Cars: Muscle Cars
60's & 70's Classics
Ferrari F50 Barchetta Build review
AussieReg
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Posted: Sunday, March 22, 2020 - 10:46 AM UTC
Beautiful work Gabriel, you have managed to create some great detailing and a really neat finish from such a difficult base kit.

Looking forward to the next progress report now it is so close to the end.

Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, March 23, 2020 - 01:54 AM UTC
Gabriel,
I'm just amazed how you took this bottom of the barrel, plain Jane kit, and turned it into a stunning display model with plenty of added details, like those ignition wires.

Looking forward to your next update, which knowing you will be the finished model.

Joel
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Posted: Monday, March 23, 2020 - 03:07 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Beautiful work Gabriel, you have managed to create some great detailing and a really neat finish from such a difficult base kit.

Looking forward to the next progress report now it is so close to the end.

Cheers, D



Thanks, D.! The finish might be close, but the pace is maddening slow, because - you know already - nothing fits properly.


Quoted Text


Gabriel,
I'm just amazed how you took this bottom of the barrel, plain Jane kit, and turned it into a stunning display model with plenty of added details, like those ignition wires.

Looking forward to your next update, which knowing you will be the finished model.

Joel


Yes, it doesn't look horrible now but I feel rather frustrated that I had to put so much time in correcting the errors or just watch the glue dry... See the update

UPDATE - difficult finish
I posted already the treatment applied to the tires in a different thread:



Assembling the wheels should have been an easy task, but it wasn't. Firstly, the instructions are wrong and there is confusion in the manual between rear discs and calipers and front ones. All good, because the parts are keyed, but the front exterior wheel is wrongly molded. The cylindrical part just shouldn't be there:


Only after I removed these, I could assemble the wheels. Please don't mind the way the chrome looks in this picture, it is a very weird effect from electronic magnification of my phone camera. What is indeed bad is the gap leaved by the rubber around the plastic. I might need to do something about it, if the vinyl doesn't seat better after couple days


Next step it was to make the F50 iconic black stripe along the body. I used BMF black chrome. The thing is just crap, as the black comes off even under a q-tip pressure. Finally I used my nails as burnishers, and only on the very edge of the tape. The right front stripe needs to be replaced, because it's wider and upsets the symmetry:


Right now I'm waiting for the glue to set in the engine bay. Fitting the firewall and the engine in the same time it was mission impossible, as they push out each other, so i need again to glue them sequentially... As I anticipated in an earlier post, I might need to break the right side muffler, because the sub-assembly seats too high. In fiddling with the engine I managed to knock loose the air plenum and the injection pump - well, that's a minor setback.

With the engine glue drying, I started installing the lights: no luck here either. The general shape it's OK, but however I try to fit the headlamp glasses, there are gaps. I did the best alignment I could, then I filled the gaps with Micro Krystal Klear, and I have to wait again for these to dry before I can go any further.

Gabriel
RussellE
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Posted: Monday, March 23, 2020 - 08:39 PM UTC
The tires look great, Gabriel, but the other photos don't seem to be coming up?
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 02:08 AM UTC
Gabriel,
Same here. Your tires really look good. Sorry to read that you're having so many issues with the finishing details. Just do your best. Personally, I find it amazing that you've stayed the course and will get it across the finish line.

As Russell said, the last 3 pictures aren't showing up.

Joel
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Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 02:51 AM UTC
Thanks for head-up with the pictures, guys!
I re-linked the pictures - I hope they show now.

Gabriel
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 04:04 AM UTC
Gabriel,
All the pictures now show up just fine.

The wheels & tires really look good except for the one tire & wheel on the front right. Sometimes just flipping the tire around solves that issue for some unknown reason.

I'm amazed that the black stripe is BMF. I just can't work with the stuff without screwing it up.

Joel
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Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 08:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Gabriel,

The wheels & tires really look good except for the one tire & wheel on the front right. Sometimes just flipping the tire around solves that issue for some unknown reason.


I'm gonna try and see if I can arrange somehow better


Quoted Text

I'm amazed that the black stripe is BMF. I just can't work with the stuff without screwing it up.


Yes, it is a rather difficult process until you get a hold on it. I had lots of problems myself. And the black chrome I used here it's really troublesome.

UPDATE - never ending problems
Ferrari F50 has a mesh ar the back of the engine, helping with the airflow and cooling. In the kit, the guys from CC Lee represented it as a clear part. Smart enough solution, if they would have provided a decal to replicate the mesh. I decided to paint it with smoke, but before I can lay any paint on it, I have to deal with the scratches:


I used my usual method for clear parts: rough sanding, then progressively bigger grit. I took the opportunity to test my new sanding clothes 6000 and up - and I'm not impressed to be honest. I ended up polishing with Novus




The scratch still visible there is on the back of the part, so doesn't bother me too much (I think).

However, the worst news come from test fitting the body to the chassis. The exhaust tips have to pass thru the rear bumper but... surprize! The left bank is almost twice as thick as the right bank and jusr doesn't fit! I don't know how I haven't seen that one until this point!


