Honda S2000 - My First Build

Hello AF model builders. :)

It's good to be back :)

I have been AFK from model building for almost 6years now. I have never finished 1 model but I am back and wanting to do this again because I had personal reasons the last time for not continuing with this wonderful pastime.

This is the original thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=467580) that I started way back when and i have decided to rather start a whole new thread because I have chosen to strip the paint ONCE again to put a proper solid color on the body.

Back then, I had a lot of trouble with the body and it broke in 2 places. After this latest stripping, it broke completely. As you will see below. BUUUTT!! I honestly believe it is fixable and I will give it my best shot! The breaks are clean and some reinforcement will do the trick I think.

If I can't fix it, I will just go out and buy a new kit and use it as spare parts. :)

Anyways...GASPS are now welcome :)
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42571&stc=1&d=1302377389
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42572&stc=1&d=1302377389

Wow...

The body is probably fixable but if it broke up like that it means the plastic has become too brittle due to the multiple times you've stripped the paint (I assume you used brake fluid?) so there's no guarantee you won't run into further issues as you go along. You have to ask yourself if you want to go through all the trouble of putting a broken body together for your first build. If I were you I would get a new kit and leave this one for later when you're more comfortable with the hobby you're getting back to.

Good luck in any case!

meh, i'm not too phased. as I said, I will just go buy a new kit and replace the body and all the other extras, I will use as spare parts :)

Ok, Small update :)

Last night I glued the pieces back together. I still got some work to do to clean things up a little but overall I am happy with the result. I am now even more hopeful that I can still make this body work.

Persevere!! :thumbsup:

BEFORE
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42583&stc=1&d=1302419879
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42582&stc=1&d=1302419879

AFTER
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42584&stc=1&d=1302419879
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42585&stc=1&d=1302419879

TOP VIEW
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42586&stc=1&d=1302420545

Make sure you cement some plastic strips on the inside of the joints to reinforce them.

Make sure you cement some plastic strips on the inside of the joints to reinforce them.
Thanks for the tip :) I am planning on doing that, I just need to go to the LHS to get some.

Ok, the body has been sanded and ready for some good old soaking in soapy water for about an hour before she gets a good scrub down and goes off for drying. :)
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42587&stc=1&d=1302437493

In she goes before a good drying and priming to reveal all those bad and ugly spots.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42588&stc=1&d=1302437493

Of course I must not forget the underside for cleaning too :P
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42589&stc=1&d=1302437493

Wow, that is an ambitious fix!

Way to go fixing that body! I think it is enough of a feat that I would personally even build up the model looking just like that, without painting the body. As already mentioned just make sure you reinforce the body enough to last through polishing your next paint job and the last step of putting the body onto the chassis.

Yes :) I am off to the LHS today to get some plastic strips for reinforcement :)

ok, so none of my LHS have plastic for me. I would just like to ask, is this what I should be ordering? Cause I am not sure what to buy.

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=70003

ok, so none of my LHS have plastic for me. I would just like to ask, is this what I should be ordering? Cause I am not sure what to buy.

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=70003


yes it is, nice price moreover ! :biggrin:

you're on the way to an ambitious restoration project, such wrecked body would have discouraged many of us and simply be replaced by a new one, that only worses to follow your progress whatever the final model would be !

Thanks Phil :) I am going to do whatever I can to make this work! this is my first build and I'm not giving up easily.

About the styrene, aren't there styrene strips from Tamiya?

Thanks Phil :) I am going to do whatever I can to make this work! this is my first build and I'm not giving up easily.

About the styrene, aren't there styrene strips from Tamiya?

there might, but the most common and seen styren strips, rods, tubes etc are made by Evergreen even if some stores don't inevitably release the Evergreen range (it's the case here in France, only a few specialized stores have the full range regularly updated and restocked).

Another good source for styrene goodies is http://www.plastruct.com/

Ok, So I managed to source a LHS that sold evergreen products :)

I bought myself the following:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42616&stc=1&d=1302617668

And while I was at it, I thought I would treat myself to a nice accessory :)
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42617&stc=1&d=1302617668

So the moment I get another chance, I will be giving the body some good support. I will post back here when I have more news.

paint jar stand?
geez....

paint jar stand?
geez....
What?

Ok, so here is a quick update. I have set the reinforcements in to place. Lets hope it works :)
I lengthened this reinforcement because the styrene would not bend and curve with the body if it was too short. So this worked out well :)
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42623&stc=1&d=1302624397

And the other side where it broke. The 2 extra pieces on top are not glued. They are just there as spacers to hold all 3 down.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42624&stc=1&d=1302624397

Let me know your thoughts :)

you got to be a little careful with fresh styrene strips.
sometimes, the fresh surface doesn't melt very well when you apply solvent to it and it maintains a bit of a skin.
i usually sand the surface of all sheet styrene before using them.


