1/20 Tamiya Lotus Type 79

[greg]

I'm jealous because presumably your engine snapped onto the mounts at the main chassis as intended. I screwed mine all up, and am worried about getting the engine lined up right.

Do you reckon it is supposed to be glued in place or just snapped in?

[joelw]

James,
looking real good. Your work as usual is neat, clean, and exacting, so the end result is perfection.

joel

[handiabled]

It will be a shame to cover all of the great work you did so far!

[project510]

Oct 22, 2024 8:12:07 GMT -5 greg said:

I'm jealous because presumably your engine snapped onto the mounts at the main chassis as intended. I screwed mine all up, and am worried about getting the engine lined up right.

Do you reckon it is supposed to be glued in place or just snapped in?

Are you talking about this piece Greg? It isn't mounted yet. Just looks like it from the photo. If this is fact the piece you broke, I have a spare and would be more than happy to mail it over to you. I am about to leave to the office for the day. Ill bring it with me. If you message me your address I can get it in the mail today.

[greg]

James, you are too kind!

And that is the exact piece I am talking about, yes.

Thank you so much for your kind offer, for now let me keep that in my pocket for possible future use. As you will see below, I didn't break anything. But what isn't obvious is for some reason, I decided it would be a good idea to do some filing (at the locating/securing nipple at the round part, and at the inside of the "L-shaped locating bracket below). Sounded like a good idea at the time when I was rough-fitting stuff together.

Removing and replacing that end piece is outside of my comfort zone, so I'd like to wait and see what it will take to locate the engine assy. If needed, I know who to call in the spare parts dept!

Thank you so much!!!!!

[project510]

greg Anytime!

[joelw]

james,
One thing I've noticed is that your Metallizer applications are just about perfect.

joel

[project510]

That there picture above is Greg's not mine. Easy to confuse, we are essentially building the same kit, with different livery.

[greg]

Oct 22, 2024 19:02:29 GMT -5 project510 said:

That there picture above is Greg's not mine. Easy to confuse, we are essentially building the same kit, with different livery.

Mind if I remove that pic, James? I hesitated to post it and should have listened to instinct. It is really confusing.

[project510]

Oct 23, 2024 7:28:58 GMT -5 greg said:

Oct 22, 2024 19:02:29 GMT -5 project510 said:

That there picture above is Greg's not mine. Easy to confuse, we are essentially building the same kit, with different livery.

Mind if I remove that pic, James? I hesitated to post it and should have listened to instinct. It is really confusing.

Its fine Greg, its all related. Don't worry about it!

[greg]

Ok, cool. Thanks, James.

[project510]

Slow going, but I am really enjoying this kit. Everything so far is just falling together. I decided to put another coat of black primer down. I missed a few small pieces on the body so this way its all the same. The photo below is before that. Tomorrow or Friday I think I will lay down the black gloss coat and a layer of clear to prep for decals. 

[greg]

Looking good.

Often black primer looks so good it seems a shame to paint over it. At least yours will get a nice color coat of black!

[project510]

Oct 24, 2024 6:26:35 GMT -5 greg said:

Looking good.

Often black primer looks so good it seems a shame to paint over it. At least yours will get a nice color coat of black!

My favorite part of the process is adding primer to the body. I used to think it was because I jsut liked the color, but I realized.. Its the first time you get to see ALL of the details often hid by the molded black or white these usually come in.

[greg]

Oct 24, 2024 9:02:48 GMT -5 project510 said:

Oct 24, 2024 6:26:35 GMT -5 greg said:

Looking good.

Often black primer looks so good it seems a shame to paint over it. At least yours will get a nice color coat of black!

My favorite part of the process is adding primer to the body. I used to think it was because I jsut liked the color, but I realized.. Its the first time you get to see ALL of the details often hid by the molded black or white these usually come in.

That's a good observation. I always enjoying looking at the primer coat as well, never quite knew why. Yours is as good an explanation as I've heard.

[kyledehart5]

Nice looking tub there and I can’t wait to see it with the topcoat on it!!

