1/24 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing by Tamiya
Discussion
I've had my eye on this kit for a while. Since I returned to the hobby at the beginning of the year in fact. So with a few kits under my belt thought I'd have a go.
I've been working on it for a week or so have already made a bit of progress. I started with the body after some advice on this forum a long time ago. Rather than airbrush acrylics I ordered the correct colour TS17 Tamiya spray. I have to say this was a good decision as the finish it gives over the tamiya primer is excellent.
One thing I would say is so far this is the nicest kit I have made. The detail level is good and the quality of the mouldings is astounding. It really does justify the extra money you pay over a Revell or something like that.
I decided to try metal foil for the chrome. I've never tried it before and it's a bit of a faff getting it to a. Stick and b. Follow all the countours without wrinkles.
It looks a lot better in the flesh than the pictures for some reason. Anyway I'm fairly happy with it and for at least the time being is how I'm going to do chrome.
The kit is incredibly well detailed and comes with engine, transmission and full space frame chassis. This is the first stage of the instructions. Built and primered.
This brings me up to date. I'm going to take my time on this one as it really. Is a great kit.
I've been working on it for a week or so have already made a bit of progress. I started with the body after some advice on this forum a long time ago. Rather than airbrush acrylics I ordered the correct colour TS17 Tamiya spray. I have to say this was a good decision as the finish it gives over the tamiya primer is excellent.
One thing I would say is so far this is the nicest kit I have made. The detail level is good and the quality of the mouldings is astounding. It really does justify the extra money you pay over a Revell or something like that.
I decided to try metal foil for the chrome. I've never tried it before and it's a bit of a faff getting it to a. Stick and b. Follow all the countours without wrinkles.
It looks a lot better in the flesh than the pictures for some reason. Anyway I'm fairly happy with it and for at least the time being is how I'm going to do chrome.
The kit is incredibly well detailed and comes with engine, transmission and full space frame chassis. This is the first stage of the instructions. Built and primered.
This brings me up to date. I'm going to take my time on this one as it really. Is a great kit.
Looks very good so far. Nice kit, nice subject.
Re the BMF - I find using a cocktail stick to burnish and rub it down works well. You can finish it with a duster if necessary. I usually apply it with an overlap and trim with a #11blade to remove the excess.
Have you considered Alclad II chrome for the larger pieces? You need a very smooth gloss black undercoat, but it looks good when you get it right.
Re the BMF - I find using a cocktail stick to burnish and rub it down works well. You can finish it with a duster if necessary. I usually apply it with an overlap and trim with a #11blade to remove the excess.
Have you considered Alclad II chrome for the larger pieces? You need a very smooth gloss black undercoat, but it looks good when you get it right.
That's pretty much the method I have been using. You can see the cocktail sticks in some of the pictures. It looks better in reality than the pictures as well.
Regarding alcad. I've been a bit wary of these as I read they contain some pretty nasty chemicals and you need a respirator of some sort to spray safely (as well as a spray booth) how true is that?
Regarding alcad. I've been a bit wary of these as I read they contain some pretty nasty chemicals and you need a respirator of some sort to spray safely (as well as a spray booth) how true is that?
robemcdonald said:
That's pretty much the method I have been using. You can see the cocktail sticks in some of the pictures. It looks better in reality than the pictures as well.
Regarding alcad. I've been a bit wary of these as I read they contain some pretty nasty chemicals and you need a respirator of some sort to spray safely (as well as a spray booth) how true is that?
Yes, Alclad II is quite aggressive - in fact it can attack unprimed plastic. I always use a spray booth and organic filter mask even for water soluble acrylics.Regarding alcad. I've been a bit wary of these as I read they contain some pretty nasty chemicals and you need a respirator of some sort to spray safely (as well as a spray booth) how true is that?
An alternative to both BMF and Alclad for trim etc is one of these chrome pens. The results are impressive but you need to make sure it's completely cured before polishing.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01E7EG3NM/ref...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01E7EG3NM/ref...
Little bit of an update. I did some more work on the body and interior. I wasn't happy with the finish of the leather so I added a few washes to give it a bit of a used look. It's not perfect, but I prefer it to the shiny version. I also put a Capet effect on the rear shelf. Looking a thing pictures on line show that some had this and not leather.
The fact it looks better in reality than the pictures only makes those of you that post flawless looking pics even more astonishing.
I also added the glazing and more chrome to the body.
The fact it looks better in reality than the pictures only makes those of you that post flawless looking pics even more astonishing.
I also added the glazing and more chrome to the body.
And the curse of the clearcoat strikes again.
The project is on hiatus whilst I source a replacement kit.
In the meantime will start the next kit in the stash, which is a classic mini rally car by Revell.
I'll start another thread for that and come back to this one when I have a replacement.
The project is on hiatus whilst I source a replacement kit.
In the meantime will start the next kit in the stash, which is a classic mini rally car by Revell.
I'll start another thread for that and come back to this one when I have a replacement.
Unfortunately it's a lost cause I'm afraid. Mainly due to a minor loss of temper on my part.
I know we shouldn't name and shame on here, but I would really advise anyone against using humbrol products as they are terrible and have in the few months I have been making models ruined two of my projects.
Anyway onwards and upwards. A replacement is on order and I am considering a darker colour to get a better contrast between the body and the chrome.
Next time it will be better!
I know we shouldn't name and shame on here, but I would really advise anyone against using humbrol products as they are terrible and have in the few months I have been making models ruined two of my projects.
Anyway onwards and upwards. A replacement is on order and I am considering a darker colour to get a better contrast between the body and the chrome.
Next time it will be better!
I used their Matt spray varnish for years, until I ruined two models with it recently, plus binned a model because of their dodgy glue. I've now dumped all their products and will never use them again.
After a load of trial and error, I think by far the best stuff for car bodies is - unsurprisingly perhaps - automotive paint and 2k lacquer through the airbrush. That's assuming you're ok with the h&s issues.
After a load of trial and error, I think by far the best stuff for car bodies is - unsurprisingly perhaps - automotive paint and 2k lacquer through the airbrush. That's assuming you're ok with the h&s issues.
H & S is an issue for me. I do my model making in my office. I use a home made spray booth with a 30 l/s fan in an attempt to minimise odour problems, but even that doesn't always do the trick. Couple that to the fact I have two young daughters who could walk in at any time and whilst I would be wearing a mask they wouldn't be. To top it all my wife is very sensitive about such things, so it's just not worth the aggro.
I think the key message here is use humbrol at your own risk.
Anyway I started on the mini tonight and will start a thread on that tomorrow.
I think the key message here is use humbrol at your own risk.
Anyway I started on the mini tonight and will start a thread on that tomorrow.
robemcdonald said:
A short video of a 300SL on the back of the Rennwagen at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.https://writewheel.uk/2018/07/19/rennwagen/
And here is a short video of a rolling chassis of a 300SL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmOt0i6Eg-c
If you are interested, I've got a number of stills of both. You're welcome to them.
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