WIP: 1/20 McLaren MP4/1C

OK, following straight on from my first resin attempt with the Jordan (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=920205), I decided to give another manfuacturer a chance to restore my faith. This is an Ace Models kit and I know it won't be up to the quality of an MFH kit or even a Studio 27 kit but surely it's going to be better than Treasure Hunt's attempt.

Here's what you get in the box...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01012.jpg

as you can see, not a lot - £60 GBP's worth too!

Now with my last WIP I felt I just whinged all the way through and far too much as we all know modeling is supposed to be enjoyable, so this time I'm not going to, instead I will let you guys make your own minds up

first up, resin shell...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC00828.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC00829.jpg

rear of shell...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC00827.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01015.jpg

fitment onto the chassis (I kid you not!)

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC00830.jpg

radiators...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01013.jpg

front upper suspension arms...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01014.jpg

decals and wheels on the Jordan were its good point, the decals from Ace for this kit have only been printed in black, white and red and they have omitted the blue out on the Union Jacks for John Watson (the car I want to build).

I'm thinking this is going to be another beautifully manufactured model and outstanding value for money :lol2:

I'll follow this thread with baited breath (well, actually not, because I've seen your pics (and the parts of the Minardi M02 I showed myself on F1M.com) and I know that this will take a lot of work and probably a great amount of time).

But I'm really glad you're starting this build and I hope you'll describe the steps along the way thoroughly. I'm hoping to be learning a lot from you.:naughty:

Good luck with this build ! You have my deepest sympathy...:frown:

This "high quality kit" will properly NOT keep MFH sleepless. :evillol: Still a riddle for me that somebody wants to spend a small fortune on something that looks bad to my eyes. :confused:

Good luck on the build. Can't wait to see some progress.

a little progress...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01019.jpg

I have a feeling Ace intended the lump on the right of this pic to be the exhaust? Needless to say I have remade some from Alu tubing and flattened the ends to match the originals...

improvements made on the shell after an initial filling, drilling and sanding, it's looking a lot squarer and the rear of the shell a lot thinner...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01021.jpg

another observation...

the bottom of the rear suspension fits into this hole and recess right...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01022.jpg

wrong...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01023.jpg

more alterations required here (the red line shows the intended position, impressive eh!)...

thanks for your comments so far guys

Watching this one with interest.It looks like it could be a real "Labour of Love" Best of luck with it, I'm sure you can turn it into something special. :)

I'm with Steve, if anyone can make something out of this it's you Sean. It doesn't look like the best kit ever!! but have fun with it and I'm sure it will be a stunner when finished.

update...

first up a little addition to the seat, there is detail here that is not included in the kit so I added these using plasticard...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01032.jpg

also added some rear wing supports which are also missing from the kit...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01030.jpg

and in position...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01031.jpg

so this is it for the engine detail, I added a small tube connecting the oil cooler with the transmission and exhaust were replaced as mentioned, I have added just a touch of brown to the ends to show a slight discolouration...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01033.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01035.jpg

so onto the shell, the white went on a dream and Im really pleased with the finish...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01028.jpg

then using Hiroboy's McLaren red paint I added the red sections...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01038.jpg

so far so good eh...

NOT...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01039.jpg

and for those of you who are a little squeemish look away now...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01040.jpg

I have no idea what went wrong here, I followed the instructions for using this paint to the letter and it has not happened anywhere else on the shell apart from here. For some reason the paint has melted the white and has even melted it underneath the masking tape. I'm gonna let it dry and then see what I can do but I have a feeling it will be a start over, really disappointed as the white was probably the best finish I had achieved so far.

the joys of modeling eh!

Hi

I'd guess on a probably too liberal coating of the red colour. Always light coats! But be patient and let it dry. Should be rubbed out and reapplied in the area. Should be ok.

Flemming

Sean, which white are you using....?? It looks like the red reacted badly with the white.

Hi

I'd guess on a probably too liberal coating of the red colour. Always light coats! But be patient and let it dry. Should be rubbed out and reapplied in the area. Should be ok.

