So, What Have You Done Today?

Willy iine · October 3, 2023

So my MB01 #2 was partially disassembled and placed inside the box with the other misc parts. I took all electronics off the car except for the motor and will use them on my M06L (Beetle) next. I also pulled Billy off as well.. I guess I can use him in the Beetle with a new styrene platform which is easy to make. I was thinking to give him a classic white helmet, but oh well. It's gunmetal right now so not worth respraying it to white.

Perhaps some day I will convert the MB01 to RWD and drive it outside. I have a bunch of 60D's I no longer use so can probably consume some with the car.

My headache and aches all over my body continues.. but I think it's starting to calm down a bit.

technics · October 3, 2023

Airbrushed for the first time. Went full boar during Covid and got absolutely everything for lexan and static models.

Getting the closest I could to the civic colour put me over the edge to get on with this learning curve. So nice to deal with essentially an odorless paint, water based yet strong enough to withstand nitro fuel.

Ultra thin layers of paint application. Setup and cleanup takes considerable time to rattle can. But it is the ultimate I suppose and always was a dream to get so here I am! Now let’s fast forward the skills part. Here’s a first rough shot straight out of the bottle, ten drops of paint. I didn’t bother cleaning the lexan which is the blotching sides. Just want to see what happens and if next layers fix the problem. Very pleased so far! Here we go!!

I’ll have to play finding what backing colours work best and how many layers needed. I suspect a black or a blue.

Willy iine · October 3, 2023

@technics Nice! Is that polymer based paint you are using (my guess) or is that acrylic?

I like that you go ahead and try colors on scrap polycarbonate. I do that too.. no sense trying to figure out by words what color it turns out to be. :lol:

Xeostar · October 3, 2023

1 hour ago, technics said:

Airbrushed for the first time. Went full boar during Covid and got absolutely everything for lexan and static models.

Getting the closest I could to the civic colour put me over the edge to get on with this learning curve. So nice to deal with essentially an odorless paint, water based yet strong enough to withstand nitro fuel.

Ultra thin layers of paint application. Setup and cleanup takes considerable time to rattle can. But it is the ultimate I suppose and always was a dream to get so here I am! Now let’s fast forward the skills part. Here’s a first rough shot straight out of the bottle, ten drops of paint. I didn’t bother cleaning the lexan which is the blotching sides. Just want to see what happens and if next layers fix the problem. Very pleased so far! Here we go!!

I’ll have to play finding what backing colours work best and how many layers needed. I suspect a black or a blue.

Its quite unusual to back with blue, it's normally black or white, sometimes silver.

I use these test cards to keep a record of how paints look, they are really handy to refer back to Model Paint Recording Tool Card Bridge Color Test Card Color Card T08E01/02 Part | eBay

With some colours the backing makes a huge difference it's like two totally different paints.

Your paint in the brush pot in that picture looks very thick there, I'd say that needs thinning out quite a bit.

technics · October 3, 2023

@Willy iine I had to look it up, as I basically only use Tamiya before this. Humbrol and Testors before that, when there were dinosaurs out and about. I have more lexan cut offs then I’d feel comfortable showing anyone 😂

Hobbynox -

Our water-based airbrush paint is made with light-fast pigments, durable resins and quality ingredients. Hobbynox Airbrush Colors works on polycarbonate (Lexan®) and most other plastics, fabrics, wood, metals, ceramic, poster boards, glass and more. The colors are water-based and non-toxic. Hobbynox Airbrush Colors remains flexible and resists cracking, chipping and most impact damage.

Hobbynox Airbrush Colors include Opaque (solids), Transparent, Neon, Pearl and Iridescents.

Hobbynox Airbrush Colors work best out of the bottle with a 0.5 mm tip-sized airbrush operated

@Xeostar Thank you for the link. I do believe you need to try it on a real world application as we’re dealing with transparent lexan. A solid card isn’t helping in this situation. I actually think I thinned it too much. The photo is showing a tiny Tamiya metal spoon, that’s not a thick drip even though it appears like one. I thinned it beyond the recommended amount but maybe it needs even more. It shot beautifully in any case! As far as the backing, the colour isn’t 100% until it’s backed and I feel it could use more blue. It was a thought to back it with a colour first before applying the traditional black or white.

Xeostar · October 3, 2023

@technics yes 95% of the airbrushing I do is on lexan so I get the transparency bit but all that does is change the gloss top look, your backing colour should be fully opaque so the same as using solid card and gives the same shade.

Re the thickness if it work for you then go for it , it was how it clings to the sides. Almost like milk consistency is what we're after but it looks quite like paste but it could be the photo.

Look how thin this is at the 20.20 mark, same for Lexan.

(932) How To Airbrush Acrylics.Perfect Every Time !! Scale Models & Gunpla - YouTube

Nikko85 · October 3, 2023

Finished off another one of these, a Nikko Road Express. Not much too look at but I swapped all the electronics with hobby grade stuff and use a micro servo for the 5th wheel. Powered by a 370 motor and 8 x AA NiMH it's now pretty fast, but the main benefit from stock is the proportional control which makes it soooo much nicer to drive.

