Mercedes 500SL Fujimi 1:24 (R129)

It is my new project - simply "out of box" Fujimi's Mercedes 500SL model R129.
I like R129 very very much so I've decided to build one. I have also some SL from Tamiya and one rare kit from Revell, BRABUS 300SL-24. They are still in boxes.

My 500SL will be dark blue with light "buff" interior.
Let's start !

The body is redy for primer
http://imageshack.us/a/img152/9120/mercedes500slfujimi002s.jpg

After primer and some slight sanding with sandpaper.
http://imageshack.us/a/img221/762/mercedes500slfujimi004s.jpg
It was looks so nice in white primer I thought to paint it white pearl.

Preparation for base colour.
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/6340/mercedes500slfujimi007s.jpg

It will be Deep Blue from Tamiya. TS-53

Body and chassis after some thin layer. I was decaning paint from can to my airbrush (as you can see).
http://imageshack.us/a/img571/1998/mercedes500slfujimi012s.jpg

Base color. And some fime test.
http://imageshack.us/a/img585/9889/mercedes500slfujimi014s.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img507/6264/mercedes500slfujimi015s.jpg

Next step - interior.
Preparation for painting.
http://imageshack.us/a/img703/6158/mercedes500slfujimi018s.jpg

The steering wheel come from Tamiya's 500SL. And the door panel was made by myself using simple silikon mold and resin.

http://imageshack.us/a/img525/9338/mercedes500slfujimi019s.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img31/8192/mercedes500slfujimi019a.jpg

Color for interior.
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/3629/mercedes500slfujimi020s.jpg

And fit test also color match test. Looks nice :)
http://imageshack.us/a/img31/3701/mercedes500slfujimi021s.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img821/7344/mercedes500slfujimi022s.jpg

Thank you all for following!
Michal

The color looks so nice !! I see you have first sprayed the panel lines with the airbrush and then put the color coats. It really looks nice even without a clear coat.
I like to see sometimes these simple and basic builds too, looking so nice and clean.

Keep up the good work !

Very nice!

I see you have first sprayed the panel lines with the airbrush and then put the color coats. It really looks nice even without a clear coat.

Yes I did. My previous model had some problems with panel lines - after applying wet coat of TS paint. This time I was smarter :wink:

Clear coat will be next. Then polishing with fine and finish compound then next step - waxing. As usual.

Yes I did. My previous model had some problems with panel lines - after applying wet coat of TS paint. This time I was smarter :wink:

Clear coat will be next. Then polishing with fine and finish compound then next step - waxing. As usual.


What clear are you gonna use, and how long do you wait to apply a clear over the TS paint ?

(I'm trying to gather information to improve my builds)

What clear are you gonna use, and how long do you wait to apply a clear over the TS paint ?

(I'm trying to gather information to improve my builds)

Actually, the model has been painted and I have used MR Hobby Super Clear.
Pictures will be posted in my next post.

BUT.... You have to be very careful using MR Hobby Super Clear.
It has strong solvent and it could DAMAGE sufrace (base color) and for sure will damage decals/slide marks if applied over them.
It cannot be used over water-based, enamel (oil) hobby colors .
You can use it on Tamiya Spray paint - but coats should be rather thin than thick.
Here you have additional informations -> http://www.nonaptime.com/2012/09/mr-super-clear/

So - in my opinion - you should use Mr Hobby Top Coat - it should best solution for fast, good result. Or some Clear form Zero Paints etc...
You can also use TS-13 - but it has similar cons like Super Clear (it will damage decals, etc..)

I have used Super Clear because I wanted to test it. And for this model and used base (TS-53) it was a good choice. Clear gave a deeper color, high gloss and hard sufrace.

I was waiting about two weeks - because I did not have enouhgt time for modeling.

