Porsche 962C Repsol Brun

[ChillyB]

I'm calling this one finished. This is Tamiya's Porsche 962C kit that was re-released not all that long ago with new Cartograf decals for the privateer Brun/Repsol team car as raced at Le Mans in 1990. This one comes in many varieties but I found this one to be the most interesting and I thought I might challenge myself with all that decal work. Also, I got a really good deal on it and it included the Tamiya photoetch set. But it was kind of a headache all the way, some of which is Tamiya's fault and the rest of which was self-inflicted and stupidity-induced.

The clear glass parts are molded in place and they have horrendous injection marks, which require way too much sanding to get rid of and then even more to get the parts clear again. Moreover, masking the clear for the entire painting process is, of course, necessary but also a serious pain. I think I might have passed on this one if I had known about the clear parts. Anyway, the self-inflicted problems came about mostly because of my ineptitude with decals; perhaps I'd bitten off more than I could chew, but at least I learned valuable lessons for the future. I caused further unnecessary problems for myself by deciding to clear coat after laying down the decals. It was a calculated risk that worked well enough until I decided to really lay the stuff on.

Anyway, I am reasonably pleased with the outcome and, as I mentioned, I learned a lot about what not to do for the next one.

[dmacb]

Well done. Yeah, the clear parts are a royal pain.

[bigbertha]

Finished result looks pretty good to me. I have the Shell version & I know what you mean re. the glass parts, especially the headlight glass. What exactly happened to the decals with the laquer? I have had crinkling / lifting problems when trying to go for the quick gloss finish before by putting to much on at once. Experience told me to do even mist coats to gradually build up and then polish the finish. Is that what you found?

[dozman]

Nice job ChillyB, I've just started building this kit with the Tamiya PE set too.

Have to agree about the glass, I re-call the body for this kit was originally intended for slot car kits - hence the molded in glass.

[ChillyB]

Originally Posted by bigbertha

What exactly happened to the decals with the laquer? Experience told me to do even mist coats to gradually build up and then polish the finish. Is that what you found?

Yes, but stupidity played a part when I decided to switch from light mist coats of TS-13 to much heavier coats of Rustoleum lacquer clear. There are some places where the decals have tried to melt and the paint color shows through. The problem is minor but annoying and could have been avoided entirely if I hadn't been impatient. That's the lesson learned on this one!

Originally Posted by dozman

Nice job ChillyB, I've just started building this kit with the Tamiya PE set too.

Have to agree about the glass, I re-call the body for this kit was originally intended for slot car kits - hence the molded in glass.

That's what I've read elsewhere but only after I'd already gotten the model. It is a serious nuisance and I won't go through it again.

The Tamiya photoetch has some nice details. I'm a little disappointed that the brake discs are completely hidden by the wheels. Good luck with yours, dozman.

Sometime I'll get one of the 956 kits and try to do this marvelous racer the justice it deserves.