In Progress: Revell BMW 850i

<AF Tribute Build>

My years on this forum have been a great experience for me. The inspiration I've gotten here has contributed hugely to my interest in building cars (I originally built planes and helicopters), and has consistently kept me building. I've tried techniques and media I've seen used here that I would never have thought of, and I've learned and mastered skills I doubt I could have picked up anywhere else. I've really learned to paint (but of course, I'm still learning). And I've gotten alot of satisfaction out of it all.

But more than that, this has been a great community to be part of. There's an incredible amount of experience, helpfulness, and enthusiasm to be found here. And there are a number of really terrific individuals here that I'm happy to consider friends.

Recently, two such individuals have provided me with two kits that I've been searching for for some time- simply because they wanted to see what I could do with them. One is of course this 850, contributed to my stash by none other than Klutz_100. (The other I will hopefully get a chance to post soon as well.)

I'd been hoping to find the Revell Germany 850i on and off since just about the turn of the century. :rolleyes: I've spent plenty of time on Ebay, but on the rare occasion one would show someone always seemed to want it more than me. A trip to Germany spent scouring hobby shops (among other things) didn't turn one up. But Stevenski came across one a year or so ago, and rather promptly sent it to me- in exchange for some somewhat complicated little bits of aluminum. (It took me nearly a year to make them. :uhoh: Thankfully, he's very patient. :grinyes:) But we also agreed, I still owed him this build. So here goes. Cheers mate, this one's for you- and all the rest of you who have inspired me, taught me, encouraged me, learned from me, endured me, and even occasionally annoyed me. :rolleyes: Hope you enjoy.

All right, enough with the sentimentallity already- on with the building.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-001.jpg

This is one of the only kits in my stash that I would say I've been intimidated by. The parts breakdown is very similar to a Fujimi Enthu kit- anything that could be done in two parts has in fact been done in seven. It contains the most wicked collection of sinkholes I've ever seen in one box. And then of course there's the fit. Tamiya's Enzo or FW24 have nothing on this beast- at the end of they day, you know they will fit together. I have no such confidence with this one. :uhoh:

It's rare to see one built up, either here or anywhere else I've looked. But one of the few things I've heard about it is that the fit leaves alot to be desired. Looking over the bodyparts, this became immediately evident.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-004.jpg

Most of what I build are Tamiya kits- the sort of thing where you can take the body out of the box, give it a quick overall sanding and a wash, and be ready to prime and paint in little over an hour. I've never really had to do much in the way of 'bodywork' (tuner style bodykits aren't really my thing). Modifying and correcting body parts isn't something I've really done- it's actually a skill I've avoided having to mess with. Time to change that, as there's no getting away from it here. :grinno:

The nose/bumper/airdam assembly is four separate parts, and each joint takes filling, or filling and rescribing. Once this nose is installed on the body, it becomes clear that the bonnet simply does not fit. The gap on the front edge is nearly a 1/16 of an inch. (The pic above already shows some filling work.)

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-005.jpg

I chose to deal with this by building up the edge of the bonnet with CA glue and accelerator, and sanding it to shape. This took a number of repititions. Build it up,

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-006.jpg

sand it down,

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-007.jpg

reprime it, inspect it, and do it again. Managing at most one or two repetitions a day, it feels like it takes forever. :uhoh: But progress is (slowly) made.

Revell did a very nice relief 850i emblem on the boot lid- much too nice not to use. (I really don't understand why they also included it as a decal. :rolleyes:) So, out comes the BMF.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-002.jpg

I like to put it on before primer and paint, and then gently remove the paint/primer to reveal it.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-003.jpg

But strangely for the BMW roundels, Revell left flat spots instead of domes. Someone enthusiasticly pointed out to me :rolleyes: that this was a perfect opportunity to use a self ahdesive emblem like in MSM's set- but to my eye a good decal on a suitably shaped dome is by far the best way to replicate a BMW roundel.

So the flat spots got drilled out,

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-008.jpg

and a set of turned aluminum domes were installed.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-009.jpg

As for the decals- well, the kit decals have obviously seen better days.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-010.jpg

Don't know what the brown staining is, but it doesn't look good. I really don't have much confidence that any of them will work at all.