1:25 scale which means it works well with the Heavy Dump. It will pull the heavy dump or a crate or beer when asked on low gear too. Not quite the same as a King Hauler, but cost £35, trailer included.

Willy iine · October 3, 2023

So after 25 hours since getting the Covid booster shot, my head is finally starting to clear up and headache starting to decrease.. it was one heck of a ride. I did a lot of my house chores today (vacuuming, laundry, etc) knowing I can't paint or do anything that require concentration. My wife said I was crazy and should just lie in bed.. me? just lie in bed? no way man. I took a paid sick day today, so that means I'm going to use it to the max. :lol:

I drove my MB01, M03, Sabre Mini 4WD today. I think I got the Sabre tuned to drive pretty much even with the XM1 and XM1S. The M03 also continues to impress.

Tomorrow back at the office for my money making gig.. :wacko:

Killajb · October 3, 2023

7 hours ago, Willy iine said:

So my MB01 #2 was partially disassembled and placed inside the box with the other misc parts. I took all electronics off the car except for the motor and will use them on my M06L (Beetle) next. I also pulled Billy off as well.. I guess I can use him in the Beetle with a new styrene platform which is easy to make. I was thinking to give him a classic white helmet, but oh well. It's gunmetal right now so not worth respraying it to white.

Perhaps some day I will convert the MB01 to RWD and drive it outside. I have a bunch of 60D's I no longer use so can probably consume some with the car.

My headache and aches all over my body continues.. but I think it's starting to calm down a bit.

Hope you feel better bud..

IXLR8 · October 4, 2023

Today I finished assembling a digital BBX model.

The actual BBX model just needs paint and decals and it will be finished as well.

What a great build experience!!

ChrisRx718 · October 4, 2023

Very cool @IXLR8, what software is that?

Nikko85 · October 4, 2023

I took the GF01 into the park for a little light crawling. In my local park there is a children's splash pool which is open from around May half term to end of Summer. Out of season it's locked up and the water drained, making a nice little rocky bowl for RC action.

It was nice to get the GF01 to stretch its legs and it runs really nicely. It's super smooth and quiet - it'll pull a nice wheelie when you want it too, but the speed modulation from the TBLE04s seems really nice, so it'll go slow well too.

Crawling was quite fun, it got over these

And these

Although it tended to do better with a big push of the throttle to stop it getting stuck or hung up and keeping momentum. It bounces over as much as crawls.

I then took it to the BMX track - I was really happy with how it drove. It flows over the bumps really nicely, it's fast enough to get some air but lands really well. It's not very fast (torque tuned 20T pinion but on smaller wheels than stock means it's slower than a standard GF01) but you don't want it super fast.

Sadly, mild disaster struck

It's nothing like as bad as it looks a step screw backed out of the upper rear arm and I found the dogbone - I will consider a better solution. On the lower arms I have the stainless steel suspension shafts, and for the front upper arm I replaced with ball joints to fix the camber, so it's just the rears to go.

At the moment I'm liking this a lot. With some mods it could make a much nicer crawler - but I like the fact it's fast enough to slide around a dirt track or bounce over short grass, or plough through rougher stuff too. It's also small enough to use indoors too.

Willy iine · October 4, 2023

12 hours ago, Killajb said:

Hope you feel better bud..

Thanks man, I am 100% back. Finished up my usual early morning house chores. This morning I plan to clean up Collin, Willy, and Paul's shops before heading to the office for my money making gig. Not like my pretendRCshop makes any revenue.. :lol: :blink:

I think I am going to start sanding the SandScorcher body so that I can at least paint it before it gets too cold where I need to fire up the central HVAC heater on the house. Once I start the unit and air outside drops near 32F (or lower), the air inside the house becomes dry to the point I lose control of airborne particles/dust. :wacko: It becomes nearly impossible to paint large glossy items without getting particles in the paint.

Collin's shop..

Paul's shop..

Willy's shop..

IXLR8 · October 4, 2023

11 hours ago, ChrisRx718 said:

Very cool @IXLR8, what software is that?

Thank you Chris.

Believe it or not, it's Sketchup and I've been using it to make 3D models of most of the kits I've gotten over the past 10 years. I've made about two dozen of them so far and most are Tamiya. I don't have a clear purpose in mind, I just like to make them.

That said, the models are useful for planning mods, designing parts for printing and as a pre-vis tool for non-box art paint and livery. With the BBX model, for instance, I've used the model to help me choose paint colors:

Changing colors just takes a few mouse clicks. The BBX is such a handsome buggy.

I really like Cobalt Green and been waiting for the right car on which to use it.

compass · October 4, 2023

Took my TT02 Lancia delta to my local track. now it looks like a real rallye car.

Willy iine · October 5, 2023

For me, I saw that more dorifuto-slicks are on its way to me along with TDK sauce so that is good news. These cheap-o (considered junk Tamiya 55D by enthusiats) tires actually work very well on my EVA foam so I am super happy. I can get them for like $4 shipped from Japan via FedEX and help reduce dead stock from their stores for their benefit. It is a win win solution for those involved.

