Cars: Other Racing
For automotive racing topics not already covered.
Pretty in Pink - Porsche 917/20 (MFH)
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Monday, September 21, 2020 - 04:25 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Michael,

Fortunately for me, no the doors aren’t operable! Yay! - But, there are 47 steps in the build....and, rear opens - or, it’s supposed to! Haha. I will eventually give it a go, in the mean time, I’ll enjoy watching your progress!

Cheers
Nick



That's a bonus with the doors. I still haven't figured how to get the top hinge and door connected yet. But 47 steps, that's way more than my 28. I guess they break it down a bit more.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Monday, September 21, 2020 - 04:31 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Michael,
In my wildest dreams as a modeler, there's just no way that I could have even thought that a plain Jane headlight could comprise of 52 pcs. Not only that, but the skills needed for such a highly detailed assembly is something I just can't get my head around. Yet, you built 4 of them, and they all look perfect. Needless to say once again I'm truly impressed.

As for those wheels and tires, boy do they look real. The Firestone logos certainly looks stenciled on, yet they were decals. What is different about these decals from what most of us are use to?

Interesting colors used on the wheels. I wonder why they bothered as you said in just a few laps track dirt, grime, and mostly brake dust would have covered them completely. And as you said, I've also never saw any Porsche wheels restored like those wheels. Must have been done for a reason, as Porsche never wasted time nor funds for just a different look.

Joel



Thanks Joel. Yes the lights were on the extreme side but it goes with this kit.
The challenge with the decals was interesting. I did what I had learned from you, gloss coat, then put on decals. The Firestone decals are like most tyre ones but individual letters. The challenge was the moment that they touched the tyre, that was it, they stuck. Didn't matter whether I used a solution or water, that was it. So the dark side of the tyres, the bits you don't get to, not so straight. Luckily I could practice on the inside. The gold pinstripes, were the same but because they were half circles, you could peel them off, once or twice and re-lay them but they were not going to slide into place. There are no instructions with them and none on the website, so a bit of trial and error.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Monday, September 21, 2020 - 04:40 PM UTC
Moving into the paint stage
I used Tamiya fine primer for a first coat just because there it so much territory to cover, inside and out. It's leaves a fairly smooth coat.

Filled the all the bits that a primer shows up and sanded before a coat of Mr Surfacer White, 50:50 with MLT.

This also has been sanded back using 4000, 6000 and 8000 paper for the smoothest finish I could get. The pink will go better over white than grey.
Not picture but doors and front also done.
I have left the inside of the rear shell primer grey since it was some form of grey. I will paint the inside the front shell the same grey as already used in the cabin.

Nine days to go, it's going to be close.

cheers
Michael
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 10:42 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Nine days to go, it's going to be close.



You can do it, Michael!
Stickframe
#362
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California, United States
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Posted: Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 10:17 AM UTC
You're getting close!

Funny you'd say that about the decals - I had the exact same problem with those on a 1/24 908 - VERY frustrating! Speaking of frustration, and sorry if I missed this, did you get the body parts to work? I remember you were having troubles with the rear - again, had the same on the 908! Almost, but not quite right....

I'm looking forward to your update!

Cheers
Nick
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 09, 2009
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Posted: Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 12:10 PM UTC
The body is looking great in primer Michael, very smoooooooth!

As I said earlier, don't rush the paint job to meet the end-of-month deadline. This build is too epic to take short-cuts for an arbitrary finishing line, and you have been working consistently at it since the start of proceedings. Get it spot-on!

Cheers, D
Joel_W
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
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Posted: Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 07:47 AM UTC
Michael,
The Tamiya primer coat looks absolutely tremendous.

I use both the Gunze primers and the Tamiya primers these days. The Gunze 1500 I thin 1:1 and it lays down super smooth. But the Tamiya primers I thin 2:3 with #400 Mr. Leveler Thinner to get almost the same results. The reason for both is half the time I can't get the Gunze primers when I'm starting to run out, so I fall back to the Tamiya primers.

I also prefer the lighter Gray color of the Gunze primer. I'm thinking of mixing Tamiya white and Gray 50/50 for a softer, lighter neutral gray.

