first build starting

[no-mame]

hi all just about to start my first build


aoshima top secret skyline gt-r

theres quite a few pices in this kit but looks fairly simple

i was goin to build the tamiya mini cooper for my first kit but with it been so small and engine detail etc i changes my mind and purchased this,

comparing it to the tamiya mini,

it has more mold lines
the skyline chassis is all one piece so painting will be difficult
the instructions are not as good so i will be using them as a referance only.

i am goin to try a few extra bits ( cutting holes harness holes on seats etc) to make it look more real

anyway back to the build

for the chassis hows the best way it paint out the detail? the gear box and exhaust is sunk in so masking tape will be verry hard

and for painting the body, it comes in quite a few pices, do i spray them seperate of dry build and spray as one to get even coverage

sorry for the essay, but any help is much needed

thanks jamie

[ketje]

Have fun and good luck

[rsxse240]

I'd say the tamiya cooper would have been a better choice for first kit, because parts fit better, and the instructions are a bit more clear. not only that but the cooper would be a much more accurately detailed build straight out of the box.

I have the top secret skyline, and feel it was worth what I paid for it (40% off at hobby lobby) and nothing more. I have yet to begin building it, and from what I've heard, it's a real pain. but then I've seen some really nice builds from this kit as well.

I hope it comes out alright for you. and don't get discouraged if it doesn't. just pick up that Cooper, and you'll see just what I'm talking about.

[Layla's Keeper]

My first question would be to ask what paints and brushes are you using? I'll tell you right now, if you don't have a good selection of ENAMEL and LACQUER (not acrylics, even the Tamiyas are pretty shoddy) paints you'll be up the creek with no paddle. I typically recommend Model Master for your enamels. Model Master lacquers are pretty nice, but for the absolute best I always stand by Floquil.

Lacquers and enamels offer better coverage with less paint and fewer brush strokes, and by using a good selection of hobby quality Sable Hair Brushes and plenty of patience you'll get good results. 10-0 and 7-0 sizes are a MUST in any hobby arsenal.

[no-mame]

hi

for the body im using zero paints basecoat
for the rest i have a selection of tamiya acrylic and a few humbrol enamel,

i used flat black acrylic to spray the chassis and it turned out ok,

all the big bits will be airbrushed with acrylic (apart from the shell)
and for the samll details i will use a mix of acrylic and enamel, i also have some paint pens

for brushes i have a selection of humbrol prestdent brushes,

[no-mame]

bit of progress

spent the last few hours picking detail out of the chassis
pics are not verry good, camera dont focus on zoom,

for my first chassis im pleased with the results

[rsxse240]

it doesn't look bad from the blurry pics. it seems you have decent parting lines between the silver and black. be sure to use some gloss black and semi gloss black to pick out some highlights on the chassis. the contrast in finish makes an amazing difference

[MPWR]

Nicely done! That's certainly one of the more difficult tasks you'll face in this build, and it looks like you've managed very well. Some better pics would be nice, but I think the under engine detail could benefit nicely from a wash to bring out the details. Theres a how-to on it in the how-to directory.

Out of curiosity, have you built models other than cars before? How is it that you have an airbrush?

[no-mame]

will try to get some better pics later
i will give it a go with semi and gloss try pick out some more detail, do i just pick out the tubed areas?

will try a wash but it will not be seen as theres covers over the engine and exhaust,

i tried making a airfix plane when i was 10yr old, i glued it all together no sanding or paint etc was a mess, other from that i have no moddeling experiance

as for the airbrush i went in my local model shop and said i wanted to build a car, i walked out with 30 paints 10 brushes, sanding sticks masking tape, scalpels, glue and a air brush

its not a verry good one, revell beginers airbrush, it has a glass jar and a can of air, if you know what i mean

[no-mame]

a better pic, cam wont do any better they just go blurd

[MPWR]

Well good on you, mate, for jumping in with both feet. Seriously, I'm confident you'll enjoy modeling every bit as much as you hope and expect to.

A different airbrush perhaps may have been a better choice for you. It's entirely likely you will find yourself upgrading in the not distant future. But in the mean time you have something to learn on and use. Believe me, I would definately choose to model with a less than optimal airbrush than with no airbrush at all!

Bit of a shame that your camera is somewhat limiting. But from what I can see it does look like great work- spectacular in that it's your first go of it.

The Zero paints you have for the body are something of an advanced medium. It's excellent paint and will very likely be your poison of choice for years to come- however learning to use it for the first time while at the same time learning to use an airbrush for the first time while painting your first body may be a bit much to bite off all at once. Body painting is very much a collection of a number of different skills, and trying to develop all of these skill at the same time can be a woefully frustrating experience.

I would say definately use the airbrush and acrylics to paint the interor, underside and suspension parts. But if you were at my workbench and I was over your shoulder teaching you to airbrush, I wouldn't be starting you out on body painting- and I certainly wouldn't start you on automotive laquers.

For body painting for your first time, Tamiya spray TS laquers (primer and paint) are definately the very best way to go. They are an terrific product, and with care and instruction a beginner can paint a really great body with them on the first go. They will teach you alot about how paint behaves as it is sprayed. In using them there are many fewer variables to get wrong than in airbrushing, and so they are a very easy way to achieve great results. A little practice and you may quickly outgrow them- but I would strongly recommend them for at least your first and possibly second bodies.

[no-mame]

got a bit more progress done the last few days

subframe,shocksand brakes on front



also the wheels


not a very good pic but i have painted the bolts and added a fine piece of wire for the valve

i aslo added the decals but most of them have fallen off, i followed the instructions too.
so any tips for applying decals? i dont want them to fall off the body

[cyberkid]

Looks good from what I can see in the pics. Like what others said any automotive paints are somewhat advanced and require a bit more attention. Ventilation, quick operation(this stuff will start to harden in your AB after 20-30 minutes). From your list, it seems that you don't have a clearcoat for the zero paints. Automotive basecoats MUST be clearcoated, otherwise the color will look wrong and you can't polish and get good results.
As for the photography, I suggest you stand back till your camera will focus and try to zoom in to the item you are taking a pic of. Crop it in a photo-editor if necessary.

HTH
Steve

[no-mame]

thanks for the replies

for the automotive paints i am going to try it on the body as i have purchased it, i also have some zero jet black which i airbrushed the chassis covers and it turned out ok, so will have to experiment,

for the top coat i have a can of Mr Top Coat Gloss Spray that i am going to put over the base coat.
for the cam i will have a play see what happens.

can anyone help me with the decal application, i cant find a how to on it and the are falling off

[p8ntbllr_182]

nice kit man ,i guess me and you are both working on our first cars but mine is a nismo Ztune. your's is comeing along good ill keep an eye on this thread. and i need help with decals 2 ive droped a couple but luckily i find them if i look closely in the carpet lol