Building Stock Car Models

First Off, I'm new here (obviously) :) You are the most talented bunch of modelers I have ever seen. I've been looking at you guy's models, and the detail and realism involved. I wanted to try my hand at creating a realistic depiction of a model. This got me all excited, becuase I thought that I could do a pretty good model, If i were patient and put my mind to it.

My Project: Create the most realistic representation of my Uncle's #51 Reary Racing Chevrolet, that will be seen on the Busch Grand National circuit later this season. So I went to Wal*Mart and picked up a Dale Earnhardt 2001 Model by Revell. I also picked up the nessesities: Glue, A Testors Auto Detailing Paint Kit, 'Make Your Own Decals' Paper, Paint Brushes and some paint. The paint was Testors' Flat Light Grey Primer; and some DuPont Pearl Grape Gloss in a can, and some Testors' High Gloss Overcoat.

I haven't built a Model since I was like, 13; so this would be a challenge. I built models alot when I was younger, but they really really sucked. This is a challenge, because I want to make this look perfect. I want to paint each piece, want it to be like a mini version of the actual car (like a model is supposed to be). It'll be a challenge, but I think I can do it.

My Plans: Paint the Body of the Car a Darker Pearlized Purple, and then Print out my own decals and put them on the car. Hopefully this will look good. (I hope the decal paper isn't too thick).

What I've Done So Far: I primered pretty much ALL the parts, engine parts, roll cage, body, with the Testors' Light Grey Flat Primer. This turned out really well, everything looks really good in this color. Then after the body and hood dried, I put on about 4 coats of the Pearl Grape Paint. It looks okay, but I think I could have done better. It seems splotchy, but maybe after I clearcoat it, it will look natural. I took some Dupont Black Semi-Gloss Enamel and sprayed various parts black. Hoses, Seat, A few Engine parts, Steering Wheel. These turned out good too. Removed the Window Net with an Exacto Knife, and Made the Tires look 'worn out'.

My Problems: Hand Painting. Yikes. Everything I sprayed is really even, and the paint contours to the shapes and details of the part. The things I hand painted don't look so good. It seems uneven, and really elementary. I'm not sure if it's my brushes (they're good ones though), the paint, the way I'm doing it, or any of the above. They just look clumpy and thin in some spots.... I dont know. Next Model I do, I'm probably going to just elaboratley tape off, and spray everything. And just hand paint the absolute musts, like plug wires and tiny things. I actually may go back over and spray alot of the things I did handpaint.

I still have to build the model, but that doesn't seem so hard after all the stuff I've done, LOL. I will have some pictures up when I'm done. I hope it will look as good as it does in my mind when I think about it.

What are some tips, tricks, etc. (that your willing to give out of course) for a newbie such as myself?

I'm Glad I can be a part of your community (or at least do a damn good job trying) :D

Welcome to AF!! :wave:

Sounds like you're off to a great start!

What kind of decals do you have? :confused: From WalMart?

Welcome! :) My advice is to never build the model that you really,really,really want to build just when you've started or resumed the hobby. You always learn and improve as you go along, best to build two or three straight out of the box to develope some techniques and sharpen skills, my 2 cents on that.
Sounds like you got a good start, one thing you'll learn is acrylics brush paint much better than enamels, shop at Wally World less and a good hobby shop more if you can. :)

Wow, thanks for the quick responses!

I bought Decal Paper from Wal*Mart. It's white paper you print onto, and it peels off, it's a bit thick though, so I may have to rethink that Idea.

I was also thinking, the flat paint works better and looks better than most of the glossy or semi-gloss paint i've worked with. Wouldn't it be easier and make more sense to paint everything with a flat paint, and if it must be shiny, then clear coat it? I just thought of that. :)

Go to Hobby Lobby. They may have a decal kit with all you need. Just add computer witha printer :) . Check in the model section around the paint and stuff. My Hobby Lobby has it for around $25 bucks.
HTH

Originally posted by Veyron
Welcome! :) My advice is to never build the model that you really,really,really want to build just when you've started or resumed the hobby. You always learn and improve as you go along, best to build two or three straight out of the box to develope some techniques and sharpen skills, my 2 cents on that.
Sounds like you got a good start, one thing you'll learn is acrylics brush paint much better than enamels, shop at Wally World less and a good hobby shop more if you can. :)

Ditto....very good advice

Hi,

I too am making my first model and it is also a stock car. See the progress here: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t97847.html

I just bought some decal paper from Micro-Mark. It is the kind that you print and then use just like the kit decals (waterslide). I haven't tried it yet so I can't comment on the quality, but I think that this is probably the direction that you'll want to be heading in.

Also do a search here in the AF for decals. You'll learn that you need a specific kind of decal paper for inkjet printers as opposed to laser printers. Also, remember that most printers (ALPS models excluded) can't print white, so you'll need to buy paper with a white backround if you are using any decals that have white in them.

*edit* Check out this site for a bunch of stock car models:

http://sites.nexusisp.com/lgsmirle/

W E L C O M EW E L C O M E

:jumpie: WELCOME TO AF!!!:jumpie:


Wait, let me get this straight, your uncle races in nascar???

WELCOME! And keep us posted on the progress.

Welcome to AF :wave:

Sounds like a great project, welcome to the forum:wave:

My Uncle Races Nascar Late Model Stock Cars, which are toned down a good bit from the NASCAR Series you see on TV every week. He also has a Busch Grand National Car, which is the series you see on Saturday afternoons, on FX or FOX. He doesn't race Winston Cup with the likes of Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett, but he Races BGN which is one step down from that, and alot of Winston Cup guys race in BGN.

I'm the crew chief on his Late Model Stock Car, and I work on Chassis Setup and everything like that, still have to learn about engine stuff. Yikes. :) I guess you could call me the 'car chief' on the BGN car, because I do alot of work on it, but we have someone helping out with the big stuff.

In a Nutshell: Yes, he races Nascar.

Our First BGN race will be in August at Indianapolis Raceway Park, until then we're just racing in NC in our LMSC (Late Model Stock Car)

Jerry Reary, www.rearyracing.com <----- There is our website, if your interested

Avery makes clear decal sheets. You can get them at Office max or Best Buy etc... They are easier to work with then white I think. The only disadvantage is you cant use them on say a black or dark blue car. you wont even be able to see it. Now on the other hand, say you use black stickers on a white car, itll look great. But If your painting it a dark color, I guess the white paper is the way to go.

And another tip is to use Tamiya White primer, not testors. Tamiya is a lot smoother then testors and will give you a better finish. Hope this helps!

Welcome to our madness!!!:alien2: :frog: :cyclops: :flash: :buck :wave: