Being A UK Modeller Sucks!

Man, I hate this country (from a modelling point of view at least!)

This enjoyable hobby could turn unenjoyably costly!

Firstly, being a newbie (haven't modelled since I was eight, twenty-three years ago) I didn't know about all the stuff I'd need. Then I found out what I needed & thought okay, I'll order it from the net (cos I aint got a hobby shop nearby). So, I got a list together of all the stuff I need and surprise surprise some of the most important stuff cannot be had in the UK.

Why does the UK NOT STOCK:

TAMIYA PRIMER (I have since settled for Halfords, after some help from guys on this forum - cheers!)

TAMIYA COMPOUND (Nowhere to be seen on the web in the UK)

TAMIYA WAX (Again, nowhere to be found on UK websites)

This is extremely frustrating! :banghead:

Could any of you fellow UK modellers help me out and let me know where you buy your polishing goodies (Compound & Wax)

I'm almost thinking of giving up this hobby before I've even started through lack of support in the UK, it's quite sad really!

Cheers Guys for any help you may give me

Yeah, it's kinda tuff being this side of the pond, but then look at the models HiroBoy knocks out. Prooves it can be done! Beside, Halfords primer is fine... I've used nothing else for years. Kit's can be bought from a load of places on the web (HLJ, 1999.co.jp amongst others), and they also carry the polishing stuff you're after. I used to be stuck for paint colors, but I've just got some laquers from JimBob for my next two projects and I have to sa they are so sweet I'll be going back for more! Don't be put off, it's much easier to get into this hobby now we have the Internet, trust me!

Don't Worry. If it wouldn't be of modelexpress.net, Canada would be worst.

You think you have it bad, here in Dublin we have one model shop to chose from for kits and the only paints they stock are Humbrol all be it a decent collection. But as far as compounds and stuff like that goes forget it. Normally I order my kits from hlj or hobby search (when there order system works see my other thread) and if i am running low on sand paper or that kind of supply I add them into the order.

As for compound and wax I know a lot of guys here prefer to use 1:1 car products such as Meguirs (sp) and most guys actually get better results with them.

Thanks god for my trips to Belfast so I can pick up Tamiya paints and sprays.


Ciaran

try hannants.co.uk they tend to have a great range of 1:24 cars and a large selection of paints and tools. delivery is pretty quick too

bummer! thought you guys get more than we do here in canada. that's weird! best bet for getting in some modeling stuff is from the net. try hobbylink japan, they have pretty much everything you'll ever need and their prices are reasonable imo. good luck!

Don't Worry. If it wouldn't be of modelexpress.net, Canada would be worst.

not really, if you live in toronto there are so much hobby shops floating around town.

I live in the UK, and you'd be suprised how much better off we are than some other countries for modelling supplies you know. I know we don't get Tamiya primer, but Halfords primer works just as well.

Well as the rest have said, you're sorted for primer, as Halfords will help with this.

www.modelsinmotion.co.uk have a great range of TS sprays, + decal solution etc.. Plus plenty of tamiya kits.

Fine sandpaper can be got from Halfords - 600 - 1500. As for mirco mesh, there is a place in the UK that sell a polishing kit, but I warn you it's not cheap. http://www.ss-sci.com/

As for compound, I coudln't get any either, something to do with hobbylink (tamiya UK..??) couldn't import it any longer. So I will be using meguiars Scratch X or even just the micro mesh.

As for Wax, I've not found anything yet, but I will..

And as for kits, if the one you want is only in Japan etc then you will have to get it imported. I wouldn't give up just because of supply issues. I posted the very same post on another forum, and HiroBoy very kindly helped me out. So all the above I know because of his help. Stick with it, I've just been there.. The UK is bad, but I'm sure other countiries are just as bad..!!

I don't think it's that bad, I'm always ordering stuff from abroad and it's not much hassle. In fact, sometimes I prefer it because of greater choice and I enjoy the feeling of dealing with foreign countries.

Why so bad? I live in the middle of nowhere in country NSW Austraila. I have to order everything over the internet or wait till I make the 500km trip to Melbourne to buy pretty much anything. As a result I have a huge stock of all the things I might need. :)

It sucks every where to model cars in one way or another. in the US i rarely see Aoshima, Fujimi kits etc.... In Japan there is no Revell, AMT etc... you make due with what you have.

as far as your question goes... i can get Tamiya wax and compound but i havent used it for years. i use real car products by Meguiares, Black Rain, etc.... they work just as good if not better. in fact real car wax is a hundred times better then Tamiya wax. also i have a ready supply of Tamiya paint but for bodies i rarely use it. i do use Tamiya primer but i usually use real automotive paint for the color and clearcoat such as Duplicolor. if you have an automotive store nearby youve got 80% of your modeling needs right there! I go to the Automotive store more than the hobby shop these days. AND just to let you know, all you NEED to build a model is glue, an exacto and some spray paint for now. your first couple models arent going to look as good as some as the ones on this forum anyhow so just build and see if its worth spending for high dollar modelling supplies later.

