Newbie needs help!

[sbs666]

Hi,

I have firmly decided to re-kindle my love for kit building. I did some Tamiya bikes 10-12 years ago when I was a teenager and I knew right away that I really loved doing this. Due to time & availability constraints, I just could not pursue. My interest was instantly renewed when I passed a modeling shop the other day while on a business trip abroad. I have purchased a Tamiya Kawasaki Ninja ZX12R & Apache Longbow Helicopter to start with (am really not into cars).

THE PROBLEM: I've never painted, but I REALLY want to.

1) Can anyone point me to a thread which starts with the basics of model painting? For example, do I need to apply a base coat before a top coat? What is a primer exactly? I have SEVERAL questions like these.

2) Do you guys simply follow the recommended paints mentioned in the Tamiya manual for each part? I don't quite like the Lime Green of the Ninja. I want it shiny gun-metal (somewhat like the attached pic). Which would be the best colour for this? I was also wondering if it'll end up looking too monotonous since the engine is black as well. Any tips?

3) I do not have the luggage space to buy too many paints. Just the Ninja kit requires some 20-25 shades. How would it look if I skip some - for example, if I use either of titanium silver or chrome silver?

There is no modeling shop where I live and whatever paints I want to buy has to be in the next 2 weeks till am abroad. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Twowheelsrule]

Here is this board's tutorial. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=215864

If you paint the model using suggested colors it will look pretty good. Try to use spray can paint when ever possible because it lays down better than brush.

Tamiya makes light gunmetal, gunmetal, and a metallic black spray can. You would probably be better off with the metallic black ts-40 Tamiya spray.


Good luck,
Mark

[MPWR]

Welcome to AF!

The How-To and FAQ guides provide a lot of good info for beginning modeling. They are worth a read through.

The best way to determine what colors of paints you will need is to look at pics of the actual bike (or helicopter). Use the color guide in the instructions as a suggestion, but not as an absolute. If you do an image search on Ninja ZX12R, you'll find plenty of pics, and you can decide on your own favorite colors.

For large and/or complicated parts (like the body shell or the frame), spray painting is generally the way to go. You will get different answers based on who you ask about primer. Personally I don't put it on anything that isn't going to be painted in body color. So I would prime the cowlings, but not the engine.

[Didymus]

Nearly all Tamiya products, especially their spray paints, are of very high quality. They are easy to use and produce excellent results. You can feel comfortable buying them.

As to getting all those shades, it's a matter of how finicky you are. It looks realistic to paint each mechanical part a different shade, but the difference between magnesium and aluminum is not important unless you are in a competition with extremely strict judging.

[sbs666]

Thank you all for your help! I have purchased everything as per your inputs.

Just one doubt left:

I read on a FAQ that the first step should be to paint the individual parts of a component and then to assemble it.
But then I also read that Tamiya Cement does not work on painted surfaces. I intend to use acrylic and spray paints.

What do you guys generally do?

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by sbs666

What do you guys generally do?

Paint and scrape.

Or, if you're not a perfectionist, use a good CA like Gorilla or Loctite. (Do not use Gorilla Glue. Use only their superglue, also known as CA, or cyanoacrylate.)