how do i make body kits for my modles?

hey im new here, but im kinda a modeling noob, even though i've done many models before, i never have really put much effort into them. im going to get a tamiya 180sx soon and i was wondering how i could make a bodykit for it. thanks for the help.

Umm, have you read the FAQ yet?
If you haven't, read that, then ask ?'s.

Um, first you read the FAQ, then you use the search. And don't say you read the FAQ because if you did we wouldn't be having this conversation. This question was addresses like 4 days ago.

i've read it, but i couldnt find it on there

Have you done a search for it then?

To be honest guys, i've never seen a thread about this topic and it's not in the FAQ. (not that I have ever found)
So I think it about time someone made a thread about this. I'll try to do one by the end of the year if no one else does.

I think Rtuned did a section in the How-to about it. Though it's very basic guidelines about putty, shaping, sanding, etc. Which is pretty much it, I guess.

Shift_drift, look in the How-to for that. It might give you some info.

Steve, It'd be great to see one from you. You've done great stuff with body kits.

I think Rtuned did a section in the How-to about it. Though it's very basic guidelines about putty, shaping, sanding, etc. Which is pretty much it, I guess.

Shift_drift, look in the How-to for that. It might give you some info.

Steve, It'd be great to see one from you. You've done great stuff with body kits.




he did i was looking at it last night

yea well then thats all ive seen in this forum...just the one in the how to:

To be honest guys, i've never seen a thread about this topic and it's not in the FAQ. (not that I have ever found)
So I think it about time someone made a thread about this. I'll try to do one by the end of the year if no one else does.


Actually there are a few. Later when I have some time, I'll do a search and post all the threads that I find.

that would be a big help cuz i couldnt seem to find it.. i did a search, looked in the faq... i probably overlooked it but i would really apreciate the help.

if you don't know anything about something, its hard to search using words relative to the subject... if you don't know the words exist.

(styrene, scratch-building, resin.. all words I learned AFTER being a member here for a while)

try this thread for starters:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=87891&highlight=scratch+building

Hi, Shift Drift, Morpha here,
I read your question you can pick up a body kit for your 180sx from maisto excess tuner, they come w/ a plastic bumpers you can modify to fit on your 180sx and from Radio Shack you can buy xmods body kits from Super Street I choose the the Nissan Skyline side skirts on my 180sx and it is looking good, now my question were can I get a Tamiya 180sx I've been looking everywhere it is discontinued, I have the Fujimi, Good luck

Um...I really think you should go back to stock first, give my time on it... make it every model has a 100% effort on it before starting to do body kit on it. Body kits need some homework done before starting. It's not for noobs. A good bodykit need lots of patient and time and money too. If you still not there, don't force yourself to do so. It will get worst and you may start drifting away form these hobby.
I always believe these and been telling all newbies these:"Learn to crawl, walk, run then fly. No one could fly without starting to walk." Hope that help you to build your knowledge before trashing models.
just my 2cents,
Rtuned :rolleyes: :icon16:

thanks a lot for the help everyone... i got $100 in gift certificates to the local hobby shop and i think im gonna pick up the tamiya 180sx (Morpha- yeh im pretty sure that the 180 kit by tamiya is discontinued, but my local shop still has it, it's probably been sitting around for a while) and i think i wanna get the garage and tool kit by fujimi, and i may want to get the tamiya 2000 gtr skyline kit (the old skool 1) or a fujimi evo, and i think im gonna pick up sum styrene and sume putty and try to make a body kit.. i think i'll have the patience for it and im willing to take the risk... i've been doing model cars forever, but i never put a lot of effort into them... i'll keep you posted on what happens...

merry christmas everyone!

Hey dude, welcome to AF. There are tons of good people here, don't let the sticklers bug you off. I'd say the best way to learn is to just look around, don't be afraid to look at some way old stuff. Ratdat's awesome widebody 300ZX build up (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=166816) is a great thread chronicling his body kit work. He makes some insane kits, so I wouldn't try to do as well as him right off the bat (no offense, just look at some of his other models, you'll crap yourself!) but it will give you a good idea of what you're in for... I mean, a good idea of how building a body kit goes. You might also look for some of ChrisMcgee's threads, he makes a lot of body kits and body mods that you should take a look at. There are others, too, plenty of others, but these come to mind right away. Hope this helps.

Hope to see some of the progress work soon. But still, patient and more patient on body kit are needed. Do a good one and put more effort that you never did before. Good luck.
Rtuned