This is my test bottle - you can see SUPER CLEAR over TS-53.
It is veeery clear and veeery gloss (almost like the mirror).
http://imageshack.us/a/img189/7637/mercedes500slfujimi017s.jpg

Actually, the model has been painted and I have used MR Hobby Super Clear.
Pictures will be posted in my next post.

BUT.... You have to be very careful using MR Hobby Super Clear.
It has strong solvent and it could DAMAGE sufrace (base color) and for sure will damage decals/slide marks if applied over them.
It cannot be used over water-based, enamel (oil) hobby colors .
You can use it on Tamiya Spray paint - but coats should be rather thin than thick.
Here you have additional informations -> http://www.nonaptime.com/2012/09/mr-super-clear/

So - in my opinion - you should use Mr Hobby Top Coat - it should best solution for fast, good result. Or some Clear form Zero Paints etc...
You can also use TS-13 - but it has similar cons like Super Clear (it will damage decals, etc..)

I have used Super Clear because I wanted to test it. And for this model and used base (TS-53) it was a good choice. Clear gave a deeper color, high gloss and hard sufrace.

I was waiting about two weeks - because I did not have enouhgt time for modeling.

This is my test bottle - you can see SUPER CLEAR over TS-53.
It is veeery clear and veeery gloss (almost like the mirror).
http://imageshack.us/a/img189/7637/mercedes500slfujimi017s.jpg

Thank you very much ! That definitely was useful information. I thought the Gunze Super Clear was ok over decals but it doesn't seem so, I'll stick to Zero 2k for racing cars then.

I look forward to see your next pics.

Let's work...
(The 'crazy' White Balance... it is not my fault)

Interior close-up. It is ready to apply the wooden decals.
http://imageshack.us/a/img140/4139/mercedes500slfujimi023s.jpg

I've used Fujimi one. It is rather "over scale" (for 1:18 or even bigger).
It is very thin and fine. Very delicate. No need to use any SOL for decals. Only SET and some cotton stick to press.
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/1756/mercedes500slfujimi024s.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img818/5978/mercedes500slfujimi024a.jpg

Overall view.
http://imageshack.us/a/img843/8142/mercedes500slfujimi025s.jpg

Through the 'plastic glass'
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/6853/mercedes500slfujimi024b.jpg

And it is another one SL - Koenig Special - I've startes this model long time ago and it still not ready. But looks nice :grinyes:
I've put there interior part just for test.
http://imageshack.us/a/img99/2706/mercedes500slfujimi027s.jpg

It looks like this:
http://imageshack.us/a/img812/2968/mercedes500slfujimi026a.jpg

Both interiors - black one is for Koenig Special SL
http://imageshack.us/a/img23/5092/mercedes500slfujimi029s.jpg

Closer
http://imageshack.us/a/img171/2861/mercedes500slfujimi030s.jpg

And closer Koenig - it has carbon decal instead wooden decal (work in progress).
http://imageshack.us/a/img812/828/mercedes500slfujimi031s.jpg

Finali it would look something like this
http://imageshack.us/a/img155/3782/mercedes500slfujimi032s.jpg

Almost inished interior for my 500SL. Is it quite good ?:grinyes:
http://imageshack.us/a/img87/2264/mercedes500slfujimi033s.jpg

Finished (in daylight, outdoor)
http://imageshack.us/a/img404/5011/mercedes500slfujimi035s.jpg

Greatings,
MichaeL

looking good mate! interior is very clean

Interior looks great, I'm a fan of beige/tan interior.

I have some questions about your painting, since I'm planning on decanting and getting some mr color paints, I wonder how much of the decanted Tamiya TS spray can you have used on your model ? Like half the can ? Less ?

And about the Gunze super clear you used, I guess you used the one is small jar like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Free-Shipping-Mr-Hobby-GX100-Mr-Color-GX-100-Super-Clear-III-18ml-GSI-/230863789150?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_J N&hash=item35c08ddc5e

How much do you use for a car body ?

