good masking job will always give the best results. I use spray for all of my trim and I never have issue as long as I burnish my tape :2cents: