New builder

[Conal McCartan]

Im looking at starting to build my own models to build up my own personal collection and was wondering if all you experience builders out there would shine some light on the subject as in where to get the best quality kits, building techniques and making decals.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Rory O Connor]

It depends on what scale you want. Tamiya and Hasegawa are the main makers and have got most of the WRC cars covered. I prefer Tamiya myself but 2nd choice is Hasegawa. I make my own decals as I specialise in Irish cars only. Paint with spray-Halfords-use white or grey primer and Halfords appliance gloss white, as most cars seem to be white. Use masking tape to do the window rubbers. Take your time and don't spray thick coats of paint. Anything else-ask-lots of advice on this forum.

[Pierce Doheny Jnr.]

I have also decided to try out a bit of Model building.
I bought a kit a few months back when I was over in Brussels, Mikkola's old Eaton Yale Mk2 Escort. It's prob a bit advanced for someone like meself with no experience but I might aswell give it a lash!!!
The only problem I'm having is finding the correct paints for the damn thing!!
It's a Revell Kit and there's a list with it telling you what paints you need for it but I cant seem to locate the Revell Paints anywhere.......
Any advice anyone????

[Rory O Connor]

Use Tamiya spray paint for the body-they are good and the blue you want is a bit vague-you will know it when you see it. Humbrol enamels for hand painting the details like the window rubbers, clear red and orange for the tail lights, silver for the head lights. Light blue for the wheels, metallic grey for the suspension and transmission, engine etc

[DavidN]

I prefer Tamiyas pot paints as they are water based and therefore no thinners needed to wash brush etc. Also have found that Tamiyas masking tape is worth buying, sticks well and lets no paint past but lifts easily, some others I have tried let paint through or else lift the paint below, good luck building and have patience spraying, its not rocket science, honest:D

[Conal McCartan]

Cheers. Can you buy the kits straight from tamiya or is there any good shops about? Also with the decals for the irish cars, can they be bought over the internet or does everyone just make their own?

[Rory O Connor]

I make my own decals -getting better all the time, keep an eye on Zav on eBay-sometimes he does Irish stuff, Link here :http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZhij980

Was there a particular Irish car you were planning as I may be planning it too and could help on the decals front:)

[Edited on 26-1-2006 by rubywax]

[Conal McCartan]

Eh well i was looking at trying to do some of the top international drivers aswell as a few from the national championship. Would prob start with the Subarus as the kits would be readily available, like McGarrity and McNulty and then to the Focus' of the MacHales and Boland and of course the Genie would be there too!! But its all plans at the minute, first ive to get the kits then progress from there! But yea, any help would be very much appreciated, cheers.

[RS]

Tyreman,
welcome to the modeling world. Have a look at the Lancia 037 on this webpage, a competion winner, naturally. This is what you can aspire to. Time and patience. This started as a basic hasegawa kit.
I must have spent about 80 to 100 hours building mine, it must have taken him years!
http://www.modelersite.com/Ene2006/English/HKCompetition_Eng.htm


Cheers RS

[Conal McCartan]

thanks for greeting RS. yea i think i will stick to something a little less complicated for now but it sure does look well.

[Rory O Connor]

Jeepers-I think I will just stop now-that took years to do