AE86 Trueno in progress

What do you do when you have about 9 kits all semi-built?

Start another :loser:

This one's the heap-o-crap Fujimi kit. I expect most of you have had a look at one of these at some time so you know the score. Badly moulded body (window lines etc are awful), heavy flash and moult lines, badly moulded lights, rudimentary chassis and an actually reasonably quality interior.

This one is Tamiya Bright Red with RS Watanabe's. Will also have SAS seats and a scratchbuilt cage

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno01.jpg

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno01.jpg

Body following primer, then a light coat of red and sanded to reveal high spots etc.

As you can see I've also opted to remove the moulded on mudflaps.

After sanding down (during which I knocked off both mirrors, must remember to replace them later!) I also removed the spoiler because the glue was coming loose at one edge. I'll re-fix it with cyanoacrylate when the model is completed.

Here are a couple more pictures after a few more coats of red. Looking more like a car now!

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno03

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno04

Window rubbers and a few details picked out with Humbrol matt black, but I can't decide what to do with the front lights - the area just below the pop up lamps? I've only seen a Trueno in the flesh once, and I don't remember if this area is moulded black plastic or a sort of smoked translucent plastic (like the grille on a Levin)
I've also seen it body coloured in pictures.

Anyway, here are the pics showing the current progress to date:

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno05

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno06

That looks very nice!!

amazingly done...

Took a couple of pics without the flash just now.

You can see there is still a fair bit of orange peel on some of the surfaces, but in all honesty I'm just too lazy to sand it down and polish it up - just want to get this one completed.

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno07.jpg

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno08.jpg

I'm picking up some Tamiya masking tape next week, then I'll be able to mask and spray the door mouldings. I was thinking of using an ink wash to pick out the panel lines? Will black be too stark? Perhaps a dark red ink might look more realistic.
I think the wheels will also benefit from a black wash.

Got Microset and Microsol to apply the carbon bonnet decal, should I cut the decal to fit exactly or leave some overlap? I'm worried it will shrink and look crap.

Looking good.:sunglasse
Dark red wash is more realistic IMO.
It will look better if you remove the ribbing from the tires.

It will look better if you remove the ribbing from the tires.
Oh yeah, I know :) I need to pop down Halfords because I can't find my wet n dry pack to sand the mould lines off.

I might actually change the rubber for something a bit sportier if I can find any to fit!

Do you have the option to have the headlight up?

I ordered the inital D series with CF decal. I wonder if it would be the same kit with extra decal

btw, I've used the Fujimi CF decal on another kit, I found it those decal is quite flexible and can be stratch a little by wipe with a little pressure on the model's body (instead of stinking as you mentioned)

btw, I've used the Fujimi CF decal on another kit, I found it those decal is quite flexible and can be stratch a little by wipe with a little pressure on the model's body (instead of stinking as you mentioned)

Yes should be the exact same kit. You have to cut open the deadlights to open them. Do this VERY CAREFULLY, and from the outside! I sliced the first one in half, but I was lucky I was able to fix it.

Yes should be the exact same kit. You have to cut open the deadlights to open them. Do this VERY CAREFULLY, and from the outside! I sliced the first one in half, but I was lucky I was able to fix it.

Thanks! Does it included the actual headlight assemble?

Thanks! Does it included the actual headlight assemble?
Yes you get the full headlight assembly, lenses and all.

Cut with care!

Got a bit more done.

Resprayed the bottom half of the doors and 3.4 panel in bright red as they were wearing through to the primer. I also painted the lower part of both front and rear bumpers in black.

There's a bit of bleeding under the masking tape, but a few minutes with rubbing compound when fully hardened should clean the lines up nicely.

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno09.jpg

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno10.jpg


Next jobs - mirrors, lights, seats!

looks goof, but for some reason, I just dont like the way the red looks. with the shiny black, it makes it oh so cheesy toy like to me.

slowly starting to look more like a car, great job!

looks goof, but for some reason, I just dont like the way the red looks. with the shiny black, it makes it oh so cheesy toy like to me.
Yep, that was totally my fault - I picked up a tin of gloss rather than satin black, and didn't even notice until the paint had dried and stayed shiny.

I've resprayed the lower half of the car satin black and done the rubbing strips on the doors to match.

Now, this is my first time using carbon decals, my first time using Microset and Microsol so don't be too harsh!

http://www.vsupermarket.co.uk/~lopez/model/RedTrueno13.jpg

Still a couple of bubbles unfortunately.

Ignore the scrappy paint finish round the headlamps and grille, an old enamel reacted with some thinner I used. I might get around to fixing it if I can.

Apologies for the constant use of indoor flash photography but it's pouring with rain and I can't run outside every ten minutes to take a progress picture.

at first, the carbon fiber looked a little bad. but now, it's really clean. i'm loving every part of this project so far.

at first, the carbon fiber looked a little bad. but now, it's really clean. i'm loving every part of this project so far.

Luckily, I had read a load of tutorials and guides here about using Microsol and Microset so I didn't panic when it all shrivelled up.

First I liberally applied Microset (smells like vinegar) and slid the decal on - the decal I used was Modeler's Carbon I - and then I brushed more Microset over the top.
After that I splashed over the Microsol with a dropper which made the decal shrivel and fill with wrinkles. It's amazing watching it all straighten out again if you haven't seen it happen before. I gave two more coats of Microsol and I'm now reasonably happy with the finish. If I did it again I'd spend more time making sure the bonnet was super clean (trapped a tiny dust hair from the carpet) and cut the bonnet shape out so the weave runs diagonally instead of straight.

Sweet! Nice job on the cf!

No offence man, but the CF should be on a 45 degree angle, but apart from that it looks really good!

Yeah, I know - hence:

If I did it again I'd spend more time making sure the bonnet was super clean (trapped a tiny dust hair from the carpet) and cut the bonnet shape out so the weave runs diagonally instead of straight

Although it's barely noticeable in real life, the effect is just the same.