FINISHED: Fujimi Mini Cooper S LHD

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Just finished up Fujimi's new Mini Cooper S. Fun kit to build, not too many problems encountered-worst is masking the fender/bumper trim for spraying flat black-pics look worse than the model . I worked on this model over the past 10 days.

Paint is Testors Wimbledon White lacquer (a very close match to the Mini's Pepper White) sprayed over Tamiya white primer (body molded in yellow). I applied black technical pen panel lines on the white primer prior to spraying the Wimbledon White. I used Testors lacquer clearcoat, it wetsanded/buffed to a mirror finish in about 10 minutes!-it also dries very quickly and thoroughly-it might even give Tamiya clear a run for it's money . I was impressed w/the Testors paint this time (had a disaster w/it on another model). The roof/mirrors are painted Tamiya gloss black sprayed directly over the black plastic, it came out glass-smooth and required a minimum of buffing.

Interior is beige/black w/flocked carpets. Wheels are from Revell's new Subaru WRX (the one w/diecast body), I sanded off the chrome surface and resprayed the wheels w/Testors silver lacquer airbrushed from a bottle...great stuff-it's just like Model Master Silver Chrome trim, but it actually dries! .

I used Model Car Garage photoetch Mini and Cooper S emblems on the body, center caps, and the speaker grilles on the doors.

Much better kit that Revell's Mini. Too bad the Cooper S wheels are too small (16's instead of 17's), but at least I had an extra set of the Revell WRX rims (that kit's giving up it's seats/dash/drivetrain for a Brat ).

[Vric]

Wow.. one of the best mini I have seen.

the Fujimi kit look way better than Revell one

[Hyperkinetic]

looking brilliant!

[kunta]

Superb!
Beautiful and flawless white paint job. wheels look good either.
paint panel lines before apply white paint, that's nice idea. I've never heard about that technique before.

one question: did you use metal foil on silver tirm between windows and body panels? or silver paint? it looks fine.
I have to build green metallic Mini this year, so just want to make reference to your model.

[mike united]

That looks superb, very very clean. Yes..........excellent job alround.

Mike.

[MidMazar]

thats one lovely mini

[BlueHand]

Great finish on the mini, the colours are like the original Cooper S. The wheels give it that extra sporty finish. Great Job.. :-)

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally Posted by kunta

Superb!
Beautiful and flawless white paint job. wheels look good either.
paint panel lines before apply white paint, that's nice idea. I've never heard about that technique before.

one question: did you use metal foil on silver tirm between windows and body panels? or silver paint? it looks fine.
I have to build green metallic Mini this year, so just want to make reference to your model.

Thanks! I use the .005 technical pen panel line technique on all my paint jobs now, it's so clean and so easy. I usually apply it mid-coat, after applying first color coats I add the panel lines, then apply a few more coats of color. This one was primed in white, so I took the chance that a few coats of color would be enough. This works so much better on white/yellow cars especially that are incredibly hard to get painted panel lines to look good on (ask Veyron! ). If the panel lines on a model were actually to scale they'd be okay in black, but panel lines on a model are much wider than the scale on a 1:1 car, so they usually end up too harsh with too much contrast.

The chrome trim is Bare Metal Foil.

Can't wait to see your green Mini! I used your Gallardo photos as a reference guide while building mine . Today I start the Murcielago.

[Bas Carwash]

Awesome work! I actually drove one yesterday. Same color, but not a black roof. Awesome car, awesome work.

[DJ_Merle]

Wonderful work!!!!

[RSTuningFactory]

wow....
very nice built.

[blubaja]

Hey,

Super clean build! Too bad about the kit wheels. The revell wrx ones look at home. Keep up the great work!

Frank X.

[Porsche Carrera]

nice! love the wheels too.

[chaos]

Sweet!! Awesome work!

[klutz_100]

Really nice - congrats!
I'm going to try that panel line technique too- might save me some cussing
stevenski