Tamiya 1/12 D'Antin Pramac Ducati MotoGP bike

Post by **barryf1fan** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:46 pm

Decided to do the Pramac Ducati next as I have been looking for this bike for ages. Finally scored one off of flea-bay about two months ago.

I am going to try to decant some Tamiya spray can paint to use in the AB and this will be the first time trying this, so should be interesting.

Probably end up spraying the wall red - or myself.

Have started on the kit... got to work on it for a few hours yesterday... Have the engine glued up, but no pics as its not even close to being finished. I did try and do some carbon fiber and the ram air box and the rear fender. Didn't have the best luck and so far it looks okay. I did tear the one on the rear fender and had to start over. I did try this stuff one other time but it was basically on two sides of a box, that were flat.

And still didn't have the best luck. I really like how this Scale Motorsport stuff looks - but may it's finicky. At first it doesn't go around anything, than "bam", it tears.

I need patience, patience, & more patience. Getting there.

Ram Air Box partially done, gonna let it setup and dry before I try and finish it.

And yes, that is a seam right down the middle... I sanded it down after I glued it together and figured the decal would "cover it up" once on. I figured wrong. Live and learn, right? I guess the good thing is that once this kit is done you can't even see the air box, so kind of a waste of the CF decals.

Rear Fender started

Got a couple to a few small folds in the CF but overall I'm happy with how it's coming out. Again, still learning (to be patient mostly) to use this stuff. It's not like a normal decal - seem to need a lot more Micro-Sol to soften them to actually get them to conform.
Anyway, thanks for looking in and hope to update this WIP thread frequently but I tend to build these bikes slowly.

Plus I need some supplies from my LHS - which I can't go to, or I need to order stuff (but I prefer to support my local guy/shop if I can) off Amazon.

Post by **jchrisf** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:10 pm

I love these bikes too.. Will be following. Looking good so far. I decanted Tamiya spray for my current model and it came out nice. I'd love to know how much paint is actually in a spray can of Tamiya once it is decanted because I've never decanted the entire can.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:29 pm

jchrisf wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:10 pm I love these bikes too.. Will be following. Looking good so far. I decanted Tamiya spray for my current model and it came out nice. I'd love to know how much paint is actually in a spray can of Tamiya once it is decanted because I've never decanted the entire can.

Thanks for looking in Chris!! i noticed that your in Florida... have you ever used Spraygunners?? Thats where I got my Compressor and AB from. Good prices and fast shipping.

Anyway, I have no idea how much is actually in there but this will be the first time I decant paint from a can, and the first time I will use something other than an acrylic paint on a body since I started doing these models. (Wish me luck!!)

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:22 pm

Nice start on the bike Barry and looking good. The carbon decals can be a pain but with practice you will get there and your doing a good job so far. Let the decal softener do the work for you after you have it positioned add the softener and leave it for about 5 mins then hit it with cotton swabs to get it to the final conform to the shape. I used to try and force things with decals and called most decal softeners rubbish but that was because I was not letting it work on the decal and trying to conform it before it was soft.

Post by **jchrisf** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:27 pm

barryf1fan wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:29 pm
jchrisf wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:10 pm I love these bikes too.. Will be following. Looking good so far. I decanted Tamiya spray for my current model and it came out nice. I'd love to know how much paint is actually in a spray can of Tamiya once it is decanted because I've never decanted the entire can.
Thanks for looking in Chris!! i noticed that your in Florida... have you ever used Spraygunners?? Thats where I got my Compressor and AB from. Good prices and fast shipping.

Anyway, I have no idea how much is actually in there but this will be the first time I decant paint from a can, and the first time I will use something other than an acrylic paint on a body since I started doing these models. (Wish me luck!!)

I have never used Spraygunners but I will check them out. What compressor and AB do you have?

I''ll be curious to hear your comparison between acyrlic and lacquer when you're done.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:50 pm

Hawkmoon wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:22 pm Nice start on the bike Barry and looking good. The carbon decals can be a pain but with practice you will get there and your doing a good job so far. Let the decal softener do the work for you after you have it positioned add the softener and leave it for about 5 mins then hit it with cotton swabs to get it to the final conform to the shape. I used to try and force things with decals and called most decal softeners rubbish but that was because I was not letting it work on the decal and trying to conform it before it was soft.

Thanks for the tip Hawk (I seem to be thanking you a lot for great tips!!

Appreciate them ALL!

