rjg1973 159 Posted March 13, 2020 Hi TC folks, For my next project I'd like to restore my 58012 Ligier JS9 Matra (CS). As you'll see in my showroom I'm missing the rear wing and end-plates, plus I'll need to repair the body wing mounts. https://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=130631&id=29570 I reckon I'm unlikely to find a wing and the end-plates, so I'm thinking I'll try and fabricate them instead. Is there anyone out there that can confirm the materials for the wing (chromed plastic?) and the end plates (metal/aluminium?)? If anyone can post some close up pictures, and the exact measurements that would be fantastic. Thanks, Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mokei Kagaku 2706 Posted March 13, 2020 The wing itself is chromed plastic, whereas the end plates are aluminum. When the body was re-released some years ago, the end plates weren't included, so Tamiya had added an template so the buyers could make the end plates themselves. A scan of that template would surely be useful to you. I have it, but I'm not sure how quickly I would be able to find it, so maybe another member can help? As for the wing itself, I can help with the basic dimensions if interested? Of course I will happily look for the end plate template too, if you want? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted March 13, 2020 54 minutes ago, Mokei Kagaku said: The wing itself is chromed plastic, whereas the end plates are aluminum. When the body was re-released some years ago, the end plates weren't included, so Tamiya had added an template so the buyers could make the end plates themselves. A scan of that template would surely be useful to you. I have it, but I'm not sure how quickly I would be able to find it, so maybe another member can help? As for the wing itself, I can help with the basic dimensions if interested? Of course I will happily look for the end plate template too, if you want? Thanks Mokei, the end plate templates and dimensions of the wing would be fantastic!! No rush, whenever you can would be fine. Thanks again!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junkmunki 846 Posted March 13, 2020 I have an original body kit for one of these. I can take some pictures of the parts and measure them for you if that would help. J Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted March 14, 2020 11 hours ago, junkmunki said: I have an original body kit for one of these. I can take some pictures of the parts and measure them for you if that would help. J Thanks @junkmunki that would be great. Does the body kit have the c parts? If so, a photo and measurements of C7, the rear moulding would help me 3D print one. Cheers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junkmunki 846 Posted March 14, 2020 I can help with that J Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junkmunki 846 Posted March 14, 2020 8 hours ago, rjg1973 said: Thanks @junkmunki that would be great. Does the body kit have the c parts? If so, a photo and measurements of C7, the rear moulding would help me 3D print one. Cheers! I removed the part from one of my models and took detailed photos with measurements, but TC will only allow me to upload pictures of 1.4mb. PM me with your email address, and i'll send them over. J Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted May 21, 2020 I've made a little bit of progress on this project. This is what a had to work with. Chassis quite messed up, missing rear wing, end plates, rear bulkhead. Body broken and cracked, particularly around the rear wing mounts. Epoxy and lots of sanding to rebuild the wing mounts and anchor points. 3D printed a new rollover hoop. Refurbishing the diplos with rubber sealant. Think retreads... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junkmunki 846 Posted May 21, 2020 25 minutes ago, rjg1973 said: Refurbishing the diplos with rubber sealant. Think retreads... How did you achieve that on the Diplo tyres? I have several sets that need a refurb. J Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted May 21, 2020 6 minutes ago, junkmunki said: How did you achieve that on the Diplo tyres? I have several sets that need a refurb. J I masked up the foam, leaving only the rubber visible. Then I mounted the wheel so I could rotate it while applying thin layers of grey silicone sealant with a flexible spatula (actually a lexan offcut). I did three really thin coats, but may do a fourth with a slightly darker (and more accurate) grey. Once dry I used a scalpel to slice between the masking tape and the rubber while rotating the wheel. I was ready to throw away the tyres so had nothing to loose by experimenting. Turned out better than I thought. Here's what it looked like after the second layer. I was more careful with the final coat to get a nice smooth finish. