Being A UK Modeller Sucks!

[fwdfreak]

Don't come to Estonia then :P

[Diesel2NR]

why not use an automotive paint, especially if you're using lacquers. I don't know what you all have over in the UK, but I use 3M rubbing compound, Meguires scratch-X, and Meguires Gold Class Wax on my models. I've used all successfully on both automotive spray paint and tamiya paints.

[primera man]

I guess i'm fairly luckly here as i have a model shop 5 minutes down the road which stocks everything i need....but its still cheaper for me to order kits from Japen though.
Work that out

[RallyRaider]

It's called corporate greed PMan. The cult of the almighty dollar.
Importers - middelmen who contribute nothing but skim the most cream.

[drunken monkey]

.....my local model shop in eltham recently closed it doors..... it was run by two of the nicest old guys i know who could get me tamiya spray paints on a days notice. They were old school proper full on modellers and had no end of advice for someone with no skills like myself. Not quite sure what to say. I know that some of their problems was down to the increasing number of people who order from places such as hlj but then again, it's not their fault. The high prices we pay for official imported products, they have to pay too. It's a shame. The ones who benefit are the consumers but it's killing small time model shops......
Normally, i say go the place that sells things for the lowest prices, that's consumer power but well..... you get the idea.....
what bugs me about it is that the big chain stores like modelzone can get away with selling things at the higher rrp and survive whilst the smaller stores have to sell at prices that are barely profitable.

sorry, rant over......

[mickbench]

I was in London a few weeks back, and went into a modelzone store. It was packed with customers, and sold lots of kits, die-cast and model railways but it felt like PC World or any high street chain. Didn't like it really..!!

But it had better stock then the model shop in Northampton, and the model shop in Northampton told me and I quote-

"No one uses primer, and this is why we don't stock it. When I asked about model wax, he looked llike blank and said why wax a model and when I asked for clear glue he recommended humbrol cement and will not fog the clear parts..!!"

When I asked in Modelzone about primer he told me "yes, useful stuff Tamiya Primer, but we can't get it.. You could try online and import it from Japan or somewhere like I do."

Hmm..!! Local model shop = not very good.

[M4tt83]

Originally Posted by M4tt83

I don't think it's that bad, I'm always ordering stuff from abroad and it's not much hassle. In fact, sometimes I prefer it because of greater choice and I enjoy the feeling of dealing with foreign countries.

Although I largely stick by what I said earlier, it can be a bitch.

For example, I ordered a Studio 27 Mclaren F1 for about £75, was charged something in the region of £20 P+P, and when my mum tried to let the order in today, she was asked for another £30 for VAT and what I suspect will turn out to be a handling charge. She refused payment resulting in the parcel being taken back to the depot and when I went to collect it after work today, they wouldn't let me have it because I didn't have any ID with me . I now have to go all the way back to the depot again to collect it and this makes a grand total of £125 for a model that will have all of the detail of a diecast model once assembled.

Not to put anyone off or anything.

[lotus_man]

Originally Posted by M4tt83

Although I largely stick by what I said earlier, it can be a bitch.

For example, I ordered a Studio 27 Mclaren F1 for about £75, was charged something in the region of £20 P+P, and when my mum tried to let the order in today, she was asked for another £30 for VAT and what I suspect will turn out to be a handling charge. She refused payment resulting in the parcel being taken back to the depot and when I went to collect it after work today, they wouldn't let me have it because I didn't have any ID with me . I now have to go all the way back to the depot again to collect it and this makes a grand total of £125 for a model that will have all of the detail of a diecast model once assembled.

Not to put anyone off or anything.

Import charges suck in the UK... I've been fortunate enough to not get caught (yet). For S27 stuff in the UK try www.grandprixmodels.co.uk they keep them in stock in the, and as they are in the UK there's no worries about VAT. They are a little pricer than bringing it in yourself, but it's horses for courses...

[Raceman]

I live in Germany,can get hands on Tamiya and Revell kits fairly easy,having problems of geting resin scale figures 1:24 and Aoshima kits.I either order through the internet or ebay if i want something special.Once a year in April is a Exhibition called Intermodellbau this is like a big paradies for all modelers this is a place where i spend money.

[exhaust smoke]

Yup being a UK modeller is expensive. Just this afternoon, I went down to the nearest Model Zone during my lunch break. I looked at the prices of some of the kits I almost jumped out of my skin!! For example, a Fujimi new Mini One cost £19.99 GBP!! SHOCKING!!

I am so grateful for places like HLJ they almost halve my modelling costs (shipping costs included).

[2.2 Straight six]

hannants shop and ware house has loads of stuff, i live in london and i can get all i need, i get tamiya sprays from hannants, primer form halfords and micromesh from hannants. if your in london its worth the vistit, but dont blame me if you're disappointed. i use MILLIPUT putty instead of tamiya putty and its fine. try www.hannants.co.uk

[nmsmith]

I recently bought "Halfords Rubbing Compound" to repair some scratches on my full sized car. Is there any reason I shouldn't try this on a model?

I intend to try it on the small version of my car: a Tamiya MX-5 I built last year and brush painted (!) using Humbrol enamels.

[Sticky Fingers]

I was thinking a similar sort of thing. Like, can you use T-Cut as a rubbing/polishing compound. Maybe one of the smart/clued-up enthusiasts here can help us out on that front.

In Progress : Peugeot 206 WRC 02 Safari

[mickbench]

I've just ordered some modelling wax from HLJ. No idea when it will arrive, but I can wait.

http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljpage.cgi?TAM87036

I also ordered some compound as well, wasn't sure which tpye I needed so ordered course, fine, and ultra fine.

The body I just sprayed needs 10 - 14 days gas off time, so by the time it's hard the wax etc will be here. I do agree that the UK is bad for modelling, but it's not different then anywhere else. HLJ might be your best bet for WAX if you want pure model wax.

[exhaust smoke]

If you are using Halfords Rubbing Compaund, make sure that the lacquer coat/colour coat has fully cured first. You can also use it on base colours (i.e. non metallics). If you do not allow the colour to fully cure first, it will rub the paint back to the primer coat, especially on raised surfaces such as door handles. Also, if you intend to overspray lacquer over the rubbed colour coat, be sure to wash thoroughly with a light detergent first, otherwise the rubbing compound will leave a greasy residue that will not allow the lacquer to 'key'.