Fortunately Revell Germany has a very good parts replacement service. The 850 decals are long out of print, but the decals for Revell's Z1 (another very odd little kit) are excellent and easily availible.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-011.jpg

It's not a perfect match, but it gives be something to work with. Fortunately I now have plenty of license plates, which Revell seems to believe is a crucial element. :dunno:

More work on the nose-

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-012.jpg

I noticed in the pics above a gap I hadn't managed to fill (which might or might not have been covered with one of the copious license plates).

Onto the boot lid. It's not nearly so bad as the bonnet, but needed some work too.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-013.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-014.jpg

Must remember to removal that cross piece.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-015.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-016.jpg

There. Ready. I couldn't guess now how many applications of primer I've sprayed (and resprayed, and resprayed) onto the body. But finally it's done, sanded smooooth, inspected, and ready for paint.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-017.jpg

It's going to be metallic dark red- just as soon as the weather cooperates. Actually I've been waiting for three weeks now for decent painting weather- but the whole time here temps have been in the mid 90's (upper 30's C), with 70ish % humidity. The forecast is more of the same for the next week plus. So meanwhile, I wait.

Maybe it's time to have a look at that engine....

Oh boy, another new build! :wink: This is one of those rare-ish cars (and apparently kits, too!) that I've always found particularly cool. I'm fond of BMW's in general, but I tend to like the older, more exclusive cars that not everybody and their brother owns. When I first saw the thread, I thought, "cool, an 8-series model. Maybe I'll get one." Maybe not. :frown: But I'll be looking forward to seeing your [undoubtedly spectacular] progress. Yes, the fit may be poor, but I like Revell AG kits for their complexity and engine-inclusion. I'm tired of models that are so poorly detailed that they take three years to complete due to all the scratchbuilding. I guess I can thank the local Wal-Marts for providing plenty of those sort of projects.

Anyway, your progress so far looks good. What brand is the paint you are planning to use? I agree that Revell does seem to have a thing for license plates (for example the Ferrari F430); I just wish they could do the same with American plates too so I could get some for my AMT kits (whose plates...and models in general...are lousy). Muscle cars just don't look right with the surplus Euro plates I have...

Keep up the good work. I'll be watching this one.

Alex

Wow,
that would be an excellent build to follow, cos' even if I am not a big BMW fan (except the M3 rally car :grinyes: ) but those cars are the ones that could change my mind because they remind my my young years where those cars were ones of the most incredible sport cars existing and when I was starting to find interest in automotive... :naughty:

I guess you're gonna detail the V12 cavalry ? :icon16:

I will foolow this build ! :thumbsup:

This should be fun to watch. :worshippy

Can't wait to see you do the engine..... of both kits.

YAY! At last! :D

I'm really looking forward to seeing this progress.

Enjoy!

Andy, terrific start, great body fixes. I knew you have the kit and I was actually waiting for you to start building it! I also have it in my "to be built one day" stash and I will be following this thread closely.

Awesome! I can't wait to see what you can do with this kit of this gorgeous car! This is going to be a thread to watch!

nice progress on the body, im sure its gona turn out fantastic!!

i have a tamiya one myself, but its missing alot of pieces here and there.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this progress

Me too!

Fantastic, I'm tuned for the V12 stages :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

It's beautiful! OK, I know it's going to be a long build but definitely worth to see it! The one and only 850i I've seen is on Kunta's homepage, so I'm curious how this one turns out! I wish you good luck and patience to the build!

This is going to be well worth the effort when you're done. The roundels alone are going to make me drool!

Yeah, now we are talking bussiness, I have made this one a long time ago when I thougt airbrush was something of alien origin :D

I still have the finished model somewhere, I remember front hood hinges were nightmare to fit and then fit the hood over the pop up lights, please try that now before the paint if you still didn't try.

I wait for more updates ;)

Wow, very very cool choice of subject, man!

This is going to be one sick car. Sofar your work is ballistic and I guess we will be seeing more nut-jobs later on.

Let's pray for your weather to come my way so you can paint and i can tan.

oli

On the decals, I’ve never seen the brown stain, but have had a case of yellowing on RoG decals. To solve that, I taped them to a window that gets some sunlight (and doesn’t get any condensation) and leave them there for a day or two. Place in a zip-loc bag for protection. The sun will bleach out the staining. Don’t know if it will cure the brown stain, but worth a try.

After the “bleaching”, I applied Microscale Liquid Decal Film to put a new coat over the decal set and they worked fine.

Great stuff, i have mine in the back of the line. I will follow this one with joy. Your going to paint it the same color i want mine to be, im going to try to get some shots of the 1:1 in my town. The aluminum domes looks fantastic. Can't wait to see some paint on that pup.

