In Progress - Tamiya Ducati Desmosedici

I’ve cleared some of the cowlings. I’m still wating to decal the one I had to repaint, and the tank I’m still un-decided as to if I should CF the black section, as it is actually CF on the real bike.

But these are most of them. I used X22 Acrylic clear, starting with fine mists working up to final wet coats. I’ve used X22 Acrylic clear as simply it’s the only clear coat I seem to get on with when it comes to decals and airbrushing. I’ve had a mess around with future, I do not trust TS-13 and I’ve not got the balls to try any lacquer based clear coat products, so I have to use this.

X22 doesn’t get a shine until the first few wet coats, this had 7 coats in total. Sounds a lot, but because I thinned to almost water, it goes on VERY thin. But anyhow, its done, I’m trying to bake it in the sun to try and get it cured faster. But, as you can see, X22 is very self leveling when thinned right down, so I won’t have a lot of polishing to do. Just a few dust specks to remove, and that’s it.

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54135/mode/L/img.jpg

MPWR swears by X22, I’m still on the fence, I like its ease of use, and the fact its safe over decals, but I’m not so keen on the slower curing times. Oh well. You choose your product, and you have to work around the pros and cons. Cons with this product, long curing times.

Mick, you like trying things so you might want to think about giving Gunze stuff a test drive.

I put this (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/Seweryn/gunze.jpg) on my Daytone for the first time and I have to say I was mega impressed with it (no decals though!). No sign of "china syndrome" melt through. It was recommended to me by a friend here who puts it over decals regularly.

Dried quick and hard. Still waiting to be polished but I am optimistic. I tried it both from the can and through the AB thinned with Mr Levelling thinner.

Maybe this is the stuff mentioned in your X22 thread?

No. I never use a sealer, and I've never had it rub off. In fact it's very durable. And is very hard wearing. One of the reasons I like it. Strange you should say you have problems with it rubbing off.

I apply alclad over a gloss black laquer base, Tamiya de-canted mostly and the chrome and polished aluminum finishes usually will brush off if you touch it to hard?!? Is it my base coat that's the problem? What base are you using?Which finish's are you using? I have to figure this out!!!

Wow.. the shine looks great!! Yes.. i need to try with the X-22 too , and other products... but in the bike is hard because there are a lot of decals.

Can you make more close up photos?
Thank's!

I don’t know what I’m doing that is different, as I back my Alclad II with a grey plastic primer, then I use either a grey primer, or I shoot a base of Acrylic Lacquer satin black over the part, depending on how dark or light I want the metal to look.

For the polished metals, such as polished Aluminium I used TS-14 right out of the can. For chrome I tend to use enamel gloss black, after a few hours start to apply the Alclad II chrome. I hope this helps, I actually had a bit of sprue with Alclad II applied, and I rubbed and rubbed, and my finger didn’t turn silver, so I’m wondering what is wrong for you.

Roca46 –

I actually had a lot of fun applying the decals. Definitely was the part I’ve enjoyed (with exception to the CF decals I’m applying now.. Grrr..!!) most, must have been something about applying decals that advertise cancer sticks. (Cigarettes). Still got a few more cowlings to clear, I’ll look into getting closer pictures but my camera doesn’t focus anymore if I try and take pictures of small objects upclose. I’ll try though, but every time I try the pictures come out all blurry. Which is a shame.

The X22 has a few specks of dust, reason why I’m concerned about the curing time, I was REALLY hoping to get away with not having to cut it back with compound, due to it being softer then lacquer, but thanks to dust, I’ve got to now. Typical..!!

Thanks for the comments.

so that's how X22 was supposed to be put in... nice!

I put this (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y78/Seweryn/gunze.jpg) on my Daytone for the first time and I have to say I was mega impressed with it (no decals though!). No sign of "china syndrome" melt through. It was recommended to me by a friend here who puts it over decals regularly.

Dried quick and hard. Still waiting to be polished but I am optimistic. I tried it both from the can and through the AB thinned with Mr Levelling thinner.

Maybe this is the stuff mentioned in your X22 thread?

Mick,

Good progress so far! I am not as patient as you are in waiting for the clear to dry so I used another product for clear coating.

You should definitely try out the Gunze stuff as mentioned by klutz_100. I used it on all my models and they are the absolute best in my opinion. It dries fast and hard. In 2-3 days time it will be ready for polishing. I used it on my Lancia Stratos (A lot of decals) and it gave me no problems at all.