Flemming,

thanks for your reply, I only used mist coats and only 2 coats were added before this happened.

Steve,

I used Halfords Gloss Appliance White, I have used it several times before without any problem and I had let it dry for over a week. I used this as a basecoat on the Lotus 99T without any problem at all and the finish on that was great.

I am hoping that tomorrow I can sand the area back to the primer and start again, otherwise it will be a complete start over which I am not keen to do.

Steve,

I used Halfords Gloss Appliance White, I have used it several times before without any problem and I had let it dry for over a week. I used this as a basecoat on the Lotus 99T without any problem at all and the finish on that was great.

I am hoping that tomorrow I can sand the area back to the primer and start again, otherwise it will be a complete start over which I am not keen to do.

I used to use the Halfords paints a long time ago and remember they were quite durable.Seems strange how it's reacted over Halfords paints, I can't understand quite why it has done that..? One of modelings little tribulations, these things are sent to try us :banghead:
How come it always happens when you least expect it and it's always when you have got a good finish as well...? Hope you can sort it out Sean without the need for a full re-spray job, best of luck with it :smile:

Edit: I do recall the Halfords paints used to stay soft for a good length of time though.I remember marking a few models with tape residue when I masked out for the window trim painting.Maybe they need a longer drying time before going over with the Zero paint...?

Great subject; can't say the same about the model quality :(

You can get 6 Tamiya models off eBay for that price!

I've used Halford's Appliance White without drama, so can't think why you got a problem.

Great subject; can't say the same about the model quality :(

You can get 6 Tamiya models off eBay for that price!

Billy,

welcome to the great resin versus plastic kits debate... a lot of modelers believe these kits should be thought of as a challenge although I think that is an easy way of ignoring the fact that they are really not good value for money. This is my second resin kit and I have to say I am extremely unimpressed.

Now I know that both the kits I have built so far are not Model Factory Hiro quality or Studio 27 quality for that matter, but neither are they the price of those kits too. But all said and done as you say you could pick up 6 full detail Tamiya kits for the price I paid of each of these (and I got them cheap on ebay too!!!)

anyways, the repairs are underway...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01041.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01042.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01043.jpg

again the white has gone really well, only one relatively light coat, certainly not a wet coat but not a mist coat either. This will now have to be left another week before I dare try the red again. I have to say I'm not convinced its not going to happen all over again but I guess we will wait and see :uhoh:

Hi Sean
You’re doing a great job in spite the problems with the paint. What might have happened is the paint released a chemical in the resin and attacked the paint. from my brief experience with resin is you have to clean it and then when you think it's clean it again. I am probably not telling you something you already know. I soak the body in bleach for an hour or two then rinse it many times. Well hope things work out this time around.

Hi Sean
You’re doing a great job in spite the problems with the paint. What might have happened is the paint released a chemical in the resin and attacked the paint. from my brief experience with resin is you have to clean it and then when you think it's clean it again. I am probably not telling you something you already know. I soak the body in bleach for an hour or two then rinse it many times. Well hope things work out this time around.

Hi

Not that I disagree with that but I don't think this is the reason for this little accident. If the resin part wasn't properly cleaned it would result in the dreaded 'fisheyes' where paint puddles or won't adhere to the surface and as that hasn't happend with the white paint I suppose it must be the Zero paint that somehow interfered with the white Halfords paint. I would suggest to use the same brand of paint for every layer and use Tamiya white primer from the large rattlecans as a primer.

I would also suggest to rub out the area where the red meets the white as there is a very evident step now with white paint over it.

Patience is the word. Patience Sean. Let it dry completely while working on another model.

Flemming

I would also suggest to rub out the area where the red meets the white as there is a very evident step now with white paint over it.



Just out of interest Flemming, what do you use to rub out the seams we get between colours? I tend to just use Tamiya polishing compounds but I have heard of so many other ways of doing it and i dont think mine is the best

thanks for your comments too!

Hi

I'm using a 'polishing kit' - Hiroboy has the stuff by the way. Not that I use any liquids other than water, but I use the pads usually starting with 2400 grit or even 1800 if it is a rough ridge between colours. In your case I'd start out with some fine wet'n dry kept wet to rub out the step between the two colours. Ideally I'd have done that before the extra paint by the way.

