FINISHED: Fujimi Mini Cooper S LHD

Just finished up Fujimi's new Mini Cooper S. Fun kit to build, not too many problems encountered-worst is masking the fender/bumper trim for spraying flat black-pics look worse than the model :wink: . I worked on this model over the past 10 days.

Paint is Testors Wimbledon White lacquer (a very close match to the Mini's Pepper White) sprayed over Tamiya white primer (body molded in yellow). I applied black technical pen panel lines on the white primer prior to spraying the Wimbledon White. I used Testors lacquer clearcoat, it wetsanded/buffed to a mirror finish in about 10 minutes!-it also dries very quickly and thoroughly-it might even give Tamiya clear a run for it's money :eek: . I was impressed w/the Testors paint this time (had a disaster w/it on another model). The roof/mirrors are painted Tamiya gloss black sprayed directly over the black plastic, it came out glass-smooth and required a minimum of buffing.

Interior is beige/black w/flocked carpets. Wheels are from Revell's new Subaru WRX (the one w/diecast body), I sanded off the chrome surface and resprayed the wheels w/Testors silver lacquer airbrushed from a bottle...great stuff-it's just like Model Master Silver Chrome trim, but it actually dries! :eek: .

I used Model Car Garage photoetch Mini and Cooper S emblems on the body, center caps, and the speaker grilles on the doors.

Much better kit that Revell's Mini. Too bad the Cooper S wheels are too small (16's instead of 17's), but at least I had an extra set of the Revell WRX rims (that kit's giving up it's seats/dash/drivetrain for a Brat :naughty: ).

http://images9.fotki.com/v176/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6459-vi.jpg
http://images6.fotki.com/v162/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6460-vi.jpg
http://images6.fotki.com/v162/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6461-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v174/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6462-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v177/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6463-vi.jpg
http://images6.fotki.com/v162/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6464-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v174/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6465-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v173/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6467-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v171/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6468-vi.jpg
http://images6.fotki.com/v162/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6469-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v170/photos/1/10258/17860/DSCN6470-vi.jpg

Wow.. one of the best mini I have seen.

the Fujimi kit look way better than Revell one

looking brilliant!

Superb! :thumbsup:
Beautiful and flawless white paint job. wheels look good either.
paint panel lines before apply white paint, that's nice idea. I've never heard about that technique before.

one question: did you use metal foil on silver tirm between windows and body panels? or silver paint? it looks fine.
I have to build green metallic Mini this year, so just want to make reference to your model. :smile:

That looks superb, very very clean. Yes..........excellent job alround.

Mike.

thats one lovely mini

Great finish on the mini, the colours are like the original Cooper S. The wheels give it that extra sporty finish. Great Job.. :-)

Superb! :thumbsup:
Beautiful and flawless white paint job. wheels look good either.
paint panel lines before apply white paint, that's nice idea. I've never heard about that technique before.

one question: did you use metal foil on silver tirm between windows and body panels? or silver paint? it looks fine.
I have to build green metallic Mini this year, so just want to make reference to your model. :smile:

Thanks! I use the .005 technical pen panel line technique on all my paint jobs now, it's so clean and so easy. I usually apply it mid-coat, after applying first color coats I add the panel lines, then apply a few more coats of color. This one was primed in white, so I took the chance that a few coats of color would be enough. This works so much better on white/yellow cars especially that are incredibly hard to get painted panel lines to look good on (ask Veyron! :icon16: ). If the panel lines on a model were actually to scale they'd be okay in black, but panel lines on a model are much wider than the scale on a 1:1 car, so they usually end up too harsh with too much contrast.

The chrome trim is Bare Metal Foil.

Can't wait to see your green Mini! I used your Gallardo photos as a reference guide while building mine :smile: . Today I start the Murcielago.

Awesome work! I actually drove one yesterday. Same color, but not a black roof. Awesome car, awesome work.

Wonderful work!!!!

wow....
very nice built.

Hey,

Super clean build! Too bad about the kit wheels. The revell wrx ones look at home. Keep up the great work!

Frank X.

nice! love the wheels too.

Sweet!! Awesome work!

Really nice - congrats!
I'm going to try that panel line technique too- might save me some cussing :)
stevenski

Awesome work!!!:sunglasse

Sweet looking Mini. I saw one today on the way to the AJC Auto show, with the same paint scheme.

You did a dreat job as usual. Looks fantastic...

