MFH 1/12 McLaren MP4-4 VER f 1988 Rd.14 Spanish GP

[barryf1fan]

Gonna be excellent! Front end and monocoque are looking, well, real.

[Kevthemodeller]

Those brake assemblies look amazing

[Hawkmoon]

Looking good mate, what did you paint the disc with, I have some of the zero paints carbon fibre paint which I use for carbon discs.

Hi Tay I used Alclad Steel for the brake discs in the pictures it looks very grey but they are quite shiny in real life. Thanks for looking in and your comments everyone.

[Hawkmoon]

The front nose inner nose cone now has its carbon decals added along with the front brake air scoops. The carbon decals here are a very tight weave making the parts look black in color but when they catch the light the weave shows up.

P2186150 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2186142 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

[Carpcatcher]

Looking good hawkmoon

Do you spray a clear coat over the parts that have had decals added?

[Twokidsnosleep]

Well I am solidly jealous of your chrome painting
Spraying Molotow isn't all that hot for mine ...just looks silver

[Hawkmoon]

Looking good hawkmoon

Do you spray a clear coat over the parts that have had decals added?

The main body has had a coat of matt clear and the nose and brake vents will also get the same treatment. Thanks for looking in and your comments Carpcatcher

[Hawkmoon]

Well I am solidly jealous of your chrome painting
Spraying Molotow isn't all that hot for mine ...just looks silver

How did you spray it Scott I usually give a couple of light coats to get a good base then I give a wet coat as the final coat. By wet coat and this can be tricky to get right but with practice you spray on the Molotow so its flooded on the part but the paint has not started running. If you get it right it will look like liquid mercury on the part, you must then not touch it for 4 or 5 days other wise you will ruin the finish. After 5 days minimal handling is best but it should keep its shine.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Well I am solidly jealous of your chrome painting
Spraying Molotow isn't all that hot for mine ...just looks silver

How did you spray it Scott I usually give a couple of light coats to get a good base then I give a wet coat as the final coat. By wet coat and this can be tricky to get right but with practice you spray on the Molotow so its flooded on the part but the paint has not started running. If you get it right it will look like liquid mercury on the part, you must then not touch it for 4 or 5 days other wise you will ruin the finish. After 5 days minimal handling is best but it should keep its shine.

Yes exactly that.
Perhaps I need more wet, but I did try. I could see the chrome float in the colour cup, it just wouldn't materialize on the part
Does the stuff have a shelf life???
I will try again.

[Hawkmoon]

Well I am solidly jealous of your chrome painting
Spraying Molotow isn't all that hot for mine ...just looks silver

How did you spray it Scott I usually give a couple of light coats to get a good base then I give a wet coat as the final coat. By wet coat and this can be tricky to get right but with practice you spray on the Molotow so its flooded on the part but the paint has not started running. If you get it right it will look like liquid mercury on the part, you must then not touch it for 4 or 5 days other wise you will ruin the finish. After 5 days minimal handling is best but it should keep its shine.

Yes exactly that.
Perhaps I need more wet, but I did try. I could see the chrome float in the colour cup, it just wouldn't materialize on the part
Does the stuff have a shelf life???
I will try again.

It takes a bit of practice but im sure you will get there. As far as im aware its a alcahol based paint so it can absorb water over time and this can ruin it if it has clots floating in it water has got to it, if it flows like mercury it should be fine

[Hawkmoon]

Prepped and then painted the steering wheel and instrument panel. Then added the decals to both.

Started making up the side radiator pods these have now been undercoated and will have a coat of grey tomorrow and then more carbon decals.

The last pic shows the instrument panel in place.

P2226182 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2226186 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2226189 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2226201 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

[Hawkmoon]

The brake lines have been fixed to the wishbones with clamps and then the two air ducts were fixed in position completing the front wheel hub/suspension assembly.

Next the nose cone was finished off with some etch plates and then fixed in place using two internal pins and four rivets on the top and sides.

Next the engine assemble was joined to the monocoque.

Work continued on the front two radiator housings. After they were sprayed with carbon grey the decals were added then the radiators were assembled and the stone traps added to the inner ducts.

The duct in the picture is only dry fitted at the moment as there is still pipe work to fit and fettle before the turbo ducts are added to the rear of the radiator ducts.

