discussion Steve's Mclaren Mercedes MP4-25; Revell 1/24

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Morning chaps. Progress report. Engine now painted and assembled. This is the closest I will ever come to owning an F1 Engine. I am not going to go crazy on the engine as I have no intention of having it visible. I think this car is all about the smooth lines and curves hence I have spent some time in filling and sanding the seam lines on the shell body panels. Now primed and ready for some serious silver painting.








Body shell prior to sanding.






And some of the finished body shell now primed in white. I am pleased with the final result.



I have also made up and prepared some of the other parts ready for application of silver.



Steve

 

[Mark1]

It's taking shape :thumb2:

 

[Lee Drennen]

Collectors look good as well as the engine.

 

[minitnkr]

......as you should be, just stunning. Silver is MB's color for sure.

 

[Jim R]

Great looking engine. Good decision to paint that silvery plastic. You would never have got rid of those "flow" marks and unless you are amazingly skilled and lucky glueing parts leave marks.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Great looking engine. Good decision to paint that silvery plastic. You would never have got rid of those "flow" marks and unless you are amazingly skilled and lucky glueing parts leave marks.

You are so right Jim. Having now moved on with the build I realise how impossible it would have been to have achieved anything like a decent result without painting. I was glad of the advise and comments given when we were debating the issue.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Collectors look good as well as the engine.

Thanks Lee

......as you should be, just stunning. Silver is MB's color for sure.

Thank you Paul.

 

[Waspie]

Sure is looking better now Steve. The flowing lines of the MP4 really starting to show through the build now. I'm sure Jenson would approve!!!

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Sure is looking better now Steve. The flowing lines of the MP4 really starting to show through the build now. I'm sure Jenson would approve!!!

Thanks Doug. It does have some stunning flowing lines.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Latest build update. Two coats of silver applied to body shell and fairings/spoilers. One coat of gloss also put on to aid decal application. I have spent a couple of evenings on applying the carbon decals to the many wheel struts etc. Quite a tricky job as there are lots of contours to follow. Also some of the decals you have to apply as a single decal and wrap around the suspention struts which I don't like doing so I am cutting them into two to make application easier. I am leaving the gloss coat for 24 hrs to dry and will hopefully start applying body shell decals tomorrow.



Steve

 

[Guest]

Very nice!

 

[Waspie]

Looking good Steve. Something alien looking about the shell!!! Was the MP4 a Newey design do you know?

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Looking good Steve. Something alien looking about the shell!!! Was the MP4 a Newey design do you know?

Definately not Doug although Red Bull did make a complaint to FIA about the legality of the rear wing. It had some sort of modification that could give the car a speed advantage on a straight.

 

[Andy T]

Looking great in paint.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Good luck with your build, Steve.

I made one of these twelve years ago (I used Alclad 2 lacquers) and what I remember about the build is the problem I had getting the decals to sit correctly, especially at the tip of the nose and on the side pods. I was so fed up with the decals on my build that I sold the Lewis Hamilton version rather than make it!

Dave

Update......... Well I think it's important to highlight the things that don't go so well with a build just as much as those things that go right. As Dave pointed out earlier in this post the decals are a real problem. Getting them to seat correctly on the curves of the nose and the side fairings is a real pain. I have encountered the same issue and ended up putting some small cuts into the decal to help them seat correctly. Even then they were still a pain in the backside and I have caused some minor damage to some of them. I think they will need numerous treatments of Micro Set and then I will have some cosmetic repair work to carry out on the decals. Fortunately the damage is under the air intake in a location that can hardly be seen. I have put some pictures up of the decals after the initial fitting. There is a lot of work still to do on them and I feel confident that I can get them something like decent in the end. The joys of putting decals on a curvy F1 car.

 

[Waspie]

Update......... Well I think it's important to highlight the things that don't go so well with a build just as much as those things that go right. As Dave pointed out earlier in this post the decals are a real problem. Getting them to seat correctly on the curves of the nose and the side fairings is a real pain. I have encountered the same issue and ended up putting some small cuts into the decal to help them seat correctly. Even then they were still a pain in the backside and I have caused some minor damage to some of them. I think they will need numerous treatments of Micro Set and then I will have some cosmetic repair work to carry out on the decals. Fortunately the damage is under the air intake in a location that can hardly be seen. I have put some pictures up of the decals after the initial fitting. There is a lot of work still to do on them and I feel confident that I can get them something like decent in the end. The joys of putting decals on a curvy F1 car.

I never thought much of decals when I was a nipper. But now, I actually dread it when I get to that stage of a build. Like you Steve, I do believe in a warts and all approach to my build blogs as it's not all plain sailing every time.
But that said, you have a master plan on resolving the decal issue and even with issues it's looking good. It's a shame they can't make decals that are pliable or flexible. It would reduce the stress we endure with the things!!!
All these car builds are making me think its about time I had another visit to the National Motor Museum in the New Forest!

 

[Tworrs]

its about time I had another visit to the National Motor Museum in the New Forest!

Blimey, it's been a long time since I last went to Beaulieu.

​

 

[Waspie]

Blimey, it's been a long time since I last went to Beaulieu.

​

I forgot how to spell it!!!

 

[Stefee]

Re the decals - I feel your pain and frustration. Keep Microsoling and carry on!
It will look fine in the end.

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Well some good news to report after my disaster with the side panel decals. After about 8 Micro set treatments and much gentle coaxing with a cotton bud. i think I have managed to save the decals and get them to a reasonable standard. They are far from perfect but a big improvement on where they were at. I have also been messing with some paint mixing and fairly confident I can match the red on the damaged section of decal so it all looks like it is going to come good in the end.

So progress since the last update is
Top part of the body shell where it runs to the rear spoiler is now fitted and decals applied. I needed to get this glued on because one of the decals on this panel crosses over the join of this panel onto the main body shell.
Engine now mounted on chassis and rear sub frame complete.
Front spoiler now fully decaled and now assembled ready for fitting.
Started to assemble seat belts and drivers bucket seat.

I have also made a change to some of the recommended paint. Some of the black engine parts and drivers seat were showing a mix of 90% gloss black and 10% silver. I didn't like it so have swapped it out for satin black. Looks much better.
Soon be on the home straight now.


Body shell resting on chassis. Not yet glued on.

Front Spoiler completed.






Steve