Noob really in need of advice to make decent models

Hi I have been "modelling" for maybe about a year and a half and completed about five "decent" models. The first car I did was the legendary KPGTC10 and I shamed it by nearly destroying it, with broken axels and all.

I created this thread because I have read a lot of the how tos and notice how much more work is required. What I have done is paint straight up with Tamiya TS spray paint and the results are mediocre. Right now I am working on an R8 model and I want it to turn out well. I messed up with masking because of bleeding and was wondering is there a way to re clean the surface so I can try the methods I learned of priming and sanding?

Also when assembling the kits, I have problems with the cement leaking too much or leaves annoying strands and makes the kit look messy.

Here is to show what unsucess I have had after seeing alot of the magnificent models!

I will only show my two latest models, a S15 and R34

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/type_r_rx7/Model%20Cars/8-5-08014.jpg?t=1218966828

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/type_r_rx7/Model%20Cars/8-5-08010.jpg?t=1218966858

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/type_r_rx7/Model%20Cars/8-5-08008.jpg?t=1218966883

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/type_r_rx7/Model%20Cars/8-5-08003.jpg?t=1218966930
I would like to know as much as possible as I hope to make this a lasting hobby due to my huge interest of cars, mostly JDM:iceslolan

Thank you all for reading!
-Marc:)

how long did it take you to build each car?

Welcome to AF!

Here are a couple of tips to get you started. Also spend some time looking through the FAQ's and How-To's here, theres alot of very useful information in them.

For gluing, do not use tube type cement, ever.

http://www.hobbyworks.com/images/media/tes3501.jpg

It's crap, just don't use it. Instead, try liquid type cement.

http://www2.gpmd.com/image/t/tesr1602.jpg http://www.hobbylinc.com/gr/tam/tam87038.jpg

Get an inexpensive brush from a craft store with a decent point, and use it to apply the cement (don't use this brush for anything else). Skip the brush in bottle top- they're not very precise.

To remove Tamiya paint from plastic safely, get some 91 or 99% isopropyl alcohol from a grocery store. Pour it into a sealable plastic container (also easy to find at a grocery store) and put the body into it for a couple hours. Brush with an old toothbrush if necessary.

Use Tamiya primer before paint on bodies. And try warming the spray cans in hot water before using them- the paint behaves much better when it's been warmed. Apply paint in many light coats instead of in one or two heavy coats.

by the kits you have, it seems like you've got access to a good hobby shop, instead of just what you can find at Hobby Lobby or at Wal-Mart. Which is great!

First, like MPWR says, ditch that tube cement. That's good for almost nothing. There are many types of the liquid stuff, you should easily be able to find Testors' version, but Tamiya makes it too, and so do a few other small companies (Tenax is my favorite, but there are so many choices). Use a good, small to medium sized brush to apply it and you'll be in the clear. Don't use much at all - the less you use the better. It doesn't take much solvent to bond plastic.

It looks like you just don't have a lot of practice with the spray paint. That's what it's going to take, lots of practice, until you can get it down. I've been doing this for years and I'm just now getting spray paint to lay down well right from the can, but I think you can make some considerable improvement with just a little help. You want to hold the can 6-8" inches away from the model, and move the spray quickly across the surface, starting spraying before the model and ending after. And you want to start with mist coats, and go to wet coats. Ok, I know that doesn't necessarily mean much to you. Modeling is unfortunately a pretty solitary sport, so you may find that you're sort of working in a vacuum here, which is a bummer because you sometimes really just need to see how someone does it. So, check out this link:

http://www.tamiya.com/english/scale/beginner2/2.htm

There's a brief video of someone spraying a model body, and you'll get a good idea. Most people I know (me included) saw that video the first time and were astonished at how quickly the spray can was moved over the body.

If you look around you'll find little videos and demonstrations on other aspects, and they're actually really helpful.

http://www.tamiya.com/english/scale/beginner2/index.htm

Anyway, really what this takes is practice and patience. And lots of it. Feel free to ask questions and read the FAQ. You'll find that though you're probably working at home alone on these, there's a great community here happy to help you.

Good luck and have fun!!

Welcome to the forum.

Indeed, as been said previously, avoid tube cements and purchase a bottle of liquid cement. You'll be much happier with the results.

I use liquid cement for car bodies, super glue for parts, and white glue for windsheilds. This works well for me.

When applying the liquid cement for the body parts, hold the parts together while being careful to not have any of you fingers over the joints, then apply a very small amount on the inside of the joint. Hold for about a minute. Inspect the joint carefully and apply a little more cement if you need it. Then let is set for about 2 hours. This will give the plastic time to harden sufficiently so that the still soft joint doesn't stretch as you handle the model.

Primer is a big help, too. Those kits of yours appear to be Aoshima, and, so probably molded in white. White plastic makes it hard to pick up any flaws still left on the body before you paint. Primer will allow you to see those flaws easily.

Good Luck.

Yeah, what they said! I'm still practicing myself! The main things are patience and determination :sunglasse

Wow thank you all for your wonderful tips. Actually these models are from Japan, my mom brought them back when she went. I found a hobby store a few months ago and they sell a great selection of Tamiya paints so I am sure they have all you guys have mentioned. Their car selection on the other hand is quite limited, mostly American muscle. But the hobby store in Japantown is teeming with nice JDM models. I'll have to try that alcohol thing so i can restart my Audi R8. Thanks all again, very helpful; I'll post some pics when I get back to it. Unfortunately college starts for me tomorrow so I won't have much time. :frown: