WIP: Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM 2000: Original Tiele

[deltableh]

I've been wanting to do this kit for a very long time, as I loved the livery scheme, and I finally felt that I had the skills (and balls!) to do this kit properly. It will be pretty much OOB, with the addition of SMS carbon fiber decals (the templated ones) and SMS Photoetch. This is my first time using PE parts, so please take it easy on me. Also my first time using MicroSet with decals, so it's an experience, I'll tell you! Body is decals over Testors Classic White from a rattlecan, and the only modification is that I sanded the rear wheel cooling vent open. It's the one before the wheel, if you can see it. Here are some progress pictures!



More to come as the car gets more and more decals. Almost halfway done with the body shell!

EDIT: Edited to put the pictures on less lines.

[stevenoble]

Looks like a good start.How did you find the decals went on? Any problems with them? I've just placed an order for the all black Warsteiner version of this kit so I will be watching your build with great interest to glean a few building tips from you.

[nugundam93]

wow. how'd you put those decals in without any problems?

got some phobia from large decals courtesy of the ones from fujimi's 1/24 mitsubishi lancer advan piaa evo7.

[godfather23]

I´m planning to do the same project. I´m just waiting for the SMS PE set and the SMS carbon fiber set.

Did you discover any problems with the body, etc.??

[quadzero]

I dont blame you for waiting to do this until you felt you the had the skills. I too love the livery and those decals looks daunting! you seem to be having no problem and really looks great so far. will be following along for sure.

[deltableh]

Thank all four of your guys for your compliments. And now, to answer you all individually!

Originally Posted by stevenoble

Looks like a good start.How did you find the decals went on? Any problems with them? I've just placed an order for the all black Warsteiner version of this kit so I will be watching your build with great interest to glean a few building tips from you.

Thank you for the compliment, but now I'm working under pressure. Never had anybody follow "with great interest" before! The decals all went on great. I just used water to soak, positioned the decal on and then patted it dry with a paper towel. After I've placed a lot this way, I slathered on the MicroSet and let it do it's thing! Works like a charm.

The only problems I'm having are with edges close to complex curves or cuts. The hood, as it is three decals on my car, was a pain, but liberal use of MicroSet fixed that. However, around the fenders (as you can see) is a bit of a bigger problem. I might have to use Crazy Glue to glue them down, if I can't find anything less drastic.

Originally Posted by nugundam93

wow. how'd you put those decals in without any problems?

got some phobia from large decals courtesy of the ones from fujimi's 1/24 mitsubishi lancer advan piaa evo7.

The decals were no problem when you oversoak them. I kept them in the water so long they were just this side of floating off the paper. That way, they slide off nicely without any chance of ripping. A quick pat dry, and a generous coating of MicroSet later... and what you see is what you get. My advice is more soaking time in the water, and you'll be golden. Just make sure your fingers are dry, or the decal will stick to your fingers and not the model!

Originally Posted by godfather23

I´m planning to do the same project. I´m just waiting for the SMS PE set and the SMS carbon fiber set.

Did you discover any problems with the body, etc.??

No problem with the body whatsoever. Everything fit like a dream, both before and after paint. Be careful with the SMS carbon fiber, let it soak a longer time than you think. It rips quite easily, especially on the underbody.

Originally Posted by quadzero

I dont blame you for waiting to do this until you felt you the had the skills. I too love the livery and those decals looks daunting! you seem to be having no problem and really looks great so far. will be following along for sure.

An honor to have you following my thread, as I was following your Corvette pretty closely myself. I hope I can do half as good a job as you did, and now I know I have to work harder, as there is a lot of pressure and eyes on me! Ack !

Thanks again everybody! And if anyone has any ideas on how to get the decals 'round the complex curves, please lemme know.

[deltableh]

Alright, I got a few more pictures for you guys, after I made a lot of progress decalling the shell today. I also gently bent back the three-pointed-star on the hood, to better simulate the real car. In addition, I think it gives the car a little more look of speed to it.



Once again, comments are welcome!

[COZMO6476]

looks great!... i have the same kit and i'm afraid of all the decals. one thing that works well for me is using a warm/hot damp paper towel on top of decals on a complex surface. i nuke the paper towel for 10 sec and press it over the decal. it softens the decal and allows it to better follow the contours. hope that helps. great job so far

[MPWR]

Looks like a terrific job on the body decalling. I can totally relate to your intimidation- I've been putting off my Original Teile BMW for years for fear of those decals! Reassuring to see that it can be done. Beautiful start on this build!

[Samurai75007]

WoW, Looking good so far.

[klutz_100]

The realism of the engine decal is superb!
It really looks as if the hood has been peeled away!

I have the GTR original teile and am playing with the idea of strating it as my first forray into motorsports.

Congrats on a great start

[deltableh]

Well, I said I'd do some work for my father's office during the day tomorrow, but I'll be trying the warm, damp towel method to get those pesky decals wrapped around the fenders, as well as finishing up the decals on the left front fender, and fixing the rear right Mobil 1 decal. After that, I'll attach the rest of the outer PE parts, and then *gasp* clear the sucker, as well as the carbon fiber floorpan. Then it's on to finishing up the carbon work inside, and finishing the model!

[mickbench]

Looking nice. I’d be too scared to use anything other then acrylic clear over all those decals. What clear have you got in mind?

I’ve got this kit, I got it from someone on this site but he didn’t actually tell me at the time it was the pre painted body version. So, I won’t have to decal mine, and this kinda takes the fun out of it somewhat….

[deltableh]

Originally Posted by mickbench

Looking nice. I’d be too scared to use anything other then acrylic clear over all those decals. What clear have you got in mind?

I’ve got this kit, I got it from someone on this site but he didn’t actually tell me at the time it was the pre painted body version. So, I won’t have to decal mine, and this kinda takes the fun out of it somewhat….

I'm going to use Cobra Colors clearcoat.

[Shunter]

Looking good so far, tough decal job and you are making it look easy.