Joel
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 12:11 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The body is looking great in primer Michael, very smoooooooth!

As I said earlier, don't rush the paint job to meet the end-of-month deadline. This build is too epic to take short-cuts for an arbitrary finishing line, and you have been working consistently at it since the start of proceedings. Get it spot-on!

Cheers, D



Thanks Damian,
I am going to over run unless I stop all other activity. We are close but some final issues with the doors (see below) stops me from the pink coat.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 12:13 PM UTC

Quoted Text

You're getting close!

Funny you'd say that about the decals - I had the exact same problem with those on a 1/24 908 - VERY frustrating! Speaking of frustration, and sorry if I missed this, did you get the body parts to work? I remember you were having troubles with the rear - again, had the same on the 908! Almost, but not quite right....

I'm looking forward to your update!

Cheers
Nick



To be honest I have not yet tried the rear hinge mechanism. Given my issues with the doors it will be the final hurdle. everything else is done, bar some pink paint and decals. Fingers crossed that something works out of the box.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 12:18 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Michael,
The Tamiya primer coat looks absolutely tremendous.

I use both the Gunze primers and the Tamiya primers these days. The Gunze 1500 I thin 1:1 and it lays down super smooth. But the Tamiya primers I thin 2:3 with #400 Mr. Leveler Thinner to get almost the same results. The reason for both is half the time I can't get the Gunze primers when I'm starting to run out, so I fall back to the Tamiya primers.

I also prefer the lighter Gray color of the Gunze primer. I'm thinking of mixing Tamiya white and Gray 50/50 for a softer, lighter neutral gray.

Joel



That's very useful Joel. I just used the Tamiya straight out of the can. I did what the others suggested by heating the can in hot water before spraying. It covers the territory quickly and leaves a smooth finish. Critically, it binds better to the resin than the Mr Surfacer which you can use afterwards.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 12:23 PM UTC
The doors have caused me a lot of grief. I finally got a fit so they looked good just resting in the frame. Then I attached the hinges and we are back to reshaping the hinges to see if I can get a flat fit otherwise the gaps are too obvious.


but at least the hinges work


cheers
Michael
Dixon66
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New Hampshire, United States
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Posted: Saturday, September 26, 2020 - 11:51 PM UTC
With the amount of interior detail and the look of that Pink Pig from the front with the doors up, keep them that way. Looks awesome.
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Monday, September 28, 2020 - 08:55 PM UTC

Quoted Text

With the amount of interior detail and the look of that Pink Pig from the front with the doors up, keep them that way. Looks awesome.



That's a distinct possibility. May hide the fact they don't close perfectly In fact I could leave all the body parts off which solve some other issues as well. Some ideas for a future dio I think in a garage.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Monday, September 28, 2020 - 08:57 PM UTC
Well we finally reached that stage - it's pink. all pink!


cheers
Michael
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Monday, September 28, 2020 - 10:42 PM UTC
Pink!!!

I love it!
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Saturday, October 10, 2020 - 01:19 PM UTC
Well I haven't been slacking off on this build, just being challenge in new ways. There is also the problem of being able to post pictures but we have got here today.

So time to start some of the details now the pink is set.
First up, part of the electrics. They run along the rear bulkhead. I have added some wiring and pipes for interest. I had to take off the doors to work in this space so that is something for me to think about next time. Attached the seatbelts as well since I think that will be easier than when the body is is in place.


On the rear added the sliding window. This is a matter of cutting the window out, then the insert and the cutting a slightly larger piece for the sliding element. Up close it is a bit rough but you only get one shot at this so I am happy.


Also in the rear element I painted the air intakes. Couldn't find any photos of this but this was an MFH callout for black.


The vac attack continued with the front headlights. The space painted black, I cut the cover out of a vac formed shape. This is very nerve racking stuff, since again a one shot chance. There are eleven rivers required so holes are first drilled in the body shell then the vac formed piece taped in place and the holes drilled in the plastic to line up with body holes. Personally I think the rivets are oversized so may yet replace them.


Unfortunately it doesn't always go to plan. On the right side I think the vac form moved fractionally so the last five holes didn't quite line up. Since I can't re-drill the cover I needed to fill and re-drill in the body work.