[project510]

The next couple nights are going to be full with a new project rolling into the 510 Garage. So, I tried my best to get paint down tonight so I could at least let the paint cure if I don't have time to build. Thankfully I was able to do that.
Some trash in the paint. My garage is just too dusty. Ill let this cure for a solid 3-5 days and hit it with some 4 and 6k wet sanding. Should clear it up. I'm happy with it. I think its better than my first try.



I think this piece will need the most work, but my photo is also bad. Its got a pretty good shine to it. And the paint has good depth. Nothing Like Joe's Ford but I am getting there!

[handiabled]

Nice paintwork! Looks like a mirror!

[kyledehart5]

My goodness. That’s lovely!!

[greg]

Wow, that is mirror-like. What paint is this, James?

[project510]

Oct 25, 2024 1:33:59 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Nice paintwork! Looks like a mirror!

Thank you, Brent. Lets hope we get that effect once clear is on!

Oct 25, 2024 3:10:51 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

My goodness. That’s lovely!!

Thank you, Kyle!

Oct 25, 2024 7:57:34 GMT -5 greg said:

Wow, that is mirror-like. What paint is this, James?

Thank you, Greg. Its Tamiya LP-1 mixed 60/40 Thinner to paint

[joelw]

James,
The paint really looks quite good in the last picture.

joel

[greg]

Joel, James, shot a test of LP-9/MrLeveling Thinner 40/60 yesterday. Very nice to work with, good results without having to flood on the wet coats.Thank you both for recommending it.

[project510]

Oct 26, 2024 8:12:54 GMT -5 greg said:

Joel, James, shot a test of LP-9/MrLeveling Thinner 40/60 yesterday. Very nice to work with, good results without having to flood on the wet coats.Thank you both for recommending it.

You're welcome! Its very forgiving paint. The trick is to use the right pressure. Which I learned when painting this kit. I think I was a little to high on the pressure. I may go in for another wet coat at lower pressure. Or I may just say this is good enough so I don't ruin anything haha.

[joelw]

Greg,

Glad that I could be of some help.

the thinner the paint mix, and the closer to the subject, the lower the working psi. It's way easier to increase psi a step or two at a time, then try to clean up a flooded area or drips & runs. And don't forget consistent passes from before to after the part being painted.

joel

[benb]

That’s looking great!

Ben

[project510]

Been away for a few weeks. So much going on, so much so that its been hard to find the time.

This is where we are at. Hopefully this week I will get some more time. 

[kyledehart5]

Man I hear you there James. Feels like I haven’t touched plastic in months. Only been a couple weeks but still. Lol. Nice work though. Looking forward to seeing the next steps.

[joelw]

I still try to get a few days per week at the bench even though between Dr and lab appointments and the holiday season just starting to kick in there never seems to be enough time in a day, and I'm retired no less. Go figure that one out.

joel

[project510]

Nov 12, 2024 5:26:47 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Man I hear you there James. Feels like I haven’t touched plastic in months. Only been a couple weeks but still. Lol. Nice work though. Looking forward to seeing the next steps.

Yea, I think its only been two weeks but it feels like much longer. Jsut shows you how much we enjoy hanging aroudn this place!

Nov 12, 2024 10:27:45 GMT -5 joelw said:

I still try to get a few days per week at the bench even though between Dr and lab appointments and the holiday season just starting to kick in there never seems to be enough time in a day, and I'm retired no less. Go figure that one out.

joel

I'm trying to get excited for retirement... We will see how that works. Im still a long ways away if it were to even happen at an age I can enjoy it. This time of the year time is hard to come by because on top of the daily routine, there are holidays and family events. Plus because thats how it always works, we had some issues with both cars I have had work out. The kid is enrolled in swim lessons, tennis lessons, after school engineering and art as well. Basically the same stuff I'm sure all of us dads on here have gone through.

I will say, I think I need to do something about the temps in the garage if I want to work year round. I think I might insulate the garage door first. Its getting to cold to paint.