Saturday, September 17, 2011

MP4/22 rescue build

I finally have something to show. Finished applying CF decals to the floor of this model. Took me about 10 hours to complete. Lot more parts to CF.

Internal area of diffusor was most difficult part. But SMS decals work well. I have left bottom plank area for later treatment. Plan is to clear coat CF decals first and then attach plan simulated by wooden sticker or paint it flat earth color.


Top of diffusor wasn't easy also. Had to do quite a bit of patching. But I'm happy with results over all.


Rest were mostly flat straight surfaces and took much less time to complete.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Monopost MP4/25 WIP

Small update, but big step. I've tested Zero 2k and while it seemed to work on test spoon, it started to change shade on real parts. I've started with parts, which will be covered in red decals. So, those were my test parts. My conclusion was that Zero 2K is "no go". I've even tried to spray Mirrachrome over Zero 2K second time. Didn't help much. And trusted Gunze H30 affected Mirrachrome paint and dulled finish as well.

So, I've set out to find another clear, which would preserve this paint. Special Mirraclear product is out of my reach at present. Fortunately Wing&Wheels (probably best LHS in GTA) had all new Alclad clear coats in stock. I've picked up Alclad gloss clear. And it actually did preserve Mirrachrome paint well. Not much affect on shine, if at all. Though it is smelly paint. I've probably put too much of it on the body and it has been drying for 3 days by now, including about 12 hours in dehydrator. Still not 100% dry, I think. Beside it seems to be fragile, compared to Zero 2K, which is pretty solid, when dry.

I'm wondering if it will be save to cover Alclad gloss clear with Zero 2K ? I would really like to get more solid and less fragile clear over Alclad's clear, before I start decal application and parts would see quite a bit of handling.

Here is quick snapshot. Not much difference with previous one. But that's the point - it means shine has been preserved well. MP4/22 on background received few coats of Zero @K clear to protect decals. Zero 2K clear also helped to make colors more vivid on those fluo red decals.

Lotus 97T Belgium WIP

Build is progressing well. I'm almost done painting parts. Will polish body parts and then it's decal time. Should be OK for OOB, but kit is definitely lacking details in engine bay area.

Painted black inside body panels. Monocoque shell is painted with TS40. Should be CF, as on real car, but I'm not going to bother for OOB build.





Engine block is painted with Alclad aluminium. Gearbox was painted with TS42 and then darkened with Tamiya TS71 smoke. A bit too shiny for my liking. Will probably have to dull it a bit with flat clear.



Rest of exhast/turbo system parts painted in Alclad PA and semi-gloss black. I've gone adventures on exhausts and put many different paints over in almost random order :) Looks acceptable to me. Suspension parts were painted in TS29 semi-gloss black and Alclad PA. Brake calipers were painted with TS21 gold, brake hubs with Alclad SS.