Revell ZR1 Corvette

Hello fellow modelers! It's been a while since my last major build, about 3 years to be exact. My last build was a Pearl white DBS, gift for a friend. Well, this one will be a gift as well! Anyway, model is complete, but thought I share the progress in a quick thread! Sorry in advance but it will be a single and long post!

Let's see if after three years I have gotten rusty!

The ZR1 will be Jetstream blue, I know, a colour too common, but I asked my friend what his colour preference is on the real car (without letting him know the surprise build), and he likes blue!

The only major thing that concerned me the most about this build was the carbon fiber parts, and I do not want to compromise with using flat black! It's a good friend who did many car related things for me so as a token of appreciation he shall get the best my abilities can come up with! I also felt a bit worried because I have never worked with decals over such large surfaces, but yet I want to experiment on creating my own CF solution!

So, I decided to print the decals from scanned templates. I adjusted colours using basic photo editor.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5283_zps2f821bf3.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5283_zps2f821bf3.jpg.html)

Colour is kind of mixed dark brown/mustard green with dark green lines. Looks good in certain angles, but lack metallic feel. I was still going to use them, until disaster happened!

I did not wait for ink to completely cure, and immediately followed the print job with a thick layer of krylon clear. Result is few days later, it cracked. This though is actually a miracle in disguise.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5354_zps0a8e8581.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5354_zps0a8e8581.jpg.html)

I took this opportunity as a chance to come up with an alternate solution that would yield more realistic results. Seeing my stash of blank decal paper, both white and clear. I started wondering if I would ever have use for clear decal paper. Then it suddenly hit me. I will use a hybrid solution for making decal! Using both print and paint method!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/CameraZOOM-20131209013838553_zps2c68b6ba.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/CameraZOOM-20131209013838553_zps2c68b6ba.jpg.html)

This method utilizes the principles found by the popular common method of recreating CF effects using mesh and airbrush by spraying black and contrast gunmetal colour over mesh. However, this limits to the ability to create only certain CF patterns, so doing diagonal lines like one on ZR1 would be difficult (except with ladies leggings but lack accuracy), so my method would solve this problem!

By printing just the black lines of the CF pattern on clear decal paper, and then putting that over gunmetal painted surfaces (or any CF contrast colour for that matter), I can create a realistic result such that it would be comparable to aftermarket decal costing $10 a pop for a small piece and if you screw up that's a lot of wasted money!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5353_zps745da105.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5353_zps745da105.jpg.html)

With CF headache solved, I proceeded on doing the body.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7295_zpscc735855.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7295_zpscc735855.jpg.html)

I made a custom mix of silver and blue acrylic from testors, and got a colour I thought was close enough for a replica. This will be coated in 2k PPG clear.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/CameraZOOM-20131210025102258_zps496a0567.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/CameraZOOM-20131210025102258_zps496a0567.jpg.html)

Now the moment of truth! Let's see if my CF solution will work out.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5411_zps80d3eda8.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5411_zps80d3eda8.jpg.html)

Fantastic! It did!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5412_zpse8137335.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5412_zpse8137335.jpg.html)

Followed by 2k Clearcoat. By the way, yes, you can 2k over acrylic paint, as long as it has dried fully it is fine. My research tells me many automotive factories and refinishing companies are using latex waterbase paint for the basecoats in our real cars, then seal with the usual 2K clear. Reason it won't attack is (my hypotheses) most 2K clearcoat is high in solids, so less solvent content for it to attack the basecoat like lacquer clear would.
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5505_zps474fe3be.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5505_zps474fe3be.jpg.html)

I cut out a mesh for the front body, this comes from a cooking splatter screen from the dollar store. The grid size fits very accurately for this scale!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7415_zpsd037355f.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7415_zpsd037355f.jpg.html)

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7417_zps76bd2f66.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7417_zps76bd2f66.jpg.html)

I made the three splitters using plastic sheet to put over the screen. This is more realistic to the real thing!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7418_zps6d775d6a.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7418_zps6d775d6a.jpg.html)

Chassis and interior work starts!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5517_zps524be422.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5517_zps524be422.jpg.html)

A thorough flocking
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5533_zps49cbbc88.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5533_zps49cbbc88.jpg.html)

Engine and drivetrain also done!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5557_zps7105c419.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5557_zps7105c419.jpg.html)

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5553_zps13d185ad.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5553_zps13d185ad.jpg.html)

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5551_zps25e3e256.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5551_zps25e3e256.jpg.html)

Interior and chassis done
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5574_zpsca3d53d5.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5574_zpsca3d53d5.jpg.html)

Test fit!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5564_zps7aba55c6.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5564_zps7aba55c6.jpg.html)

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5563_zpsd40bbf90.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5563_zpsd40bbf90.jpg.html)

Double whamy on the exhaust though! I broke the tip inserts and realize on muffler did not have a locking post!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5598_zps4cb33c6b.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5598_zps4cb33c6b.jpg.html)

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5594_zpsfcb8b7a5.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5594_zpsfcb8b7a5.jpg.html)

Drivetrain and chassis assembled!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7396_zps7bff2189.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7396_zps7bff2189.jpg.html)

I made my initial on the chassis plate, so my friend will not forgot who built this for him!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5651_zpsc2f9ec35.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5651_zpsc2f9ec35.jpg.html)

Another test fit!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5599_zps85145ad1.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5599_zps85145ad1.jpg.html)

Then I realize I somehow lost the hood hinge retainer!!:banghead:
But no worries, innovative mind comes to play! I made retainers shaped from plastic sheets, worked great!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7422_zpsbc768f50.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCF7422_zpsbc768f50.jpg.html)

Windows in, and almost all done..!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k102/altsao_88/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5649_zpsc3a19f98.jpg (http://s86.photobucket.com/user/altsao_88/media/Revell%20ZR1%20build/DSCN5649_zpsc3a19f98.jpg.html)

Completed thread here: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1115907
Thanks for reading!

Very nice!