I knew you have the kit and I was actually waiting for you to start building it! I also have it in my "to be built one day" stash and I will be following this thread closely.
:lol: :lol:
Aww come on, you know you want to start yours now instead of just watching me struggle alone. :rolleyes: Weren't you threatening at one point to buy one of these in full scale? Engine pics are always appreciated!


Wow, thanks for all the interest, everyone!

Yes, this beast is full engine, and it will of course recieve proper attention. Until Tamiya gets around to releasing that McLaren F1, this is the only BMW V12 in my collection- better make it count.

I've always had a bit of a thing for the 850. Can't really say why, other than that it's just a terrific looking car (with a BMW V12!). It's not really a sportscar (I've certainly never seen one autocrossing :grinno:), and it's not quite a supercar. It's of course the closest thing to the M850 supercar that BMW should have produced (and then they should have run FIA GT with it! :naughty:). As it is, I think it's one of the very last really good looking cars that BMW ever made. Somehow it never proved very popular, and wasn't much of a success for BMW. I'm glad to see though that I'm not the only one here who rather likes it.

I'm planning to do it factory stock (as usual for me), and keep it kinda close to box stock. There are some components (like maybe the brakes) that may see some scratchbuilding, but I'm going try to keep it simple enough to actually finish someday. :rolleyes:

My understanding is that the Tamiya kit is merely the RoG kit reboxed, with better tyres and instructions. I've heard it's plagued with the same fit problems.

924_CarreraGTS (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=472219), it's gonna be this color-

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2019/96406gs6.jpg

(from my 964 Turbo (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=659527)). The paint is what remains of a bottle of CobraColors Porsche Arena Red Metallic. I have just over half the bottle left, but after doing the bodywork it's pretty clear that the 850 is much larger than a 911. The only other car in my stash that's close to this size is maybe the Ferrari 612. With all the body parts that need paint, I'd guess that it may easily have 50% more surface area than the 964. With a fixed amount of paint (there's no more where it came from!) it's going to be closer than I would like.... :uhoh:

Exotics_Builder (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=96574), the issue with the decals isn't the carrier film yellowing- the film itself looks to be in decent condition. The decal paper on the other hand looks to have been exposed to water (the brown stains look like water staining). It has none of the usual semi-gloss look to it, and the decals themselves look as though they may now be thoroughly adhered to the paper instead of just printed on it. I'll try them out, but I'm not expecting much.

Speaking of that V12, I should have something to show on it soon. But meanwhile, it's been the hottest day of the year so far here. My vigil for painting weather continues....

Man, I can't wait to see the engine. :) :popcorn:

A great build! I am keeping my eyes on this one. I always thought 8 series is very hot and this is automatically going to be my favorite WIP.

I like your cool ideas so far, keep up the good work!

Interesting build and again - your threads are more like a how to and not like a WIP. I really appreciate this. Keep up the interesting work and eye for the detail.

so.... does this kit use the same V12 as found in the Nazca Kit?

:lol: :lol:
Aww come on, you know you want to start yours now instead of just watching me struggle alone. :rolleyes: Weren't you threatening at one point to buy one of these in full scale? Engine pics are always appreciated!


Yeah, I'm still threatening, but my wife won't budge to my threats...She tells me that 2 cars is already more than we need...Plus I just can't find a 850 that was not abused...that is for the $$ I want to spend on it!
I wish I could join you with this build, but I'm leaving for longish vacation (4 weeks) - so no models for me for a while. Maybe if you are not too far into the build when I get back?

Maybe if you are not too far into the build when I get back?

Don't worry Alex: this is the only thing we're sure about he: he's slooooooooooooooooooooooooow (ok Andy mouth close, may be someone forgot I unfinished 33% of the TT :D)

Oh, wow- I've been called slow by Gio??!! Does this really mean that- it's true, isn't it? :uhoh: I really am slow. Especially when there are other people here (like Alex) to embarass me with consistant quality at an incredible pace. I'm really not sure that four weeks would be enough of a head start for me. :grinno:

Drunken monkey, I think I've seen it suggested that the V12 in the Nazca kit is a bit better than this one. But I can't really say as I haven't seen it, and don't realisicly expect to find one. :dunno:

So I'll do the best I can with this one.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-018.jpg

I mentioned the similarity that this kit shares with Fujimi's Enthu kits. The above engine block is already eleven separate parts (Tamiya would have done this in five).