I run them without inserts as it helps with the traction and the softer ride means it can also dampen the impact when I clip the curves. The car drives like they are on Continental tires.. like road compliant and grippy but not excessively grippy which is also good. I am a big fan of Continental tires for my 1:1 cars (It's Continental and Michelin for me while I think Bridgestone and Advan makes the best looking tires overall).

Anyway, looking forward to some GT driving my m-chassis today and possibly change the pylon layout a bit to push the max speed a little more now that the grip level is there.

I think I'm also going to pull out my Mini-Z's 4x4 for a change of pace as well.

BTW @Tobyone I love what you did with your 1000 TCR!

Kpowell911 · October 5, 2023

Added the slipper and gear diff to the BBX

Also glued the tyres, just needs to be ran now

Willy iine · October 5, 2023

For me, made some minor adjustments on my pretend pylon test course to get a tad more max speed and will be test driving in a bit. Sauced up the dorifuto-slicks and waiting for it to flash while 2S are charging. I made one of the curb corners so tight it looks like a rotary engine.. so I showed my son who loves the FD and told him that is now called the rotary corner.

I received my dorifuto-slicks for today. Another 10 pairs arriving in a few days. Considering I was able to revise 8 year old tires, there is no worry for me to keep these until the day I die.. well, I suppose that could be tomorrow. :lol:

Willy iine · October 5, 2023

On 10/4/2023 at 9:40 AM, IXLR8 said:

Thank you Chris.

Believe it or not, it's Sketchup and I've been using it to make 3D models of most of the kits I've gotten over the past 10 years. I've made about two dozen of them so far and most are Tamiya. I don't have a clear purpose in mind, I just like to make them.

That said, the models are useful for planning mods, designing parts for printing and as a pre-vis tool for non-box art paint and livery. With the BBX model, for instance, I've used the model to help me choose paint colors:

Changing colors just takes a few mouse clicks. The BBX is such a handsome buggy.

I really like Cobalt Green and been waiting for the right car on which to use it.

Must be nice to be smart and use this thing called technology. 👍 I'm too dumb for this stuff. I'm probably the only person on the planet in 2023 that cuts over 100 squares with a ruler and knife to tile up a roof. :lol: .. especially when his wife owns a computer aided decal cutter.. I was too lazy to buy new 2080 sheets that would fit the machine properly.. also was not sure if it can cut through the top protective liner..

Saito2 · October 5, 2023

I fixed my Traxxas Stampede chassis and Emaxx chassis before dyeing them this weekend. Thanks to a little belt sander work, they no longer have "Traxxas" molded into them. Petty and stupid? Perhaps, but I had fun doing it. Very satisfying. Yes Traxxas, I hate your business practices that much. Now go back to making your millions while trying to suck people into your RC "ecosystem" and suing the world.

IXLR8 · October 6, 2023

4 hours ago, Willy iine said:

Must be nice to be smart and use this thing called technology. 👍 I'm too dumb for this stuff. I'm probably the only person on the planet in 2023 that cuts over 100 squares with a ruler and knife to tile up a roof. .. especially when his wife owns a computer aided decal cutter.. I was too lazy to buy new 2080 sheets that would fit the machine properly.. also was not sure if it can cut through the top protective liner..

haha....

Oh Willy, if you only knew. It's true that I use tech but I'm as dumb as a box of rocks.

I once drove my car for a year thinking the passenger side window retract was broken. One day while I was vacuuming the interior, I discovered the button on the driver's door that disables the window. :rolleyes: What an idiot. :lol:

Anyway, it's a blessing that the wife helps you with your hobbies. Your RC collection is stunning!!

Kowalski86 · October 6, 2023

1 hour ago, Saito2 said:

I fixed my Traxxas Stampede chassis and Emaxx chassis before dyeing them this weekend. Thanks to a little belt sander work, they no longer have "Traxxas" molded into them. Petty and stupid? Perhaps, but I had fun doing it.

Plenty of people "de-badge" their cars, nothing weird about "de-badging" a smaller car!

On my end I took the "Rockhopper" out and kicked up some leafs, now it runs an old 20T "Stinker" and basically goes like stink!

Sogogi · October 6, 2023

Finally reverted back to stock width setup. Tl-01b arm conversion really helped on corners.. but i didnt’t like the way it handles (except not flipping).

technics · October 6, 2023

Made an object work and look nicer. It was up until now and remains intimidating until it’s sorted on the body.

I did not love the one I tried to scratchbuilt myself, main problem was I overlooked how rigid the base of each led solder/wire was it would clash greatly with mounting. You’d have to somehow pre feed all the wires through the body first and work it, a mess. Better ideas for next time. Also know which kits are more pliable and suitable for what purpose.

The entire auxiliary lamp housing was bought off eBay some fella doing “any” scale you want misc parts for scale models. It could’ve been 5%-10% larger to be honest but you won’t care once it’s all assembled on the vehicle. Also the lamp holes made for very akward mounting of each led. I haven’t really found any universal rally lamp setups on the market. So I’m happy about this thing overall.

The clear lenses, 3mm LEDs, DIY decals, and stress involved was my own cocktail and determination to follow through to the planned goal 😄 .