About to start Tamiya R34

Hey everyone, my friend is selling me his Tamiya R34 kit, with everything still sealed, plus tamiya primer and Mica Blue or whatever that color is called, this is the second time i am making this model and last time i had some problems with it, when i was about to paint the body when i primed another model and the primer was way too thick and covered all the panel lines, this always happens when i prime something, even if i spray from far back (I was using Testros Primer btw) how do i prime it and still retain the panel lines? After this i decided to not prime the skyline body and just paint it and the paint ran so it got kinda messed up, what do i do to ensure a good even coat especially in all the recesses of the body, i am planning to use tamiya polish/wax on this model, so how do i get the wax out of the panel lines and how do i handle the model when its all shiny. I am hoping this model turns out better than it did the 1st time.

-Thanks in advance

a. Welcome to the model forum... don't remember seeing you in here before... :wave:

b. Testors "primer" = poop. Tamiya is WAY better

c. Make sure you do three light mist coats of anything you spray on your model, before you lay down any "wet" coats

d. check out the FAQ (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t63623.html) for everything you need to know about polishing and waxing! :p

Don't build it til you can get some Tamiya white primer, it goes on thin and still covers well. The Testors primer is awful stuff! To get wax out of the panel lines use a toothbrush made for babies, or any very soft brush, edge of a business card etc.:)

Originally posted by Veyron
Don't build it til you can get some Tamiya white primer, it goes on thin and still covers well. The Testors primer is awful stuff! To get wax out of the panel lines use a toothbrush made for babies, or any very soft brush, edge of a business card etc.:)

Or use a wetted micro-brush or small brush. Water wipes out the wax nicely. For big blob of wax in hard to reach places, just run tap water through it.

In the latest model cars mag they did a primer comparison. They said Tamiya is the best primer, but comes with the highest price tag as well.

Second was Bondo easy finish primer, which is said to craze when laid on too thick. It is available for $1.99 a bottle, on the other hand, so with careful application, can be the best all around primer as far as bang for the buck is concerned.

Zynolite Speed Enamel was highly recommend for use with enamels, and only enamels.

Me, personally, I stick with Tamiya. I've tried a bunch of the others over time and Tamiya makes me the happiest. I don't have issues with detail loss unless I'm impacient and lay a thick coat of it on.

btw, spraying *too* far can introduce more problems into the mix as well. I put my spray cans in a bowl of hot/warm water (don't go over whatever temp is listed on the can to avoid explosion/try at your own risk/etc) and let them sit for a few minutes to pressurize the can a bit more. This is followed by at least a minute of vigorous shaking. It's a bit of a pain but can really help out in the long run.

And don't worry if you mess up, you can spring for a panel scriber if you have steady hands and re-etch the panel lines into your model, or you can strip the paint pretty easily with Castrol Super Clean degreaser.

-mike

Check out this link to spraying Tamiya paints:

Tamiya tips for spraying laquer (http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/plastic/tips/syntheticlacquers.html)

It states that the paints should be stirred by making the ball roll around the bottom versus shaking it like mad.

I've been doing it wrong all this time. Ahhh, maybe that's the secret to getting the unreal finishes some of you got!

Thanks for awnsering my questions everyone, im right about to start as soon as i finish the R32 thats been uncompleted for a while now, I didnt paint the body on it so this is going to be like my 3rd time ever doing this, i have just a couple more questions, what do i do if i spray the primer too thick and cover up some details? Same witht he paint?

-Thanks

when u are finished u can send some pics to me and ill put them on my site

www.2nermodlecarclub.20m.com

I just got the Tamiya Primer, and the Tamiya paint today for the car, along with some sandpaper, anyhow, what kind of polish should i use, doesent tamiya make 2 kinds or something??

Originally posted by RX7FD
I just got the Tamiya Primer, and the Tamiya paint today for the car, along with some sandpaper, anyhow, what kind of polish should i use, doesent tamiya make 2 kinds or something??
Compound first, about 10-14 days after painting. Use with a nice soft cloth. Becareful not to rub through the paint.
The wax is the last thing you do.
Have a read of this thread here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&postid=547069&t=9066#post547069) that i done that well help you out

Thanks, that was really helpful, but Since you reccomend 2 coats of primer, what do i do if the primer covers up the details which has happened to me before more than once?

The Tamiya primmer is no where near as thick as what you have been using. If applied correctly, you should not loose any detail at all

I just painted the bottom with 2 coats of primer and 3 coats of paint, the tamiya primer is awesome, i had some problems though the areas right by the tranny did not get covered that well but i decided to stop painting but everything else turned out really well, im going to start the body tomorrow.

Originally posted by RX7FD
Thanks, that was really helpful, but Since you reccomend 2 coats of primer, what do i do if the primer covers up the details which has happened to me before more than once?
Regardless of the brand, if you apply too much paint, details will be lost. I suggest to experiment and learn about two factors, one is the distance to the model, and the other is the speed to move the can across the model.
Distance should be within an approp reasonable , so that

Well i just laid down the first coat of paint after 2 coats of primer so far so good, but i went to check on it and there is little bits of dust all over it:mad: :mad: otherwise i think everything is fine, what do i do now do i just sand off the dust and repaint it???

Originally posted by RX7FD
Well i just laid down the first coat of paint after 2 coats of primer so far so good, but i went to check on it and there is little bits of dust all over it:mad: :mad: otherwise i think everything is fine, what do i do now do i just sand off the dust and repaint it???

Just a very light sand should do.

I painted the body, i dont think i used enough primer because the panel lines show a little white in them after 4 coats of paint but otherwise it looks good, do you guys paint all the trim around the windows then polish or polish after you paint the window trim, and also i fill in panel lines with watercolors should i do this after or before polish?

Originally posted by RX7FD
I painted the body, i dont think i used enough primer because the panel lines show a little white in them after 4 coats of paint but otherwise it looks good, do you guys paint all the trim around the windows then polish or polish after you paint the window trim, and also i fill in panel lines with watercolors should i do this after or before polish?
I'd give it a good rub with compound first then do all your panel lines and trim. Most times if you do all the detail work i will rub of around windows etc with the compound.
Plus, the trim etc needs to be a semi-gloss most times and polishing it wont look right as it will give it a shine