300ZX Z32 Twin Turbo

[91_CRX]

Hello all!
I first got into modeling something like 6 or 7 years back in highschool, but then I started moving around and all of my models ended up getting trashed between houses. And then, of course, I couldn't model much in my dorm rooms. However, I recently got a new permanent address and found AF, which got me hooked again.
Just so you have an idea about what kind of space I have in this new permanent address, here is a picture of my work area:



I made that tool holder out of cardboard tubes that were used in the packaging of some new stuff we got for our apartment. I also just read that Bondo does not stick to plastics, so now I have to go find some polyester putty. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a good hobby shop in the Minneapolis area. Die cast seems to be all the rage, for some reason..
And here is how I solved part of my no-shelf problem:



I just add folders as I add materials like the shipment of styrene I got last night

Enough of me blabbing on about my life. Last night, I started in on the Tamiya 300ZX Turbo, and I have to say, the Twin Turbo Z32 is my #1 favorite car of all time (so I hope I do this model justice ). First off, since I prefer the hatch of the Z without that spoiler, I took a few hours to file it off.










I'll fill in that crease and the spots where I sanded through the body with putty when I mix up a batch.
When I finished with that, I cut up the front a bit to make way for a scratchbuilt bodykit.





I'm pretty sure I'll be using this wing on the trunklid. It is the middle width and lowest height of the three included in Tamiya's Ings Z-Power Wing set.



I plan to make this something like a weekend track and show car and fully open the doors, hatch, hood, and T-tops, so stay tuned. Comments and especially constructive criticism are encouraged. I'm here to learn

[potsie]

Looks like you are off to a good start. I feel your pain about work space - I just moved and have much less space than I am used to. I may even have to be tidy to save room!!

[rockinanko]

Hi, just a word of warning...

electronics stuff like that DELL laptop is vulnerable to chemicals you used on modeling. never mix (or too close) modeling stuff to any electronics!

if space constraint is a factor, i suggest you get a mock-up table & do your modeling there. i have a folding table to do modeling at home too. when i'm not modeling i close (fold) the table to make space.

your glass table will be damaged if you accidentally spill glue or strong CA stuff, or drop something sharp on it...

remember, it's the skills that count not the arrangements or condition of the working table...

when i say i did all my sanding, drilling, cutting & puttying modeling works at work...yes, standing, in a dirty dark & dusty cage-like store?
also, i bring with me a potable dremel tool w/ bits & a battery tamiya drill as there's no electricaity too!?
do you believe me?

marc
SGP

[voyageur]

Welcome to AF.

Looks like you're off to a good start, will be interesting to watch the progress.
As Marc mentioned, keep electronics and modeling stuff separate. Filing dust in your keyboard will do damage in the long run and the screen attracts dust anyway...

I like your creative approach with the tool holder, good thinking. Oh.... you shouldn't have any problems finding good hobby shops in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area. I spent some time there in 2001 (admittedly a long time ago) and remember going to several rather large and well sorted hobby shops. I do not remeber any names or locations, but other forum members will be able to help you. Just search for "Minneapolis, hobby shop, etc" and if you don't get any results, post a "Hobby shops in Minneapolis" thread. Good luck!

Cheers

PS: Pls read the how-to about taking pictures. Even the best best does look like cr*p if it's badly photographed | + you get more views and comments with proper pics

[91_CRX]

Thanks for the comments and ideas guys.

Marc- I had figured sanding dust wasn't good for keyboards, but hadn't thought about a folding table. That would give me a ton more space and wouldn't F - up my computer And I do not envy your dirty, dark, dusty cave, but that just shows that dedication is stronger than a lot of other sensibilities

voyageur- Thanks for the tip. I'll see what "the Google" can tell me about hobby shops in the area. And since I have nothing else to do at work for 8 more hours, I'm off to read the photography how-to.

Funny story: My apartment is on the ground floor of the building (and I mean that half of the place is underground. The bottoms of our windows touch the pavement ). Anywho, last night was my first late night of modeling in this apartment, and it was a hot one, so I had the windows wide open. Apparently we need new screens, because before long my light had attracted an entire Brazilian rainforest of insects to my work area. I never thought I'd need a mosquito net for modeling!