...and about the paint jar stand, i think that's a waste of money.

...and about the paint jar stand, i think that's a waste of money.hmmmm..I suppose it's a good thing that it's not your money then. Don't you think I should be allowed to spend my money how I want to? :nono:

But anyways, thanks for tips on the styrene.

ok, so looks like I made another mistake :P but hey... Im learning am I not? I am persistent to finish A model by the end of 2050. lol

The reinforcement strip came loose and I suspect it was because of my stupidity of not sanding it like suggested by drunk. So I will sand it and try again. :P Man I'm not meant to be a model builder lol :lol:
If this doesnt work this time I will start moving towards buying a new kit for a new body. I have not been able to source a new body only. only an entire kit. any suggestions where I can look for a new body only?

The body looks OK, you don't need to buy a new one. Just sand both the inside of the body and the plastic strips before gluing them using a good plastic cement, I used Revell cement with great results for a body shell that was in much worse shape than your S2000.

Wooow, I remember you! Welcome back!

Why the new sign-in?

I would very strongly recommend giving up on this body. The plastic is very clearly compromised by its little swim in brake fluid. It's all too likely that when you do get it painted (especially if it's a paint job that you're really pleased with), it will break on you. It is almost guaranteed to break as you mount it on the chassis- and that would be reeeally kinda frustrating. :banghead: Please, don't make this build any harder on yourself than it needs to be. There is more than enough challenge to be found in this hobby- but let your skills develop with practice.

any suggestions where I can look for a new body only?

Sure, easy.

You can order a replacement body through HLJ (http://www.hlj.com/helpcenter/partssupport.html) It may take a couple of weeks, but it is an excellent and reliable service.

Hey MPWR :) I am glad to be remembered. hehe.....I definitely remember you... you were always so helpful back then. I haven't been using "gabbadude" on forums for over 2years now. That's why I changed the name.

The truth is, this kit has been discontinued and I am battling to get anything from the LHS's. So I will email HLJ if it comes to that. I want to give it one more go. After this attempt, if it doesn't work...I will put this kit aside and order a new body or a new kit whichever comes first and then start on my BMW Z3 kit to get 1 kit under my belt at least.

It's good to be back ;) I'm also very glad to see some regulars still here.

About buying just the body from HLJ, this is what their website says:
SOURCE: http://www.hlj.com/helpcenter/partssupport.html
We cannot confirm the price of the parts for your prior to your order. There are literally millions of different parts in existence and it's impossible for us to catalog this data, or take the time to check with the manufacturer and report back to you before you place an order. Just assume that the part can cost anywhere between 10-80% of the cost of the original kit (unless it's a very major part, like the body of a car kit, and then it can cost even more) and be prepared to pay that much (please note that some Bandai parts can be considerably higher). Kits from major manufacturers have a parts list on the last page of the instruction sheet that shows the prices of the runners and other parts (though this is usually in Japanese only), but if you study it for a few moments, you can probably figure out how much what you need will cost.To be honest, I would rather buy the kit from ebay and get all the parts in case I need spares. This will work out cheaper than simply buying the body which is more expensive than the kit :P

You can also order new body from Rainbow 10, excellent service for almost all Tamiya models.

Ok, So I have decided to take the advice of the experts and leave this body for my Trash can. I was looking over the body today and noticed that the windscreen frame was bent and scew. This was enough for me to decide that I did not want to go through the entire build and find out the windscreen doesnt fit properly. So I am putting this build on hold until I can get a new body and in the meantime, I will be starting on my BMW Z3 or Nissan 350Z. I must still decide. I will start a new progress thread for those :)

Thanks for the support and advice up until now. :)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=42649&stc=1&d=1302718898

Ok, so I bought a new kit off ebay. So I will start on my BMW Z3 or Nissan 350Z for now :)

Most times your windshield frame will sort itself out when you attach the glass. Most all convertible models have bent windshield frames, so don't be surprised when your replacement body is askew as well.

Well, I have had so many other troubles with this body that I have decided to take MPWR's advice and not make this build harder than it needs to be. Thanks for the tip for my future builds though :)

I might have to do the same thing with my del Sol model... :(

There has been so much "DONE" to my build for this car. What are you referring to Wolf? :)

OH, my bad. I was referring to fixing the broken windshield frame..

But my dog ended up eating the model. :/