) and yes, you are right, need the patience to kick in. I tore the first attempt because I was not giving the Micro-Sol time to work and got a bit "forceful".

I just have a couple of creases so far and know that had I been a bit more patient they prob wouldn't be there. Just need more practice.

Thanks again sir!!

jchrisf wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:27 pm I have never used Spraygunners but I will check them out. What compressor and AB do you have?

I''ll be curious to hear your comparison between acyrlic and lacquer when you're done.

Well, I misspoke, I just got the compressor from them, Spraygunner, thought I got the AB from them but they don't carry the Iwata. I got the Iwata Eclipse AB from Amazon. But I got the Sparmax Compressor from them and they were actually cheaper than Amazon, and the shipping was like 4 days to Oklahoma.

Post by **jchrisf** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:28 pm

That's a good Airbrush.. wish I would have gotten one. I hear Sparmax has great compressors too.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:20 am

jchrisf wrote: Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:28 pm That's a good Airbrush.. wish I would have gotten one. I hear Sparmax has great compressors too.

I'm not sure how good an airbrush it is, seems pretty good, especially for my skill level, but the compressor is great. Quiet, not very big, and pushes plenty of air. I have a buddy that has those "cheap" Chinese ones, and while it works fine it is considerably louder than the one I have. Plus he's had a couple of issues with it... nothing major (and I honestly don't remember..

)

Post by **barryf1fan** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:31 am

Have worked a little bit on the bike the last couple of days. Got some of the CF done on the rear fender and the airbox. Not completely happy but, eh, it's ok for now - may redo the fender.

Also got most all the pieces that glue together glued up and de-seamed them (this time). I used CA to fill and then sanded them down. Also started the work on the exhaust pieces. Not a lot done, but been playing some iRacing and MotoGP 20 on the PC (new toy!!

)

Got a couple of creases in the fender, but the airbox came out pretty good...

Also got my Tamiya TS-49 decanted. Yea!! And didn't paint anything red in the process.

Post by **jchrisf** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:14 pm

It's all looking good!

Which model of compressor did you get? If I ever need to get another I want a quiet one.

Also, did you decant the entire can... and if so how much paint did you get out? I usually get just under 2 oz.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:17 pm

Oh yes, Decati do make sexy bikes

Great looking carbon fibre decals

Post by **BettyBloo** » Thu May 07, 2020 7:43 pm

That carbon air box.......OMG!

So, how many pieces on each of the parts, and what softener/fixers did you use.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Thu May 07, 2020 8:48 pm

jchrisf wrote: Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:14 pm It's all looking good!

Which model of compressor did you get? If I ever need to get another I want a quiet one.

Also, did you decant the entire can... and if so how much paint did you get out? I usually get just under 2 oz.

Just saw this, sorry for the delayed response.
I got this compressor: Sparmax TC-610H

And I only decanted about 7-8 mls (about half of a 1/2 oz bottle), the can I had wasn't new and I did just a little bit so I can paint the bike - which shouldn't take that much.

BettyBloo wrote: Thu May 07, 2020 7:43 pm That carbon air box.......OMG!

So, how many pieces on each of the parts, and what softener/fixers did you use.

Thank you very much... I should do better next time - only other time I had used it before were flat surfaces (which is much easier

)

There's 3 pieces on each. The mud guard has a center and one on each side. If I had more patience I maybe could've done it in one piece.

the air box has two on the bottom and one on the top that I cut out the center opening.

Thanks for looking in guys, and I will have a little update soon I hope. I picked up some Alclad metal paints to try, as all I've ever used are Tamiya acrylics. Figured since I was trying to do the decant thing that I would try some of the cool metallic paints. The engine is painted up and looking pretty good - need to do a little detail work before I post up some progress pics... but here's an early pic of the exhaust.

Shot them with Tamiya Fine surface white primer then sprayed with Tamiya X-10 Gun Metal, and the bottom shot with Alclad Gold Titanium over the Gun Metal. Haven't done any of the heat staining, but picked up a couple of colors for that.

The gold is a little brighter than my ref pics in the MotoGP pit walk book, but I think if I shoot it with the Tamiya Smoke to darken it slightly before the heat staining - I'm hoping that it comes out a little closer. Anyway, thanks a ton again guys for looking in.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Thu May 07, 2020 8:53 pm

BettyBloo wrote: Thu May 07, 2020 7:43 pm That carbon air box.......OMG!

