AF Car Modeling Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ] - * Look here first! * ver2.0 - Page 3

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:04 AM

How can I chrome plate plastic parts? What paints come close?
How to Chrome plate?

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:04 AM

What kind of airbrush should I buy?
Airbrushes

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:04 AM

Do I have to buy an airbrush?
No, in fact you don't if you have access to spray paints (some countries have restrictions on spray cans). The range of colors available in spray cans is fantastic. For proof that you don't need an airbrush for this hobby, just look at primera man's models...

Just don't hand-paint car bodies with a brush, please!

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:05 AM

Why is an airbrush better than a spray can?
Well, it's not necessarily better, just different...

Spray Cans:
>Pros: Easy, easy, easy and easy.
>Cons: Can't mix your own colors, can't adjust spray pattern.

Airbrush:
>Pros: Can use any color you can find, can adjust air and paint flow,
>Cons: Must clean well after each use, dependent on a propellant*, may have to re-fill for big jobs

*Propellants: Compressor or compressed air can.
Compressors are expensive: $100+, but you don't run out. It's a one-time investment.
Propellant cans are cheap ($7-10), but only last for about 3-6 models worth of spraying.

I most often use a spray can for the car's body color, and airbrush all the other details. Since I use Tamiya paints, an advantage to this is the two won't mix. Tamiya sprays are synthetic lacquers, and I use the acrylics through the airbrush. That means that once the base lacquer coat is down, if I mess up on detail work with the acrylics, I can get them back off without hurting the lacquer. I use either the acrylic thinner or window cleaner (with ammonia).

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:05 AM

What can I use as an air supply for my airbrush?
Affordable compressor questions

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:05 AM

How can I make my models more detailed?
There are many aftermarket add-on detail parts available. If you're looking for homemade ways to super-detail, look at this page of tips: Alex Kung's Automotive Modelling Tips, Tools and Techniques.

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:05 AM

Can I add working lights to my models?
Yes, and there are many different methods. Here is a step-by-step guide using grain-of-wheat filament bulbs: Lighting Tutorial

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:05 AM

How can I take pictures of my models?
Step 1: Please Help: Photographing My Models
Step 2: Taking Better Model Pictures: Location, Location, Location...
Step 3: Taking Better Model Pictures: Fun with f-stop!

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:05 AM

Why does my head hurt?
Maybe this is why we are all so addicted to modeling...
How long will it take me to get brain damage from modeling?

But seriously, get a resprator and work safely!

Jay! · 09-09-2002, 10:40 AM

What is model putty for?
Fillers are used to hide gaps and to blend parts of your kit together. Apply it with a piece of card and make sure it is fully dry before sanding. Some fillers will only bond to bare plastic, others to only paint, so make sure you know what you are using.

If you are using putty which is Toluene based, apply some masking tape 1/16" - 1/8" on either side of the length of the gap, apply a small amount of the putty to the gap to fill it, remove the tape, then use a q-tip (or cotton ball) dipped in normal strength nail polish remover to remove excess putty just after it sets-up and starts to harden. Clean up any residue with a soft cloth. This will leave the joint perfectly smooth and you probably won't even have to sand it afterward!!

You can also use putty to build upon the plastic car body to form body kits and ground effects, etc. Epoxy putty is typically better for this use. Read more here: Tamiya Epoxy Putty help!

Jay! · 09-11-2002, 11:49 PM

This is a public message board. Threads that are addressed to only one member are out of place and are closed. It is not our policy to delete them at this time because we know then that the intended recipient will see them, and respond in some way. If these types of threads ever become a problem, then they would be deleted.

Just FYI, there are plenty of threads that started out as 'ATTN:' threads, and all I've done is change the title to something meaningful for everyone.

It is our intent to provide a forum where information regarding the hobby can be freely discussed. To that end, we try to ensure that the information be well-organized and easy to find. This is one of the reasons for the FAQ threads as well as the threads that get posted to the top of the forum as "important." This is also the reason that some threads that are off the topic of Car Modeling in particluar will get moved to other forums.

Jay! · 09-11-2002, 11:49 PM

We maintain an open thread system in the Car Modeling section so that relevant new posts can be included in older threads. There is a HUGE amount of information already on this forum, and it's very likely that the question you may have has been answered here before. (If you post a common question in a new thread, other members will nearly always ask you if you performed a search first.) Often the best place for new information on a topic is in a thread already existing about it- this helps keep topical information together and easier to find, and it keeps this place as a functional 'living library'.

However, if you are a brand new member (less than one week/15 posts), please DO NOT post in old threads. Check the date that the thread was started, and the date of the most recent post in the thread- if the most recent post was more than a month or so ago, then leave that thread lie. Even if you find a thread from a year or three back on your very favorite topic, please leave it alone for now and do not post in it. Once you've been a member here for a little while (a week or two), you will quickly learn from experience what does and doesn't belong in old threads. Meanwhile feel free to introduce yourself, and take part in the current active discussions (those threads linked on the Car Modeling front page).

Jay! · 09-11-2002, 11:55 PM

Automotive Forums .com is HUGE. See for yourself:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/index.php?s=

There are currently over 1000 forums and sub-forums. The AF Car Modeling forum is just one subcategory among many.

Please feel free to use any of the forums of AF, but also please remember that you must follow the AF Guidelines in all forums. Sorry to say it, but if you get banned from AF, even if it's for something you've done outside the model forum, you'll be banned from ALL of AF, including the model forum.

So behave!

Jay! · 11-12-2002, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ales in Help about the cars body
What paint did you use? (meaning metallic or not)

Basically, here's a concise rundown of the procedure:

Order:

1. Solid colour (non-metallic):
a) primer
b) sanding the primer if necessary
c) paint (several coats)
d) sanding (if rough orange peel)
e) cutting/rubbing/polishing - whatever you call it - compound. By the end of this step the paint should be smooth as a baby's butt!)
f) decals
g) wax

2. Metallic or mica (pearl) paint:
a) primer
b) sanding the primer if necessary
c) paint (several coats)
d) leave the paint alone!!!
e) clear coat (several layers)
f) sanding (if necessary)
g) cutting/rubbing/polishing compound
h) decals (as personaly preference, you might want to put the decals before clearcoating, I prefer not to clearcoat decals on race cars)
i) wax

Jay! · 03-10-2003, 06:05 PM

This is the one and only Classifieds thread for this forum.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t91402.html

Please read all of the guidelines before using it.

All others will be deleted.

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