Oldie returns!

stillp

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Hi Folks,


Back in the sixties I used to make a lot of plastic kits, mostly military but also some 1/32 cars for slot car racing, but stopped when I got married in 1970. Then about 15 years ago one of the kids gave me an Airfix "Cars of the sixties" set comprising an Escort Mk1, Triumph Herald, and TR4A in 1/32 scale. Mostly because I've owned all of those, and still have the TR4A. 


A couple of weeks ago I was trailing along behind SWMBO on a trawl of charity shops, when I spotted a Revell Ferrari SA Aperta 1/24 kit for £1.50! Well, it would've seemed rude not to buy it. All the parts are there and it looks to be much better quality than I remember from the sixties, and on a different planet from the Airfix. Since I'm out of practice I'm putting a couple of Airfix kits together before I start the Ferrari.


Painting, or at least getting a good finish, was always the process I found most difficult. I've noticed a couple of people on this forum refer to using automotive spray paints from Halfords, which was always a no-no in the old days - doesn't it dissolve the plastic?


I'd also like some advice on what to do with another rediscovery, an SME Ltd resin-bodied 1/32 XK120 that I've had since the late 1950s I think, but haven't assembled (one mustn't rush these things). It has beautifully machined brass wheels, ditto aluminium headlamps, even the exhaust is brass rod bent to shape, nickel plated. and the open end drilled. The tyres are missing, and I stupidly painted the body dark red before realising that it's a replica of Ian Appleyard's NUB 120, so it has to be white! Being a resin shell it shouldn't be too difficult to strip. SME Ltd (f ormerly Scale Model Equipment)stopped supplying model kits in the early 60s to concentrate on high-end hi-fi turntables. I'm thinking that this kit would be better in the hands of a serious collector so I'm thinking I might put it on ebay, but I have no idea what it might be worth. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.


Pete
 
D

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Hi Pete, welcome to the forum! I'm not very well acquainted with spray paints but I'm sure someone here will be able to tell you a bit more about it. However, as far as I'm aware using primer from Halfords is perfectly fine.
 

PaulTRose

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these days automotive rattle cans are acrylic, ive done a lot of cars with it for years, i always use automotive canned primer (cheapest possible from Boyes) even is i air brush over the top
 
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Rik101

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Painting, or at least getting a good finish, was always the process I found most difficult. I've noticed a couple of people on this forum refer to using automotive spray paints from Halfords, which was always a no-no in the old days - doesn't it dissolve the plastic?

Hi Pete and welcome.


The Halfords paint question I can help you with. They do acrylics and a few enamel paints and not only do they work well on plastic but they also play well together. I tend to use the acrylics as base then the enamel lacquer to bring the shine up. They also do some decent wet and dry sandpaper and McGuiars ultimate polishing compound if you want that mirror finish look to your paint.
 

stillp

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these days automotive rattle cans are acrylic, ive done a lot of cars with it for years, i always use automotive canned primer (cheapest possible from Boyes) even is i air brush over the top

Thanks. Who are Boyes?


Pete
 
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Rik101

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Further to what I said before, the acrylic grey and white primers from Halfords work very well, the enamel lacquer is very good indeed but the acrylic lacquer is rubbish.


I do acrylic primer, acrylic and/or enamel colours and enamel lacquer. I have never had a paint reaction between the 2 types. I have also used Canbrush candy paints bought on amazon. They give amazingly deep and vibrant colour but they are very thin paints and run very easily and so have to be laid down in mist coats, lots and lots of coats for darker colours.
 

stillp

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Thanks all.


I'm in Rugby, so don't have a Boyes near me. Plenty of other cheap shops though.


Pete
 
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