painting a non PS paint color,... how?

[wrightwinger]

I have never worked with a Lexan body before. 

The color I want is not available in any lexan approved paint.   

 

I want to do a Herbie, and I loathe the inaccuracy of white herbies (it bothers me more than it should). 

 

L87 is VW's color code. I can get that paint exactly. https://www.paintscratch.com/touch_up_paint/Volkswagen/1966-Volkswagen-All-Other-Models-Pearl-White-L87.html

Tamiya's color swatch online looks very similar. https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/spray-ts-plastics/ts-88-titanium-silver/100ml-spray-can/  but I don't trust Tamiya's sample image as none of them show metallic, mica, pearl, or anything like that. 

Testors light aircraft grey looks close online L87, as does rust-oleum's touch'n'tone's almond. 

 

One guy on here has a herbie (who needs to teach me how to do his stripes), mixed spray-able acrylics. 

my problem with the lexan approved airbrush spray is; I don't have an airspray gun. Im unsure how to mix a paint and get several layers out of it (would you mix it in an empty body?). 

but the worst part is paint like faskcolor on their website does not sell colors like white or black. I've searched and searched, and cannot find white or black. And I'm not sure how to get a light grey/tan mix of a color without anyway to make grey. 

 

 

So what are my options? Can I do some clear coats of tamiya PS paint, and then do a non PS paint? what would I look for to make sure the solvents don't cause problems? 

Can I do alternating layers of different PS paints and "hope" they look right when I'm done? 

Can I use Tamiya airbrush paint, and brush it on.. It's water based, can I use water to thin the paint to remove brush strokes? 

[Juggular]

Clear PS + non PS would be a bad idea.  It's not that they won't stick initially, it's just that non-PS will flake off.  TS-88 Titanium Silver looks a bit too "modern" for Herbie color anyway.  

Alternating layers can change the tint and hue of the color somewhat. For example, spraying 1 good layer of Pearl White and spraying Champaign Gold or Mustard Yellow under it might work.  But I doubt that it could get the exact Herbie color.  The chance of botching it is just too high.  

The only "sure" way is to mix it yourself.  Like FasPearl (which is almost white) + few drops of Burgandy.  There are cheap air spray you can buy from Harbor Freight for $10 - $30.  I don't know if cheap compressor for tires would work or not, though.  

 

[wrightwinger]

FasPearl is a pearl. I know VW calls L87 pearlwhite, but it is definitely not a pearl color.  On their website I can find references to white, but it absolutely amazes me that I cannot find white nor black. 

I was an art major, but I've only mixed up oils for canvas'es and house paints. Never mixed a pearl and am not sure what to expect. Plus those oils I'd mix for just that one time use. Not several coats over days. 

I'll check out the harborfreight tip. 

I haven't been able to find info about Tamiya airbrush paints on lexan. I "assume" it's a no-go, but I haven't read anything from anyone with experience anywhere. 

 

 

Thanks for the feedback on the clearcoat of PS, plus other paint. I've read a couple people post that as a working option... but never in a forum when someone was attempting to do something nice. It seems like a mixed results kind of solution. 

Titanium silver by name sounds like an awful match, all I was going by is the color sample on the tamiya site, was very close to the color sample on the site for getting old VW paint. Rustolium and testors makes closer colors (according to the sample on the site). 

If that is Titanium Silver on that Honda,,, that would definitely be a horrible paint choice for Herbie. At least you saved me from one mistake.

Life would be easy if I could just use automotive paint.    Once I get the color solved, striping is going to be a bigger challenge. 

 

[ruebiracer]

Hello Wrightwinger,

probably you saw my Herbie body, where I tried to mix VW pearlwhite by createx wicked colors?

And the guy you Mention painting "normal TS" colors on a lexan body is Aurigarius, which is a member here, and stated it in his german blog 2018:

http://aurigarius.blogspot.com/2018/02/nicht-lexan-farbe-auf-lexan-verwenden.html

He sprayed a Corvette for racing, using PS55 flat clear as a primer to get it done. 

I wanted to try this for some time now, too, exactly as you want usng just a rattle can of L87 for my next Herbie shell. My first mixing attempt came out a bit to dark and greenish for me, but was definetely more Herbie than any body I´d done before. It also lets the body look older and more period correct as the Tamiya PS1.