No harm in trying to do the very best.. Got to learn somehow, and you're not going to learn if you don't get the stuff you need.

I've brought some of the products talked about on this and other forums, and it's been fun hunting them down, and even more fun learning to use them..

Ok I've had the odd failure on Test stuff, but it takes practice. He can use the Airfix kit to practice with, and then really have a good go with the Tamiya Kit.. (A much better quality kit that is).

Do agree though that some of the builds on this forum are of a high standard, but they started somewhere.. It’s perhaps because of using automotive products, it’s the reason kits sell well in certain parts of the world, and the stuff to make them look good doesn’t sell so well, hence not so well supplied. More niche as it where.

No harm in trying to do the very best.. Got to learn somehow, and you're not going to learn if you don't get the stuff you need.............

He can use the Airfix kit to practice with, and then really have a good go with the Tamiya Kit.. (A much better quality kit that is).

Couldn't agree more about if you're gonna try & do it properly you need the right stuff. I'm like that though, okay my models won't be as good as anyone elses on this site but I HAVE to use the same materials or I ain't gonna get anywhere.

I decided to check out HJL and you guys are right the prices are reasonable. The only reason I didn't want to order outside the UK via the web is because 1) I don't like using my credit card over the net. and 2) I thought the postage prices would be astronomical.

However, all my prayers have been answered because HJL accepts PayPal (which is what I use for my purchases on the web) and their Postage costs are very well priced.

I never said I had a problem with getting kit as I get that through ebay or using UK internet sites. Also paint and tools I haven't had a problem with as I use the likes of netmerchants.co.uk or modelsinmotion.co.uk. It was just frustrating I couldn't get compound & wax here, but that's sorted now cos you friendly chaps told me about HJL.

Once again, cheers for the help. My questions will become less regular by the way. It's just cos I'm starting out!

In Progress : Peugeot 206 WRC '02 Safari

Try live in Finland.
Same problems. Cant get any modelling stuff. Bad weather all year. etc.

Modelzone arent too bad. I was in the Manchester store a while back & i wasnt dissapointed, thought they had a decent range of Tamiya & Fujimi kits (but no Aoshima:disappoin), TS paints & wax, i THINK they had compound too. Their web site is still under construction but when its up & running it could be a decent place for you to shop.
http://www.modelzone.co.uk/stores.html

Mike :sunglasse

Don't come to Estonia then :P

why not use an automotive paint, especially if you're using lacquers. I don't know what you all have over in the UK, but I use 3M rubbing compound, Meguires scratch-X, and Meguires Gold Class Wax on my models. I've used all successfully on both automotive spray paint and tamiya paints.

I guess i'm fairly luckly here as i have a model shop 5 minutes down the road which stocks everything i need....but its still cheaper for me to order kits from Japen though.
Work that out :screwy:

It's called corporate greed PMan. The cult of the almighty dollar.
Importers - middelmen who contribute nothing but skim the most cream.

.....my local model shop in eltham recently closed it doors..... it was run by two of the nicest old guys i know who could get me tamiya spray paints on a days notice. They were old school proper full on modellers and had no end of advice for someone with no skills like myself. Not quite sure what to say. I know that some of their problems was down to the increasing number of people who order from places such as hlj but then again, it's not their fault. The high prices we pay for official imported products, they have to pay too. It's a shame. The ones who benefit are the consumers but it's killing small time model shops......
Normally, i say go the place that sells things for the lowest prices, that's consumer power but well..... you get the idea.....
what bugs me about it is that the big chain stores like modelzone can get away with selling things at the higher rrp and survive whilst the smaller stores have to sell at prices that are barely profitable.

sorry, rant over......

I was in London a few weeks back, and went into a modelzone store. It was packed with customers, and sold lots of kits, die-cast and model railways but it felt like PC World or any high street chain. Didn't like it really..!!

But it had better stock then the model shop in Northampton, and the model shop in Northampton told me and I quote-

"No one uses primer, and this is why we don't stock it. When I asked about model wax, he looked llike blank and said why wax a model and when I asked for clear glue he recommended humbrol cement and will not fog the clear parts..!!"

When I asked in Modelzone about primer he told me "yes, useful stuff Tamiya Primer, but we can't get it.. You could try online and import it from Japan or somewhere like I do."

Hmm..!! Local model shop = not very good.

I don't think it's that bad, I'm always ordering stuff from abroad and it's not much hassle. In fact, sometimes I prefer it because of greater choice and I enjoy the feeling of dealing with foreign countries.

Although I largely stick by what I said earlier, it can be a bitch.

For example, I ordered a Studio 27 Mclaren F1 for about £75, was charged something in the region of £20 P+P, and when my mum tried to let the order in today, she was asked for another £30 for VAT and what I suspect will turn out to be a handling charge. She refused payment resulting in the parcel being taken back to the depot and when I went to collect it after work today, they wouldn't let me have it because I didn't have any ID with me :shakehead. I now have to go all the way back to the depot again to collect it and this makes a grand total of £125 for a model that will have all of the detail of a diecast model once assembled.