First a disclaimer: Your modeling skills are WAAAY above mine. I don't think I could even dream of building a model that clean. Ever.

Having said that, I did notice two very minor mistakes. The bolt pattern for the wheels is wrong (MINI is 4x100mm, Subaru is 5x100mm). And the rear track width is a bit too wide compared to a 1:1 car.

Neither of those things detract from how fantastic a build that is, but I'm just saying I would have chosen different wheels, were it me. :2cents:

Nice job!

I like the simple cleaness of it. Good choice of wheels too!

Best Mini Cooper S eve-R! :) Looks soooooo well built! Great job!

First a disclaimer: Your modeling skills are WAAAY above mine. I don't think I could even dream of building a model that clean. Ever.

Having said that, I did notice two very minor mistakes. The bolt pattern for the wheels is wrong (MINI is 4x100mm, Subaru is 5x100mm). And the rear track width is a bit too wide compared to a 1:1 car.

Neither of those things detract from how fantastic a build that is, but I'm just saying I would have chosen different wheels, were it me. :2cents:

Thanks for all the comments guys! I even saw a real one yesterday almost identical to it. I'm glad I decided not to make black hood stripes, I didn't care for them on the car I saw.

As for mistakes (there are many more than two mistakes on this model, and every model!), the lug pattern is something I don't worry over whatsoever, it's only a model car :icon16: . The photos on the screen are about 50% larger than the model which magnified every flaw, including the rear track. I added two spacers to get these non-Fujimi wheels out further from the wheelwells-the track was too narrow when I first test-fit the wheels...the second spacer could have been narrower, but not enough that I'm compelled to break the wheels off to adjust.

Moral to the story? Every model is a series of compromises. We all choose just how many we live with to pursue our own level of satisfaction. :biggrin:

Moral to the story? Every model is a series of compromises. We all choose just how many we live with to pursue our own level of satisfaction. :biggrin:

Totally agree! Nice job!

WOW! The most beautifull Mini I've ever seen on AF! :bigthumb:

Hi,

a super model, nice colour combination and wheels !!!!

I built the Revell Mini after it appeared in the shops and it is good to hear that this kit is the better one.

This means for me to get the Fujimi kit, too :-)))))

Micha

Do not know how I missed this!! Gotta get me one of these! Great work Bob! I am sure I will see it soon!!

Superb build! I really like the color.

Really nice model and photos. You must have quite a collection of Minis, new and old.

Looks fantastic!! :D
Thanks! I use the .005 technical pen panel line technique on all my paint jobs now, it's so clean and so easy. I usually apply it mid-coat, after applying first color coats I add the panel lines, then apply a few more coats of color. This one was primed in white, so I took the chance that a few coats of color would be enough. This works so much better on white/yellow cars especially that are incredibly hard to get painted panel lines to look good on (ask Veyron! :icon16: ). If the panel lines on a model were actually to scale they'd be okay in black, but panel lines on a model are much wider than the scale on a 1:1 car, so they usually end up too harsh with too much contrast.I stole this idea from you with the intention of putting the panel lines over the primer, instead of between paint coats; but you seem to have stolen it back before I got a chance to use it... ;)

Also:that kit's giving up it's seats/dash/drivetrain for a Brat :naughty::sunglasse Awesome!!

Really nice model and photos. You must have quite a collection of Minis, new and old.

Thanks! LOL, I sure do have a bunch of 'em! Including this pair that you built and sold:

http://images1.fotki.com/v13/photos/1/10258/164256/Dscn3990-vi.jpg
http://images1.fotki.com/v12/photos/1/10258/164256/Dscn3997-vi.jpg

Dunno if I ever showed my Revell Minis here or not:

The one inspired by your Mini:
http://images1.fotki.com/v7/photos/1/10258/17860/Dscn3068-vi.jpg

They look good together:
http://images1.fotki.com/v13/photos/1/10258/164256/Dscn3987-vi.jpg

Maroon w/white stripes and ITR rims:
http://images1.fotki.com/v6/photos/1/10258/17860/MiniStripes1-vi.jpg

All four of these currently reside in a single 1/18th display case! :biggrin:

Very nice!
What does it say on the box? I can't seem to find these for sale anywhere...
I guess my partially completed Revell S conversion is going to go a more radical direction.
:p

Nice work! The wheels look like a natural fit for the car, and the paint is a nice match up to Pepper White.