Opel Astra V8 Coupe

[Guiddy]

Ah, that Tamiya tape will make short work of the masking! Just remember to go light on the first few coats and you will be fine!
I still haven't seen this kit in the shops, and as it doesn't go with much else I shall try to avoid it!!! Nice though! Should look good next to the Calibra!

[primera man]

UPDATE.

Started the slow process of masking the model up last night ready for the yellow to be sprayed. First off the car was given a very light sanding to remove any overspray on the roof etc.

Next off I used Tamiya masking to mask the line on the back panels. After what seemed like ages of getting right I was happy with the correct placement on the tape.

Next the front was masked. This was to be the tricky part as it had to be perfect (no bleeding aloud), plus the lines had to be correct around the front air dam. The whole front was masked. Then using a very sharp modeling knife I trimmed around the spoiler line and removed the off cuts…. looked just right.

Next all the tape was pressed down using a tooth pick to get into all the small lines etc and other bits pressed down firmly with a soft cloth.
I used 6mm tape to then overlay over the first (about 4 layers back).

Then I cut newspaper to fit over the remaining body and tacked it down with tape. Then I taped over all the rest of the body to stop any oversprays. It’s important to tape the inside as well if there’s grills etc, as the paint can bleed though.
Altogether it took me about 2hours to tape the whole body ready for painting.

The sray can was then put in hot water to heat the paint up so that it flows better from the can.

The first coat should be a very very light mist coat.. Spray the model about 30-35in away from the model. This first coat should only just cover the car. It looks like shit but the idea of the very first mist coat is to seal the masking tape edges (a heavy coat and it can bleed though).

Waited 20mins then do the same again…. Another very light mist coat. Another 3rd mist coat was sprayed 20 mins later.
After 3 coats you should just be able to see a little bit of white still showing.

Leave for another 20mins.

Then the car can be sprayed with the heavy final coats.
4 coats later, it was all finished…looked brilliant….nice deep gloss to the yellow.

Now the fun bit…….removing the masking.

This needs to be done within the first 20-30mins after spraying when the paint is still soft. Anylonger and the paint will dry to hard and can “tear” the masking line when taking it off.

I’m very pleased to say that after removing all the tape it was PERFECT !!!!

Pics to follow later on.


Bit of a long dribble…..but I thought I’d say how its done for those who wonder about it.

The kit will be left for about 2 weeks to harden the paint up. Then the small ridge of paint will be sanded out then the whole car polished

[nismo kid]

The sray can was then put in hot water to heat the paint up so that it flows better from the can.

I'm not entirely sure if that is wise! It can raise the pressure in the can to exploding point! Keeping it at room temperature should be fine. It's a lot safer.

[Jay!]

Originally posted by nismo kid
I'm not entirely sure if that is wise! It can raise the pressure in the can to exploding point! Keeping it at room temperature should be fine. It's a lot safer.

Hot tap water will be fine. He didn't mean boiling it or anything.

[nismo kid]

well on the can it says do not exceed temperatures above 50 degrees celsius. My hot tap is hotter than that. On one can i have it specifies 'do not place in hot water'. I dont know, maybe I have an unusually hot hot tap, but you won't catch me doing it.

[G-Forces]

I heat up my paint cans too. But if it's too hot to put my finger in I don't put in the spray can.

[primera man]

Originally posted by G-Forces
I heat up my paint cans too. But if it's too hot to put my finger in I don't put in the spray can.

Ditto....the water only needs to be warm enough so you can just hold your hand under it. Leave for 3-4 minutes in water before painting.

[primera man]

Body pics. Just waiting on sanding and polishing. The inside has to be painted all black yet.
Started on building it now !!!

[Guiddy]

As I would have guessed it already looks polished! Superb job!

We really need to get you into carbon decal now Warren, it would really set off a car like this one!

It made my Skylines look very special!

Oh, and don't make this kit look gorgeous! I am trying to resist buying it!!!

[primera man]

Originally posted by Guiddy


Oh, and don't make this kit look gorgeous! I am trying to resist buying it!!!

By the time your ready to leave to go home, i'll have your arm twisted to get one....the challenge has been layed !!!

[tazdev]

Nice job on the yellow. Just shows how a little time spent getting the masking 110% can make the painting job go soo much better.

Like Guiddy says it almost looks polished

[primera man]

Things coming along really well. Not one problem with fitting of parts. Everything went well so far.
Heres a few more pics(just for you Dan !! ) of how things are going

ROLLCAGE......Almost fell together it was so easy to build

Nice detailed interior


The roll cage has a few more bars and struts to add yet....everything just sitting in ther so far, not glued...just checking fitment etc

Body still has plenty more add on to go...but just getting a quick idea as to how it well look

[nismo kid]

Looks cool. I'm doing the same kit and was just wondering, when you did the headlights, did you use the supplied metal transfers, or did you just paint it. And did you stick them on using their own adhesive, or did you put them on so that the shiny side was facing outwards [ie. upside - down]?

Also dont you think that using metal transfers for mirrors is the way forward. They look so much better than painted ones.

[primera man]

Originally posted by nismo kid
Looks cool. I'm doing the same kit and was just wondering, when you did the headlights, did you use the supplied metal transfers, or did you just paint it. And did you stick them on using their own adhesive, or did you put them on so that the shiny side was facing outwards [ie. upside - down]?

Also dont you think that using metal transfers for mirrors is the way forward. They look so much better than painted ones.

I tryed using the transfers but IMO they gave the lights a funny look. So i just painted them black and left the small round bit clear.
I searched all over the net to get good pics of the lights as they are different to what is shown in the box pics.

[primera man]

Here's some more pics to drive you all mad !!!!

Inside is now all finished




Underneath shot......nothing to look at


Pic of the body parts all on. Doors fit really well and should not be a problem to get right. Front and rear air dam's attached
Now the long job of getting the decals on