P2236206 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2236208 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2236209 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2236210 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2236211 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2236212 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2236216 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2236220 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

[Carpcatcher]

Coming along very nicely, Hawkmoon.

[Hawkmoon]

Thanks for looking in and your comments

[Mpfiend]

You're really moving along with this one, a stunning model so far.

Keith

[Hawkmoon]

Thanks for looking in and your comments Kieth

[paulowen7575]

I'm loving this build hawkmoon, a beautiful job so far

[Hawkmoon]

I'm loving this build hawkmoon, a beautiful job so far

Thanks for looking in and your comments Paul, its a nice kit goes together well

[Kevthemodeller]

It just keeps getting better mate some more lovely detailing work

[Hawkmoon]

It just keeps getting better mate some more lovely detailing work

Thanks for looking in Kev and your comments

[Shunter]

Stunning work and enjoying the ride...brilliant

[Hawkmoon]

The radiator pods have been fixed in place after the radiators themselves had a pin wash to bring out the detail. Then I started to add the pipework,blue silicon tubes and clips from the engine to radiator [just one side done so far].

The intercooler parts were next the resin parts are only dry fitted to the body at the moment to help align everything up. The metal parts were cleaned up and then Molatowed with Chrome.

P2266226 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2266228 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2266235 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2266229 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2266231 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2266233 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2266239 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

[barryf1fan]

This is coming along nicely!! Loving every post Hawk (well, to be honest, the ones with progress pics!! )

keep'em comin', this is going to be a beautiful kit.

[Hawkmoon]

Thanks for looking in and your comments Shunter and Barry

[Hawkmoon]

The radiator pipework has been finished off and then the intercooler ducts were painted and the C/F decals added then and the rads made up and fitted to the car.

P2296246 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2296249 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P2296251 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

[Hawkmoon]

This ones not been forgotten just life holding things back right now.

Assembled the roll bar and fuel filler then painted the roll bar added the decals and clear coated. The air intake comes next along with the white turbo balancer.

The electronics boxes were assembled next and added to the car along with various valves /equipment and electronics linkages. Then the throttle cable was joined to the throttle arm at the rear of the car after fitting and the linkages added. the upper engine supports have also been added.

The car is now ready for the wiring/plumbing to be added which may take some time.

The gearbox has been assembled and the last picture shows all the parts for the two turbos fitted to the car which come after the wiring is finished.

P3156337 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P3156339 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P3156341 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P3156342 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P3156343 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P3156347 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P3156348 by andrew purchase, on Flickr
P3156351 by andrew purchase, on Flickr

[barryf1fan]

Hey Hawk, just looking in to see if you made any more progress with this bad boy??
I know you had put it on hold (mostly for the wiring/plumbing bits) but it's such a beaut of a car, just looking for car porn.

[Hawkmoon]

Hey Hawk, just looking in to see if you made any more progress with this bad boy??
I know you had put it on hold (mostly for the wiring/plumbing bits) but it's such a beaut of a car, just looking for car porn.

H i Barry thanks for looking in and your comments- Unfortunatly because of health issues I have passed this on to a good friend to complete but dont worry there will be updates soon.

[Kevthemodeller]

I was wondering the same. I really sorry to hear about your health issues and wish you a speedy recovery mate.

[barryf1fan]

H i Barry thanks for looking in and your comments- Unfortunatly because of health issues I have passed this on to a good friend to complete but dont worry there will be updates soon.

Aw, that stinks, Hawk. Really sorry to hear 'bout the health issues - get well man!!

btw, I started the Goodsmile BMW Z4 GT3 - man, that plastic is soft on those Fujimi kits.

[christoph0315]

awesome built!

one question i have, once you have the decals, carbon or kevlar on, what kind of clear coat are you using? how many coats? are you preping the area somehow or just right on the (dried) decals?

thanks in advance!

Best
Christoph

[LWWales]

Hey Hawk, just looking in to see if you made any more progress with this bad boy??
I know you had put it on hold (mostly for the wiring/plumbing bits) but it's such a beaut of a car, just looking for car porn.

H i Barry thanks for looking in and your comments- Unfortunatly because of health issues I have passed this on to a good friend to complete but dont worry there will be updates soon.

Sorry to hear, mate! I wish you a full and speedy recovery!

This is looking great and helped with my build, too, so thank you!