First ever build Tamiya 1/24 Subaru Impreza WRC '99

[neilstarkins]

So here goes.

My first ever scale model build.

Having watched Paul's excellent You Tube step by step build on the Tamiya 1/24 Subaru Impreza WRC '99 model that's where I have decided to start. That way I can watch the videos as I build my own.

Here it is along with my first lot of tools and paint etc:





Since my first order of equipment I have added some crocodile clips, bamboo sticks, blu tack, lollipop sticks etc.

I'm sure many of you have seen it before but for me it was rather exciting to open up the box:



My first rookie error after unpacking it was to repack it badly and break the front left 'A pillar'

So my first task was to simply glue it back together using the Tamiya glue.

I still need to get the Tamiya painting stand set so I can make a start on the body of the car but in the meantime I sanded down the mould lines using a selection of Ultimate sanding sticks.

My next task was to start on 2 of the brake discs and suspension components:



One thing I have noticed straight away is that painting the Tamiya acrylics straight onto the plastic doesn't always give great coverage. More than likely down to my beginners technique. I am guessing that a lot of you guys use primer through an airbrush even for these small parts but for now that's not an option for me. However it is good practice for me to use paintbrushes.

My final task of today was to lay down 2 coats of primer on the base of the car using light grey Tamiya Surface Primer. I was quite pleased with how this ended up:



Thanks for looking. Any pointers are welcome, I have got a lot to learn. The main thing is I am enjoying doing it

[Twokidsnosleep]

Wishing you very good luck
Don't be too hard on yourself and post any issues and successes!
Tamiya makes an excellent "fine primer" white or grey in a spray can

[neilstarkins]

Wishing you very good luck
Don't be too hard on yourself and post any issues and successes!
Tamiya makes an excellent "fine primer" white or grey in a spray can

The Tamiya fine primer is the stuff I sprayed the base of the car with. I guess I just need to do that on all the parts before I start painting them properly.

Cheers.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Wishing you very good luck
Don't be too hard on yourself and post any issues and successes!
Tamiya makes an excellent "fine primer" white or grey in a spray can

The Tamiya fine primer is the stuff I sprayed the base of the car with. I guess I just need to do that on all the parts before I start painting them properly.

Cheers.

Yes indeed
The primer gives the surface a better texture for your paint to adhere to.
Also lets you check for little seam lines and defects

[alextheblue]

You're going great guns. Enjoy what you're doing and it will turn out great. You'll get nothing but support here on ISM.

[neilstarkins]

You're going great guns. Enjoy what you're doing and it will turn out great. You'll get nothing but support here on ISM.

Thanks for the encouragement. It certainly seems a very friendly place on this forum.

[digger303]

You're going great guns. Enjoy what you're doing and it will turn out great. You'll get nothing but support here on ISM.

Thanks for the encouragement. It certainly seems a very friendly place on this forum.

Course we are are friendly, if you didn't think that we would be around to sort you out......

[neilstarkins]

Thanks to Twokidsnosleep's advice I have started using Tamiya fine primer on the small parts before painting them by brush.

It certainly means the paint goes on much better with a nicer finish. I am finding brush painting the small parts rather therapeutic.

Just done a few bits so far, still lots to do:





After painting the base of the car with primer I have now given it 3 coats of Tamiya Mica Blue straight out of the spray can. I must say for a first attempt I am delighted with the quality of finish. Aplogies my photography and lighting isn't the best:





One thing I have now realised is that some of the base needs painting in other colours and it's currently all blue. Should I just sand down these areas so and then paint the colours on top? I'm not sure if I should have masked off these areas before spraying it blue but it's too late for that now.

Thanks for looking.

[jmurphy18]

Very nicely done and excellent for your 1st build! Sweet work for your 1st car!

[CygnusX1]

Looking good so far - really good attention to detail on those suspension springs and struts. Great work there.
Keep it up

[neilstarkins]

Very nicely done and excellent for your 1st build! Sweet work for your 1st car!

Thanks for the kind words. It's appreciated.

[neilstarkins]

Looking good so far - really good attention to detail on those suspension springs and struts. Great work there.
Keep it up

I'm really enjoying doing the small detail work. I have redone the suspension as I hadn't used primer originally It's looking better now

Thanks for the encouragement

[Paul]

Looking good Neil. You should come join the ism Facebook page too loads of car builds over there

[neilstarkins]

Looking good Neil. You should come join the ism Facebook page too loads of car builds over there

Thanks Paul. I've been looking at some of the fantastic builds on the Facebook page.

Is it OK if I post my work in progress on that page with any questions I have along the way?

Thanks.

Of course it is mate

[newjerseydamo]

One thing I have now realised is that some of the base needs painting in other colours and it's currently all blue. Should I just sand down these areas so and then paint the colours on top? I'm not sure if I should have masked off these areas before spraying it blue but it's too late for that now.

I made the same mistake with my first car build in 25 years, so I too am going through a similar learning experience.

My Porsche is currently painted yellow, with black areas needing to go on the chassis and around the windows on the body.
I will tape off the chassis and spray black where needed, whereas for the window edges on the body I will do by hand. I'll see how I go.

Looks like we're going through very similar builds for our first times as well! Look forward to your completed build!

[neilstarkins]

One thing I have now realised is that some of the base needs painting in other colours and it's currently all blue. Should I just sand down these areas so and then paint the colours on top? I'm not sure if I should have masked off these areas before spraying it blue but it's too late for that now.

I made the same mistake with my first car build in 25 years, so I too am going through a similar learning experience.

My Porsche is currently painted yellow, with black areas needing to go on the chassis and around the windows on the body.
I will tape off the chassis and spray black where needed, whereas for the window edges on the body I will do by hand. I'll see how I go.

Looks like we're going through very similar builds for our first times as well! Look forward to your completed build!

Unfortunately my build is on hold at the moment as I'm currently on holiday and I'm having some decorating done when I get home.

I haven't decided how to tackle my mistake yet. I might attempt to sand the blue areas I need to paint other colours and see how I go.

Certainly next time I will mask off those areas separately after primer.

Good luck with your build. You have made a very nice start.

[SteveNoble]

You don't need to sand the blue off in the areas where you need to paint other colours. Just paint over the blue. Use masking tape if needed to protect the blue areas..