Can you change the colour of a 1:43 Minichamps for me?!

[Danesgate]

Minichamps produced a limited edition of the Alfa 159 in the same spec as my own car (TI) but only in black (mine is red).

They produce a similar model (lusso) but the wrong spec wheels (and wrong colour interior) in Red.

Is is possible to repaint a black 1:43 in red, and how much would I expect to pay to get someone to do it to a decent standard?!

I appreciate the base model may not be the last word in quality, but I'd end up with a replica of my own car.

Thanks!

[steveo3002]

can you post a pic or link to the car to show its detail level

[Danesgate]

Hi

This is the same;



Or if you can find a 159 TI in 1:18...!

[NismoGT]

Minichamps 1:43's are notorioulsy hard to take apart and put back together.

Your only 1:18 option is a 159 Sportwagon by Mondo Motors. They don't make a saloon.

You could get the M4 Models version in 1:43 and remove the MC's better wheels. Then place them on it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-ROMEO-159-2005-RED-...

Or the Norev option

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOREV-1-43-Alfa-Romeo-15...

I know they are not the same Ti spec. But they are there as options.

[Red Firecracker]

NismoGT said:

Minichamps 1:43's are notorioulsy hard to take apart and put back together.

Really? Can't say I've ever had a problem except for a Renault Avantime that had sneaky fixings.

[qualityscrew]

I suggest you contact Red Firecracker. He's just done several for me. His attention to detail and service is first class, and it's not that expensive either. I now have a collection of all the great cars I've owned in the exact colours with their correct interiors and registration numbers. I will post photos shortly.

[NismoGT]

Red Firecracker said:

Really? Can't say I've ever had a problem except for a Renault Avantime that had sneaky fixings.

Audi A8 , Mondeo BTCC and Escort Cosworth were right buggers to get apart. For me anyway.

[Danesgate]

Danesgate said:

Hi

This is the same;



Or if you can find a 159 TI in 1:18...!

With the genius of Red Firecracker (thanks Kelvin!)....



My car, in the right colour and with the right plate.

[DubZeus]

Cant view

[Red Firecracker]

Very kind, it was a fun little project, glad you like it.

Here's a bigger pic;



(the front plate decal was replaced before returning the model!)

[perdu]

n i c e p a i n t

top job RF


b

[dr_gn]

Red Firecracker said:

Very kind, it was a fun little project, glad you like it.

Here's a bigger pic;



(the front plate decal was replaced before returning the model!)

Nice job.

[DubZeus]

Thats excellent, nice work Kelvin.

[alfavaganza]

Red Firecracker said:

Very kind, it was a fun little project, glad you like it.

Here's a bigger pic;



(the front plate decal was replaced before returning the model!)

Wow, wonderful job!

I'm in the middle of disassembling a 1/43 scale Minichamps Alfa 159 Sportwagon for respraying myself too and I'm encountering a couple of problems. First there's the rear window, which is one part together with the tailgate (!) and which seems to be glued in place very firmly. This is undoubtedly different on the sedan. The other problems, well, maybe you can help me. I can't seem the get any movement in the Alfa-heart and the lower air intakes on the nose. I tried to push them out from the inside by applying pressure on the plastic pins. The headlights went surprisingly smoothly that way, but the Alfa heart and air intakes won't budge, no matter how hard I try. Any tips on how to remove these safely?

[Red Firecracker]

Thanks all for your kind comments.

The front items were easy to get out, from memory, using my normal technique of slicing off the protruding pins from the inside, cleaning up and remaining glue and then gently tapping at the pin locations with a small hammer and a drift (a smoothed nail is a good choice there).

Without seeing the tailgate I can't really advise 100% but from other models I have done, it is not uncommon for it to be one casting, normally of clear plastic and then painted where required. You have two options, carefully cut the window off and then reattach after painting or careful masking. Both have their plus and minus points and really do depend on your confidence in your abilities to cut or mask. The glue will 'normally' crack with slight pressure, such as light leverage with a flat bladed screwdriver, but a little bit of lighter fluid can help to soften the glue but ALWAYS check it on the plastic first just incase there is a reaction.

[alfavaganza]

I only tried pushing yet, not tapping. Sounds like a plan (now that I know that it should come loose that way).

The tailgate is indeed a partly painted, clear plastic part. The rear lights are incorporated in that part too, half of them in the tailgate, the other half sticking out. I sense a challenge coming up.
Weird by the way: looking closely, it seems as if the seam between the tailgate part and the body is closed with some clear substance. It looks just like an engraved seam.