[rockinanko]

Hi dude,

before you fenced up the entire basement with insect net...i suggest you try to build a extractor for your future airbrushing. just stick the fan end out of the window for extraction.

you know, those small fan at one end of a flexible duct & the other end at the back of your whatever spray booth you can come up with.

trust me, basement is a haven for toxic suffocation...especially enamel, glue, CA, arcylic or lacquer fumes from modeling, 100% pure inhalation & no escape!!!

by the way...your modeling set-up is WAY too clean & tidy!
hehe, no joke...ask around & you'll see what i mean.

cheers!

marc
SGP

[91_CRX]

Oh, I know what you mean, but give me a break. I haven't even been using it for a week yet
I like your idea about the exractor. I've been planning on building a temporary spray booth / fume hood for my modeling. I've got a big box, some extra computer fans, and soldering skills. I just need an A/C filter, Flourescent light, and Dryer duct (Home Depot, here I come )

I have a few quick questions for all those modelers more experienced than myself.

First, when painting a car body, is it possible to use that Rustoleum clearcoat you can get from Walmart, or do I need to go buy some TS-13? I've read all the painting tutorials I can find, but I haven't been able to figure out if I can use generic stuff or if I need something model-specific.

Second, when I'm wiring an engine or doing something else that requires me to drill tiny holes like that, should I drill then paint, or paint then drill? On the first option, I'm worried that the paint will clog the holes and I'd have to re-drill. On the second, I'm worried about being stupid and messing up my paint. I'm just wondering what works for other people.

That's it for now. I'll probably post updated pictures of my bodywork tonight.

Take care!

[prortiz80]

i drill then paint cause u can alway just unclog them when ready but messing the paint job could cost you. to do the job all over .......less work with the 1st option

[91_CRX]

Hello again.

First of all, for those of you (Marc ) who think I'm too neat and tidy, here is a picture to prove that I'm making progress on becoming messy:



Actually, as I look at that picture, I'm realizing that I'm too organized even when I'm using everything. Oh well, that can never be a bad thing for a future engineer.

Here are some updated pictures of the car:





I have a choice between these wheels:



And these:




I'm leaning pretty heavily toward the first set.


Here are a couple with the up to date front bumper (not done yet) and wheels:




Thanks to everyone for looking, and extra thanks for those who comment and help out

[prortiz80]

i like the 2nd set but thats just me ....From what kit those came from

[91_CRX]

The first set is from one of the Revell or AMT tuner cars. Possibly an Eclipse, possibly an Integra (I don't remember. I just found the sprue with them on it in my parts box)

The second set isn't from a kit. They're resin 19" BBS Le Mans with aluminum sleeves from Scale Productions. They cost me a little over $25, which is more than I paid for the kit, but they are really nice, and the fine detail is really amazing. Either wheel I decide to go with, I will paint them gunmetal.

[cyberkid]

LoL, I look at my modeling desk and give up trying to tidy it. The reason? I tidy it, then about 2 or 3 hours later it's about the same way it was.
I'm not so sure about the bondo, I know its great for working with resin. Why don't you just take a peice of sprue, prep is as you would prep the model and apply some... wait for it to dry and see how it handles.

And... Welcome back to the overly addictive world of AF and modeling !
Steve

[rsxse240]

I'd use the BBS, the integra wheels are WAY to small and narrow for that body kit you are working on.

[91_CRX]

Hello again. Small update:
I found a great hobby shop called Scale Model Supplies in St Paul the other day, and picked up some supplies, including a few Tamiya paints. All the internet sites I've looked at including Tamiya USA have listed Park Green (TS-35) as out of stock, but SMS had around 10 of them, so I picked one up.
If I don't end up deciding on this particular paint job, I know I'll use the colors for something, but this is an example of what I'm thinking. It's Tein Suspension's relatively new Civic SI demo car:



Image is obviously taken from TunerZine.com. Hopefully I'm within my legal boundaries posting this here, giving them credit.
Anyway, I like the way their cars look (check out more at http://www.tein.com/gallery/demo.html) and I might try to paint my 300ZX this style. I would paint the BBS wheels silver and apply CF decal to the wing and the hood (I'll do the CF no matter what).

Here are some pictures of the work I did tonight. I didn't get much done because I was absentmindedly doing it while I watched Paycheck for the third time.

Here is the front underhood area OOB.



According to my reference pictures, there is a cutout for a hood latch and a few holes in the cross-frame, so I added those.



The holes are a little hard to see in that picture, but they stand out quite well in person. I'm working on the actual latch to put in there, but I don't have any picture-worthy progress yet.
Just so you and I have an idea of what the BBS wheels look like with this bodykit, here are a few mock-ups:





This won't be the car's final stance. It won't be as low as this just because I don't want the tires touching the wells. I'll see what the stock stance looks like and decide whether I'm going to lower it or not. I'll probably just lower the front a tad and leave the rear where it is so it tilts forward.
That's all for tonight. My wife's taking off tomorrow for a drum and bugle corps show, so I'll have plenty of time to get some actual work done

[91_CRX]

Some more scratchbuilding - Basically just filling in some gaps.