Tamiya 1/24 ALFA ROMEO GTV (1996) Twin Spark 16V

[360spider]

Well, I'm bored so I'm starting another build - another Tamiya wonderful rendition of the cool Alfa GTV. After all, I was dreaming of having this time to stay at home and have the time to build all these kits, so now is my chance! Maybe the pile won't look so big when I'm done...

If at all possible, I always try to get original release of the kit. For authenticity, best copy of the parts, etc. This one is no exception - an original 1996 release in a beautiful slightly worn box:

IMG_1032 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1033 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

This is a full detail (with engine) kit*, there will be some tasty bits to look at after.

IMG_1034 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Decals are slightly yellowed, but not bad overall:
IMG_1035 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

No detail sets available for this kit, but it does come with these small metal stickers
IMG_1036 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

The color would be Alfa Rosso Proteo Metallic.

[potsie]

Nice. I am not sure I have ever seen one of these built!

[BVC500]

Cool! I wish Tamiya had made the spider version. I once saw someone - can't remember the forum - convert this kit to a spider. Frankly, I wish Tamiya would release a convertible for every hardtop kit it makes. I'm thinking Aston Martin DBS. While some kits may require more new parts than others, a lot of the engineering & mold making is already done.

[360spider]

Originally Posted by potsie

Nice. I am not sure I have ever seen one of these built!

There are a few, even couple on this forum if you search They do build into nice looking models!

Originally Posted by BVC500

Cool! I wish Tamiya had made the spider version. I once saw someone - can't remember the forum - convert this kit to a spider. Frankly, I wish Tamiya would release a convertible for every hardtop kit it makes. I'm thinking Aston Martin DBS. While some kits may require more new parts than others, a lot of the engineering & mold making is already done.

Agree, but that might be cannibalizing on the sales, so who knows. They used to do this (300ZX comes to mind).

Some progress on this one. Too late to pack it up and sell, I guess!

Cleaned up all the mold lines, etc

IMG_1041 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Overall, the casting is pretty good, only pin marks were on the back of the hood, which I filled:

IMG_1042 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Primed:

IMG_1043 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1044 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1046 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Entire body had very vague panel lines, so I had to re-scribe it in its entirety. The toughest was around hte side windows, it was so faint, I guarantee it would get lost under the coats of paint and clear.

IMG_1047 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Ready for color!

IMG_1049 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

​

[360spider]

The body was painted in Alfa Rosso Proteo Metallic:



As usual, 2 coats of paint, 2 coats of clear, light polish after 8 hours.

IMG_1059 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1060 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1061 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1062 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1063 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1064 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1067 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

[madonion48]

Awesome paint ! And so clean.

The kit looks well engineered, I really like this subject.

[360spider]

Originally Posted by madonion48

Awesome paint ! And so clean.

The kit looks well engineered, I really like this subject.

Thank you!
All tiny bits were cleaned up and painted in base colors:

IMG_1078 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1079 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Detail painted and washed parts of the engine. Decided to paint cam cover into classic Alfa Rosso instead of boring silver.

IMG_1083 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Assembled the motor:

IMG_1091 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

And test fitted to see how it looks inside the engine bay:

IMG_1088 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1086 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

[BVC500]

Nice progress! Is that 2k clear?

[ilferraristarosso]

Great paint job!

[360spider]

Originally Posted by BVC500

Nice progress! Is that 2k clear?

Yes Sir! Only 2k clear shines like this! This time I tried Advantage brand - not bad!
Untitled by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Originally Posted by ilferraristarosso

Great paint job!

Thanks!

[BVC500]

Good to know. I've been using 2k clears the past couple of years, but man they are a b*tch to polish. I usually have some orange peel to remove, but I also like glass like smooth surfaces. Been doing some research lately, though, and it seems a good course is to polish before the paint is fully cured.

The orange peel is another problem - maybe my underlying coats aren't smooth enough or I'm not laying down enough paint.

[360spider]

I think orange peel is a result (at least partially) of too much thinner in your clear, or a thinner that dries too fast. You should not add more than 10% thinners to the mixture. I usually polish after 2-3 hours with compounds, but if it has been sitting for more than 24 hours - these won't cut it. You need progressive sand papers, and then polishes.

[BVC500]

Originally Posted by 360spider

I think orange peel is a result (at least partially) of too much thinner in your clear, or a thinner that dries too fast. You should not add more than 10% thinners to the mixture. I usually polish after 2-3 hours with compounds, but if it has been sitting for more than 24 hours - these won't cut it. You need progressive sand papers, and then polishes.

Funny, I haven't heard anything thinning too much. I have been thinning quite a bit - maybe up to 30%, but that was in the summer. Some guys will spray their final coat of 2K in nearly all thinner to level it out.

But yeah, having to go through the whole process of sanding papers and polish was something I was trying to avoid by using 2K. I've had to do this with all my models, including those Californias. And the risk of burn through is still ever present, but diminished slightly b/c 2k in harder.

[360spider]

Masked off and painted chassis plate:

IMG_1105 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1103 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Brakes:

IMG_1111 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Detail painted and washed suspension bits

IMG_1109 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Assembled:

IMG_1131 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Rear suspension:

IMG_1114 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1132 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Completed chassis:

IMG_1134 by Italian Horses, on Flickr



IMG_1137 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

The wheels were stripped of chrome and re-painted in more appropriate aluminum color.

IMG_1077 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Masked the body shell for trim painting:

IMG_1095 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Painted the trim:

IMG_1142 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1144 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Attached hinges to the hood, and painted all black inside:

IMG_1146 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Body was also painted black inside:

IMG_1151 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1150 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

And mocked it up with the wheels and chassis:

IMG_1119 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1121 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1123 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1126 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

[Gorzi]

It looks very nice, I built the same kit last month. The decals of mine just look as normal as yours, but when they put into water, they start to break into little pieces, so you've better cover the decals with a layer of liquid decal film before you put them into water.