So, how many pieces on each of the parts, and what softener/fixers did you use.

Oh, sorry...

I used pretty warm water (I have a coffee warmer that I keep my water temp up) and I used Micro-Set followed by the Micro-Sol. I let the Sol set for a couple, three minutes. After everything was dried, next day, I used Solva-Set... which REALLY softens the decal. I had to do the rear fender twice as I ripped the first attempt of one of the side pieces.

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Fri May 08, 2020 6:41 am

Looking good Barry and top work from you

Post by **barryf1fan** » Tue May 12, 2020 4:14 am

Not a ton of progress, but was able to do some primer, and get a couple things painted. Used my red that I decanted, Came out pertty'darn good if I do say so myself.

I like painting with the paint from the can.

Fender looking good!!

My model time has been limited the last couple of weeks, but hope to be able to sneak back to the model room more in the next week or two... I have several "new" kits that need attention.

Thanks for looking!

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Tue May 12, 2020 6:58 am

The red looks sweet Barry and nice work

Post by **jchrisf** » Tue May 12, 2020 12:40 pm

Looks great!

Post by **Gary30** » Tue May 12, 2020 10:04 pm

Not seen this until now, it’s a Ducati, it’s sent from the Gods, you are killing it, CF work looks great to me, just tried my first couple of pieces of film last night myself, it’s tricky isn’t it!

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed May 13, 2020 8:23 am

Looking good Barry

Post by **barryf1fan** » Wed May 13, 2020 2:43 pm

Thanks for all the comments, guys!! Really appreciate them.

Got the engine (mostly) buttoned up and mounted in the frame last night. Didn't match the reference pics I have completely as I got some new paints that I had never sprayed through the AB and wanted to try those. i think the engine came out okay, but you don't see the darn thing anyway once all the fairings are on.

Also noticed last night that I have two pieces of bodywork (tank cover & a fairing) need to be sanded back a bit and re-sprayed, got a little orange peel on them. Still have a lot to go on this one; handlebars, rear sub assembly & wheel, and the front forks & wheel, but going to keep plugging away on it. I may start my next kit before I finish this one, though, as I'm pretty pumped to do it - it's an odd one and a type of race car you don't see very often . . .

Anyway, here's a few pics of the progress:

Thanks for looking guys!! Going to try and get the rest of the bits and bobs primed and ready for paint. The rear swing-arm calls for Tamiya TS-14, black, but I picked up some TS-40 Metallic Black and am pretty excited to see it. I didn't even know Tamiya had a metallic black. And I know it won't match the box or the actual MotoGP bike 100%, but I think the metallic will look really good on there. We'll see!

Stay healthy and stop touching your face (especially after you just scratched your butt...

)

Post by **barryf1fan** » Thu May 14, 2020 3:09 am

Got some parts primered and painted. I am loving the TS-40 Metallic Black !!!

Thanks for looking!!

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Thu May 14, 2020 6:12 am

Must agree the metallic black has done the trick and nice work Barry

Post by **barryf1fan** » Thu May 14, 2020 2:42 pm

Hawkmoon wrote: Thu May 14, 2020 6:12 am Must agree the metallic black has done the trick and nice work Barry

Thanks Hawk!! And yes, I feel the pics of the TS-40 doesn't do it justice... it looks so cool, way better than I thought it would look. It's absolutely the wrong color for where I'm doing it, but again, I'm doing the wrong colors on most of the "running gear". Here is a close-up pic of my Photo PitWalk book,

you can see that the swingarm is a smooth semi-gloss black, but I think the TS-40 is a much more interesting color.

You can also see that I did the engine completely wrong!!

Back in '05 most engine blocks and heads were pretty much a brushed aluminum color, with the valve covers sometimes being a different color as they were usually made of a different metal...

I had an '05 CBR 600F4i that had more color variation on the engine than most GP bikes back then.

Once the fairings go on, you can't see much of the engine anyway, and besides, like Paul says, "it's my model...."

Side note: I did just notice that I did my Carbon Fiber backwards on my airbox and rear fender, I put them on bass-ackwards.

The smaller weave was supposed to go on the rear mud guard, not the airbox...

I may redo the rear fender tonight.
Anyway, thanks for looking in Hawk, really appreciate it.

Post by **jchrisf** » Thu May 14, 2020 5:52 pm

Looking good! I like that expensive stand

Post by **Stevewill** » Fri May 15, 2020 5:32 pm

Looking good love the Ducati bikes have done four have to look for this one

Post by **jchrisf** » Fri May 15, 2020 7:05 pm

Very nice! Great job at masking.

