Step 1: Choose a model you love!
Step 2: Gather the paint colors listed on the box or instructions.
Step 3: Read the directions!
Step 4: Paint all the parts that you can while they are on the "sprue".
By painting all the parts of one color first, you can then clean the brush between colors.
By painting the parts on the sprue (the plastic frame holding the parts), you won't get paint on your fingers or fingerprints on the parts!
By keeping parts on the sprue, you will know what part number they are when you need them.
By painting the parts on the sprue (the plastic frame holding the parts), you won't get paint on your fingers or fingerprints on the parts!
By keeping parts on the sprue, you will know what part number they are when you need them.
Step 5: When the paint has dried, carefully cut the first few parts off the sprue.
Using snippers instead of twisting the parts off will result in cleaner parts.
Lightly sand each part after cutting them off the sprue. The goal should be to make them look like real parts, not like plastic pieces cut off a sprue!
Lightly sand each part after cutting them off the sprue. The goal should be to make them look like real parts, not like plastic pieces cut off a sprue!
Step 6: Glue the parts together in order on the instruction sheet.
Apply model cement (glue) sparingly. Too much glue can damage the paint.
Engine Details
Use small wires to represent spark plug wires.
A V8 engine will have four spark plug wires on each side of the motor.
Drill very small holes into the engine block just below the headers.
Insert one wire into each hole and glue in place.
Run all 8 wires to the distributor cap (drill one large hole into the top of the cap and glue all wires into the hole)
Create a RED wire from one side of the battery and a BLACK wire from the other side. Both wires go to the STARTER on the motor.
A V8 engine will have four spark plug wires on each side of the motor.
Drill very small holes into the engine block just below the headers.
Insert one wire into each hole and glue in place.
Run all 8 wires to the distributor cap (drill one large hole into the top of the cap and glue all wires into the hole)
Create a RED wire from one side of the battery and a BLACK wire from the other side. Both wires go to the STARTER on the motor.
Chassis Details
To make the tires look driven on, lightly sand the tread until they look worn.
The chassis is large, so spray painting it black is quicker and results in better quality.
The most important thing is that the wheels are sturdy and solid once the glue dries.
The chassis is large, so spray painting it black is quicker and results in better quality.
The most important thing is that the wheels are sturdy and solid once the glue dries.
Interior Details
"Drybrush" the dashboard to make the gauges stand out.
Make seatbelts out of thin strips of electrical tape with the ends painted silver.
Make seatbelts out of thin strips of electrical tape with the ends painted silver.
Body Details
Use a silver sharpie to "paint" chrome in small areas.
Use white glue to carefully glue the windows in. If plastic cement gets on the windows they will be ruined.
Print off small license plates on a color printer.
Print off a small magazine cover on a color printer to put a magazine inside the car.
Paint the body one color, put tape where you want stripes, then paint the car again with another color. Let dry. Carefully peel off the tape!
Use spray paint to paint the body. Spray from at least 12" away and paint side to side in one smooth motion, without stopping.
Your first coat of paint should barely cover the plastic. Allow each coat to dry 5-10 minutes. Apply 3 or 4 coats of paint.
Use white glue to carefully glue the windows in. If plastic cement gets on the windows they will be ruined.
Print off small license plates on a color printer.
Print off a small magazine cover on a color printer to put a magazine inside the car.
Paint the body one color, put tape where you want stripes, then paint the car again with another color. Let dry. Carefully peel off the tape!
Use spray paint to paint the body. Spray from at least 12" away and paint side to side in one smooth motion, without stopping.
Your first coat of paint should barely cover the plastic. Allow each coat to dry 5-10 minutes. Apply 3 or 4 coats of paint.