Tamiya R32 GTR

[ns17]

I have just gotten a tamiya skyline r32. This is my second model and my first Tamiya kit. The model that I did before was a disaster. DO you have any tips for this one?

[DVST8R]

In what areas was the other one a disaster?

Biggest tip I guess is take your time.

[ns17]

Only painting. Parts where I used brushes were fine, but I can't use spray paints (cause i live in California where you have to be at least 18 to buy them ). This time I haven't painted the body yet but I have used parts from the AMT Toyota Supra FnF kit. I will post pictures soon.

[rockinanko]

humm...you've got restrictions for buying spary paints there!?

depending on your budget, i suggest you get yourself a airbrush set...more economical & better results! you have to have some kinda of airbrushing equipment if you wanna do some kick@#s stuff...

welcome to AF!!!
cheers!

[ns17]

alright... so i'm going to get a fujimi apex n1 exhaust, BBS LM wheels, turbos, etc. I might have to buy the veilside kit and get some body parts from it. If this all works out it would look pretty nice.

[MattRS2000]

NOW, I have a tip. Calm down on your second build!! Get the basics down first before you go crazy on the mods.

[ns17]

Actually I have got some of the basics down because a few years ago I did do another kit (the one I really screwed up) and my painting skills are passable, in my pics next you'll see that my RB engine with the chrome silver and black is all right... definetly not flawless. I also have a firebird LS1 engine from a Firebird WS6 kit that I didn't finish which I actually did some research online for which might look better than the Skyline engine.

[ns17]

um... where's the browse button for attachments? I can't see It at the bottom of the posting window.

[rsxse240]

You have to host your pics somewhere and link them. Try photobucket.com, the work for me, and it's free

Tips:

Don't get to ambitious, use the K.I.S.S. method (Keep It Simple Stupid! lol) If using brushes to paint stuff, make sure all the strokes are in the same direction. Don't use old paint, it blobs, and leaves streaks. If it does seem to be getting kind of thick, then thin the paint with the appropriate thinner just a drop or two at a time.

Clean all your parts of flash, and sprue marks. Make sure the parts fit together BEFORE you put cement on them. If two parts that are joining together don't quite fit properly due to the alignment tabs being off, don't be afraid to sand off the tabs, and align it with your eyeballs.

Use new sharp exacto blades, dull ones are dangerous. Don't break parts off of the sprue, it tears up the part.

Make a plan for what you want to do, and go through it in your mind a few times before you make the first cut...if you are doing so. When I was in construction, many years ago, I heard a phrase that has stuck with me ever since "No matter how many times you cut it, it will still be to short."

oh, and not to be a smart a$$ but, read the FAQ, there are LOTS of great tips, and tricks in there. Try to find some back issues of scale auto magazine, they have tips and tricks in there that are quite useful to the beginning modeler.

Good luck, and post some pics of your work. and of course, be willing to take some constructive criticism, it's a really good way to learn from the "pro's".