Post by **CygnusX1** » Fri May 15, 2020 7:09 pm

Looks really nice. All those decals though...

Post by **barryf1fan** » Fri May 15, 2020 7:40 pm

jchrisf wrote: Thu May 14, 2020 5:52 pm Looking good! I like that expensive stand

Thanks!! I like it too - they are expensive, but Marco's stands are really handy for me as I build so slooooow. I've got this new all aluminum one and the older one with wood pieces. Both work great.

Stevewill wrote: Fri May 15, 2020 5:32 pm Looking good love the Ducati bikes have done four have to look for this one

Yeah, the Ducati's are the Ferrari's of motorcycles.

I finally found this one on ebay for a reasonable "Buy it Now" price and couldn't resist.

jchrisf wrote: Fri May 15, 2020 7:05 pm Very nice! Great job at masking.

Thanks Chris, I'm getting better - as long as I take my time it seems to work out, it's when I rush it is where the problems, or the paint bleeds, begin.

CygnusX1 wrote: Fri May 15, 2020 7:09 pm Looks really nice. All those decals though...

Not really too many decals. That's the decals there on the right, they're pretty big and only 5 that are "bigger".

I'm actually looking forward to decaling this one.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Fri May 15, 2020 7:48 pm

Decided to redo the rear fender after seeing that I messed up and used the 1/20th CF instead of the 1/24 CF decal. . .

This time I decided to try and make a tape template and do it in one piece (did it in three pieces last time), but should've done it in two or three as I got several wrinkles in it that I just couldn't get out. Spent over an hour and half on it and just struggled with it. There are decals that go on either side so gonna leave as is. Will do better next time as I learned a bit with it.

Have a good weekend everyone and happy modeling.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Sat May 16, 2020 5:48 am

Got to do some more work on the bike tonight (thank goodness for wife naps!).
Not that great'a pics... sorry. Got the handlebars done up, exhaust finished and mounted and did a few decals.

She's starting to look like a motor bike!

Thanks for looking!!

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Sat May 16, 2020 8:01 am

She certainly is Barry, nice work

Post by **barryf1fan** » Mon May 18, 2020 5:59 am

Man!! I am loving this bike... I kinda suck at'em but don't care, they are just so cool!
Did some decals tonight - as I glued my front brake disk holders on backwards last night, and had to destroy the paint getting them back apart - and it is looking awesome!

This is about 2 1/2 hours of work (why? because I'm slow and stink at decals, but the patience is paying off!).

Just a single quick pic.

Can't wait to get more done on it but need to slow my roll as I get to rushing if I work on it too much at a time...

Thanks for looking!

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Mon May 18, 2020 6:38 am

Looking good Barry and top work on the decals.

Your right about the rushing trap. You just finish the decals you have done as above and you think to yourself have I got time to do the next bit knowing you havent really but you do it anyway so the rush job sets in and another decal fail. The secret walk away and do them with plenty of time to hand. Its not a race so work at your own pace and beleave it or not you will get faster on putting them down its just practice.

Post by **jchrisf** » Mon May 18, 2020 12:09 pm

This looks awesome!

Post by **Gary30** » Mon May 18, 2020 2:40 pm

I can sense how much you’re enjoying it just by reading your thread! I just love the stage of a build where the decals go on, that’s when things really start to come to life for me, your decals look awesome, it’s a marathon not a sprint, this is normally my biggest downfall but I’m getting better! It’ll be cool to see this one finished though, I’m not going anywhere so take your time.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Mon May 18, 2020 2:45 pm

Hawkmoon wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 6:38 am Looking good Barry and top work on the decals.

Your right about the rushing trap. You just finish the decals you have done as above and you think to yourself have I got time to do the next bit knowing you havent really but you do it anyway so the rush job sets in and another decal fail. The secret walk away and do them with plenty of time to hand. Its not a race so work at your own pace and beleave it or not you will get faster on putting them down its just practice.

You are sooo right, Hawk... I tend to do exactly what you described above. That's what I did Saturday afternoon, wife was busy doing wifey stuff and I got to work on the bike for awhile, she then wanted to watch a movie in the evening and I end up gluing up the front wheel disc to the stand-off backwards. Which won't work.

I got in a hurry trying to get to a "certain point" instead of just walking away.

