D2 DTM Benz build...many pics

This is my new baby. I'm so excited about this build. I'm very happy with this kit. If anyone wants a crash course in decaling then get this kit and some carbon fiber decals for the int. I've already made alot of progress but I just haven't had a chance to put it up till now. So sorry it's kinda long but I just wanted to share with you guys the significant points in this build up.

first 2 pics show the body with just a couple of coats of aluminum. No priming not much prepping no wet coat. Didn't worry about the shine so much because of the upcoming decals. I just made sure the surface was nice and smooth
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/578/DSC01327.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/1153/DSC01332.jpg

This pic shows the decal on the hood immediately after I applied some decal solvent (god it's sooo tempting to want to just give those wrinkles a nudge...but I kept hands off!)
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/739/DSC01333.jpg

the next 3 show the body with a good amount of decals added. Used the same procedure for everyone: Placed decal in water almost too hot to touch, wet the spot to apply the decal slightly and just slid the decal into place. I bent into shape with a moist towel and a wet brush. Then after it was decently smooth, I applied the Mr. Mark Softer. Works pretty well on these Tamiya decals...however I have the feeling I could have done without it. Clear coat to come later after all decals have been applied
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/7093/DSC01351.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/6898/DSC01352.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4010/DSC01386.jpg

This is the interior after some detailing. I used alot of the pics from this site as reference. Thanks for the help guys! I used a paper clip as the metal rod attached to the shifter, detail master wire for the ones coming from the floor and stripped mouse wires for the thicker ones you see.
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/1271/DSC01313.jpg

This is the seat, nothing special...just added the sms decals. These are the only decals I've worked with that I can conform to fit AFTER I apply the softner (crazy right?)
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/8316/DSC01323.jpg

notice the doors have a 2-tone look. I just got lazy and decided to use cf on the top part of the door and just lightly mist spray some ts-42 (light gun-metal) over black on the bottom part.
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5076/DSC01349.jpg

After looking at some reference pics, I noticed that the steering wheel columns/posts had pads on them. So I took some white electrical tape and painted it flat gray. Then I just wrapped it around the posts. The red tape in the corner will be for the pads on the roll cage
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/6646/DSC01326.jpg

Here is the interior with some more detail. Including flocking on the seat and studio 27 harnesses. I never really saw many good reference pics for the harness so I just tried to copy the decals that came with the kit (can you believe the seat belts came as decals?)
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7738/DSC01383.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/108/DSC01359.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/6740/DSC01361.jpg

Now the engine. Again, used SMS cf and applied over slightly wet surface. Applied Gunze Mr. Mark Softer and THEN I nudged and worked it smooth
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6867/DSC01316.jpg

The engine is pretty much done according to the instructions to a "T" except for the hoses coming from the (radiators maybe...I'm so clueless)
I took 3 strands of metallic knitting thread and braided it myself. I can also do this with 5 strands to make thicker, but I thought I could get away with just three. I can post a how-to for making the wire itself if anyone wants. I learned how to braid the hose a long time ago at day camp.hehe

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2374/DSC01371.jpg

Here's a couple of pics of the engine pretty much done. Just need to add a couple of wires. I know the decal placement isn't right but I thought it would be useless to put those under the (air cleaner I think) as they wouldn't be seen at all
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/391/DSC01377.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7916/DSC01380.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8938/DSC01376.jpg

BEAUTIFUL build man, the detail is profound!

Stunning!

:iagree: Looks very good.

Stunning!
Absolutely inspiring work!

I Like! :bananasmi :boink: :boink: :bananasmi

WOW...your attention to detail is amazing, everything looks soooooo perfect. Please post a tutorial about these wires, I know how to braid, my sister showed me, but what do you use? Where do you purchase these SMS Cabon Fiber Decals?

very nice DTM! Can't wait to see it finished!

I wonder when the german touring car championship starts again....?

Soo much CF!

very nice DTM! Can't wait to see it finished!

I wonder when the german touring car championship starts again....?

There's a race on 27/06. And i agree this car is going to be awesome !
I know what you mean with SMS cf: it's amazing how you can work it when it's softened, it come very flexible without cracking.

Excellent work!!:eek:

Wow, :eek2: that's about all I can say. :eek7:

Great modeling, fantastic detail work.............

Mike :sunglasse

great detail those decal are lookin good. I'm thinking about
gettin the original-teile version.

Great job. CF everywhere! :sunglasse
This is one of those kits I am afraid to do. :redface:

DAMNED good job!

Bill

Super detail. I'm working on the same kit for the moment i'm really loving yours.

quote: everybody!

smiley: I agree !!

So clean it looks easy! Very teasing!

Great job so far. keep us posted :thumbsup:

Already posted this in the other forum...just make fun of me now please


notice the hood by the bottom left of the "D" and the obvious inset at the top right
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/109320DSC01430.JPG

But some good news..

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8169/DSC01431.jpg
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6426/DSC01436.jpg
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8422/DSC01433.jpg

So I guess that I will now use this model to do some experimenting. I didn't want to make it an "open" model cause I was scared to mess it up. Now...I'm just gonna go for it and see what happens.

Open one of the doors on the model, otherwise all that CF work will be hidden

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1665/DCAM0079.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7123/DSC1449.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5264/DSC01445.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3702/DSC01448.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8317/DSC01450.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5916/DSC01462.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7642/DSC01469.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/969/DSC01477.jpg

The CF work makes forgot the mistakes on the decals ! The interior is great.

looks great to me, far better than i would have done with all those decals.

looks great

Allways stunned about the CF decalling you guys do! Absolutely :eek2:
work! A+ for carbon fibre.
/Joel

Superb!

Lovely inside detailing!

Olivier

very good

brilliant! definately too good to even notice the mistakes... especially when you can look inside

I would be so scared to put the decals on. Fear of screwing it up. :twak:

Looks fantastic, I only got this model the other weekend....and I was scared before about the decals...now im bloody petrified....ah weel got a couple more to do before I get around to it