These jars look so small I wonder if there's enough paint at all for on car...

keveuh wrote:
I have some questions about your painting, since I'm planning on decanting and getting some mr color paints, I wonder how much of the decanted Tamiya TS spray can you have used on your model ? Like half the can ? Less ?

keveuh I am sorry, but I don't have idea. Because I didn't 'decaning' whole can of spray. I 'decaned' only small amound of spray paint. Only for 'protect'/paint light coat for panel lines. And the next day I paited entire body with a TS can. But I don't remeber how much it was. I suppos it was no more than 10 ml (1/2 oz. ?) of decaning paint. You have to test yourself.

As I remeber - one of my friend said, that one decaned TS paint is sufficient for 2-3 cars.

Mist coat (for panel lines, etc...) was painted with airbrush using decaned paint.
Then entire body (and chassis) was painted wiht TS can ('from hand').

Here is one more picture for You:
http://imageshack.us/a/img705/6674/mercedes500slfujimi010s.jpg

As You can see - this is my airbrush (one of few). This one is old good Aztec but I like it very much. And it is equiped with side-feed cup. There is some decaning paint from TS-53. Aztec's cup has 8cc=8ml=1/4oz. capacity. But as You can see, cup is not full - there is about 5cc=5ml of dacanded? pait. As I remeber it was about 1.5 to 2 seconds of decaning (some equivalent).
TS can is 100ml of... I don't know of what. I suppose that is 100ml of pure paint. So I GUESS that from one 100ml TS can you should get 100ml of paint.

I guess you used the one is small jar like this:
No, you are wrong :) I have used spray can. Just like this:
http://www.bnamodelworld.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=137_644_653&products_id=19031

But you have be very careful wiht this spray as I mentioned above.

These jars look so small I wonder if there's enough paint at all for on car...
18 ml plus Gunze thinner !!! = 18ml Clear plus 18 to 26 ml of thiner (depend on pressure, airbrush and many others) = no less than 36 ml...
Ratio is 1:1 or 1:1,5 or even more in same cases.
So you have no 18 ml but more ;)

Best regards, MichaeL

Thanks for all the informations.

I thought you had painted the body with decanted paint only but no you only did panel lines and mist coats by airbrush and then wet coat by spray can.

You're welcome.
Ask of it on General forum - just start new thread (with ask).
I think many modelers will help you for sure !.
(http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=927 - this is a general AF forum)

They have helped me a lot already and I don't want to create a thread for everything I want to know, but if I come across something I'd like to know more about in a WIP thread then I ask there, like I've done here.

Anyway, good luck with your build and I'm sure it will look great at the end.

Sweetness!!

Some progress:

One more interior's picture.
http://imageshack.us/a/img197/6619/mercedes500slfujimi036s.jpg

And more:
http://imageshack.us/a/img12/812/mercedes500slfujimi036a.jpg

Picture taken during polishig clera coat.
http://imageshack.us/a/img820/7041/mercedes500slfujimi037s.jpg

It is like a mirror. My small Canon reflected at roof sufrace.
http://imageshack.us/a/img17/9819/mercedes500slfujimi038s.jpg

Masking - windows frame (from inside).
http://imageshack.us/a/img9/9484/mercedes500slfujimi039s.jpg

Masking - windows trim and door handles.
http://imageshack.us/a/img38/5952/mercedes500slfujimi040s.jpg

Done
http://imageshack.us/a/img822/946/mercedes500slfujimi041s.jpg

Black enamel base for alclad chrome.
http://imageshack.us/a/img837/8745/mercedes500slfujimi042s.jpg

Front grill - Alclad chrome.
(there are also 190E's grill also 600SL Koenig exhaust pipes).
http://imageshack.us/a/img9/4336/mercedes500slfujimi043s.jpg

Some details - rear lihgts before painting red clear.
http://imageshack.us/a/img841/7987/mercedes500slfujimi044s.jpg

Greatings
MichaeL

Great job, it looks superb !

great work on the R129! :)