Candy time was happy time this time!
Looking great, D.! just be aware that these clears are super-sensitive to about everything (not specifically SMS, just as general observation).

Gabriel

You read my mind! I was actually thinking about using Alclad Aqua Gloss on this so that there is NO chance of interaction between the clear and the red underneath!

Cheers, D

D,
Now that's some spectacular Red Candy paint job.

I only use a lacquer Gloss Clear Coat, and just never had any issues. The trick is one or two light tack coats to seal both the paint and any decals. Then one heavier coat, then two wet coats. The final wet coat gets thinned a good 25% more. What it does is super smooths out any Orange peel. If you've given each previous coat a good 10 mins to cure (assuming that their lacquer based), then you're home free.

Joel

Great job Damian! The red looks like a toffee apple finish.

cheers
Michael

"The candyman can"

A shame you had to strip the paint, but this one, looks better than the "old" one.

Thanks for the support guys, much appreciated!

The airbrush was out last night for a metallics session!




I will buff this with a soft cloth then mask the areas to remain chrome, then more Candy Time!

The big test will be removing the masking to see if the paint lift happens again. I will be detacking the tape thoroughly this time!

Cheers, D

Beautiful airbrush work, D.! Very little to polish.
Masking directly on metallics it's never a good idea. Even if the paint doesn't peel off, some grains certainly will, and it will be close to impossible to regain shine and uniformity. Based on my prior sinister experiences, I would seal the metallic right away with a clear.

I cannot wait to see the candy though! I have a whole Alclad blue range waiting its turn...

Gabriel

D,
I'd say you did one outstanding job on the Silver basecoat.

Joel

Ok, taking into consideration Gabriel's advice, plus the fact that if I got any tape bleed I would need to remask and paint again (as I always do) I decided to paint the full shell and BMF the chrome. There are a few small spots where it looks like the Silver was a bit thin and reactivated, and the black primer is showing through, but overall I'm happy with the finish I got here.






Cheers, D

Paint job looks pretty damn good D.

Thanks David.

A better look at the dark patches under some whiter light. The top of the LH quarter panel and the roof just behind the windscreen line are the worst.



I will get on to some fine wet sanding later today so it's had 24 hours to sort itself out, and see how it comes up ready for clear gloss.

Cheers, D

Only with this update that I've seen what were you talking about with the shot paint. Yes, it happens and it's unpredictable. My resin shot finely through chrome Alclad, but not at all through gold Alclad. (?)

Looking forward for the clear coat!

Gabriel

It took over an hour tonight with an Xacto and needle file to get these tail lights to fit! Luckily minimal damage to the paintwork that can be tidied up with a drop more clear red. They are both in place now and looking ok. I will fill around and over them with some Alclad Aqua Gloss to shine them up a bit, and probably paint the back of them chrome for some bling.


The front and rear bumper chrome is surprisingly good! The two inserts are to be painted black and dry brushed chrome, and the raised indicator lights that come through the penetrations get a drop of clear orange.


And to top it off, MPC, seriously? An ejector pin right in the middle of the rear-view mirror?


That's enough chaos for one night, I'm inching my way closer to getting this one off the WIP list and OFF THE BENCH!

Cheers, D

I have cleaned up the front and rear bumpers, put a drop of Aqua Gloss in the headlight and number plate recesses, and painted Tamiya Clear Orange on the indicators.


The tail lights are bedded in and have a light coat of Aqua Gloss.


The body got a couple of good clear coats and a bit of wet sanding, I might give it another clear coat to deepen the gloss a bit more.


And in the continuing inconsistencies of this kit, and a pleasant surprise, the single clear section that provides all of the glass (front, rear and quarter windows) is nice and smooth and clear, and actually fits neatly!

Cheers, D

Almost finished and looking good D.

I would de-chrome the rear-view mirror, fill the ejector pin mark and re-chrome with foil or paint.

Neat work, D!

I know - not your fault - but I hate these chromed molded in headlamps. I gave away kits only because of that! I wonder if you can add on the lens bezel a pin wash to simulate some gasket of sorts ?

I might arrange with my business partner to 3D print some headlamp units in clear resin (maybe also tinted clear resin)

Gabriel

Ok, note to self (and I need you guys to remind me), I need to change my build procedure radically!

The first thing that I MUST do with every one of these builds is to do all of the test fitting and cutting and scraping and trimming for the front and rear bumpers BEFORE I paint the body. That way I might be able to avoid all of the cursing and swearing and chipped paint and glue fingerprints . . . .

Bummer.

Exactly Jesper!

I managed to avoid the fingerprints in visible locations, but this is where it's at.

The rear bumper fit is quite good.


The front would need some major surgery to get a decent fit all around. Front on it looks ok, but from the sides the gaps are quite large. I think I would need to remove about half of red cross member to get the bumper assembly high enough to meet the quarter panel recesses.




Anyway, it's on now and it's staying on. Hopefully.

Main clear parts next then major assembly time.

Cheers, D

That's a mistake I often do as well. I take for granted that Chromed bumpers will fit to the body - and, guess what! most of the time they don't. However, you managed to avoid disaster

Gabriel

My usual outcome for the dry fit test is that they do fit perfectly so of course when you paint the body the parts now seem to come from a different kit

cheers
Michael

5 years and 9 months later, this one is off the bench and in the display cabinet!

A frustrating kit in so many ways. Some parts fit beautifully, some not even close. Something in the plastic repels paint, even the MS1500/SMS lacquer system chips off easily. Mismatched rims (paired on LHS and RHS).

Anyway, in the end I used it as a practice and test bed but I'm quite happy with the result, from a distance, a loooooong distance

The last few items tonight - BMF on the side trims, Vallejo Metal Colour Chrome on the windscreen and quarter window frames, then wheels and clean off the dust and fingerprints.







That is my 8th completion for 2020 (6 cars and 2 aircraft), and another old Garage Queen crossed off the list.

Cheers, D

Well done Damian! An epic 5 years in the making you should be proud of the result. The colour looks great and it looks to sit with all four wheels on the floor. And if distance is the thing, then is looks even better from way over here!

cheers
Michael

Looks real nice there Damian, can't see any flaws from this far away.

B E A U T I F U L finish. Yes the kit has its flaws that show, but I cannot fault your performance.

And 6 finished builds already is a record in itself - soon enough you'll match me and Joel with a single build on the bench

Gabriel