Tamiya Aston Martin DBS - Complete

Modeling Subjects Autos
1

Hi

My next build:

Thanks

2

DJ Nice kit - I have one on the stash. Have you seen the photoetch set you can get? Replaces a load of parts but does look a bit daunting. Phil

3

I didn’t know about the detail up set until you just mentioned it. Had a quick look on Hiroboy and yes, does look a bit daunting but excellent detail.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the skills or tools yet to tackle anything much other than OOB builds but this will change.

4

Great kit. It’s full of detail but not too difficult to build. British racing green is a nice choice for an exterior color.

5

Thanks for the feedback. Still debating on colour, was toying with a silver finish but will give it some more thought.

6

Maybe add an ejection seat hatch in the roof and paint it gold?

[:)]

7

Now theres an idea :slight_smile:

8

I’ve decided to try and take my time with this build as it is such a nice kit and car that I would like to do it some justice.

So while it may not look like much, the following is the result of 3 days effort.

Finished the front uprights:

and dry fitted the front suspension, no glue yet:

Then started on the engine:

This kit comes with Metal stickers, a first for me. I have to say, the effect is great. However, I did manage to stick the V12 sticker in the wrong place and spent half an hour getting it off and into the right place. Not much fun and it is a little off centre now but the best I could do.

Another dry fit to see how it looks:

And finally, started on the chassi undersurface. Still a lot more detail to go here but quite happy with how it is looking so far:

Might need to put another coat of black down.

Comments and critiscms welcome.

Dave

9

Not much done in the last few days, but I did more work chassis:

Fitted the engine and tried a little test fit to see how it looked:

I also asked the missus for some ideas on colour and the first colour she mentioned was green. So showed her British Racing Green and she concurred. So paint ordered and that is the colour it will be. Now all I have to do is try to achieve a good gloss shine.

10

Got the body primed and sanded ready for the first light coat of BRG:

Decided that a Tan interior would look pretty good with the BRG:

Finally, the wheels:

11

Finished the under carriage:

And got the base coat down for the body:

Next is polishing the body. I’m gonna try and get a high gloss shine on this one.

Finally, a little test fit to see how it’s looking:

12

Looking good, I really like the British green! All of the cars and trucks I have ever built were revell/monogram. I am going to try a higher quality kit like a tamiya, they look SOOOOO MUCH BETTER.

Rudy

13

If your looking for a high shine once you have finished the polishing have a look at Alclad Aqua Gloss its a really high shine. Don’t be scared of it but do practice it one something you dont mine making a mess with.

Phil

14

Thanks Rudy. The Tamiya kits are very nice and are great for beginners like myself.

Thanks for the advice Phil. I did purchase the Micro Mesh kit (https://www.hiroboy.com/Micromesh_Polishing_Craft_Kit__MSCraftKit--product--441.html) and some model wax polish (https://www.hiroboy.com/Model_Wax_Polish__60g__ZP6004--product--3538.html). However, I am a little confused as to their application. Once I primed the body I did sand it down using 3600 and 4000 before then applying the base coat. However, are you supposed to further sand the body using the less coarser grits prior to a gloss coat or after?

I am assuming the wax will be applied after the gloss coat? Also, would decals go on prior to a wax and then add some clear to seal it in?

Any answers to the above would be much appreciated.

Oh yeah, had my first major mishap yesterday. Was applying a gloss coat to the body (using Mr Hobby Gloss in a can) and it was starting to look pretty good. Figured I would do one more coat before popping out and picked up the wrong can, ended up spraying primer over it. Had to sand it down and in the process of applying more of the base coat.

Dave

15

Dave

I’ve only built one car so I’m no expert on this but personally I sanded before and after the gloss coat using all the grades I had at the time. I think I had up to 20000 grit. You have to be gentle with sanding at any grade as you just want smooth not to really take a lot of paint off. The main thing is to loose the orange peel you get with painting. A good light can help a lot and constant checking with the reflections.

With the alclad use light coats and keep the model moving. Think if it this way you can always add more you cant add less. You will also need to add enough so you can smooth it out with sanding.

The car I built was a copy of my sisters Mini, the paint work took a day to get down and about 4 to polish to give you an idea of how long it can take.

Phil

16

Thanks Phil, that’s very helpful. I was expecting the sanding and polishing stage to take some time but didn’t appreciate the ratio.

17

Small update. Done some work on the interior:

And been at the body with a few coats of gloss and polish. Still more to do. I’m struggling at the moment to get the shine that I was hoping for, although the bonnet is much better than the body yet I used the same technique.

Thanks

Dave

18

Dave

You just need to keep polishing. Dont forget that flat surfaces will always polish easier than curved ones and you have to take more time on a curved one or you can burn through the paint. It was suggested to me to work my was through the compounds and the grits one at a time, even down to using tooth paste at the end. Also remember you may need to use gloves to stop finger marks as even a little grease can affect the finish.

Car models can take a long while to get right but your on the right track its just a time thing.

Phil

19

Cheers Phil, will keep at it [:)]

20

Small update.

My finest masking yet on clear windows:

Loving the metal transfer stickers:

Got some more body work done:

Thanks

Dave