Add the transmission and intake plenums,

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-019.jpg

-and the total is already ninteen. Not that the increased parts count really adds to the detail. In fact as each individual part requires considerable cleanup and fitting, it adds rather alot to the effort to get it all together. But it certainly all has the capacity to be made into a good looking engine.

These are the plenums and intake cover.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-020.jpg

They will be the most visible parts of the engine, and each carries a good deal of detail- fins and a logo. Unfortunately the fin details are rather soft. Each plenum took alot of cleanup work- I used the PE saw to scribe consistent grooves between each fin, and sanded the top surfaces even.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-021.jpg

Then each got BMF treatment in preparation for painting.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-022.jpg

I'm still wondering about these parts. I'm guessing they're supposed to be plug wires :confused:, but the 'wires' are all far to thick. They could be clipped off and replaced pretty easily, but unfrtunately Revell designed them to be structural- they hold the plenums in place.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-023.jpg

Guess I'll have to see how visible they are in test fitting, and go on from there.

Notice the uneveny molded surfaces? This is everywhere on this engine, and takes alot of work to clean up.

On to painting. Many of the pics I've seen of 850 engines show the plenums with a slightly gold or orangeish color to them. Whether it's from heat staining or the type of alloy they're cast from I don't know, but it does make for an interesting color contrast (and it should look terrific with the body color). So I decided to paint them with Tamiya titanium gold- a decent half silver/half gold color.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-024.jpg

The paint was removed from the tops of the fins, and happily even the BMW lettering is legiable. They came out shinier than I had hoped- the metallic grain size in titanium gold is surprisingly small. But an overspray of clear flat should fix this nicely.

The intake cover was painted light black, but as soon as I started removing the paint from the fins I wasn't happy with it.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-025.jpg

There's just too much contrast between the black and chromed fins. I used matte aluminum BMF (as I always do for this sort of application), so changing the color of the BMF to tone it down wasn't really an option.

In reality, this part is a molded plastic cover (BMW loves them some plastic engine covers), with the silver stripes painted on- and they always manage to look painted on. So I decided to try it again, and into the stripper it went.

To do the fins this time, I decided to use a method suggested by 360spider in his recent F50 build. He drybrushed metalizer onto engine parts to enhance detail- which I though was brilliant as soon as he mentioned it. I'd never tried it, but as soon as he said it it seemed obvious that metalizer would drybrush beautifully.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-026.jpg

And so it does.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-027.jpg

Much better- the contrast and appearence are spot on. Even the roundel is clearly visible. No decal needed here. :grinno:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-028.jpg

Drybrushing a little bit of straight black onto the corners and a wash is all that's needed to clean up where I overran the fins a bit.

So here's what I have so far-

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-029.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-030.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-031.jpg

As yet, only the plenums and cover have been detailed- the engine block doesn't even have a wash on it yet. There's still obviously lots to be done, but it should end up really looking like a BMW V12.

Meanwhile, a line of heavy thunderstorms is slowly moving through my area. Can cooler weather be far behind?

Thanks for watching!

Fantastic.

And about "I think I've seen it suggested that the V12 in the Nazca kit is a bit better than this one. But I can't really say as I haven't seen it, and don't realisicly expect to find one. :dunno:" I'm more than happy to share one of mine nazcas with you my friend, 1 is more than enough for me ;) at least we'll do another common stuff :D

:lol:
You're on!! I'll do the machining, you can do the PE, and we'll build them together sloooooowly. :grinyes:

This one will be definitely interesting to watch. I've seen the kit (a friend has the custom version convertible that I looked at recently, and I've looked over a stock one as well, I think in Veyron's secret stash), and can tell it's going to be a challenge. I built the 750il way back when, and it was rather "challenging". The body was riddled w/sink marks, I had to buy an expensive diecast promo for proper wheels/tires, and I had a great time getting the opening trunk to close properly in final assembly. Finished it's a great model, but I know what you'll have to go through to get there. One thing I noticed on the kit were the very faint door cut and side trim engravings.

Good luck with it! :sunglasse

:lol:
You're on!! I'll do the machining, you can do the PE, and we'll build them together sloooooowly. :grinyes:

Agreement done :D
Tomorrow a nazca will leave Italy with a quiiiick trip for USA (I'll see if I find room for a red needed in the final cheers :D) to be mount sloooooooooooow

So you'll start to study those rear sunspension backing that I love so much :D (in brazzzz :D , zzlurrrp)

Thanks for letting us know what paint you are using. Is that a manual or an auto box?