I have to admit, that after 2 years of racing my Herbie flakes of paint at certain Points and Points you wouldn´t expect the color to flake. An airbrush experienced friend of mine blames it on the wicked colors I used, he had similar experiences on a Body, and he does a bunch for his hole RC club every year. That´s why I use Proline colors for the future.

Another friend of mine searched a chocolate color, so we stumpled of this paints, which are recommended for Lexan, too, and quite cheap from the price:

https://www.voelkner.de/products/911832/EXTRON-Modellbau-Kunstharzfarbe-Paletti-Creme-Weiss-Spraydose-400ml.html?offer=08050df17514690651494ebd8d9e0805

At least it´s a cream white available, and some other colors Tamiya does not have. My friend will try the chocolate color, I can give you a feedback, if the paint is any good on Lexan soon.

Don´t be afraid too much of the striping, if you don´t want to paint them, I´ve always stickered them the years before using Tamiya sticker sheets. I left the middle stripe in body color, which is o.k. when you use PS1 white. Just cut some stripes from the Tamiya sheets with a hobby knife. Unfortunately I do not have the article no. any more, and didn´t find them in a quicksearch at Seidel.

But on some Herbie decal sheets, the stripes are included. Maybe they are good enough for you? 

Very interested in your findings,

Herbie greets and beeps,

Matthias

 

[wrightwinger]

 

I'm sorry to hear about the paint flaking on your herbie shell. 

 

I was playing in photoshop, and came up with something, and ya'll can tell me how impractical or stupid it is. 

Problem 1. is I'm relying upon companies website color samples. 

2. I'm relying upon my spray paint layer skills. I honestly have no idea how thick a layer is. is it possible to have 50% opaque layers? 

 

BUT in photoshop a base of white, then 70-80% opaque Champaing Gold, Then 50% opaque semi gloss silver, comes pretty darn close. 

So I'd paint silver, gold, white..... or maybe i'd alternate silver/gold then white? 

L87 paint sample on the left. 

 

gold and silver sound metallic, and I'd need a way to counter that..

 

[ruebiracer]

Very creative thought,

from my experience it is very hard to spray consistent thin layers with Tamiya rattle cans. You would not get a consistent mix color, and always have darker or different color shine areas! From your L87 example. it´s close to Tamiyas limited coloer Pastel gray, when I look on my rattle can left here. Unfortunately the color seems to be not available anymore.

https://www.the-border.com/Tamiya-PS-Pastel-Gray-100ml-Spray-Can-89920.html

The 89 no. indicates a limited edition run in Tamiya code language.

As you asked on my Herbie regarding the stripes: I put a wide masking tape stripe first, painting all other colors. Then remove it, glue a small stripe in the middle for the white with a 2mm masking stripe. Cover the blue or red side and begin spraying the other. Then again the left outer side stripe. In the end remove the thin stripe and cover everything with bright white. Actually it is the easiest job of the Herbie theme in the end. Of course, I speak here now about doing it with the airbrush...

 

 

[howaboutme]

I hate to complicate things but just be careful when viewing colors on your computer monitor. Unless your monitor is externally calibrated then you are likely not seeing the true color. Sometimes can be close but not exact. Also, what you see in your monitor (even if calibrated) will likely not be what the printer will print out unless you have the printer calibrated to your monitor or you have the printer profiles that you can then set in Photoshop. Just a public service announcement. If you're not too picky, no worries. 

[Busdriver]

My Herbie used stripes from a sticker set. I also added a sunroof using sticking plaster material (Elastoplast) as for the paint I took the easy route and used white. Trying to do layers in the right balance with rattle can would be a lottery. The only other possibility is if you first spray the inside of the shell with clear ps then the right colour followed by another coat of ps clear that may incapsulate the paint and stop it flaking. This is an untested theory, by me anyway. As an aside I have a download of scale number plates if you are interested. I printed them on to computer labels, then lacquered them once they were on. Also the pearl in pearl Weiss does not refer to pearlescent but to the colour of a pearl!!!

