Tips & Techniques: Building the Tamiya Ferrari Testarossa!!!!!!!

[pflau]

ok people, let me officially kick off my progress report on my tamiya testarossa build. I have decided to rebuild the model because I was not happy with the results of my last build so I have started over. this is not gonna be a blow-by-blow report like my 360 Spider, this is gonna be strictly tips and techniques only.. but rest assued I'll show you something GOOD!!

as for my 360 spider.. yesh Im still working on it. I should have something new to post (like the DASH?) soon and I'm painting the body which as usual takes a long time plus the cold weather which means I can only paint during weekends around noon when the weather is above freezing.

so for now.. just a picture of the partially completed engine.. I'll post some of the particulars when it is completed.



phil

[Jay!]

where's the little smiley whose head explodes?

oh, well, I'll try:

[CADguy]

The Testarossa is my next build. I wanna do a Miami Vice version.

[pettercardoso]

Damn! Quit posting pics of the real thing and show us your model......

[pflau]

Originally Posted by CADguy

The Testarossa is my next build. I wanna do a Miami Vice version.

that's EXACTLY what I want this build to be!!! I was gonna paint it red but I was toying with the idea of building a white car

I went so far as to get the instruction for the monogram miami vice testarossa to make sure I get the painting scheme right..

the more I think about it the more I like the idea.. I'll have a silver 360 sipder, a white testarossa, a red F40.. and a yellow Enzo!!!!

[Veyron]

I haven't built mine yet, but one thing I noticed is the panel line engravings are very shallow making it easy for them to be hidden if paint isn't carefully applied. I would run an Exacto blade through those lines before I primed.

[86_SR5]

another ferrari. WOW! looks good. will definetley look nice next to the spider.

[pflau]

Originally Posted by Veyron

I haven't built mine yet, but one thing I noticed is the panel line engravings are very shallow making it easy for them to be hidden if paint isn't carefully applied. I would run an Exacto blade through those lines before I primed.

well.. I have this habit of making panel lines wider and deeper even if they look deep enough to begin with.. especially the door and the trunk and the hood.. I want them to look like they can actually open!!!

so I use this: a panel scriber!! (available from http://www.micromark.com/)

personally I think it is a dental instrument but it sure works like a charm!

[TireGaint]

Keep them running Good job....

[jswillmon]

Simply amazing!
Looks like you Spent a year detailing it!

[pflau]

Originally Posted by jswillmon

Simply amazing!
Looks like you Spent a year detailing it!

well I wouldnt say a year..

but when I build something.. I really take my time to get it perfect. model makers hate me because I dont build a lot.. but hobby supply makers love me because I spend on all those paints and tools.

anyway.. the engine should be done in a couple days.. if you think I did a kick butt job on that 360 spider airbox, wait till you see what I did with the testarossa air boxes.. and I'll show you how to do it!!!!!!

[CADguy]

I gotta ask. What did you detail the cam covers with. Is that two thin strips of BareMetal Foil? Or did you get the silver stripes on another way. I just finished this engine for the Mythos I recently posted, and you can see mine came out more metallic grey. But all of the engine pics I've seen this part is shiny like yours.

Do you know what the interior colors for the Miami Vice Testarossa are? I've looked all over the web for a interior shot and can't find one. I'm guessing all black, or black and tan.

Since you're doing a white one I may choose a different color. I've seen one in a deep blue that looked very nice. Or maybe I'll do a pearl white instead of pure white.

[pflau]

yes they are bare metal foil!! actually the matt alumium variety. how I did it will be one of a few things I'll show in a couple days as I finish with the engine.

the testarossa in miami vice was actually black.. but they (two were given to the show by ferrari NA) were painted white to fit the color scheme of the show. and the interior as I get from the monogram instruction is the same colors as depicted in the tamiya instruction - brown leather dash + light tan seat + dark tan carpet.

[Flea]

the testarossa's i have seen at various shows have the same color dash, carpet and a majority of the interior .... only differences i would see is the seats ... but i am sure they could be ordered in other colors.

[pflau]

ok, people, just as I said I would.. here's the run down for the engine!!!! now Im not gonna post every little thing.. just the most interesting bits.

the first thing of course.. is what the hell are on those "testar rossa" .. as I said they are matt aluminum bare metal foils.. the way I applied it is to cut up a piece, stuck it on, rub it down with my finger tip and dress down the edge with my finger nails.

I then used a VERY sharp x-acto knife to carefully cut around.. I do this under a magnifying glass so to see CLEARLY what I am doing. after I cut around I just lift the extra foil away:



after that I again use a tooth pick to press the middle of the foil in, and then use the knife to VERY CAREFULLY CUT ALONG THE MIDDLE.. breaking the foil into two halves. and then I cut a piece of paper, fold it in half, and glid the fold along the middle to separate the foils and push them down.

I then use a very tiny brush to dot the bolts along the top with model master aluminum metalizer.. again under a magnifying glass.