Meanwhile, I scraped from the thickness with my modelling knife, but still there is a difference there. I just got bored and I took a break.

Gabriel
AussieReg
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Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 10:08 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Meanwhile, I scraped from the thickness with my modelling knife, but still there is a difference there. I just got bored and I took a break.

Gabriel



Gabriel, that is a horrible and lazy error by the manufacturer. If it was me, I would razor saw them off and replace with some Aluminium or Styrene tube.

You are fighting a brave battle, but you have fought this enemy before and won!

Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 10:14 AM UTC
Gabriel,
The polished plate looks darn good to me. But for what it's worth, my polishing system for glass is just like for clear gloss. I start with 3,000 grit if I really did a poor bad paint job. But most times I can start with 6,000 wet or even 8,000, and finally 12,000. That takes care of the smoothness issues and will remove surface scratches. Then I use the 3 part Gravity polishing system, but I've had excellent results with the Novus system as well.

If the scratch is more then barely a surface scratch then I go to plan B: which is I very carefully fill the scratch with CA glue. Let dry for about an hour, then start the sanding so that the surface is flush. The polishing I leave for the following day after the CA glue really cured. It comes pretty close but it's not 100% perfect.

Lastly, is my plan C: I just live with it as I'm basically pretty lazy a good deal of the time.

Joel
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Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 11:03 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Gabriel,
The polished plate looks darn good to me. But for what it's worth, my polishing system for glass is just like for clear gloss. I start with 3,000 grit if I really did a poor bad paint job. But most times I can start with 6,000 wet or even 8,000, and finally 12,000. That takes care of the smoothness issues and will remove surface scratches. Then I use the 3 part Gravity polishing system, but I've had excellent results with the Novus system as well.

If the scratch is more then barely a surface scratch then I go to plan B: which is I very carefully fill the scratch with CA glue. Let dry for about an hour, then start the sanding so that the surface is flush. The polishing I leave for the following day after the CA glue really cured. It comes pretty close but it's not 100% perfect.

Lastly, is my plan C: I just live with it as I'm basically pretty lazy a good deal of the time.

Joel



I like that Joel! I'm an Plan C type of guy a lot of the time

cheers
Michael
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Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 06:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Meanwhile, I scraped from the thickness with my modelling knife, but still there is a difference there. I just got bored and I took a break.

Gabriel



Gabriel, that is a horrible and lazy error by the manufacturer. If it was me, I would razor saw them off and replace with some Aluminium or Styrene tube.



Thanks for the suggestion, D.. See the update.

Joel and Michael, from now on the Plan C applies for the whole build. I just had enough of it

UPDATE
Following Damian's advice, I sawed off the ends of the exhausts and replaced them with plastic tubes... but wasn't to last!



Then I installed the light buckets from inside. The fit was so-so, but with some extra TET and persuasion, it turned out OK:


Only after that the show begun. Try and fit the body shell to the floor pan if you can, Gabriel! The fit is horrendous all over the place, but this is the first time that I had to remove the dash to install the floor. LOL! The wheel arches were pressing against the dash and the front end just cannot fit! I removed the dash, installed the front (only) of the body (there is still alot of pressure between wheel arches and the body proper), then reinstalled the dash. Of course, it doesn't fit in its old space, but it was pushed inside with a quarter mm. I could live with it, if the gap would have been symmetrical, but no such luxury: the gap was wider to the left than to the right. I had to use my trademark "liquid gasket material" (white glue + black acrylic + water) and fill the gap all along the dash under the window frame. Fortunately, it is easily disguised as the window frame!


I had to use all the clamps and a lot of masking tape to force the body and bottom pan together, and the alignment it's far from perfect. In using force, I broke again the newly installed exhaust tips, I put fingerprints all over the place, and I caused an additional scratch on the body. Why not, if I can!


So, Plan C(ovardice) in full swing. No more opening engine bay, just add the last details and done with it! Ogh, and I scratched further the black chrome BMF; I might end up painting the stripe with acrylic

Gabriel
Joel_W
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Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 09:00 AM UTC
Gabriel,
It's an epic war for sure, but I'm confident that you'll triumph at the end.

Like I said, if it were me, the model would have long ago made the one way trip to the recycling center. This my friend is no Plan C. It's Plan A full steam ahead.

Joel
AussieReg
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Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 10:08 AM UTC
An exercise in patience and ingenuity, with a good dose of brute strength!

You will be very glad to see this one off the bench and replaced by a "Speed Machine" in a few days time!

Cheers, D
RussellE
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Posted: Friday, March 27, 2020 - 12:01 AM UTC
Gabriel, this kit is sure giving more than its fair share of problems!

Stick with it though, you're nearly there!
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Posted: Friday, March 27, 2020 - 09:53 PM UTC
Show that Ferrari who's the boss.
Szmann
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Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - 03:30 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Gabriel,
It's an epic war for sure, but I'm confident that you'll triumph at the end.

