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Post by Ben_B on Aug 15, 2021 10:13:10 GMT -8
Since I've finally done something on the kit, I guess it's time to start a thread. Since I had the airbrush out for a couple of other models, I sprayed the first coat of Tamiya Pearl White on the M8 body. The body has a rear bumper and lower sills to be added. They didn't fit very well without several rounds of sanding and test filling. There was some flash around the front of the body and some mold parting lines on the front and rear. I'd say the body parts aren't molded quite as well as those on Nunu's M6 kits, but I think it's probably because of the complexity of the body's shapes on this car. Not a complaint, just noting what I'm finding. I think this one will go together every bit as well as the M6 kits. Ben
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 20, 2021 16:36:12 GMT -8
Ben, Nice start to the M8. Seems like the newest Platz and Nunu kits have some fit issues.
Joel
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Post by Ben_B on Aug 21, 2021 7:50:00 GMT -8
Thanks, Joel!
Yes, the Nunu kits aren’t quite to the same level as Tamiya; maybe closer to Fujimi’s and Hasegawa’s latest. They’re still much better than Revell’s offerings. That Ford GTLM reminded me of an old AMT kit. I’m finding everything on the M8 fits together well, except for those body parts, once the minimal mold parting lines are cleaned up. I think the complex shape of the body and the way they molded it has a lot to do with the minor fit issues I had.
No pics, but I didn’t like the looks of the Pearl White paint, especially after looking at an Alpine White BMW at the dealer last week, so I repainted it with Tamiya Pure White. Looks a lot better! Alpine White is sort of pearlescent or metallic, but nothing like the Tamiya paint, especially in 1/24 scale. I’ve got the body almost ready for decals.
Ben
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 21, 2021 15:32:19 GMT -8
Ben, My feelings as well. They seem to be taking more and more short cuts at the expense of accuracy and fit.
joel
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Post by Ben_B on Aug 26, 2021 11:57:56 GMT -8
Here's the body in Tamiya Pure White. Looks a lot better! The body is ready for decals. We're headed to the beach next week and I usually bring a kit or two to work on during the hottest part of the day. I'll do the decals for this car and the Ford GT Le Mans while I'm there. All I lack on the chassis and interior are the roll cage and dash. Like their BMW M6 and Audi R8 kits, the only letdown on an otherwise excellent kit is the molding of the roll cage. Every part needs to have the edge of a knife dragged across it to remove mold parting lines. There are also dozens of ejector pin marks that need to be addressed. As on the M6, there are some hydraulic fluid reservoirs mounted in that black thing on the roll cage near the driver's left leg. The reservoirs are visible only when the door is open. For some odd reason, Nunu has molded this detail into the part and has left a large ejector pin mark on the backside. The M6 had a large sinkhole here. Fortunately, easily fixed with a little filler. Not sure why they went to the trouble of engineering this detail, when it would be a major PITA to open the doors on these kits. After cutting out a couple of the seat belts so I could glue the paper to the seat for a better 3-D effect, I decided it was more trouble than it was worth and I applied the decals as-is. The black belts on a black seat are barely visible, so this suits my purposes. I also see some flash I forgot to remove on the front control arms! Ben
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 28, 2021 7:41:28 GMT -8
Ben, the White body looks perfect and darn bright. Can't wait to see it wearing it's decal scheme. I've been leaning towards your method and reasoning for decal seat harness when it comes to Tin Tops (of which you're the master builder here for sure), for those builds where once the body goes over the interior, you'll never see much of it. let alone the harness on the seat. I rather spend my time and efforts on areas that will be seen.
joel
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Post by Ben_B on Aug 28, 2021 9:06:00 GMT -8
Thanks, Joel! I’m nowhere close to being a master, but thanks. Another happy benefit of using the seat belt decals is that I don’t get bogged down finishing the cockpit. With the built-up hardware, I tend to let things sit for days, while thinking, “Aw man, I don’t want to hassle with those things today!” Ben
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Post by Joel_W on Aug 30, 2021 8:15:32 GMT -8
Ben, I've been slowly gravitating to your camp on seatbelts for Tin Tops that I will never be able to see once the body has been put on. I'm also starting to take a better look at how I build and detail a kit, especially F1 cars. I need to visualize the end product and if I don't want every body panel removal, which i don't with the Lotus, I spent weeks detailing for nothing past posting an update. I would be better off spending my time concentrating on what will be seen, and the finish which I have a long ways to go to the next level.
joel
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Post by Ben_B on Sept 11, 2021 10:51:28 GMT -8
I finally had some time to start applying decals. I had planned to do the #25 Daytona winner, but I accidentally started applying the hood stripes for the #24 car. I just decided to go with it, in honor of Alex Zanardi. The kit decals have been outstanding. They come off the paper ~30 seconds after dipping them and fit well over compound curves. This kit has been every bit as fun as their M6 and Audi R8 kits. One potential "gotcha" for anyone who wants to use the kit livery: the instructions don't mention anywhere that the lower rear part of the body needs to be painted black. You can't see it in the photo, but it runs from the rear of the wheel well under the Michelin Man and goes across the rear of the body. Fortunately, I discovered it before I put any decals back there, so it was just a matter of masking and painting. Also, painting the two NACA ducts on the hood and the air scoop on the roof gloss black before applying the decals helps avoid doing touchups there later. The decals cover those areas, but you'd still get a little white showing here and there if you don't paint these areas first. Ben
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Post by Joel_W on Sept 11, 2021 13:44:34 GMT -8
Ben, Just another outstanding and perfect decaling job.
Like you, I really like the Nunu and Platz kits. They're kind of like curbside builds on steroids.
joel
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Post by Ben_B on Sept 13, 2021 6:48:34 GMT -8
Thanks, Joel! It’s been a fun, relaxing, drama-free project. (I may have just jinxed myself!)
Ben
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Post by Ben_B on Sept 14, 2021 9:25:17 GMT -8
Decals are finished on the body. I just have to touch up a couple of spots and wipe the decal goo off, then it will be ready for the clear coat. I still have to add the decals to the clear parts, wheels, and side mirrors. Ben
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Post by arcticwolf on Sept 14, 2021 9:42:43 GMT -8
It looks perfect Ben. Very cool!
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Post by Joel_W on Sept 14, 2021 17:22:34 GMT -8
Ben, That's one tough looking decal job, and you really nailed it.
joel
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Post by Ben_B on Sept 15, 2021 2:08:04 GMT -8
Thanks, guys!
Ben
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