[wrightwinger]

On 5/20/2020 at 7:59 AM, ruebiracer said:

Very creative thought,

from my experience it is very hard to spray consistent thin layers with Tamiya rattle cans. You would not get a consistent mix color, and always have darker or different color shine areas! From your L87 example. it´s close to Tamiyas limited coloer Pastel gray, when I look on my rattle can left here. Unfortunately the color seems to be not available anymore.

https://www.the-border.com/Tamiya-PS-Pastel-Gray-100ml-Spray-Can-89920.html

The 89 no. indicates a limited edition run in Tamiya code language.

As you asked on my Herbie regarding the stripes: I put a wide masking tape stripe first, painting all other colors. Then remove it, glue a small stripe in the middle for the white with a 2mm masking stripe. Cover the blue or red side and begin spraying the other. Then again the left outer side stripe. In the end remove the thin stripe and cover everything with bright white. Actually it is the easiest job of the Herbie theme in the end. Of course, I speak here now about doing it with the airbrush...

 

 

That pastel Gray would be a great find, and I will search for it. Herbie's color is right between light beige and light gray. But at least that color by itself would get me half the way there! I'm going to scour for it. 

 

On 5/20/2020 at 8:36 AM, howaboutme said:

I hate to complicate things but just be careful when viewing colors on your computer monitor. Unless your monitor is externally calibrated then you are likely not seeing the true color. Sometimes can be close but not exact. Also, what you see in your monitor (even if calibrated) will likely not be what the printer will print out unless you have the printer calibrated to your monitor or you have the printer profiles that you can then set in Photoshop. Just a public service announcement. If you're not too picky, no worries. 

I am 110% fully aware monitors are not color accurate. My photoshop relies upon tamiya's paint samples, and vw paint samples being accurate to each other.  Because if that plan 'could' work, the color would be accurate. 

23 hours ago, Busdriver said:

My Herbie used stripes from a sticker set. I also added a sunroof using sticking plaster material (Elastoplast) as for the paint I took the easy route and used white. Trying to do layers in the right balance with rattle can would be a lottery. The only other possibility is if you first spray the inside of the shell with clear ps then the right colour followed by another coat of ps clear that may incapsulate the paint and stop it flaking. This is an untested theory, by me anyway. As an aside I have a download of scale number plates if you are interested. I printed them on to computer labels, then lacquered them once they were on. Also the pearl in pearl Weiss does not refer to pearlescent but to the colour of a pearl!!!

I'm sorry but I absolutely LOATHE white Herbies. I see them all the time on full sized white cars. even classic beetles. It always seemed lazy, half-assed, and inaccurate. 

 

At least now I understand why the RC builders do it. 

Its absolutely crazy that nobody makes a paint in tan, grey, sand, boulder, off-white type of color that will mix to a lexan body. 

I'm getting confused as I read post and post after post. But I think I saw someone say they would use PS clear coat, then other paint, then PS clear coat again. 

they'd test it on a piece of lexan, bend it, and it would look good!

but X amount of time later, or after a crash, it began to spiderweb all over. 

That method would be good if I were building a shelf queen. maybe it'll be a shelf queen. But I'd like to run it without too much fear.  (just need to find metal accurate bumpers, replacement plastic bumpers, or some temp driving bumper). 

 

I have sticker stripes, but I would prefer it to look better than that. I'm considering doing the 53 gumball on the inside too, as I've never seen one of the stickers handle the center hood right... I was originally thinking of cutting the gumball in two.

 

Most of the sticker packs really irritate me because the 53 font is wrong.  Only one guy on ebay sells them with something close to the correct font. 

I think I'm becoming autistic as I get older, and maybe its my crushed dreams getting into graphic design (or the fact that all my dreams have been crushed), but details like this really bother me. 

I'd like to at least get something right in my life, and if I can't even build a Herbie right,,, have I done anything right?? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wrightwinger]

On 5/21/2020 at 3:25 AM, Busdriver said:

My Herbie used stripes from a sticker set. I also added a sunroof using sticking plaster material (Elastoplast) as for the paint I took the easy route and used white. Trying to do layers in the right balance with rattle can would be a lottery. The only other possibility is if you first spray the inside of the shell with clear ps then the right colour followed by another coat of ps clear that may incapsulate the paint and stop it flaking. This is an untested theory, by me anyway. As an aside I have a download of scale number plates if you are interested. I printed them on to computer labels, then lacquered them once they were on. Also the pearl in pearl Weiss does not refer to pearlescent but to the colour of a pearl!!!

