MGB Custom Build - RAC Rally of the Tests Spec

MGB Custom Build - RAC Rally of the Tests Spec

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RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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I am continuing to build the prototype in 1/32 scale and trying out different colours, and techniques that I haven't done for a while.

Thanks all for the paint suggestions. I decided to get a rattle can from Halfords and remembering my dad had an MG RV8 in a very similar colour I have gone for that (Rover Flame Red) - which looks like this.



I am actually starting to like this kit and the engine was fun putting together, though I went a bit overkill on the red paint.



I did try some scalextric minilites from a Caterham I have, but it was going to make the ride height unrealistic, and also didn't fancy wrecking a scalextric car for a prototype.

Should start on the real thing next week when the paint order comes in, in the meantime I will play on with the prototype and start to sort out the graphics on the computer.

groomi

9,317 posts

242 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
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The tyre rack lends itself to brass rod and solder technique - scratch built slotcar style.

Edited by groomi on Monday 12th December 10:34

RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
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Over the weekend I have started to trial some of the custom bits inside the car.

First the steering wheel in the 1/32 kit is not the race version in the car, so have sealed some spokes around and adding the wheel thing too.

What it should look like:



And what the mods currently look like - needs some more painting and thought around making the centre peice wider.




Next up was to add some headrests to the seats as per the car, these have gone quite well with some plasticard.



And then the last part was the dash. I have added the three bits of brantz equipment, ready for decals that will show them off properly.

What they look like in the real car:



And my attempt:



I am also ready to start assembling some more of the car.



On the 1/32 I am still hunting for the correct wheels, I have some scx ones now, but no rubber to go round as they are smaller than the scalextric rubber I have.

RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Monday 12th December 2016
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Not as much progress as I like in the last week, partly due to a failed paint order (which was quickly rectified by the supplier) and mainly due to too many Christmas events.

But I have managed to fit the internals in place:



I have also fitted an air intake into the engine bay, which is often fitted to help direct air flow at the carburettors and in my Dad's car



And I have finished off the decal sticker set (here with red background to show up the white decals)...



... which leaves me thinking how best to print the white (as most printers print the absence, rather than the colour), so on clear decal paper it is just going to do nothing??

Anyone have any ides on how to do these?

Those that are complete with white backgrounds (GB sticker, numbers) I was thinking on doing on white decal paper and cutting around the edges accurately.

But for the track decals they are the white outline of the race tracks and wording - and I am not that good with a cutting knife. I was thinking that maybe do them in an off-white colour the printer would recognise and print, but not sure what would look like white?

lufbramatt

5,318 posts

133 months

Monday 12th December 2016
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The only way to print white is use an old ALPS printer, or I think you can get specialist white ink cartridges for some inkjet printers. If you do it off-white the printer will just print it in a transparent grey. Only way I can think of doing it is to print it on the white decal paper with a red background and try to match the red to the paint?

I do wonder if you might be able to get some aftermarket track outline decals though? shoot these guys an email: http://www.grandprixmodels.co.uk/


Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 12th December 09:45


Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 12th December 09:47

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Monday 12th December 2016
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lufbramatt said:
...Only way I can think of doing it is to print it on the white decal paper with a red background and try to match the red to the paint?
Do this - it works well IME, and also saves you faffing about having to cut round small details.

You should be able to find the RGB codes for the paint you are using, which will get you close for the background colour. Then it depends on where you're putting the decal - some will suit close cropping to the white detail. Others will suit a wider panel with more printed background colour. An A4 sheet of paper will give plenty of scope to practice. You can run dummy prints on normal paper smile

The main issue I had was colour fastness when dipping in water. I used an inkjet though which won't have helped...a colour laser might be better.

RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Monday 12th December 2016
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Thanks both, I will go for the red background method on white decal paper then - off to update the decal sheets :thumbsup:

Also tonight I have sorted out the minilites on the car by getting hold of the MGB wheels from a scalextric model for a couple of quid.

Riley Blue

20,915 posts

225 months

Saturday 17th December 2016
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Just watching the Hero Cup on MotorsTV and spotted 'LPA'!

RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Saturday 17th December 2016
quotequote all
Riley Blue said:
Just watching the Hero Cup on MotorsTV and spotted 'LPA'!
thumbup

The model version is coming along nicely and I have finished the insides and stuck the bottom and top together.

Also custom made the rollbar fitted to the car, redid the steering wheel and got the decals for the Brantz trip and timer in.



Just sorting out the filler from the large gaps left by joining the chassis and body together.



Also got some gardening wire to make the rear tyre rack on the boot lid - Xmas is fast approaching.

RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Sunday 18th December 2016
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Quick question on the headlights, do you paint the back of the clear plastic silver or leave it?

MCWS

258 posts

122 months

Monday 19th December 2016
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Peter, try http://www.precisionlabels.com/. They have an Alps printer.

You have to make a seperate layer for the white (and make that full black) and put it all on a seperate DPF page. The colour can be done as dot dithering.

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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RacingPete said:
Quick question on the headlights, do you paint the back of the clear plastic silver or leave it?
Is it lens like? I would think you'd be better off leaving the clear bit clear and paint whatever it sticks to chrome.

RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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Murph7355 said:
Is it lens like? I would think you'd be better off leaving the clear bit clear and paint whatever it sticks to chrome.
It is lens like (well with a flat side and convex the other) - So was thinking that painting the bit it sticks to, or the back might not make too much difference as it has a lot of plastic in between. Might try it with foil first and see how it looks.

RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
quotequote all
So time is approaching and the final jobs are getting sorted.

I have finished the tyres in the right colour



And have managed to make the rear tyre rack (and that was a really fiddly thing to do, so glad this is done as tried multiple methods to get this right), just needs painting tonight.



And the convertible rood is now sorted



Though I did rush the lines down the side of the car last night and not very happy with them, so I think a job for tonight is to sand them down, respray and do them again. Plus not make them as thick, as they are quite narrow on the actual car.




RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Wednesday 21st December 2016
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Disaster has struck..... Help!



The windscreen got itself under a hot lamp and melted, so trying to think of a plan. Best bet I am guessing is to cut out some clear plastic from packaging and use that instead.

Any other ideas - can't find a kit on the internet that will get here on time?!?

RacingPete

Original Poster:

8,845 posts

203 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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Disaster has been averted and a full session last night have sorted out all the final details needed. A big thank you to Lenor bottles whose plastic bottles are the correct curvature for the windscreen.

All assembled and ready to go as a present to my Dad. Not quite as good as some models here, but happy with the result in the time period I left myself - I could probably perfect the thing for months!









Thanks all for the help, tips and bits with the build.

skeeterm5

3,328 posts

187 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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What a great thread and story. Good result too, far better than I could have managed.

S

Composite Guru

2,205 posts

202 months

Thursday 19th October 2017
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Great build. I wish Airfix made Lotus Elise kits.