My Skyline GT-R Z-Tune kit build (W.I.P.)

[BULLITT Rich]

Hello all, I'm not sure if people are into model building but I thought this would be the place to post it. I decided that I was going make another car kit (Done a few Imprezas in the past) I was going to do one and it would be a good one. I chose the GT-R Z-Tune and include the metal detailing kit as well.

I'm building this as it should be out of the box, I was thinking of colour coding the interior but thought I'd do it as the car is in reality. Apologies in advance for the large amount of photos.




Complete with carpet mats :lol:


I started with the interior first










Finally had a set of windows go right lol


Interior decals and metal parts added



Metal Nissan badges, one for the steering wheel


NISMO Mats added



Interior done, I moved onto the suspension and brakes















Suspension and brakes on





Wheels



Intercooler and Oil Cooler








Quick mock up with the unpainted body on, looks like a drag Skyline without the light in :lol:



Where I'm up to at the moment, got the rear spoiler done and the CF decal on the top tier of the spoiler


As the spoiler is still to be painted, this is just a quick mock up


I placed the spoiler on the shell just to make sure the mounts are in the right place


Here's a few teaser pics of its progress so far




Next up is painting the shell and other body parts, I'll post up pics when they're done.

Apologies again for the amount of pics

Thanks for looking

[stew-S160]

looks awesome. i've seen the kit for sale before but never seen one built.

[Red Firecracker]

Looks good. My only advice would be to invest in an airbrush. You'll wonder what you ever did without one.

Looking forward to the next update.

[BULLITT Rich]

Red Firecracker said:

Looks good. My only advice would be to invest in an airbrush. You'll wonder what you ever did without one.

Looking forward to the next update.

I've bought one but I don't have a compressor, I did buy one of those starter kits with propellant in it though, that's what I've used to paint the body.

[The_Jackal]

I definitely agree, get a compressor if you are a keen modeller. It gives a much more realistic look to all the parts. I was amazed when I first used mine. Wish I had one when I was younger for all my other models.
Propellant cans just dont have the strength or any control over the pressure.

[Red Firecracker]

Compressor much much better than the cans of air.

Up until last week when I swapped over to a 25L example, I've been using one similar to this;



which is nice and compact and not that noisy. It'll pay for itself in no time compared to the cans.

Edited by Red Firecracker on Saturday 11th July 18:10

[BULLITT Rich]

A compressor and a gravity fed Airbrush is my next purchase, I've painted the body now, the propellant can did a good enough job to get it done but I want a compressor and better airbrush for the next kit I do.

[Red Firecracker]

Good man, you won't regret it. Drop me an email when you come round to it and I'll see if I've used my small compressor again. If not may be able to save you some money.

What paints are you using? I'm a firm convert to Zero Paints available from HiroBoy now. Rarely use anything else.

[BULLITT Rich]

Thanks for that, I'll be in touch I'm on Hiroboy's forum, SPC.org.uk I've looked at the Zero Paints, very good idea replicating real car colours, not sure how to use them as I can't find much info on the Zero paints.

Edited by BULLITT Rich on Sunday 12th July 12:31

[Red Firecracker]

BULLITT Rich said:

Thanks for that, I'll be in touch I'm on Hiroboy's forum, SPC.org.uk I've looked at the Zero Paints, very good idea replicating real car colours, not sure how to use them as I can't find much info on the Zero paints.

Edited by BULLITT Rich on Sunday 12th July 12:31

Couldn't be easier. Shake and mix the bottle well, pour into airbrush, spray at 30 - 40 psi. Dries quickly, so re-coat time is short. Covers well as well. Once it's dry you then just need to clear coat with either Zero clear or Halfords lacquer rattle cans. I personally also clean up with the Zero airbrush cleaner as well.

[BULLITT Rich]

So I take it it's ready thinned so no need for thinners then?

[The_Jackal]

Firecracker, do you know if places are stocking big bottles of Tamiya Acrylic Thinners again yet? I heard it got taken off the market for some labelling reason.

[Red Firecracker]

BULLITT Rich said:

So I take it it's ready thinned so no need for thinners then?

Yep, shake it, stir it, pour into the airbrush. It's ready thinned but thinners are available if you'd like it even thinner. I've never felt the need.

The_Jackal said:

Firecracker, do you know if places are stocking big bottles of Tamiya Acrylic Thinners again yet? I heard it got taken off the market for some labelling reason.

Not sure, but it doesn't seem to be available. I rarely use Tamiya paints now except for small detail work so I've still got a nearly full large jar of Tamiya thinners. A good alternative seems to be isopropyl alcohol.

[BULLITT Rich]

'Firecracker, you've just converted me to Zero Paints

My next model is going to be a replica of my Impreza and Zero Paints do the exact colour match



Just need to get the stickers on it made into scale decals now.

[Red Firecracker]

BULLITT Rich said:

'Firecracker, you've just converted me to Zero Paints

Excellent

BULLITT Rich said:

Just need to get the stickers on it made into scale decals now.

[BULLITT Rich]

Red Firecracker said:

BULLITT Rich said:

Just need to get the stickers on it made into scale decals now.

Your response intrigues me, please do tell

[Red Firecracker]

BULLITT Rich said:

Your response intrigues me, please do tell

Email me through my profile.

[BULLITT Rich]

Red Firecracker said:

BULLITT Rich said:

Your response intrigues me, please do tell

Email me through my profile.

Email sent

[Kitch88]

Wow that looks great and seems like good fun!!

I got a tiny build-your-own-murcielago at christmas see here, it was great fun (albeit easy) assembling that.

Didnt wanna make a new topic so I hope you dont mind me asking a few questions here:

• How much did that one cost and can you recommend any kits for absolute beginners?
• What tools and equipment do you need?
• How much time would it take, generally speaking, from start to finished product?

[Red Firecracker]

Kitch88 said:

• How much did that one cost and can you recommend any kits for absolute beginners?

You can't really go wrong with the Tamiya range of kits for 'fall-together-ability' which will give you good results just by following the instructions.

Kitch88 said:

• What tools and equipment do you need?

Good thread on just that topic here;

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Kitch88 said:

• How much time would it take, generally speaking, from start to finished product?

It sounds contrite, but it'll take as long as you're willing to put into it, which also of course relates to the quality of the finished product. Work on it for as long as you enjoy it, when it gets tricky, maybe put it down for a bit and start again. Take your time and enjoy the process.