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted May 21, 2020 13 minutes ago, junkmunki said: How did you achieve that on the Diplo tyres? I have several sets that need a refurb. J Thanks for your help with the photos by the way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junkmunki 846 Posted May 21, 2020 3 hours ago, rjg1973 said: Thanks for your help with the photos by the way! No problem. Happy to help. J Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted June 10, 2020 Final version of the Diplo retreads, 3d designed and printed rear bulkhead, chassis reassembled. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtbkym01 4008 Posted June 10, 2020 Those tyres turned out great 👍🏻 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted June 17, 2020 On 6/10/2020 at 7:46 PM, mtbkym01 said: Those tyres turned out great 👍🏻 Thanks mate, pretty chilly here in South Oz at the moment!! Happy with how the tyres turned out, especially considering I used stuff lying around in the shed and how expensive/rare replacements are. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted June 17, 2020 Body primed for paint. Painted in French Blue Mounted to the chassis for the first time in a few decades 3D printed NACA ducts and Roll Hoop 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junkmunki 846 Posted June 17, 2020 Its coming on well and looking good. You have inspired me to start the restoration of my old ligier. Fortunately my body and tyres werent quite as bad as yours. The colour was wrong and the decals were peeling, so i rubbed it back to flat, and sprated it the correct french blue. i have had no luck finding an original decal set, so i am going to paint the white stripes and try and sign write the rest. J 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted June 17, 2020 4 hours ago, junkmunki said: Its coming on well and looking good. You have inspired me to start the restoration of my old ligier. Fortunately my body and tyres werent quite as bad as yours. The colour was wrong and the decals were peeling, so i rubbed it back to flat, and sprated it the correct french blue. i have had no luck finding an original decal set, so i am going to paint the white stripes and try and sign write the rest. Nice one! I've cheated and bought some MCI decals, but everything else on my resto is either refurbished, scratch built or 3D printed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted July 9, 2020 Chipping away slowly, made some rear wing end plates from Aluminium sheet. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted July 11, 2020 Resprayed the front wing, added MCI decals and fitted the rear wing end plates that I made. Now to design and 3D print a rear wing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegorf 39 Posted July 15, 2020 You're doing a great job with that. Great seeing it progress. Tell me, what thickness of ali sheet did you use, and how did you get round the problem of the ali bending up slightly as you use the snips? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted July 16, 2020 23 hours ago, thegorf said: You're doing a great job with that. Great seeing it progress. Tell me, what thickness of ali sheet did you use, and how did you get round the problem of the ali bending up slightly as you use the snips? Thanks! The Ali is 1mm. I just took it slow with the snips, small cuts deep in the jaws. Only cut down to a couple of mm and then ground the rest with a dremel. There’s a body set for GBP 300 on eBay at the moment. I’ve spent $25 on MCI decals, Ali sheet and paint!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegorf 39 Posted July 16, 2020 Ahh OK, so if I'm getting you right, you cut the shape out approx 2mm too big, then grind the remaining material with dremel? I've not had a lot of luck grinding (or cutting) ali with a dremel - much more difficult than steel, what grinding attachment do you use? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junkmunki 846 Posted July 16, 2020 3 hours ago, rjg1973 said: There’s a body set for GBP 300 on eBay at the moment That body set is a late re release, and doesn't come with the alloy side pieces, Tamiya stopped supplying them in the body sets due to cost, instead they supplied a printed template so you could cut your own. It doesnt have the full vintage decals either. Way overpriced. I do have a complete rear wing set up spare if someone wants to cross my palm with gold... J 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg1973 159 Posted July 19, 2020 On 7/16/2020 at 10:48 PM, thegorf said: Ahh OK, so if I'm getting you right, you cut the shape out approx 2mm too big, then grind the remaining material with dremel? I've not had a lot of luck grinding (or cutting) ali with a dremel - much more difficult than steel, what grinding attachment do you use? Yep, that’s right. I used these disposable sanding bands, very cheap. I needed a couple for each side. I used the decals to trace the outline, cut it close with the snips and then ground to the line with the dremel. Finished of the edges with wet 1200 grit sandpaper. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites