New Project....Opel Astra DTM

Just started on this today (see in my sig)........thought i'd build a race car for a change. The kit will be built straight from the box...no extras. I want to built a few kits straight from the box for the Tamiya show that is coming up next year then pick a good one to enter with.
So far all the parts have been removed from the trees and sanded ready for painting.
This is all the body parts ready for priming....
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/587365DSCF0081.JPG
This is really a neat kit and will look great with the other Opel i built earlier.
Check this out for an amazing decal for the bonnet...all one piece...awsome detail :eek:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/308299DSCF0082.JPG
Updates later on

Go Go.. what colour you gonna paint it?

ya what he said...

I assume he would paint it the color its suppost to be? why would he do it differently?

anyways, NICE P MAN! hope it comes out half as nice as the other.......

IMO i think that bright orange looks great... never seen it in real life, guess is too out there.. kinda of think about it.. only seen flourscent cars (orange) on road repair trucks.. hmm...... how about a flourscent yellow... ??

eveytime i see these colors, looks too cheesy.. but then after seeing this.. i dont know.. the color by itself is kinda nice

Today was body painting day as it was nice and fine.
The kit calls for TS31 Bright Orange. I've never used this colour before and after today i never will again !!!

A real bastard to get on as it goes on very light when wet and looks good, but as it dries it gets darker.

Now if you haven't got the paint nice and even over the model, it leaves different coloured "patches" on the model as it dries.
So after the usual 3 coats i put on my models, i left it for 2 hours.
When i got back i nearly died at the sight of it.....it looked crap :eek: :eek: All different shades of orange.
So i gave it another and it end up the same as it dried. :mad: :mad:
Soooooo.....i then knew WTF was going on and knew i had to get it right or the model would start to lose all its detail from too many coats of paint.
So fingers crossed...the last coat turned out OK.
The paint is also quite a "thick" paint from Tamiya and takes a bit to get the orange-peel look out of the paint.
Anybody else used this colour and had the same problem??
I'll post a pic up later on when i get home from this hell i call work
:devil: :devil:

Maybe you should'nt have used PRIMER! on this one. J/k man I had to say it. Hope everything turns out ok.

Very nice kit! I bought one after you built the first one. I couldn't find a supplier for the paint at that time, so I sold it on eBay :( Since the paint gave you trouble, I'm glad I sold it. Cause it would've kicked my butt! Keep the pics coming!

-Rick

Primer was used.
It was sprayed the day before then oven baked at work to harden the paint so it should not have been that that gave the trouble!!!

Same build as the team phoenix one? just different color/decals? I seen a model the other day at the shop called the "beer wagon" that should be your next project! its done by :flamer: revell

i know no one likes Testors paint.. but i got a competition orage for my datsun 510 and sprayed it on.. went on even and clean...:p

Heres a pic after painting. The car should turn out a lot darker once the black is painted on the inside. At the moment the plastic is a bit see-though in light
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/723537Dscf0082.jpg

Good paint job.Pretty bright though.(my 2 cents)

what kind of paint did u use to aint the opel??? by he way looks to be coming out good

Originally posted by fullbloodchop01
what kind of paint did u use to aint the opel??? by he way looks to be coming out good

Paint is Tamiya TS-31 Bright Orange

Great paint job Pman.
I used that same Tamiya spray in the Mazda 787B and I know how hard it is to get the things right.
The paint refuses to have a uniform orange colour, especially in the angels. :rolleyes:
Be sure to give all the parts the same treatment you gave to the body, in order to have the same orange in the doors, mirrors, wings, etc.

Man thats one of my up coming projects those are dope im not that crazy about the color but mad props to u man:)

Update pics.
Test fitted the body today to get an idea to see what it would look like. The first one i done i had problems with it fitting well onto the chassis.
Been detailing a bit of the body also.
Still got a long way to go yet with painting of parts etc but its coming along good.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/233935DSCF0095.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/956588DSCF0096.JPG

The missing doors make it seem menacing :D

And that paint job isn't nearly as bad as you made it seem like :p

wow.. again how did you make your body detail ? Gundamn Marker ?

PMan you never cease to amaze

Originally posted by Vric
wow.. again how did you make your body detail ? Gundamn Marker ?
Marker was used on the lines.
Used the same technique on the windows as i done in the HOW TOO thread http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=56889

looks like its comin along good as usual, even though you were havin problems with the paint going on. keep up the good work, and should we be expectin to see it finished in a day or two?:D

which gundam marker do u use?

Originally posted by Honoturtle
which gundam marker do u use?
nm, I found it on hlj

:flash: WoW so far all i can say is WoW:flash:. keep us posted with pics Pman :D

Few pics from today.

Inside getting close to being finished
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/499460Dscf0117.jpg
Disc brakes and exhaust that runs along the whole side of the car. Just got to add some more detail to each bolt on the disc.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/224215DSCF0102.JPG
Wheels finished and ready for a wax before adding on later on. Have to love these wheels as they are the same as what is on the PMan's car !!!
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/380298DSCF0114.JPG
Added a couple of decals so I could get the placement right.
This is where I’m up to now.
Tomorrow will be building the roll cage and finishing the inside.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/672238DSCF0104.JPG

:eek: :eek: :eek: Wow!! That looks great Pman... You make me want to model some more tonite but I cut my finger pretty bad, and I dont think I will be doin much model buildin for a couple of days... only thing I can really do now is paint:( ........... Hope to see more pics of the opel soon

Gonna love it.
So Cool!

Looking good there Pman.

Love those wheels

wow. the orange looks pretty good to me. From wat you said, i expected a piece of crap. But your piece of crap probably turns out better than my usual work. Dont worry though. I will someday become better than you.......MUAHAHAHA

Update from today !!