Not to put anyone off or anything.

Although I largely stick by what I said earlier, it can be a bitch.

For example, I ordered a Studio 27 Mclaren F1 for about £75, was charged something in the region of £20 P+P, and when my mum tried to let the order in today, she was asked for another £30 for VAT and what I suspect will turn out to be a handling charge. She refused payment resulting in the parcel being taken back to the depot and when I went to collect it after work today, they wouldn't let me have it because I didn't have any ID with me :shakehead. I now have to go all the way back to the depot again to collect it and this makes a grand total of £125 for a model that will have all of the detail of a diecast model once assembled.

Not to put anyone off or anything.

Import charges suck in the UK... I've been fortunate enough to not get caught (yet). For S27 stuff in the UK try www.grandprixmodels.co.uk they keep them in stock in the, and as they are in the UK there's no worries about VAT. They are a little pricer than bringing it in yourself, but it's horses for courses...

I live in Germany,can get hands on Tamiya and Revell kits fairly easy,having problems of geting resin scale figures 1:24 and Aoshima kits.I either order through the internet or ebay if i want something special.Once a year in April is a Exhibition called Intermodellbau this is like a big paradies for all modelers this is a place where i spend money.

Yup being a UK modeller is expensive. Just this afternoon, I went down to the nearest Model Zone during my lunch break. I looked at the prices of some of the kits :eek2: I almost jumped out of my skin!! For example, a Fujimi new Mini One cost £19.99 GBP!! SHOCKING!!

I am so grateful for places like HLJ :rolleyes: they almost halve my modelling costs (shipping costs included).

hannants shop and ware house has loads of stuff, i live in london and i can get all i need, i get tamiya sprays from hannants, primer form halfords and micromesh from hannants. if your in london its worth the vistit, but dont blame me if you're disappointed. i use MILLIPUT putty instead of tamiya putty and its fine. try www.hannants.co.uk (http://www.hannants.co.uk)

I recently bought "Halfords Rubbing Compound" to repair some scratches on my full sized car. Is there any reason I shouldn't try this on a model?

I intend to try it on the small version of my car: a Tamiya MX-5 I built last year and brush painted (!) using Humbrol enamels.

I was thinking a similar sort of thing. Like, can you use T-Cut as a rubbing/polishing compound. Maybe one of the smart/clued-up enthusiasts here can help us out on that front.

In Progress : Peugeot 206 WRC 02 Safari

I've just ordered some modelling wax from HLJ. No idea when it will arrive, but I can wait.

http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljpage.cgi?TAM87036

I also ordered some compound as well, wasn't sure which tpye I needed so ordered course, fine, and ultra fine.

The body I just sprayed needs 10 - 14 days gas off time, so by the time it's hard the wax etc will be here. I do agree that the UK is bad for modelling, but it's not different then anywhere else. HLJ might be your best bet for WAX if you want pure model wax.

If you are using Halfords Rubbing Compaund, make sure that the lacquer coat/colour coat has fully cured first. You can also use it on base colours (i.e. non metallics). If you do not allow the colour to fully cure first, it will rub the paint back to the primer coat, especially on raised surfaces such as door handles. Also, if you intend to overspray lacquer over the rubbed colour coat, be sure to wash thoroughly with a light detergent first, otherwise the rubbing compound will leave a greasy residue that will not allow the lacquer to 'key'.

i find it hard to find models, i constantly search hlj but most i see ar backodered or out of stock

i find this very annoying

anyone know wherei can find cheap kits shippable to england
also, where do i find rims. if its hlj what do i search for

Even in California, most hobby stores don't have Tamiya tools and products. I've been seing more lately, but it's usually been tough to find them. Testors / Model Masters really had a lock on the supplies market, and Revell/AMT/Ertl on the model market. In cars, anyway. Lots of Tamiya and Hasegawa airplane models, albeit at higher prices.

Alex_37, when you see something you want at HLJ, and it is out of stock, they can usually have it in stock for you quite quickly when you backorder it. Sometimes, it is displayed as backordered, it may not neccessarily be the case as they might not have had the chance to update their website yet.

When looking for rims in HLJ, go to the 'company' search and scroll down to Aoshima/Fujimi (the only two companies that do rims as far as I know) and when the page comes up, look under 'Auto Accessory'.

cheers smoke

thats a great help now im looking for models to add to my birthday list

i find it hard to find models, i constantly search hlj but most i see ar backodered or out of stock

i find this very annoying

anyone know wherei can find cheap kits shippable to england
also, where do i find rims. if its hlj what do i search for

For your model kits try www.modelsinmotion.co.uk, free delivery over £15!!

Still, if you want tamiya wax, tamiya compound & tamiya primer you'll need to look to asia!