44 - 1/24 Tamiya Nissan R89C
So I started this build with what seems to be a prophecy, I said this in my build log:
“Hi All, here is my entry for the Le Mans group build, the Nissan R89C, not the greatest car, a bit of a dud actually but looks like an interesting build with nice details.
Maybe it should be displayed broken down on the side of the track hahah”
Little did I know how true this would come.
This kit fought me hard, I haven't ever binned a kit but if I hadn't put in so much effort into the engine when things went south this may have been my first.
Anyway, let me start at the beginning. I wanted to do a nicely detailed engine so after paining I got to work with some nice references and started to add wiring and plumbing where it needed to go.
I was extremely happy with the result and moved on to painting the car body white then starting the red and blue colours that were decals - my first mistake. Tamiya car decals suck, they didn't conform and weren't cut in the correct places so the ended up looking terrible.
So some masking tape on them and the incredibly satisfying feeling or ripping them off was enjoyed.
Plan B - mask and paint. Usually a not so difficult process but in this cars case it has very large contours so quite a tough one - although the paint looked so good after removing the tape, even with the little bit of overspray.
But happy I was so I. Progressed to the sponsor decals - this time going on nicely, what a relief…
Until…
Decals done and time to clear coat and seal them in. Nooooooo. Tamiya TS-13 Gloss clear which I'd used so many times and really like… ate up the decals. What a mess, cracked and melted them, even with the all important mist coats, they even started breaking on the mist coat.
Thats it I'd had enough, time to have my first binned kit… but so much time and effort on the engine. NO. If it was going to give me so much trouble I was going to give it back.
Decals got a good sandpapering, body and paint got a blade scratched over it, rubber paint and dust coats flew onto it - oil wash into the engine bay, I would win this fight.
And then all of a sudden it was done, I had conquered - the kit was mine and man was I happy - hope it makes you happy too.
Check out the full build log - https://imodeler.com/groups/le-mans-100-year-anniversary/forum/topic/1-24-tamiya-nissan-r89c/
Very nice like the weathering on heavily raced cars!
Just look at some reference shots and see how beat up race cars are during & after the race. Only pristine before the start LOL
My GT-40 w/ ref. shot
Steve
4 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Hi Steven @sjcorvi - thanks a lot man, yeah the Le Mans cars get very messed up which is why I'm happy with my result, even if it wasn't the original vision.
Great work on your GT 40 - really nicely done.
That's tough (and had similar experiences.) On the other hand, you turned what could have been a disaster into a completed model.
Thanks a lot Dan @dbdlee - yeah at the end it turned out better than my original vision was for it.
Good idea and good extremely weathering 👏👏👏
Thanks a lot Tarantino
I knew you would get there in the end, Anthony, great result.
Thanks George @chinesegeorge - what's the saying "never give up, never surrender" haha - still 0 models in my bin list.
Excellent result and great recovery. I find Tamiya X-22 gloss clear is a safer final coat than TS-13 though.
Thanks so much @Christopher - I like x-22 when I need a clear on my military builds but I can't seem to get a super gloss finish needed for cars with it. But it is 100% safer.
An inspiring way to actually finish a model that fought you all the way, Anthony! The final result is really great!
Thanks so much Spiros @fiveten - I'm really glad I stuck it out and really happy with how it worked out.
A victory in the end, Anthony @anthonyricco
I can imagine your frustration with the decals but your solution to dirty up this car turned out wonderful.
Thanks John @johnb - yes it may have won some battles but I took the war haha. Appreciate the kind comment.
@anthonyricco - I feel bad saying it, but I'm kind of happy that the kit fought you so hard. The end result is so much cooler than if it had been pristine and perfect. I love the beaten and weathered look. It looks so much more 'real' to me. The time/detailing you put into the engine is really fantastic. Great work Anthony!
Haha thanks so much Brian @brithebuilder - don't worry I'm also glad it fought me - I would have never been able to bring myself to do that to a model unless I had nothing else to lose. So it was definitely for the best.
Epic finish on a challenging build! I was lucky enough to see this car in Japan during Nismo Festival & you've definitely done it justice.