Andy, the stains on the plenums are what E31 enthusiasts call "cosmoline" - its a heat stain and most 8-series owners would try to get rid of it by all possible means - its not so much a sign of abuse, but rather "heavy use" of the engine.

Engine looks great so far. What is used to attach the plenums on the real car? I'll have to try that Metalizer drybrushing trick sometime. It really worked on this application.

Hope you get your painting weather.

Alex

Mmmm so sexy, I remember seeing one on the streets of London last time I was there.

zak78- The tranny is a 6 speed. I believe the 850i was the first production V12 mated to a 6 speed, so it would be a shame to make it an automatic. :grinno:

Alex, thanks for the confirmation. That would have been my best guess. Some pics I've seen show staining on only one side- and that makes for an unfortuate look. :uhoh:

924_CarreraGTS, I belive the plenums are held in place above the heads because the intake manifolds are ridgidly bolted to the engine block (and the intake manifolds are cast with the plenums in one piece). I want to replace those plug wires (that is what they are)- I'll just have to figure out how I want to do it.

Looks like the weather may break late next week....:rolleyes:

Fantastic works as always Andy! Thank you for starting another great thread so that I can steal many more techniques from you lol. Seems I also owe Ski a thread lol~~~~~

The heat has finally broken, and I've finally been able to start painting the 850. Painting takes a long time for me- days if things are going well, or weeks/months if they aren't. One of the things I like about acrylic laquers are that you can always stop, back off, and fix whatever issues you may find. Painting so far is going well, yet not every day has been paintable. But I'll give it what time it needs so I can be fully happy with the end results.

This is after the first light coats of paint.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-032.jpg

The first few coats are misted on, as much to detect any flaws as to build up color. As soon as a little color is present flaws and texture I didn't catch in the primer become much more visible.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-033.jpg

And so this is of course the time to fix them. If it's not done now, they will be permanently visible under the paint and clearcoat.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-034.jpg

And here I'm finally building up color. It's certainly not fully opaque yet- I'm about half done here.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-035.jpg

But I'm really liking the color on this body. Hopefully it shouldn't take more than another two or three painting sessions.

More to come. Today is rainy, tomorrow we'll see....

I am ignoring this update :p :D

Please forgive me for asking this noob question:

What is it about the paint you're using that allows you to make final adjustments to the bodywork as you're applying color?

Nick

I am ignoring this update :p :D
An oversight, I'm sure. :rolleyes:

What is it about the paint you're using that allows you to make final adjustments to the bodywork as you're applying color? No worries, Nick. I'm using automotive acrylic laquer. Until last year, a member here sold it under the brand name CobraColors- but he shut down in October. (I send Leon whiney emails occasionaly begging him to come back, but no luck as yet. :disappoin) After I learned to use it I've found acrylic laquer to be very forgiving and flexible. It can be sanded an hour or two after being sprayed, and it doesn't seem to matter how long after the first coats the final coat is applied- my current record is five months. If you're willing to put in the patince to fix every last flaw it's an ideal medium.

I don't know of a good source for it now. It can be had here (http://www.getppgcarpaint.com/home.php) for about $20 for 2 ounces or $40 for a pint. I can do a 1/24 body with about an ounce (and two ish ounces of compatable reducer). Sooner or later I'm going to order a pint of white, but I don't know that I'll use that much of any other color.

After I learned to use it I've found acrylic laquer to be very forgiving and flexible. It can be sanded an hour or two after being sprayed, and it doesn't seem to matter how long after the first coats the final coat is applied

Wow! Thanks for the tip. This is the kind of stuff I need to know. Roughly 1/2 of American couples marry and divorce again in less time than it takes me to finish a paint job :rolleyes:...

Back on topic: Will there be any aftermarket stuff under the hood, such as open-element air filters?

Hey MPWR, great build up progress!...This model it's turning out fantastic. I know how hard it's to find one and after that to build it to get some things straight. As a simple way to thank you for share your build with us, I'm posting some pictures of mine, which it was made Box Stock since I saw that this kit almost doesn't need anything to stand out. I think that it not as good as yours when you finish it, but, I hope it can help you some way.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/gsl05_00177.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/gsl05_00178.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/DSC02915.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/DSC02783-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/DSC02773-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/DSC02770-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/DSC02871.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/DSC02862.jpg


Simon

Hi Simon, thanks for the pics! It's actually very helpfull to see what it looks like all together- especially the engine bay. I like the color! :grinyes: Very nice paint job, by the way. I fully agree that if built up nicely this one needs very little to stand out- it is a spectacular looking car.

