Paint the chassis?

[Sebstar]

Sorry for all these noob questions but I just want to make the best out of the first model Anyway do you guys paint the undercarriage? I am asking this because my rx7 is going black, and since the plastic is black I thought I could just keep it that colour. Or, I could just cover it with a layer of the black spraypaint, but don't know if that is really worth it

ps: tomorrow i'm putting together the rear suspension and starting on the front, w00t.

[DSM-Mark]

I normally just give it a dusting with spraypaint. Not too thick, though. You don't want to fill in the detail, but you want to cover up any visible imperfections in the plastic.

[MrHappy]

Originally Posted by DSM-Mark

I normally just give it a dusting with spraypaint. Not too thick, though. You don't want to fill in the detail, but you want to cover up any visible imperfections in the plastic.

Agreed..
If you do this you'll also get a nice semi gloss effect with a very slight Orange peal. For a change this is good!
Most cars now have a protective paint covering on the undercarriage to prevent rust and chip damage etc. Most of the time the effect looks like spay orange peel. Mazda MX5/Miata even have this effect on the lower part of the body paint. Have a close look the next time you see one.

[Sebstar]

hm, i will do that mrhappy
hehe, alright so then I'm gonna prime the body tomorrow, and spray the undercarriage/engine bay. also, i just built a tip out of a couple of straws (like drinking ones). lets hope it holds up

and grr, i tried the wheel in the brake setup, and the glue mustnt have been dry or something, but i pulled it off again. arr... either way lets hope the priming goes good this time (2nd try)
wish me luck

[SonyMobile]

Yes, I always paint my chassis, I think the best part about my models is always the part you dont see and frankly it pisses me off. I do all my best painting/detailing on the underside of the car.

[hypertek]

Umm Im going to try this. Just leave your fender weil black?

[urraco75]

Personaly, i paint all the pieces of my kits. Chassis, interior, engines, suspensions, ... all pieces. I think it give the model a great aspect when it's finish. I always paint in mat black the internal faces of the body (sorry for my english )
If you paint all the suspensons, interior, ... when the pieces are on the grapps in mat black with an airbrush, you will get a very nice final aspect, try...

[Sebstar]

i dont have an airbrush, thats why i was asking. if i had i would paint everything, because its much easier and looks better

[primera man]

Paint everything so that you know you have the done the best job possible

[gasman03]

well, i'm not 100% sure, but if Mazda does there painting like Ford, the underbody should be primer, with black overspray along the sides, but I recommend just lightly spraying it black over the kit plastic

[blueboost]

Originally Posted by primera man

Paint everything so that you know you have the done the best job possible

HEY! I like my half arse models thank you

j/k yes, you should paint the underside. people always want to look under there for some reason. so, always wear clean undie's and paint the underside of the chassis.

[Jumpman_Z]

Yeah, I always paint the chassis. I like the way they look in Plastikote Pewter, or chrome, or flat black. If you use a high gloss color, make sure you prime it, because with all of those edges, you are likely to get paint run, even with thin coats. It has happened to me a couple of times, and it's a real PITA to remove the paint between the edges.

[MPWR]

Yep, always paint everything ('cept maybe clear parts...) Unpainted plastic, even if 'molded in color', will always look awful. It doesn't really matter if you don't really detail the underside, but you don't want to leave anywhere unfinished. Another nice touch is after the body is painted, anywhere the inside of the body is visible (under fenders/wheel arches etc), paint this area with flat black or a flat primer colored grey. Again, this simulates anti-rust undercoating, and it means you don't have to look at unpainted plastic.

[360spider]

Originally Posted by gasman03

well, i'm not 100% sure, but if Mazda does there painting like Ford, the underbody should be primer, with black overspray along the sides, but I recommend just lightly spraying it black over the kit plastic

Overspray? We are not in 70's anymore! Mazda's bodies are monocoque structures, that are rotated in the spray booth, so they are painted everywhere, even inside the body.

I usually paint every single part in the kit, including body insides.

[600sel]

Originally Posted by DSM-Mark

I normally just give it a dusting with spraypaint. Not too thick, though. You don't want to fill in the detail, but you want to cover up any visible imperfections in the plastic.

Nr 1 rule in modeling: PAINT HIDES NOTHING.