Finished First Model Ever: Nissan 350z

Hi everyone,
I discovered this forum about a year ago and was so amazed by the pictures of models being made that I just had to give it a shot myself. I decided to built a simple 350z for my first model. Lately I've had some free time so I decided to get off my butt and finish it.

It doesn't look nearly as good as any of the other models here, but I learned a great deal. I learned to use an airbrush, prime, apply mist and wet coats, clear coat, use compound and wax, paint window frames (which I've done horribly), apply decals (i ruined the 2 Nissan decals for the front and back emblems), do panel lines, etc, etc, etc

Among the many other things I learned:
- You can't rush things.
- Don't rub too hard with compound, if you look carefully i rubbed through the clear coat in a few areas
- Always keep the workspace organized. I lost one of the headlight covers and I have to give big thanks to MidMazar for sending me a replacement one.

Things I have the biggest trouble with:
- Rubbing with compound on edges of the body
- Window frames. I have a hard time applying masking tape and then cutting around the edge with a hobby knife, it slipped and cut the paint many times.

I'm totally obsessed with this hobby now, I already got 5 other kits: Carrera GT, Calsonic Impul Z, Enzo, McLaren MP4/8, McLaren MP4/13, Ferrari F2001.

I'm working on the Carrera GT, hopefully it will be a cleaner build and look closer to the amazing cars in this forum.

Thanks to everyone who contribute to this forum, I've learned so much from all of you guys.

Below are the pictures. I painted it with TS-17 and clearcoated with Gunze Mr. Top Coat (Gloss):

http://www.kevin-yang.com/models/350z/350z01.jpg
http://www.kevin-yang.com/models/350z/350z02.jpg
http://www.kevin-yang.com/models/350z/350z03.jpg
http://www.kevin-yang.com/models/350z/350z04.jpg
http://www.kevin-yang.com/models/350z/350z05.jpg

Great job on your 1st model!

Once you finish that first one, there is no going back. This is looking really good for your first kit too. I've finished around 20 and I'm still afraid to work anymore on my Ferrari F40, F50, and Enzo.

OMG, first model. Someone kill me please. Your first model look so stunning I can't imagine what's more to come! I wanna quit!

Absolutely stellar first model! I wouldn't think that it's your first just to look at it. You say you learned that patience is key - you seem to have that in spades already. Your window rubbers don't look bad at all. I have the same trouble you do with a slipping blade, so what I do instead is cut a strip of tape 1-2mm wide and follow the window rubbers with that, it works well as long as there aren't any really weird curves. Then I burnish it down well, and shoot acryl clear before acryl black - the clear seals it and the acryl is way more fogiving. You're already building gorgeous models, I can't wait to see what you're on your way to building. Keep it up! Keep sharing!

wow, your first model is waaay better than the ones i'm working on after a few years away from building, your words are great inspiration to me to work even harder on my next few builds....anyway keep up the great work and keep posting it here for us to see. Willimo, excellent tip on the window frames, i'll have to try that in the future.

Gray

That is FANTASTIC for a first model. Your paint job is gorgeous! Keep it up.

I have to agree, that is a stellar first model. Looks good and can't wait to see more from you. Hopefully I'll get something posted soon, don't think it will look like that though and definetly not my first. Good job!

That is a stunning first model. Not only that, you choose sensibly, as this is perhaps on the better choices for a first build. Wouldn’t worry about obsession. That soon follows if you build, and like it. You might want to think about attaching the rear numberplate, even if only with the 350Z logo, as it looks kinda naked without it. The window trims look OK. It’s not easy to paint the trims.

Looking forward to seeing more works from you…

Thats an amazin first effort

Great first build, your panel lines look great!
Wish my first was as good as that!

Looks really good for a first model! Keep it up and show us more in the future!

Winston

WOW That's soooooo much better than my first model. Can't wait to see what you build next.

can't find any flaw.. you set the bar high for your second kit :p

perfect job

wow man really good for first model, your skills are already above average , i havent even finished a model yet, however i can paint and polish fairly well, one thing i suggest to you is do not lose interest in your models, it might help if you just start one model at a time instead of working on more then 1 or 2, thats my main problem, i have a hard time from keeping myself from buying kits that i probably wont work on for a while

excellent job, especially for a first kit.

Great first build, your panel lines look great!
Wish my first was as good as that!
Wish my 10th one was as good as that :grinyes:
Can't wait to see more work from you :)

Really nice work to be the first one :)


- Always keep the workspace organized. I lost one of the headlight covers and I have to give big thanks to MidMazar for sending me a replacement one.


Try to have in safe place the left pieces of the kit while you're building. It's better to have some small metal box for the typical last parts (headlamps, exhausts...) than trying to keep organized the table :D

Regards

wow, very good!

that's beautiful for first time! damn good work...

your first model looks great! :D

Thanks a lot for all the encouragement. I really learned a lot from this forum. Without it I would have probably brush painted the body :)

hi, what is the colour you used on ur seat?

Nice for a first kit... mine first one wasn't nearly as good. do you have some other modelling experience like plains or military?

Excellent model.Keep up the good work.Look forward to seeing more from you.

hi, what is the colour you used on ur seat?

The seat color is a 1:1 mix of X-6 (Orange) and XF-3 (Flat Yellow)

Nice for a first kit... mine first one wasn't nearly as good. do you have some other modelling experience like plains or military?

Thanks for the compliment. I don't have any prior modelling experience. It did take me a long time to finish though as I had to strip the paint from the body twice because o screwups. I learned a lot in the process and my 2nd model is going much more smoothly.

I'm still afraid to work anymore on my Ferrari F40, F50, and Enzo.

Same here, lol. The ferrari's are too dauntng, lol.

Nice build for a first!!!