Thank goodness I used CA and not Tamiya Extra Thin, as I was able to use the CA UN-glue liquid on it. Of course it completely ruined the paint on each piece, but at least I can fix it.

Thanks for lookin' in, man!

jchrisf wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 12:09 pm This looks awesome!

Thanks Chris!! I'm hoping it comes out okay - most my models are "5-footers"

Post by **barryf1fan** » Mon May 18, 2020 3:03 pm

Gary30 wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 2:40 pm I can sense how much you’re enjoying it just by reading your thread! I just love the stage of a build where the decals go on, that’s when things really start to come to life for me, your decals look awesome, it’s a marathon not a sprint, this is normally my biggest downfall but I’m getting better! It’ll be cool to see this one finished though, I’m not going anywhere so take your time.

Thanks Gary, and yes, am looking forward to getting this one done. Not sure I'm getting better at doing "any" of it; decals, paint, assembly, etc...

But definitely having fun putting these together, and I enjoy watching everyone's progress threads on here (why I prefer the forum over the FB feed...)

Thanks for looking in, man!

Post by **LWWales** » Mon May 18, 2020 4:16 pm

Those decals have gone down well! Looking great this is!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed May 20, 2020 6:42 am

How the heck did this sneak past me

....must be getting old

Great start, great bike and glad you decanted; it is super easy and could be done on the kitchen table it is so easy and mess free
I add a smidge of MLT when I spray to just get the consistency right as you lose some solvent as it gasses off.
I keep my decanted Tamiyas in labelled Tamiya glass jars and they do last very well....might need a top up of MLT every once in a while.

Crossing fingers it all goes well for you

Post by **Hawkmoon** » Wed May 20, 2020 6:58 am

barryf1fan wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 3:03 pm
Gary30 wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 2:40 pm I can sense how much you’re enjoying it just by reading your thread! I just love the stage of a build where the decals go on, that’s when things really start to come to life for me, your decals look awesome, it’s a marathon not a sprint, this is normally my biggest downfall but I’m getting better! It’ll be cool to see this one finished though, I’m not going anywhere so take your time.
Thanks Gary, and yes, am looking forward to getting this one done. Not sure I'm getting better at doing "any" of it; decals, paint, assembly, etc...
But definitely having fun putting these together, and I enjoy watching everyone's progress threads on here (why I prefer the forum over the FB feed...)

Thanks for looking in, man!

Ah the doubt starts to kick in me thinks. Take a look at your first couple of models and compare them to what your doing now, I for one have seen you struggle at times but always pull through. You have learned more than you think and forgotten some already and I can see how your improving with every model you do now

Post by **barryf1fan** » Wed May 20, 2020 2:36 pm

Hawkmoon wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 6:58 am Ah the doubt starts to kick in me thinks. Take a look at your first couple of models and compare them to what your doing now, I for one have seen you struggle at times but always pull through. You have learned more than you think and forgotten some already and I can see how your improving with every model you do now

Thanks Hawk!! Yeah, I am probably getting a bit better at doing them - it's just the stupid mistakes I still make, and think, "alright, well, you're still an assclown, you glued that on backwards", or "really? Again, you forget to mask the one thing you were NOT trying to paint"!!!!

I feel like...

Feel like I'm still learning, and I guess that's a good thing. I really like it when I come in here or F1M.com and look at peoples WIP threads and they explain how they did something, or the why even, really appreciate that.

Thanks again for the kind words, I aim to have my projects look as good as yours someday! Seriously! Can't wait to get that Goodsmile BMW Z4.

Post by **jchrisf** » Wed May 20, 2020 2:56 pm

barryf1fan wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 2:36 pm
Hawkmoon wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 6:58 am Ah the doubt starts to kick in me thinks. Take a look at your first couple of models and compare them to what your doing now, I for one have seen you struggle at times but always pull through. You have learned more than you think and forgotten some already and I can see how your improving with every model you do now
Thanks Hawk!! Yeah, I am probably getting a bit better at doing them - it's just the stupid mistakes I still make, and think, "alright, well, you're still an assclown, you glued that on backwards", or "really? Again, you forget to mask the one thing you were NOT trying to paint"!!!!

I feel like...

Feel like I'm still learning, and I guess that's a good thing. I really like it when I come in here or F1M.com and look at peoples WIP threads and they explain how they did something, or the why even, really appreciate that.