Nick, I thinking I'm probably going to keep it factory stock under the bonnet. I'd thought of some K&N cones or the like, but these beasts are rare enough that I'll probably stick with the original form. I may still consider a brace across the shock towers, but only if it doesn't detract much from the look of the big V12.

I like that color!, and so far the engine looks good too, I really like how your engines come out with the paint you use, the textures and the washes really make em pop. Keep up the good work

Gray

Hi,

great job so far.

Years ago I built the model for a friend and wasn´t pleased with those parts that didn´t fit.

However, I´m sure you make a good looking model here.

Good job so far, patiently waiting more to come!:grinyes: Good color choice!

I'll probably stick with the original form. I may still consider a brace across the shock towers, but only if it doesn't detract much from the look of the big V12.

I agree, you should put a strut bar across. It seems like the tops of the shocks/wheel arches are really plain. The brace would add a little spice and at the same time i don't think it will take away anything from the V12.

I really love BMW´s 850! Thanks for starting this one, will be a pleasure to follow!

great job cleaning up the body, and i like the color. i've always loved the 850 -- it's got great lines, and still looks modern. to my mind, one the great grand turismo cars... although the germans would hate me saying that. :lol

I consider the painting steps as an update regardless what Klutz says about it :grinyes: :grinyes: ! For me it shows how modellers like you do their painting and how patient you guys are to get the job done. And it also shows that it is better to correct than to accept flaws because there is always time to redo. I should write this on a T-Shirt...

Another highly interesting build to watch!

Great job so far, I like the body color, god job on the adjustment of those parts, I know how difficult is to make those parts fit well in this kit.

I liked the colors on that engine, they look so real!

Keep us posted

Great progress indeed, like how you have shown the process of ure painting techique very useful. Nice engine detail also.

Looking forward to seeing this complete

Faz

WOW!!! Sweet BMW cant wait to see it done great work so far

Holy s#!+. How did I miss this? The 850 is one of my favorate BMW's! It looks like you're putting alot of effort onto this project! Well by the looks of your progress, looks like its paying off!

Thanks everyone!

Finally, something more to show. The weather here lately has actually been excellent. Nearly every day for the past several weeks has been paintable. The problem however is that it'll only be good for another month or so. So anything that's going to get painted before winter sets in has to be underway now- from the 993 to the living room. :rolleyes: Progress on any one thing is slow, but at least progress is being made.

When painting with metallics, often body parts painted with the same bottle of paint in exactly the same way still won't 'agree' with each other when placed side by side. It's something to do with the metallic elements lying in different planes and reflecting light in different directions. This batch of paint is particularly bad about showing differences. To fix this, after color opacity is built up the body parts all need to be sprayed together as they will appear when the body is put together.

Here I have the bonnet lid, headlights, and boot lid stuck onto the body with blue-tac. The color variation is particularly noticable on the headlights.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-036.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-037.jpg

You can see the blue-tac around the headlights. So now the whole body gets a couple of light coats to ensure that the parts will all agree. Don't even think of doing this with anything heavier than a mist- you definately do not want paint running into the panel gaps. :uhoh:

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-038.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-039.jpg

There- much better. Ready for clearcoat. (Soon as the roundel decals get put on.)

And here it is finally clearcoated (phew!). The body parts were of course disassembled and sprayed individually.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-041.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-042.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-043.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/andrejmiller/850-040.jpg

I finished the clearcoating yesterday, so it will get a week to cure before polishing. But I'm really liking the color. :sunglasse

Guess that means it's time to get clearcoating the living room....

More again soon!

Wow, color looks GREAT clearcoated, can't wait to see it polished :sunglasse

any progress on the interior?

Looks incredible with the clear coat on. Can't wait to see this finished up.

The color IS very nice :thumbsup: and the paint looks uber-smooth!

Nice roundel, too ;)

Good job getting the headlight covers the same colour - I only realised too late on my silver NSX that I had this problem. Doh.
The top and clear coats look to have gone on perfectly, and a good choice of colour too!

Very nice Andy.

I am loving this car! about 6 years ago (i was 9) i thought this car was amazing! :P