Hope you guys dont mind all the pics and up dates but i'm really injoying building this kit.
Today got the inside finished along with the roll cage. Parts are fitting so well with no sanding/cutting etc to fit.
Added the wheels and exhaust. Wheels were a tight fit but went on with a small bit of oil.

Inside finished

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/407947DSCF0071.JPG

Roll cage sitting in car...perfect fit alround !!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/785131DSCF0075.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/370098DSCF0072.JPG

Body sitting on completed chassis to check for fit etc.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/162789DSCF0090.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/532735DSCF0088.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/165889back.JPG
Next up will be the decals etc for the body.

Where does the time come from!!!????

You must work into the night........??????

Enjoying seeing progress pictures - keep em coming. It is shaping up as a very cool model.

Went to the art supplies shop today to get a 0.1 black marker on your recommendation - looking forward to getting home to test it.

Cheers

Glenn
Across the bridge on the North Shore.......

What is your job, and where the jeesus do you put those models when you are done? :biggrin2:

Originally posted by primera man
Update from today !!

Hope you guys dont mind all the pics and up dates but i'm really injoying building this kit.

Are you kidding?!? I for one love the pics, although they are starting to make me feel inadequate.....at modeling. You, as always have done an outstanding job! Cant wait to see the next set of pics!!!

-Rick

One word p-man..

BEAUTIFUL

:)

I gotta get me one of those

One general question for everyone

How do you completely remove the sprue runners (the stuff that hold the parts to the sprues) from really thin or small parts without damaging them? I tried sanding (did not work too well), filing (ditto) and cutting with a knife (worked pretty well but got myself cut up).

I always use the scalpel... VERY carefully.

:flash:wow looks better every time i look at it:flash:

Originally posted by 18Visions
What is your job, and where the jeesus do you put those models when you are done? :biggrin2:

Yeah, come on PMan, how about some pics of your model collection? You must have stacks of space filled up with the things.

But don't let it get in the way of the Astra, of course :D

Small update.....just a few decals been added. All been going on fairly well so far.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/946591DSCF1630.JPG
Front looks so agressive looking IMO...I'd be quite worried seeing this in my rear mirrors !!
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/742144DSCF1627.JPG

Looks like its going along really well. I'm guessing that the only way you'd see that in your rear mirrors is 1)someone stole it and is haveing a joy ride(lucky them) and 2)you somehow got on to the same race track and you got in his way. have fun building the rest of the kit.

The PMan never ceases to amaze...
You gonna finish that like tomorrow or something?

nice car ;)

:licker: looks perfect:licker: , :confused: hey pman how do u get ur decals to go on so perfectly :confused:

Again, I'm in awe of your work!:D Keep up the progress thread because you and Flyonthewall are keeping me motivated to finish my Skyline!

Nice so far, can't wait to see the final product!

very nice model as always !
but one question Pman : why don't you try to get a carbon effect and add some more details ? you have a very good level and a high skill in building kits. It wouldn't be hard for you !?!?! :)

It’s getting more beautiful in every new post Pman.
How can someone do such a perfect job in so short time?
Starting to believe in the kiwi theory. :p

Hmm... so far so good...
P-man, take your time and enjoy!~
I'm sure everyone enjoys doing their model but not rushing? :)

Update again for those interested in its progress.

Got a few more decals on today. This is starting to take longer then i thought as there are lots of small ones that need to be added. Completed the rear end.
Got the rear tail lights in.
They are a 4 piece light...(sorry, not a very good pic.) They assemble with no glue needed. You only need to glue the outer "tab" to each other....nice and simple. Already come painted !!
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/482161DSCF1666.JPG
The end result looks perfect...they look almost real !!!
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/824271DSCF1670.JPG
Added the lights to the front along with some mesh and tow hook. The grill was added and the metal transfer added. Another great idea to make the kit stand out.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/598514DSCF1674.JPG
Tomorrow hopefully will be the doors being fitted. They are a work of art by Tamiya. The brackets are glued to the window frame and the metal hindges are screwed to them. They are then screwed to the roof of the car so they slide as they open.
This is the only negitive so far with the kit. The screws are very small and unless you have built a bike and have a small screw driver that comes in a bike kit to fit them...your in trouble as they dont supply one in the kit.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/353494DSCF1665.JPG

Wow, nice lights!!!

Very nice. Taillights look almost real. Can't wait to see the doors.

That Astra is looking pretty damn good! :cool:

I'm surprised at the lack of screwdriver for the door hinges, it seems a bit of a slip from Tamiya's usual high standards. :( If they can put them into bike kits, why not cars?

That really is one beautiful kit.

That kit is pretty darn hot... now I wanna make myself little so that I can get in it.

Nice work with the decals Pman, and the rear lights are simply amazing.
Good thing Tamiya continues to improve all this small details that makes the model even more beautiful and realistic.

Another update from todays work. :)
Got the windows in and added a few more decals.
I tried something different this time instead of glue. The wife had some tape called "Invisable Tape" which i used to hold the windows in place. It sticks really well and you can hardly see it as its see-through :)
Saved worrying about getting glue on the windows.
I just cut a few small strips and placed it on the edge of the window (top and bottom and out of sight) and simply taped the windows in place....so easy :D :D
The doors where layed onto the body to get the correct placement of the decals. Got one side done. The hindges etc well be done when all the decals are dry.
Its starting to look almost finished now :flash:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/599835DSCF1659.JPG

What, you don't called that finished!! :bloated: Lookin good!

Hmm, how's the door? Smooth to open?

P-man, nice work! Those taillights are almost look like the real thing. Question (sorry- slightly off-topic...), Did you take all of these pics w/ your Fuji 2800 digicam? I hope so b/c they're nice looking and I just ordered the same camera.