To save your model - judging from your pictures only I'd have to say - I find the rear of the body covered in too much paint. You can see that the panelline is fading below the paint and that is not ideal. I would soak the model in your favourite paint removal liquid. Be it brake fluid or whatever. And start the painting process from the start again. I know it is a chore, but you will forever be concentrated and kicking yourself on that rear end if you continue. I would... ;-) Been there, done that, but didn't get the t-shirt!

Best regards

Flemming

Sean great to see your progress.
I agree that you should start over .
It's such a large area and you would have another chance to really clean that part of the resin again.
Even if you decide not to your doing a great job with the kit.
Keep it up!
Chris

repairs complete...

This time I added a clear coat (2 part clear from Zero Paints) over the top of the white before adding the red. It worked fine this time without any reaction.
Thanks for the advice regarding removing the masking lines Flemming, this also worked a treat. As for the panel lines, unfortunately on the shell they are very poor and extremely rough & shallow in places. I do have a Hasegawa Scoring tool but I am extremely nervous about using it and did not bother in this case, I have made a mess before now trying to improve panel lines and along with everything else that has gone wrong with this shell I did want to risk any more mess ups.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01052.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01053.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01056.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01055.jpg

seat is also completed, the kit's decals also include some rather neat little additions to the seat belt buckle, you can just make it in the pics. A nice touch I have not seen in other kits ...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01045.jpg

and also the dashboard. I added the two large coloured bulbs using some Sakatsu parts and also added a couple of switches either side of the dash using some wire. There are two further switches to add here then the wheel can go on.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01049.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01054.jpg

thanks for following and for all your advice on how to solve the spray problem, more to come again soon.

Looks great now Sean and the details you are adding are as always sublime :thumsup:

This kit looks particularly gruesome but you shouldn't let that put you off resin kits in general. In my limited experience kits form the larger mfctrs offer good fun for money and aren't really any worse fitting than the majority of plastic kits (Tamiya excepted ;) ) - nobody gets it right ALL the time :lol:

This "high quality kit" will properly NOT keep MFH sleepless. :evillol: Still a riddle for me that somebody wants to spend a small fortune on something that looks bad to my eyes. :confused:

I was thinking the same thing:screwy:

a little more progress...

decals on and most of the suspension added, I am going to be diplomatic and say that the suspension supplied with the kit was 'testing'!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01059.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01060.jpg

I ran a little thinned medium grey into the panel lines...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01061.jpg

on the rear wing, the decal numbers for each side (no.7) were far too big for the endplates and I had to shorten both the top and bottom of the number just to get it to fit. I have just about got away with it but you can see it looks a little disproportionate.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e331/ohanra/McLaren%20MP4-1C/DSC01062.jpg

that should be it for the WIP now, the next ones should be the completed pics. Just the brake disks, wheels and windscreen and the remainder of the friendly suspension to bend into place, er sorry I mean fit into place, then a final coat of polish (Johnsons Klear)

Nice work.
Good to see it coming together for you.
Hope your next build is less stressful!
Chris

Sean, excellent job as always, I'm glad you stuck with it. How do you apply the Johnsons Klear? Do you need a reducer, if so what? Does it polish out like the lacquers? I'm curious because I have seen some models finished with Johnson's and the finish was flawless!! If there is an alternative to the 2K clears I'll try it.

Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to seeing this one in the Gallery and on your web page.

Best regards,
Ian

How do you apply the Johnsons Klear? Do you need a reducer, if so what? Does it polish out like the lacquers? Best regards,
Ian

Ian,

thanks for your comments. In the past I have both brushed it on and also sprayed it on without the need for any thinner, if you are carefull with a brush and are a little generous it goes on without a flow although you have to be carefull it doesnt build up in corners as it can slghtly discolour whites.
It also polishes up a dream too, to this day I still dont know why more of us dont use this, I use it on every build now... hope that helps

Completed thread here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=5834039#post5834039) guys and thanks again for following!