Thanks again for the kind words, I aim to have my projects look as good as yours someday! Seriously! Can't wait to get that Goodsmile BMW Z4.

Thanks for the link to F1M.com.. Now I have another place to visit. Have you ever tried FaceBook groups? I'm 50 and have resisted FB since its inception except to invest in their stock. I play guitar too and found out a FB group had free presets I needed for a modeler and joined incognito a couple of months ago.. There are so many great model building groups out there including the ISM groups that you can literally look all day at some of the best builds you've never seen. There are some seriously talented people all over the world posting there that I've never seen on any forums.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Wed May 20, 2020 3:11 pm

jchrisf wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 2:56 pm
Thanks for the link to F1M.com.. Now I have another place to visit. Have you ever tried FaceBook groups? I'm 50 and have resisted FB since its inception except to invest in their stock. I play guitar too and found out a FB group had free presets I needed for a modeler and joined incognito a couple of months ago.. There are so many great model building groups out there including the ISM groups that you can literally look all day at some of the best builds you've never seen. There are some seriously talented people all over the world posting there that I've never seen on any forums.

No problem, there are some un-freakin-believably talented people on there. Some of the scratch built stuff is just mind-boggling.

And yes, I'm in several 1/12 motorcycle FB groups... among others (I'm a big SIM racer and R/C car racer), but I just find I like the forum medium better. I'm also right at your age, I'll be 50 in July, and agree about resisting things!!

People don't tend to expand as much on the kit (not usually, anyway) when posting to FB vs posting to a forum. Some don't "explain" much either way. Probably with my eyes getting a bit "sketchy" is why I prefer to be on a monitor instead of a cell phone.

Post by **jchrisf** » Wed May 20, 2020 3:52 pm

barryf1fan wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 3:11 pm
jchrisf wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 2:56 pm
Thanks for the link to F1M.com.. Now I have another place to visit. Have you ever tried FaceBook groups? I'm 50 and have resisted FB since its inception except to invest in their stock. I play guitar too and found out a FB group had free presets I needed for a modeler and joined incognito a couple of months ago.. There are so many great model building groups out there including the ISM groups that you can literally look all day at some of the best builds you've never seen. There are some seriously talented people all over the world posting there that I've never seen on any forums.
No problem, there are some un-freakin-believably talented people on there. Some of the scratch built stuff is just mind-boggling.

And yes, I'm in several 1/12 motorcycle FB groups... among others (I'm a big SIM racer and R/C car racer), but I just find I like the forum medium better. I'm also right at your age, I'll be 50 in July, and agree about resisting things!!
People don't tend to expand as much on the kit (not usually, anyway) when posting to FB vs posting to a forum. Some don't "explain" much either way. Probably with my eyes getting a bit "sketchy" is why I prefer to be on a monitor instead of a cell phone.

Yeah, I can understand that.. sometimes I just need a lot of model car/bike porn and the forums don't move as fast LOL.

I'll be 51 in July.. I've been looking at getting a short track truck/buggy for backyard bashing.. you into those? If so, what's best for a beginner?

Post by **barryf1fan** » Wed May 20, 2020 4:26 pm

I don't really race off-road anymore... did a little a couple years ago, but I mainly run road (or on-road as it's called now)...

But for backyard/driveway playing I would probably go with a Traxxas truck. If you like rock crawling type stuff there are some good ones, I just sold my Axial Wraith about a year ago and am jones'n to get another one. Also had a Vaterra Twin Hammers.

Axial

Vaterra

These aren't for running "fast", they are more for climbing over stuff (I have my other cars for fast...)

Here's a 1/12 scale carpet car

Anyway, if you're wanting a backyard basher... I would prob go with Traxxas. Amain Hobbies is a great place to start looking.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed May 20, 2020 4:27 pm

Spot on carbon fiber
Yep the base has to be smooth or it conforms to the bumps...same with Alclad chrome
Loving the RC stuff
We had a few Losi vehicles...I just get bored with it

Post by **jchrisf** » Wed May 20, 2020 5:31 pm

Never heard of carpet racing. I'll be checking out the Traxxas Trucks.

Post by **barryf1fan** » Wed May 20, 2020 6:46 pm

jchrisf wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 5:31 pm Never heard of carpet racing. I'll be checking out the Traxxas Trucks.

Race on a felt like carpet...

Post by **jchrisf** » Wed May 20, 2020 9:09 pm

Carpet really give them grip