1/12 Tamiya Suzuki GSX1100S

[Andy]

I started this build months ago, maybe even late last year, and little by little it's coming together. I joined the forum not too long ago so it never occurred to me to take some build pictures to showcase. This build will be a mini-tutorial and basically just explaining how I did everything since no one ever explained it to me

I used Wicked Colors(a different paint line made by Createx) 0005 Wicked Red for the main body color. I reduced it with Wicked Colors Reducer to be safe, but I'm sure you can reduce it with water, watered down windex, or Future, like you would regular Createx.

I used Rust-oleum Automotive Enamel gloss coat to clear coat, spraying about an inch or two away from the parts (pretty close, and very heavy coats). It's not conventional, but I've gotten the best results doing this, so try this at your own risk!

I sprayed two or three heavy coats of clear, wet-sanding with 2000 grit 3M Automotive sandpaper in between each coat.

The finishing products I used are Turtle Wax polishing compound and scratch remover, Turtle Wax super hard shell wax, and Kit Scratch Out - Scratch and haze remover(the scratch remover is vital to getting that final glass-like finish)

I plan to do a full video from start finish on the whole process on a 1/24 Golf GTI MK2 eventually, but I'll just briefly explain how I obtained the final finish:
After wetsanding the final coat of clear to a uniform dull look, I followed the general rules for polishing a clear coat, which is rubbing compound, polishing compound, and wax. I don't have rubbing compound at the moment, so I started with the polishing compound by buffing into the part with a cut up t-shirt. Then I applied the wax, which actually included a buffing sponge, but the same t-shirt will do just fine. After the wax, I applied the scratch remover. This is super important, as it'll remove, well, the scratches. I'm not sure if it's my method of buffing or the products themselves, but I tend to end up having many small scratches. The scratch remover will take care of this, just be sure to buff it out nicely with the t-shirt. That's basically it for the finished look. It looks a lot harder than it really is, I was really intimidated by glossy paint jobs(I actually still am on certain cars). Once you start buffing and sanding, you'll feel really confident about your next build.

I'd say I'm about halfway to 3/4 complete, but better late than never!

I mostly want to show how you can get amazing results without having to use expensive Tamiya compounds that may work as good or even better. It took me years to figure exactly how to get a mirror gloss finish, since most youtube videos are pretty vague about the process.

My phone camera doesn't do the model justice, and I plan to take better pictures with a better camera eventually! For now, these will have to do.

If you look closely you can see the reflection of my phone


The seat part isn't painted yet, just the back end of the bike.




The camera seems to pick up dust particles really well...




These are the finishing products I used.

[T3hGuppy]

Great job so far.

I shall be following this build.

[ChubberLang]

Cracking build!

Really nice indeed and cant wait to see the final product!

[bullgill67]

lovely gloss work there

michael

[chief5437]

Shiney!

[Andy]

Thanks for all the comments! I'll update as soon as I can

[Lee]

Looking very good mate

[keith]

That is one very shiney tank love to see the rest

[DC87]

tasty bike. Thought it was your garage for a second , nice detail and smooth finish

[Paul]

Great work

[Andy]

tasty bike. Thought it was your garage for a second , nice detail and smooth finish

It is my garage! But I have it air conditioned and it's where my computer is. I have a desk dedicated to my models against the garage door!

[Colin]

Nice super glossy paintwork, I've built a couple of the Tamiya 1/12 and a 1/6 Katana's now, used to own the real Motorcycle in 1984 and it was very iconic, still to this day in futuristic design.

Look forward to seeing your progress.

[Reddragon62]

Awesome.....I have a question on the "Wicked Color" line. I noticed the bottle and want to know what you think of it in relation to Tamiya? I am transitioning from Vallejo back to either Urethane's/enamels and Tamiya ( although Tamiya is technically a Acrylic ) and would like to know what you think of the Wicked Line of paints.

Thanks.