Need some "how to" on building resin kits... Thanks

[mickbench]

I’ve talked about how I’ve felt Resin kits are expensive, and how I feel I’ve not got the skill to work with resin, but I’m always willing to have a go. But, at £100+ a kit, I’ve voiced a few times how I feel they are grossly overpriced for many model builders, and offer less detail sometimes, being in the form of curbside and what not. Anyhow, I’m always willing to put my money where my mouth is, and I’ve got my 5 year long service bonus from my employer this month, so pay packet is considerably larger then normal. Plus, I’m selling some plastic kits off, as I’ve got duplicates, and kits that no longer interest me, I’m looking to sell at least 25 kit – why I bought all of them I do not know…. I also donated some plastic kits at the weekend to the PDSA, a local UK animal charity that I didn’t want, but that’s another story..

Anyhow this should be enough to get a resin kit, and one I feel I might stand a chance of being able to complete. What I need, is somewhere I can read AS much as I can about building resin kits. The BAR Honda from Studio 27 has a simple colour scheme, and a decal scheme that doesn’t put your hairs on end just by looking at the decal sheet. And being mostly white, if a few panel lines are not that sharp, it won’t matter, as I hate black panel lines on white, so they won’t be as highlighted as my other builds.

Is there anywhere I can go, to read up on how to clean the white metal parts, the resin, and what tools I need? Also, what types of paints I’ll need for preparing the metal, the resin etc… I know small bits, from various FAQS I’ve read, but I want to learn as much as I can before I plunge feet first….. the FAQS are all fragmented, perhaps there is a book I can buy? I know you need to wash the resin thoroughly, but what about priming? Do I need different types of primer?

This is make or break for me…. If I buy this kit, and it turns to worms I’ll perhaps never look at resin again. I tried to use resin when I’d only been building for two months, and it all went horribly wrong. But I feel this was due to lack of experience with plastic. This is all changed how, I’ve got 16 completed models behind me and 17 months of building, if I can build a resin kit by now, then it’s never gonna happen.

http://www.mediamixhobby.com.sg/cata...oducts_id=2635

As it happens, I’m a big fan of BAR Honda Racing, so I’ve always wanted the BAR, a kit that can only be obtained in resin anyhow. Anyhow, thanks for reading, I hope some of the resin kit builders can help me out….. I’m on one of my treasure hunt moments, looking for as much information as I can find, to justify a £100 purchase..

[sjelic]

If you ask me just give it a go, don't hesitate, look at it like now or never. As for the different way of doing it, well it is not all that different, just more expencive
I hope that Bil won't mind for this link http://members.shaw.ca/motorsportsin...ldup_Part1.htm

One little hint, if you have rotary tool (aka dremel) buy those fine wire sets for cleaning white metal parts.
Keep in mind that different materials react differently on heat (when useing hair drier on decals).
Tamiya primers worked fine with me on all materials (Tamiya metal primer also worked good on PE and white metal).
As for the panels, you can scribe them much deaper and sharper in resin then plastic.
That's it, nothing to much special, just enjoy it.

[RallyRaider]

An F1 kit might be a difficult way to begin your resin adventure. I've built a couple of Le Mans Miniatures sportscar kits and they were quite straightforward so long as you're careful.

I've heard warnings about resin dust when you sand. Not good for your health apparently. Techniques are much the same as with plastic kits just with a lot more preparation and test fitting. Metal parts will need an etch primer of course and whenever possible use pins and other methods to reinforce joins. Particularly on tricky parts like wing assemblies.

Can't think of much else off the top of my head. Be prepared to exercise your problem solving skills and make sure the subject is one you are passionate in so the motovation doesn't waver when progress slows down. But I guess that applies to all modeling.

Good luck.

[klutz_100]

Mick, this is pure theory on my part since I haven't started my resin kit yet (apart from a bit of clean up) but I've done my usual thing of reading up considerably on the subject and the only really big differences I've read about are:

1. Sometimes the resin parts are slightlly flawed (pits, air bubbles etc.) which may mean some filling etc to get a smooth shell. I've read that biiger airbubbles can be drilled out with your pin vice first to make things easier. Having said that, my renaissance kit doesn't have an air bubble in sight;

2. Forget glues and putties that are toulene/acetone based - they won't work on resin. CA and epoxy only.

3. Cleaning the body of mold release before any priming/painting is a MUST. Bleach apparently does the job famously.

4. Resin is harder to sand than plastic (but you know that already )

5. Depending on the mfctr/kit you may come across some fit issues that will require modification - but then again that is also true of plastic kits so it's not really resin-specific

Other than that, nothing else comes to my mind. You'll do as good a job with this as with your other builds so long as you don't lose your temper with it Just don't start it expecting 100% "Tamiya-like" fitment and then you can only be positively surpirsed rather than disappointed.

Alex K has done many of these kinds of kits so I'm sure he'll offer you some useful tips. Also just reading the resin threads here on AF will provide heaps of useful tips.

