Model modifications, what do you use?

[Alex@POD]

I'm soon going to start a 1:24 Revell SLS, and I find the kit too realistic in places. The car would be as you find in a showroom, with numberplates, parking sensors, etc. What is the best way for me to blank/remove these features?

I'm also toying with the idea of creating a F1 safety car replica (best sounding car on the grid), what would you guys recommend to make light bars and such accessories?

[Meoricin]

Alex@POD said:

I'm soon going to start a 1:24 Revell SLS, and I find the kit too realistic in places. The car would be as you find in a showroom, with numberplates, parking sensors, etc. What is the best way for me to blank/remove these features?

I'm also toying with the idea of creating a F1 safety car replica (best sounding car on the grid), what would you guys recommend to make light bars and such accessories?

Really? I don't think I've come across that before - is it just that you want to get rid of the details that make the car look worse (the necessary evils in RL), or are you aiming for something else?

Generally speaking you can use whatever you like to modify a model - pretty much anything can be used in some way.

Usual materials for scratchbuilding bits would be styrene or brass sheets/tubes/whatever, and then modify those - but really, almost anything works. I haven't done much scratchbuilding but I've used; Styrene sheet, solder, normal wire, a toothpick, paperclips, a matchbox, bandages, and I've got a pair of old swimming trunks to cut up to try carpet again for one of my next kits.

Oh, and good filler is vital - I'm still struggling with this one myself, so I can't offer too much advice on it. My experiments with filler have yet to produce a good smooth surface, it always comes apart as I sand it back.

Something I noticed once I started modelling was how many things I'd reassess - I'm constantly on the lookout for things which I think might be suitable for building something. Dismantling old electronics/watches has also been a good source of parts for me, though I've yet to use any.

[Alex@POD]

Meoricin said:

Really? I don't think I've come across that before - is it just that you want to get rid of the details that make the car look worse (the necessary evils in RL), or are you aiming for something else?

Yes it's things like the four blobs in the back bumper, or even the decal of a map for the satnav. I'm not overly interested in making exact replicas of standard cars you see, I want them to be how I like them (who doesn't?)... This may also include scratchbuilt engine mods, as the bonnet can be opened, and like most modern cars, it has a massive plastic cover on top of the interesting bits...

I might even look into aftermarket wheels for it, I'm not too keen on the standard ones...

[steveo3002]

for the light bar id look at other kits /diecasts that come with something you can rob out of the kit

[McMacro]

There are light bars available for 1/24 scale

http://www.policecarmodels.com/11li.html

[steveo3002]

noticed the local el cheapo shop has a nice selection of emergency vehicles , maybe worth a look