S13 Silvia and Pignose 240SX

[rsxse240]

So the body work is DONE!  It is in full primer final coat!  This is a huge step for me. I am currently debating colors.  I don't know if red, copper, purple, blue, silver, dark silver or black. 

[rsxse240]

So I laid a very sparkly base silver flake over the gray primer, followed by Sinful Colors' "Rich In Heart" dark cherry red pearl.  I hope the flake in the base shows through when I clear coat it.  I gotta let it cure a few days before the clear goes on.  I HAVE to figure out how to spray this stuff and not get that horrible orange peel.

[rsxse240]

So it looks like I'm using too hot a thinner.  I saw a video posted on YouTube by Tonioseven where he is using the very same paint (brand) and is thinning it with just enamel thinner as opposed to lacquer thinner that I have been using which helps the paint flow out and not dry before it hits the model.

 

So as a matter of respect, I have to thank Tonioseven for the help he didn't realize he gave.  Lol

[rsxse240]

I cut out the door panels to detail them a bit.  Built up the "arm rest" and made the door pull cup (it's really difficult to see) and made the door handles from a piece of strip styrene carved into, what I think is, a convincing detail, if not absolutely correct.

Now, I hope I can get some more work done so I can have it done for Saturday's show in Texas!

[Funkychiken]

Good luck avoiding the orange peel, remember to try it on a test spoon first...

[rsxse240]

Almost done!  I finally have a paint job that I am happy with...Or I'm just super high from the Testors #2017 Lacquer Clear Coat.  Which, by the way, is AWESOME!  It is the first clear coat I've used on the Sinful Color nail polish that didn't craze, haze, fisheye, orange peel or any other adverse reactions (aside from some dust specs).

 

I, unfortunately won't be done for the 2017 Shoot Out in Farmers Branch, TX in the morning, but I'll bring it for the project class.

 

Here's a low light midnight pic for you.

Here's one of the interior bucket.  Still needs some dull coat and some CF decals for the seats and some details here and there.

I also have the glass trimmed in black.

I guess I can stop stressing about finishing one kit and just enjoy building for a while since it won't meet the deadline.

 

Stay tuned, I'll be finishing this one up soon!

[Custom Mike]

It is the first clear coat I've used on the Sinful Color nail polish that didn't craze, haze, fisheye, orange peel or any other adverse reactions (aside from some dust specs).

Ken, I've always used either Dupli-Color Clear or U-Pol Clear over Sinful Colors nail polishes with no problems, have you tired either of those yet?

[Draggon]

Beautiful paint work, the color looks a lot like Nissan Midnight Purple Pearl. 

[Olskoolrodder]

Nice!

[shoopdog]

Any more progress and pics?

[rsxse240]

Sorry I have not made any progress since March 4th.  I've been catching up on the house work since I had neglected it for the last month building models and working on real cars.  I did get my desk cleared away to make room for more progress.  

 

Stay tuned for more real soon.

[rsxse240]

So I put this one back on the table.  I found some brakes and finished the wheels.  Here's the final dry fit before I make the final assembly.

[GerN]

In my experience, Alumilite smells horrible and the resulting castings are brittle compared to Smooth-On and MicroMark CR300,  my own preference.  That engine does look really good - you should cast copies.

[rsxse240]

I agree with you on the alumilite.  The stuff is awful.

 

As for casting the engine, I had intended to do exactly that.  I'd love to offer a decent replica SR20DET.

[rsxse240]

Bad news.  I tried to fix a spot on the hood so I masked off the rest of the car and fixed the spot and the hood looked perfect!  Then this:

 

So to the purple pond it went.  The body work held up all except for some very small touch up spots.  Devistating crisis averted.

 

New paint job to happen in the near future...with something more durable than acrylic paint.

[shoopdog]

How unfortunate with the paint. I had been waiting for work to resume on your build for quite some time, can't wait to see the finished model.

[rsxse240]

I think it will be for a good reason that I had to strip it.  I think I will build a better hood, some aero mirrors, and a better wing.  Plus the paint just wasn't very shiny.

[Funkychiken]

Shame about the paint, I get the same issues, normally nothing with masking tape, then one day, boom, it's buggered.

[Top.Secret]

I can relate as this has happened to me once before and I didn't take it as well as you have.  Nice job on scratch building the engine and  interior door handles.  Lookin forward to your next post.

[shoopdog]

Anymore progress?

[rsxse240]

The body went into the purple pond and now with the temporary loss of use of my right arm from shoulder surgery, it's going to be a hot minute before any more progress happens with anything.  But there will be a surprise, hopefully before the first weekend of March.

[shoopdog]

8 hours ago, rsxse240 said:

The body went into the purple pond and now with the temporary loss of use of my right arm from shoulder surgery, it's going to be a hot minute before any more progress happens with anything.  But there will be a surprise, hopefully before the first weekend of March.

Oh man, I love surprises! 

Hope your healing goes well.

[rsxse240]

Thank you, sir.  

[rsxse240]

Well it's been a while but I do have a sort of update.  It has a, not so fresh, base coat.  It's been sitting in paint jail for a long time.  Hopefully soon we can see some color.

[Ahajmano]

Yay! exciting to have it back! Ever consider Zero or Gravity paints? I also absolutely advise against lacquer thinner for thinning paint! The Testors thinner will not harm the Styrene when sprayed.