AE86 Trueno in progress

[Leon L]

What do you do when you have about 9 kits all semi-built?

Start another

This one's the heap-o-crap Fujimi kit. I expect most of you have had a look at one of these at some time so you know the score. Badly moulded body (window lines etc are awful), heavy flash and moult lines, badly moulded lights, rudimentary chassis and an actually reasonably quality interior.

This one is Tamiya Bright Red with RS Watanabe's. Will also have SAS seats and a scratchbuilt cage





Body following primer, then a light coat of red and sanded to reveal high spots etc.

As you can see I've also opted to remove the moulded on mudflaps.

[Leon L]

After sanding down (during which I knocked off both mirrors, must remember to replace them later!) I also removed the spoiler because the glue was coming loose at one edge. I'll re-fix it with cyanoacrylate when the model is completed.

Here are a couple more pictures after a few more coats of red. Looking more like a car now!

[Leon L]

Window rubbers and a few details picked out with Humbrol matt black, but I can't decide what to do with the front lights - the area just below the pop up lamps? I've only seen a Trueno in the flesh once, and I don't remember if this area is moulded black plastic or a sort of smoked translucent plastic (like the grille on a Levin)
I've also seen it body coloured in pictures.

Anyway, here are the pics showing the current progress to date:

[vwman]

That looks very nice!!

[AsongKar]

amazingly done...

[Leon L]

Took a couple of pics without the flash just now.

You can see there is still a fair bit of orange peel on some of the surfaces, but in all honesty I'm just too lazy to sand it down and polish it up - just want to get this one completed.





I'm picking up some Tamiya masking tape next week, then I'll be able to mask and spray the door mouldings. I was thinking of using an ink wash to pick out the panel lines? Will black be too stark? Perhaps a dark red ink might look more realistic.
I think the wheels will also benefit from a black wash.

Got Microset and Microsol to apply the carbon bonnet decal, should I cut the decal to fit exactly or leave some overlap? I'm worried it will shrink and look crap.

[Cychalen]

Looking good.
Dark red wash is more realistic IMO.
It will look better if you remove the ribbing from the tires.

[Leon L]

Originally Posted by Cychalen

It will look better if you remove the ribbing from the tires.

Oh yeah, I know I need to pop down Halfords because I can't find my wet n dry pack to sand the mould lines off.

I might actually change the rubber for something a bit sportier if I can find any to fit!

[Apexi_N1]

Do you have the option to have the headlight up?

I ordered the inital D series with CF decal. I wonder if it would be the same kit with extra decal

[Apexi_N1]

btw, I've used the Fujimi CF decal on another kit, I found it those decal is quite flexible and can be stratch a little by wipe with a little pressure on the model's body (instead of stinking as you mentioned)

[Future Boy]

Originally Posted by Apexi_N1

btw, I've used the Fujimi CF decal on another kit, I found it those decal is quite flexible and can be stratch a little by wipe with a little pressure on the model's body (instead of stinking as you mentioned)

Yes should be the exact same kit. You have to cut open the deadlights to open them. Do this VERY CAREFULLY, and from the outside! I sliced the first one in half, but I was lucky I was able to fix it.

[Apexi_N1]

Originally Posted by Future Boy

Yes should be the exact same kit. You have to cut open the deadlights to open them. Do this VERY CAREFULLY, and from the outside! I sliced the first one in half, but I was lucky I was able to fix it.

Thanks! Does it included the actual headlight assemble?

[Leon L]

Originally Posted by Apexi_N1

Thanks! Does it included the actual headlight assemble?

Yes you get the full headlight assembly, lenses and all.

Cut with care!

[Leon L]

Got a bit more done.

Resprayed the bottom half of the doors and 3.4 panel in bright red as they were wearing through to the primer. I also painted the lower part of both front and rear bumpers in black.

There's a bit of bleeding under the masking tape, but a few minutes with rubbing compound when fully hardened should clean the lines up nicely.






Next jobs - mirrors, lights, seats!

[SniperX13]

looks goof, but for some reason, I just dont like the way the red looks. with the shiny black, it makes it oh so cheesy toy like to me.