Here's a pic of my Statos with Gunze clear:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/379173CIMG2006a.jpg

Winston

I apply alclad over a gloss black laquer base, Tamiya de-canted mostly and the chrome and polished aluminum finishes usually will brush off if you touch it to hard?!? Is it my base coat that's the problem? What base are you using?Which finish's are you using? I have to figure this out!!!

Yep, you're not the only one that's had problems with it rubbing off. Maybe they've changed the formula recently as my paints are a couple of years old. I've found that the chrome especially needs very delicate handling to stop it marking up...nice paint though.

BTW Mick, I think the Duke's looking beautiful!
:licka:

John S.

I’ve now heat stained the exhausts. I wrapped thin strips of masking tape around where I thought the pipe joins would be. I then slowly one by one applied with my airbrush a base of titanium gold around the bends, then clear yellow, then clear blue, and then finally smoke.

It took a while, and I’d hoped to not over do it… I think I’ve “just” overdone it in places, but I “think” it looks pretty realistic. I’ve seen some heat staining, and its looks like a snake, or something. Dunno if mine is no better TBH. Oh well, I had a go.

About all I had time for today. I’m waiting for some different types of CF decal, to try and gauge what I need for the various parts that require CF decals.

Let me know what you think to the heat staining. I’m hoping it looks semi real..

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54264/mode/L/img.jpg

fantastic job, I wouldn't have thought of it being overdone at all..

I’ve now completed the engine frame, and front handle bar. I had some twill weave Cf decals, and I thought these would be fine for the airbox, but once applied the airbox took on a type of gunmetal colour. I wasn’t happy with this, so I mixed up X18, Smoke and Flat Base with a lot of Acrylic thinner to make a type of airbrush wash.

Its worked wonderfully well, and I’m absolutely livid that my camera is so pants, that I am unable to get a good picture up-close. I took a hundred shoots, all came out blurry, I tried everything. My digital camera is now 3 – 4 years old…?? It no longer focuses correctly.

Anyhow, you’ll just have to trust me, that the airbox is a nice shade of tinted black, with the CF lines poking through. I’m pretty happy with it.

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54267/mode/L/img.jpg

I’ve also assembled the handle bar, and sprayed the front stabilizer Alclad II polished aluminum, but you wouldn’t believe what Idid with the handle bar. I assembled the front handles with the brake levers pointing towards the tank. I had to snap it all apart again, and remake pin holes to glue them on the right way around.. Doh.

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54268/mode/L/img.jpg

And I’ve also decided to do the same trick with the rear wheel fender (guard..?). It was a nightmare to CF decal. I took to making a template, and cutting the decal into 15 bits. I nearly went bog eyed trying to line them all up again. I’ve not applied the tint mix yet, but I will do that once the CF is fully dry….

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54266/mode/L/img.jpg

That’s it for tonight. I’m getting there. Slowly.

Looking good, still! One of these days I'm gonna have to try X-22, it looks so good when you use it!

Man, seriously impressive progress. All those seperate pieces look fantastic, I'm anticipating how awesome they're going to look when pieced together. :)

Finally, after weeks of study, preparing parts, painting, detailing and generally thinking I was just building a scrap heap of bike parts, my bike is actually starting to look like a bike.

I’ve assembled the frame, attached the radiator and hoses etc, and installed the handle bars, front forks and the front wheel. I’ll not run through how all the parts were painted etc, as the entire WIP has basically detailed all this. This is basically one of the first stages of hopefully getting this bike on two wheels.

I’m VERY pleased with my results. It could be a lot better, but overall considering this is the first bike I’ve assembled, its not that bad.. And coming from me, it must be good as I’m the world’s worst critic of my own work. LOL

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54271/mode/L/img.jpg

Killer job! :bigthumb:

Congratulations!! The bike looks very very good! If this is the first bike.. i can not imagine the others coming bikes... :grinyes:

Good luck and i hope to see your next update

Roca.

Looking Awesome Mick. Love the detailing. Wish I had the time to do my own. Its just sitting there at this same stage.
Cheers
Tony

Of course as always. Outstanding!

Tonight, I’m pleased to show you all the first pictures of the bike now on two wheels. I’ve assembled the bike without the cowlings, as you all read that I’ve cleared them with X22, and I do not want to touch them for well over two weeks (to be safe) as I don’t want to put finger prints into the clear.