Like I said, if it were me, the model would have long ago made the one way trip to the recycling center. This my friend is no Plan C. It's Plan A full steam ahead.

Joel



Thank you for your vote of confidence, Joel!
I still fighting here, but I lost a little steam last two days. Now I'm on the rise again because I don't want to miss the start to GB and TCC.


Quoted Text

An exercise in patience and ingenuity, with a good dose of brute strength!

You will be very glad to see this one off the bench and replaced by a "Speed Machine" in a few days time!

Cheers, D



Thanks, D! Yes, I cannot wait to see it gone off my bench, but I cannot rush it just now. I still have a couple of sensitive assemblies to add on, all with problems.


Quoted Text


Gabriel, this kit is sure giving more than its fair share of problems!

Stick with it though, you're nearly there!


Russ, yes, I'm having a wobbly finishing, but I'll pass the line for sure. Just in about maximum two days!


Quoted Text

Show that Ferrari who's the boss.


Jesper, I've tried that all along, but it proved to be a very resourceful enemy, always keeping one more ace in the sleeve. But unceremoniously I will win

UPDATE - Last bits
The exhaust problem is now partially solved. I had to break the tips I just glued on, because the angle on the internal component and the external one does not fit with the opening. I'll re-glue the tips from outside the bumper this time. Meanwhile I cut and glued some fairings as link between inner and outer parts and as a structural resistance element as well. Finally the engine is anchored now from all sides and it solidly in:


While that exhaust business was drying, I installed the glass window on the engine deck. This time the fit was good:


I gave up all the hope in having an opening engine deck because all my efforts to save the engine were annihilated by the bad fit of the wheel arches in the engine compartment:


All the body parts dry-fitted. Almost good here, and having a closed engine deck now gives me actually the possibility to enforce a better fit at the rear:


I still have to install the windows rear and front, to add the mirrors and the wheels and that it was. The windows look good but the front one has few shallow scratches that I need to deal with first. I'm not sure about decals on this one - they seem to be badly off register and I'm afraid they'll do more bad than good here.

Gabriel
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - 07:10 AM UTC
Gabriel,
I really like the overall look with the rear deck closed in the down position. She's really starting to look like a proper Ferrari for sure.

Joel
RussellE
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Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2020 - 06:13 PM UTC
this kit's been difficult for sure, but you're bashing it into shape in a really good way Gabriel
rv1963
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Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2020 - 02:57 AM UTC
Gabriel you done some nice work on a dog of a kit, i think i will stay far away from this kit.
Szmann
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Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2020 - 12:44 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Gabriel,
I really like the overall look with the rear deck closed in the down position. She's really starting to look like a proper Ferrari for sure.

Joel



Joel, it's for the best, indeed, but the fit is not that good after all.


Quoted Text

this kit's been difficult for sure, but you're bashing it into shape in a really good way Gabriel


Russ, I agree, it looks like a Ferrari F50 after all, but I'm still crying for the wasted time To me, it just not worth it.


Quoted Text

Gabriel you done some nice work on a dog of a kit, i think i will stay far away from this kit.


Robert run away from it. It's my worst modeling experience so far.

UPDATE - Bitter after-taste
Even the last "easy" bits weren't easy. The window had a deep scratch that I needed to sand it off:


Earlier on I was complaining about my new sanding clothes. Well, maybe they aren't too effective on 2K, but they work a charm on clear plastic:


The mirrors had sink marks and I found it easier to cut some thin cardboard inserts which I glued over than to fill and sand. Later on I covered the paper inserts with BMF. Note my red (outside the mirrors) is basically indistinguishable from the kit's red (inside the mirrors)


The model complete, as is










My conclusions to the build: not a kit to die for! The engineering has its moments of brilliance, but the poor quality of the molds and the archaic conception ruin what could have been a beautiful kit. In short, nothing matches properly, except for 4 interior parts.
Not recommended, unless you die to have an F50 in your collection or some Kuwait sheikh pays you big cash to make a replica of his F50. If I would ever knew before what I am against, I will never accepted this kit for review.
Needless to say, CC Lee joins MPC and MiniCraft in my self imposed buy ban.
Sadly.

Gabriel
rv1963
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Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2020 - 01:15 PM UTC
Nice finish Gabriel, with all you had to fix on this kit it's amazing how good it turned out, well done.
AussieReg
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Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2020 - 01:40 PM UTC
I totally agree with Robert, considering the issues that you had to deal with, this came up very nicely indeed!

Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Friday, April 03, 2020 - 09:01 AM UTC
Gabriel,
No matter what, you brought that horrid kit up to standards and crossed the finish line. Cudo's for a build exceeding well done despite having to deal with almost every known model kit molding issue.

The finished model, does indeed look quite good.

Joel
Szmann
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Posted: Friday, April 03, 2020 - 12:49 PM UTC
Robert, Damian and Joel - thank you guys. It does look like an F-50 from afar, indeed, but I'm not all happy with the final looks, as there are just too many faults. Yes, it was a valuable lesson I learnt here but, honestly, I prefer the kind of kit that works with you not against you...

Gabriel