More pressure this time with the door windows. This is what the vac formed windows look like.

You can see vague impressions for the cut lines. You have to hold the plastic just so to let the light reflect on the impressions and cut.

Again, as with the re4ar sliding window, Porsche had a window within the window. So cut out the insert


and add an opening piece on top. The opening part has two hinges and a latch to be added. More chances for disaster but worked this time.


And as my teenage son would say, OMG! I still have the windscreen to do which I am not sure how I will attach or create the rubber seal that goes around it.

The "glass" is the final piece of the assembly puzzle. The body halves can be joined and attached to rolling chassis. Then the famous decal scheme.

cheers
Michael
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Saturday, October 10, 2020 - 04:09 PM UTC
Loving the detail work Michael, but working on those clear vac parts would almost be too much for my nerves to handle! You seem to have it under control so far.

Keep the updates coming, it's looking awesome!

Cheers, D
Stickframe
#362
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California, United States
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Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 10:26 AM UTC
Hi Michael -

I admire your bravery with those vacuform parts - despite the slight misalignment, you seem to be in pretty good shape. I have a hard time keeping track of the fine guidelines that I think are supposed to be used to guide cutting - if you settle on an approach for doing these cuts, please post it! The car is coming together really nicely.

Nick
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 10:38 AM UTC
OMG! Indeed Michael!

Your knife skills with the vac forms are exemplary!

Without wanting to put a fly in your ointment though, have you thought forward to the decals? The reason being is that the pink appears to be a mat finish: a gloss coat will be required (as you'll no doubt know already) to put the decals down nice, then a clear coat over the top... So, wouldn't it be easier to do this now before the body is assembled to all the componentry, forcing you to mask them all off for clear coats???
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
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Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 11:08 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Loving the detail work Michael, but working on those clear vac parts would almost be too much for my nerves to handle! You seem to have it under control so far.

Keep the updates coming, it's looking awesome!

Cheers, D



Thanks Damian. The emotions between don't stuff this up and phew! I got there without stuffing up is quite something

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
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Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 11:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Michael -

I admire your bravery with those vacuform parts - despite the slight misalignment, you seem to be in pretty good shape. I have a hard time keeping track of the fine guidelines that I think are supposed to be used to guide cutting - if you settle on an approach for doing these cuts, please post it! The car is coming together really nicely.

Nick



Hi Nick,
I cut the shapes using a pair of Tamiya etch scissors then using a new blade I just slowly shave the edges. The clear plastic is very amenable to that, even on the curves, with constant test fitting. I ended up with dozens of little plastic curls.

The car is together now and I will post a photo when the gallery is amenable. Body hinge works but....

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 11:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

OMG! Indeed Michael!

Your knife skills with the vac forms are exemplary!

Without wanting to put a fly in your ointment though, have you thought forward to the decals? The reason being is that the pink appears to be a mat finish: a gloss coat will be required (as you'll no doubt know already) to put the decals down nice, then a clear coat over the top... So, wouldn't it be easier to do this now before the body is assembled to all the componentry, forcing you to mask them all off for clear coats???



Hi Russ,
Thanks for commenting. In the normal course I would 100% agree with you. A couple of things to note. The paint, though matt, is extraordinarily smooth. These are formulated for car models so no need to clear coat to provide a base for the decals.
Second, the reason I am doing all this finishing before decaling is that the body requires extensive handling, in the constant test fitting of the vac formed parts, bringing the back and front together, adding that assembly to the rolling chassis etc. I felt that the decals would likely get damaged with so much touching. Plus, this model now weighs a ton - 3.5 kilos approx.
So I thought finish everything up, mask up, one last spray touch for those areas that need it, decal and then clear coat. That's the theory anyway. You get to see how that worked out shortly.

cheers
Michael
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 11:57 AM UTC
Sounds like a good plan to me Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 08:36 PM UTC
Cheers Russ!

Well body on and still some work to do to ensure those gaps go away.
I added a 1/24 Ferrari to show you the size of the kit and give some idea of why handling it is a challenge.


cheers
Michael
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2020 - 09:44 PM UTC