A Scorcher Built...

[Geronimooo 0]

Woohoo, a dream came true!

My very first Scorcher arrived this week and wow, it's even better than the pictures I looked at 25 years ago. It's also a HUGE difference from

the other Tamiya's I have built so far. I have never seen so much aluminum and detail in a box.

I started building right after the unboxing and didn't stop before I had finished the chassis. Building was not to hard, just made a few screw

mixups. I haven't arranged the layout inside the radiobox yet. I am waiting for 2 Carson hump packs I ordered online. Too bad Royal Mail isn't

that quick sending packages over to The Netherlands.

In it's full glory...

I tweaked the rear lights and used the clear lights that came with the box. Painted the clear ones with clear orange and clear red. I think two

layers will do...

Preparing the headlights

For some details I used flat black. Hopefully it will stand out with all the gloss paint around it.

I have thought about the paintjob a lot and decided not to replicate the boxart. I always can order another bodyset if I regret my decision. For now

it will be a basic white with, uhmmmm... wooden deck tan. It's a tricky colour for a race car but considering it's an oldschool racer i think it will

look fine when it's done.

First some white paint:

Then some masking. I used Tamiya masking tape. Works like a charm!

Will the masking hold?

The colour is just what I expected although the finish appeared to be matt instead of gloss. It seems I will have to buy another can.

Yup, the gloss and matt doesn't work that good. Tomorrow I will clear coat it with gloss. Quick question, can you clear coat the body AFTER you

have applied the decals?

Checking the looks with a quick dry-fit.

And finally a first look with the chassis. Me happy ;-)

Still a lot to do. Some flat black for the windows and mirrors, the driver gets a new head and maybe a rollcage.

Back to work!

[Torhaantje 69]

Looking great sofar! I think the color combination suits the buggy very well!

Rick

[Jonny Retro 12]

... Quick question, can you clear coat the body AFTER you

have applied the decals?

...

Yes you can ... and in many ways, you should do it after - it reduces the chances of the decals lifting, gives them a little scratch and UV protection, and gives the decals the same level of shine as the paintwork, making them look more realistic somehow.

[mcovalsk 5]

As you have painted with a flat paint, you have to apply a coat of clear, then apply the stickers ( always on a glossy surface!), and finally few light clearcoats. That's the right way to do.

[Geronimooo 0]

Thanks guys! Useful tips which will help me in the next step.

[Skottoman 306]

Man, that looks great! Hope your clear coat doesn't react to the flat paint. I guess if they are all TS paints they should be fine.

Can't wait to see it completed with all the details!

Cheers,

Skottoman

[Geronimooo 0]

Today, I started with clear coating the body. I used TS-13 from Tamiya because the underlaying paint was

TS paint as well. Although I used several thin layers it's not that glossy I hoped it would turn out. Do I have

to buy myself an extra can for some more layers or do I have to wet sand it?

Btw, the clear coat did NOT eat my decals...phew!

[Geronimooo 0]

Next stop is the not-so-handsome-driver. I ordered an more realistic head but decided to paint the body anyway.

Started with a base of light grey:

After that some dark grey for the shadowparts:

A little wash to blend the colors and I gave the bloke some gloves:

Finally a highlight brush and some more washes. He is ready for a head!

[Geronimooo 0]

After another can of clear coat and some polishing I finally achieved (some) gloss. The two tone body is getting in shape ;-)

One of the last (body) steps will be the window rubbers and mirrors. They will be black (mat).

Btw, made a rookie mistake with the indicators. The glue started to eat the paint and glasses Have to figure out what to do with them.

[TheBlueDragon 0]

This paint job looks amazing, I thinkits good when people don't do boxart

[Skottoman 306]

Really great photos! Good progress, the color looks great. You can buff and buff the clearcoat to get more shine. Then use about 7 layers of car wax!

Cheers,

Skottoman

[Tamiya1/10 382]

I can see why the original were so sort after and now I can see why the original prices have dropped. Now one got to be a true die hard to pay for the original asking price. days for those who waited or just gotten into the hobby.

Thanks for posting your build!

[bad andy 6]

Excellent writeup! Thanks for showing your steps. As a tip, I used to use Future Floor Polish for gloss clear coats back in my mecha-building days. It works awesome, and smells good too! It's an acrylic based product so it shouldn't react with any other bases, it's very neutral. Here's a few examples of the shine I was able to achieve with it...

http://mechamaniac.com/v-web/gallery/gerberatetraplus

http://mechamaniac.com/v-web/gallery/gerberatetra

[Geronimooo 0]

Thanks all!

Well, this build has (almost) come to an end. Only thing left is the driver which I'll add after this weekend. It's driving time!

I had a few things left to do. The easy part was the tire painting. I bought a fineliner with white ink.

Works great and really gives the tire a new happy face

The most challenging part was painting the window rubbers. I have tried maskingtape but this worked

only for the long straights. The rest was just freehand painting (which was hard!)

I messed up the indicators with glue but after some TLC and paint on the outside they don't look too bad.

What's a racecar without an extinguisher? Well, here you go. I made this one from some spareparts

I had laying around. It may not be the smartest place to keep an extinguisher but I thought it looked

good up there!

I really enjoyed this build. The Scorcher was a boy's dream back in the days and now I actually built one.

Can't wait to take it out to the beach! So take a good look at the final pics, he won't be that clean the next time!

[SB_Aust 42]

A stunning build. How did you get the photo's with the white background and shiny white surface?

[Geronimooo 0]

Thanks! Some white paper, glossy perspex and indirect sunlight.

The Scorcher went out for a spin yesterday and this is how it went... click

[J.O.A.T 0]

Thanks! Some white paper, glossy perspex and indirect sunlight.

The Scorcher went out for a spin yesterday and this is how it went... click

Some really good action shots, also love your build came out really nice!

[marceles 0]

Nice Video

[bad andy 6]

Sweet video and nice car 8). Are you a photog/video guy by profession? You have a good eye through the camera lense.

[Mazetrix 0]

Great car and great video! Awesome work!

I think this will be my next car!

John

[chinaman SS 0]

Great work. Love the build pictures. (mine is still in the box ... ... need to find the time in between the 6yr old and 14mths old and the missus) that is one nice video ... well done and thanks for sharing ...

[Corpse Thrower 16]

Awesome work mate, what an amazing colour combination! When you said Wooden Deck Tan I thought dearie me....but seeing it finished changed my mind.

Good choice, it looks amazing.

[KingPin 1]

Great work mate, both on the build and the paint. The detailing really sets it off.......

Top marks for the video, the way the suspension works on these buggies is sweet, really need to finish up my current projects and get one!

Regards

KingPin

[TXT overkill 0]

Now I'm definitely Gonna get one. That video was AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing that!

[gti mad man 0]

awsoeme mate

could you explain the washing part of the body that makes it so realistic ?hows this achieved?