Good luck!

[mickbench]

Ok, I’ve decided to buy the BAR 007, but I’m very confused. I took a look on www.hlj.com and found one I liked at a price better then mediamix –

http://www.hlj.com/product/S27FK20188

As you can see, it looks pretty nice if built correctly. Even has lucky strike decals. However before I pushed the buy button, I thought I’d have a search around and see if I could find the box contents.. and I did.. This is it -



Notice something odd with the decals…? Yep, no red circles, and no lucky strike decals either… Have I just lost the plot, or something.. I really wanted the one with the tobacco decals.. If I can’t even find the right kit I want, then what chance do I have of actually building it..??? LOL

Thanks for the responses guys.. I’ve got the money for it, plus I’m getting my list of kits to sell ready.. And that BAR built up link provided was a great model..

[91p10nizmo]

Looks like a nice kit Mick. Looking at your pics there might be another decal sheet under that one.

[mickbench]

Originally Posted by 91p10nizmo

Looks like a nice kit Mick. Looking at your pics there might be another decal sheet under that one.

I think you might be right... Someone on f1m said it does in fact come with lucky strike decals. I'll order this one, it looks to be nice kit. Doesn't look to be a complicated decal, or colour scheme, so here goes nothing.. Or, here goes £100.. Oh well, I love the car, so it's this or a diecast..

[freakmech]

Yes if you look at the bottom edge of the sheet you can see another decal sheet with the red circles.

Tips for resin: files are far better then sand paper for these kits. Resin is thicker and more dense then plastics so you will save alot of time starting with a file to do clean up. Resin is heavier and it is going to be a bit tricky getting the F1 suspension to properly hold the weight of the body and parts so take your time with the suspension and reinforce it as much as you can so that it sits properly. Dont assume anything will fit right, especially decals. Everything else has been said that i can think of. PM me if you run into any trouble.

[mickbench]

Well,

It's now ordered.

http://www.hlj.com/product/S27FK20188

HLJ would only ship EMS, its in stock so give it about 7 days, and it should be here. I also ordered replacement belts, some 1/20 MFH belts. £100 just gone. I must be going barking mad. I'd better stick to the promise, and sell some kits off now...

Oh well.. As long as I take my time, I should be OK.

[willimo]

I keep praying Honda wins a GP so we can get a plastic kit of one of their F1 cars. It's hard to justify $170 on a kit that isn't going to drive me to work. Good luck, I'm interested in how it comes out. At Honda's rate these days, resin may be our only option of building a Honda F1 car. In your searching - did you find any with the "Look left, look right" livery?

[ScaleCentral]

You'll probably like this link.

http://members.shaw.ca/motorsportsin...ldup_Part1.htm

I know you got the 007, but the 006 is close enough. The problem you need to be aware of about F1 kits is the suspension and front wing. Be prepared to use lots of glue and lots of dry fitting. I have several resins kits and have been working on an in depth resin article showing most of the types of resins, the different skill levels in kits, and basic things to look out for. It will probably be several weeks if not months away from being placed on the web. In the meantime though, after you get your kit, make sure you post pics and ask questions if need be. You can always put down the knife and paint to ask a question instead of pushing into the unknown and possibly damaging a very expensive kit.
Nic

[mickbench]

I keep on hoping that BAR Honda get at least one GP behind them, as this might prompt someone to release the car in plastic, but it’ll perhaps be Revell that picks it up, and it’ll be in 1/24 if Revell produce it. I do, don’t ask why prefer 1/20 with my F1, I just like the larger scale.

It is a very expensive kit, but the FW24 is £35, so £89 for a resin kit isn’t all that bad. It was £8 for the replacement belts, as I wasn’t keen on using P/E belts. P/E buckles are fine, but not the actual belts. I need to find some better needle files though.

As for the look left, look right – I too noticed they are missing from the front wing etc... I was going mad trying to ensure it came with luckies. It looks better with the full compliment of sponsorship decals.

[mickbench]

HLJ have put my BAR on back order….!! How dare they… It was in stock when I put the order in, that’s why I did it. In the space of a few hours they’ve gone from in stock to back order..??? They always do this. They have a strange stock system.

Still, when it comes back in stock again, and I get it, I’ll start up the WIP. I’ve got enough to be getting on with at the moment.

[willimo]

It probably went on back order because you bought the last one. Don't worry so much. If they don't send you a shipping notice in a few days, then worry so much.

[mickbench]

Originally Posted by willimo

It probably went on back order because you bought the last one. Don't worry so much. If they don't send you a shipping notice in a few days, then worry so much.

Hmm... You were right.. I'm just a HLJ novice. They are getting it ready for shipping as I type this. Being sent via EMS, so should only take 7 working days. Better get my workbench cleaned up... I'm looking foward to it, but very worried I'm about to stuff up a £85 kit..