The bike was a joy to assemble. After all the painting, and detailing, it took me only a few hours to glue or screw it all together. I’m impressed with the steering, the handle bar moves with the forks, and I can’t believe it, but the spring actually does move with the bike as the rear wheel springs up and down…

I’ve got some cabling to do, the front airbox and cockpit cabling still needs to be completed. But essentially I’ve now got the “guts” of a motorbike. My first bike build. I’m proud of this one. Even my gf just congratulated me on this one, and spent 5 mins looking over it, saying it’s the most detailed model she’s ever seen….

Sorry for the darker pictures, I’ll try and get some outdoor pictures so you can see more of the CF decals I’ve applied. It’s late, as its now dark in the UK. I just couldn’t wait to post a few pictures up..

Thanks for all the comments, still got lots more to do yet..

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54402/mode/L/img.jpg

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54403/mode/L/img.jpg

mickbench this is coming on a treat and look CLASS cant wiat to see the finished bike

I took some outside pictures, as the ones I uploaded last night were pretty dark. I hope you can how see the details a little better. I apologize for the poor pictures I posted earlier on.

These pictures show of the metal paints etc much better, and you can also see the P/E chain a lot clear.

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54423/mode/L/img.jpg

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54424/mode/L/img.jpg

Wow- your really nailing that build. I love the painting you have done to the exhausts - very nice. It all looks very clean and nicely finished. Sweet.

man oh man..sooo sweet!! Naked bikes look almost as good as naked women..ahh no. One note though, on the lower small cooler hoses, you still need to paint the orange red sections..just in case you forgot!!

Quite simply awsome :worshippy

Mick, as of now you are never allowed to make excuses for your own work or skills again ;) Not after such brilliant work as you are showing here!

Hey,

Stevenski, play fair.. I’m allowed to rubbish my own work. LOL. I’m trying very, and I mean VERY hard to overcome this. TBH, I’ve enjoyed building this bike, it’s a shame it’s now very nearly completed. Still got a bit to do, but the bulk of this is now completed.

As for the hoses, I had no idea there were red hose connectors at the bottom. The build guide made no reference to these, not that I read anyhow.. Unless I missed this. And naked bikes, or naked women… Hmm… Mechanical porn, flesh porn.. LOL

Great work.
I like it very,very much.
:wink:

This one is now pretty much completed. I’m still waiting for the rear cowling to cure, as it got painted last, due to me having to respray after the putty cracked. I’ve finished this one off with some SMS plain weave CF decals on the exhaust shield, under the seat exhaust area as well, the engine control box thingy, and put some twill weave here and there and around the airbox under the front cowling.

I used crazy modeler green tubing in places, and then polished the cowlings. I placed them in my airing cupboard, and they cured much faster then leaving them in the sun. Still took over a week though. I used coarse, fine and finish compounds, followed by a Tamiya wax. These products on X22 are all you need. They work very well together.

Here are some pictures. For the bike fans, I hope I did it justice, for the ones who do not like bikes, I still hope you like it. Completed thread coming soon. Comments are always welcome, good or bad. Many thanks for following this thread. I hope it’s been useful.

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54780/mode/L/img.jpg

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54782/mode/L/img.jpg

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54783/mode/L/img.jpg

http://www.pictureparking.com/pic/54784/mode/L/img.jpg

Looks great. I've missed a couple of weeks of progress that I now catched up in one sequence and it looks damn good.
my best
Joel

It's absolutely georgous....I hate you!!:grinyes:

Beautiful work...

Outstanding work Mick. Definitely did the kit justice, love the details.

Dave

Incredible Job!! Looks better every time I look at your updates.The engine in particular is very impressive.Those outdoor naked shots really show it off well.

Woah! Looks great! Has been interesting following this build to see where I will have problems when I get the time to finish mine. Looking forward to your next bike.
Cheers
Tony

Very nice work, great looking bike....
Cannot wait to see it all together now.

Lovely Mick!
Really like the look of this bike and you ahve really gone to town with the detail!
I have to agree about airing cupboard curing - I dry all of my paint off this way!

Many thanks to you all for the kind comments and support during this build. Bike is now completed. I'm getting some pictures taken, I'm hoping to get a work mate who is a VERY good photographer to come round and take some professional pictures. He has a nice mobile camera setup. With good lights and everything.. It "should" be worth the wait.. I hope.. My picture taking skills, with my camera leaves a lot to be desired..

Thanks again..

great clean build, gotta say seeing your first models to today your modeling skills have drastically improved, keep the builds coming.

Awesome thread you got here. very clean build. cant wait for the completed model in a digitized pic! please dont make us wait too long!