ground effects?

:devil: :newburn: Hey guys and gals, I was wondering how you mold ground effects for differant model kits. I just dont seem to know how. If there is a site or you know how would you please tell me. Thanks alot, this will really help me customize my models.


I have another question to add. How do you get the chameleon color changing paint? I would really like to know how to do that. Im thinking about putting it on a lexus or a lowered integra. Thanks

Originally posted by cav88
:devil: :newburn: Hey guys and gals, I was wondering how you mold ground effects for differant model kits. I just dont seem to know how. If there is a site or you know how would you please tell me. Thanks alot, this will really help me customize my models. Check in the FAQ in the section about putty. It takes a bit of practice...

I already did that but it didnt really have anything about making them. Thanks anyways

just follow the instructions posted in the faq on how to use putty. how it looks will depend on your patience and skill. It helps to have references of what you want the car to look like. it will usually take a few tries before you get it the way you want it to look. and for body kits, tamiya epoxy putty is your best bet IMO. dont use contour putty since its not designed for scratch building.

The way i make them is by not using just putty. Putty should just be used to fill gaps and for curves and contours. To get real definition and shape u will need to build a basic 'skeleton' with sheet styrene and any other styrene shaped strips u find useful. Study the photos of the real bodykit to work this out. Keep as much of the original bumpers etc on your model but cut away unecessary areas ie large front intakes etc. This is just my method, i find it works well for me but others have their own way.

My very crude drawing delow will hopefully give u some clue as to what im on about.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/842497010.jpg

Cozmo6476:

I guess ill just have to buy some of that tamiya epoxy putty and just sort of play around with it until im happy with what I get. Thanks

Flyonthewall: This helped me out a lot (i posted a similar topic about a week ago but got no replies), but i have one lingering question, how do you get the sheets of styrene to bend/mold into a curve shave like that (i'm mainly talking about the 'green' part)? Do you heat it up a little bit? Oh and what thinkness of styrene would you use for something like that?

Nika

Sorry, guys, I oversimplifed the question. :o

You can get styrene sheets that bend like paper. Don't have measurements handy, though...

I am making major Ground FXs for the Integra I have been working on since april (I will have update pics tomorrow). The way I did it was by just using Styrene plastic and cutting it to shape, then gluing it on. The way I glued it on around the front and edges, was by gluing on one side and then using a bulldog clip to hold it in place until it was dry. Then I slowly bent it around the corner and glued it and held it with another bulldog clip, then I did the same at the next corner. It just takes patience, but the worst part is getting the putty smooth after it has been applied (sanding, putty, sanding, putty...then primer which will show any little flaws. If you do find flaws, putty, sand... it takes a while but it will give better results.
Hope this helps.

Originally posted by nikanora
Flyonthewall: This helped me out a lot (i posted a similar topic about a week ago but got no replies), but i have one lingering question, how do you get the sheets of styrene to bend/mold into a curve shave like that (i'm mainly talking about the 'green' part)? Do you heat it up a little bit? Oh and what thinkness of styrene would you use for something like that?

Nika

For that piece for example, i would do it how thug has just described above but with out the buldog clips as sometimes to much pressure can damage the plastic if much glue is used. I would stick down one side, let dry, then glue it around the bumper. I use 10, 20, 30 thou sheet which can all be bent very easily.

Start your ground effects by making templates out of thin notecard stock. It can be bent and curved and shaped very easily. Make the templates for one side. They can then be flipped over and used to make the other side.
Look at the bumper on my truck for instance. I made it out of steel plate. I built the drivers side out of heavy cardboard and then cut all of the steel for both sides from the same templates, just flipping the templates for left or right. That way everything is the same from side to side.
For making pieces with a lot of curve I would recommend using .010 thk styrene. For flat pieces, like the bottoms and ends of the ground effects use .020 or .025 thk stk. This adds structure and will support your sanding and polishing when it comes time to finish them out. Superglue also speeds things up when building pieces like this. Super glue and kicker will let you work on stuff with no waiting for glue to set.
As far as using a lot of putty... don't. Putty has a bad tendancy to shrink as it cures and it will continue to cure for several months AFTER you have the model done. This will cause cracking and sink marks and will ruin all of your effort. Build the ground effects out of sheet styrene using a little putty to smooth things over and fill low spots.
Mark

Thanks Astroracer, I was at a hobby shop and they also recomended a sheet of styrene plastic. But Im also not sure of how to get the perfect bend and making it fit right and also look good. I ll get a sheet of that to and maybe try it on a model or too.:ylsuper

I was just wondering if anybody new about a site that has customized model cars or trucks. I want toget some ideas and just see what people are doing with thier models today. thanks:eshooter:

it's an amazing costumization (I think)
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t44238.html