Sideskirts

[Integra14]

I have Squadron putty (sucks) and i have styrene plastic sheet, but i can't grab the concept of making sideskirts. I don't know the shape, and how you are supposed to make them... Will everybody help me, and post some pics of ur cars with sideskirts, or try to explain, how you make them?

[fullbloodchop01]

for me i have no real problem with makin PLAIN sideskirts, but when it com down to the littlest bit of design or curve im stuck, im tryin to make some Jaccs accord sideskirts on my ITR, so yea if someone has an tips please help us out

[hirofkd]

Originally posted by Integra14
I have Squadron putty (sucks) and i have styrene plastic sheet, but i can't grab the concept of making sideskirts. I don't know the shape, and how you are supposed to make them... Will everybody help me, and post some pics of ur cars with sideskirts, or try to explain, how you make them?

Squadron putty works just fine, if used properly. It's a scratch and gap filler, because it melts plastic to integrate itself to styrene. It hardens relatively quickly, but because of the evaluation of the solvent, it shrinks a lot. and it's certainly not suitable for a volume modeling like aero parts.

For a thick part, try using epoxy or polyester putty instead.

With epoxy putty, you can form the basic shape with your fingers, and it's easy to use. It doesn't shrink, because it hardens by the chemical reaction, but it takes a few hours, until you can file and sand. Use plastic sheet as a template.

Polyester putty is paste-like, so it's a little difficult to handle, but it cures so quickly (15 min is enough), and it doesn't shrink either. Because of its fast curing time, this is best used when you add and carve several times to form a thick shape. Plastic sheet can be a template, as well.

The key is to understand the characteristics of each putty, and use them accordingly.
Get two identical pieces of plastic as a guide or template to maintain the symmetry, if it's something like a side skirt.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I concur w/hirofkd, with a few additions. You'll need putty, some good cutting tools (Xacto knives and chisel points), sandpaper, and some small needle files, with curved riffler files being the best. You'll also need some pieces of styrene strips, in .010-.020 thickness to work with. You can cut it with good scissors, you shape it w/sanding sticks or files. You can get great sanding sticks in nail polish sections of stores. Yeah, go ahead and be brave and find this department at Wal Mart or drugstores or beauty supply places...they are great tools-they make fantastic sanding sticks in multiple grades from coarse to very fine, for polishing. Plus while you're there, see the cool colors of nail polish that can be used for your models. If anyone looks at you funny, well...don't worry about it! Of course you can wear sunglasses and get your mom to buy the stuff!

Also have some wet/dry sandpaper from the hardware store in 400-1500 grit. You can use toothpicks and even wooden handled Q tips to wrap the sandpaper around to make a tool to get into tight spots. Another good tool is a mechanical pencil, available almost anywhere in office supplies, w/.05 lead. This can sketch/mark out where you want to make cuts in the plastic, and also mark where you need to work on the shape when you get to that point.

Take a close look at pictures of sideskirts, in magazine photos or online. Be familiar with the designs, and have these pictures on your workbench as you begin the process.

You should look at other models, especially Fujimi and Aoshima, how they make side skirts that fit. You need to copy how they do it, using styrene as a base to work from, and using the putty for the advanced shapes.

It's not easy, you have to practice, but if you're willing to try it it may just work out. Again, have reference material handy, and the proper tools-otherwise you'll just end up with a big mess and unhappy w/the results.

Basically it's a messy job...you'll have plastic shavings, putty dust, and you have to spend time getting the pieces smooth before you get to the primer stage, and even then may have to spend a few more sessions getting the sanding marks out and all the surfaces clean and neat, ready for paint. I tend to prefer using someone else's sideskirts, but if you want custom you'll have to make your own. Or convince flyonthewall to do them! Good luck.

[tonioseven]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5
I concur w/hirofkd, with a few additions. You'll need putty, some good cutting tools (Xacto knives and chisel points), sandpaper, and some small needle files, with curved riffler files being the best. You'll also need some pieces of styrene strips, in .010-.020 thickness to work with. You can cut it with good scissors, you shape it w/sanding sticks or files. You can get great sanding sticks in nail polish sections of stores. Yeah, go ahead and be brave and find this department at Wal Mart or drugstores or beauty supply places...they are great tools-they make fantastic sanding sticks in multiple grades from coarse to very fine, for polishing. Plus while you're there, see the cool colors of nail polish that can be used for your models. If anyone looks at you funny, well...don't worry about it! Of course you can wear sunglasses and get your mom to buy the stuff!

Also have some wet/dry sandpaper from the hardware store in 400-1500 grit. You can use toothpicks and even wooden handled Q tips to wrap the sandpaper around to make a tool to get into tight spots. Another good tool is a mechanical pencil, available almost anywhere in office supplies, w/.05 lead. This can sketch/mark out where you want to make cuts in the plastic, and also mark where you need to work on the shape when you get to that point.

Take a close look at pictures of sideskirts, in magazine photos or online. Be familiar with the designs, and have these pictures on your workbench as you begin the process.

You should look at other models, especially Fujimi and Aoshima, how they make side skirts that fit. You need to copy how they do it, using styrene as a base to work from, and using the putty for the advanced shapes.

It's not easy, you have to practice, but if you're willing to try it it may just work out. Again, have reference material handy, and the proper tools-otherwise you'll just end up with a big mess and unhappy w/the results.

Basically it's a messy job...you'll have plastic shavings, putty dust, and you have to spend time getting the pieces smooth before you get to the primer stage, and even then may have to spend a few more sessions getting the sanding marks out and all the surfaces clean and neat, ready for paint. I tend to prefer using someone else's sideskirts, but if you want custom you'll have to make your own. Or convince flyonthewall to do them! Good luck.

You just left out the part where you encourage him to enjoy a wonderfully delicious serving of :spam: before he begins to work on his body kit!:frog:

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Originally posted by tonioseven
You just left out the part where you encourage him to enjoy a wonderfully delicious serving of :spam: before he begins to work on his body kit!:frog:

We want our friends sitting at their workbenches happy...not sitting in the restroom in agony!

[Forhod]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5


We want our friends sitting at their workbenches happy...not sitting in the restroom in agony!

I like this sentence.
No one wanna ended up that way. :hehehe:

[tonioseven]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5


We want our friends sitting at their workbenches happy...not sitting in the restroom in agony!

:hehehe: :hehehe: :hehehe: I forgot about the "darkside" of :spam2: sorry! But seriously ZoomZoom is entirely correct; I frequent that part of WalMart and I have some fantastic colors to use for my models when I get the time to airbrush.

[COZMO6476]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5
Yeah, go ahead and be brave and find this department at Wal Mart or drugstores or beauty supply places...they are great tools-they make fantastic sanding sticks in multiple grades from coarse to very fine, for polishing. Plus while you're there, see the cool colors of nail polish that can be used for your models. If anyone looks at you funny, well...don't worry about it! Of course you can wear sunglasses and get your mom to buy the stuff!

LOL!...i had to go to the drug store with my sister to get some nail files since i felt funny going there alone. maybe ill order online in bulk just to avoid the embarassment... but the point here is that nail files are indispensable. they are great tools that every modeler should take advantage of

[fullbloodchop01]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5
We want our friends sitting at their workbenches happy...not sitting in the restroom in agony!

to late:bathroom: :bathroom: :bathroom: :spam2: :spam:

[supratuner]

all u guys need to make side skirts are
these items
Red putty
Testors Knife
and contour putty
and sand paper

put it right on the car and it will do the rest, but be sure u want to do it cuz once red putty is on its on, and wont come off without taking off 1/2 your car