PS Bus Driver, I was just looking at your Herbie again. I am surprised at how dissimilar the white of your paint, and the white of the gumballs are. Did you do something to make the gumballs extra white, or darken the paint a bit? 

If you notice the Love Bug picture you posted, Herbs got the one round mirror on the Left side. In all 4 of the original movies He's got one mirror. 2 of them are round like on the kits left side, and 2 of them are (that other shape) as on the kits right side. 

Have you considered adding tape on the headlights like they did on the love bug? 

 

I'd love to get proper wheels. Especially if they could be extra wide Like Monte Carlo Herbie.  I'm hoping to make some trans france race stickers, and that racing gas cap (from wood) to complete it. I've seen some "hella" 1/10 scale RC lights sold for crawlers. I might get one of those, paint the cover black, and then make a decal using this for the cover. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/lovebugfans/herbie-s-fog-light-info-needed-t10820.html

 

Of course the Taimya 1/10 Beetle being the wrong year with different lights is eating at me too. I wish I could just relax about things,,,, or had the know how to make them right. 

 

[Mad Ax]

@Nicadraus mentioned using a urethane-based automotive paint on polycarb over in General.  I'm not sure if that would be any help?

[ruebiracer]

51 minutes ago, wrightwinger said:

I think I'm becoming autistic as I get older, and maybe its my crushed dreams getting into graphic design (or the fact that all my dreams have been crushed), but details like this really bother me.

Don´t bother, I can fully understand you! Besides my racing Herbie Shells, I always want to build a Sunday runner / shelfer, which should look the part with more and more details. I also like the Monte Carlo extras, the fuel filler cap would be a nice detail, as well as the Carello fog light. Also working lights are a must for me, as my first Herbie shell had it already. I used Sand Scorcher front lights cut to fit, and in the rear I made some reflectors and painted translucent red for the lens. Just Looks so cool driving in the evening. Herbies wheels look like Porsche ones, I only know of 3 d printed ones on shapeways, that could be made to look the part. Unfortunately it´s not so cheap, and it´s a lot of paint work to get them shiny. 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/RKLQJPE9F/porsche-356-rims-for-m-chassis?optionId=6739416&li=marketplace

For the sunroof I found  this week a Video of 2 guys doing 2 Tamiya beetles, one Herbie. I found the sunroof the best I´ve seen yet, done by "painting canvas" and toothpicks and water color. (Hope I understood it correctly):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9XuvNQMKts&t=303s

Could be interesting for you, too!

I´m really motivated to do my next shell, but lack my airbrush equipment at the moment, so will take some time until I get to do the next "mixing" Experiments with Proline colors this time.

Kind regards,

Matthias

P.S. You are Right, only one guy has the Herbie "53" almost accurate replicated. On the front Hood I think in the Movies they glued the Start numbers above the trimline, so I never cut it in 2 pieces yet. But it´s been a Long time, since I last saw one of the movies…

[ruebiracer]

5 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

@Nicadraus mentioned using a urethane-based automotive paint on polycarb over in General.  I'm not sure if that would be any help?

I noticed Nicadraus post, too, sounds interesting, and could be an option to make some lexan sheets for testing!

[Busdriver]

All in all everything above is right. As you say you are starting with the wrong era car, it’s made of Lexsan it is a) very hard to re model and b) has painting issues. In answer to your question I backed the white with grey but I’d already put too much white on so did not have the desired effect. I gave up trying to get it right and just have fun with it. Most people who see it have no idea how inaccurate it really is. I have a number plate on the front(which should be the rear one) but Herbie does not! I did remember to leave off the VW sign though. If you ever get it sorted I’d love to see it.

[SupraChrgd82]

Lexan does require specific paint or it will flake off.

There are several water-based Lexan paints or solvent-based paints available to airbrush other than Tamiya.  You can mix to achieve your desired color.  Note that the water-based paints require a light scuffing of the body and take a good month to fully cure and bond to the Lexan.

https://www.prolineracing.com/paint/

http://www.parmapse.com/fas1.html

https://www.duratrax.com/paint/index.html

https://www.hobbyrecreationproducts.com/collections/airbrush-paint

 

 

 

[Wetman]

Been looking at this the last few days and seeing as Lexan seems to be the  material of choice these days is an airbrush a decent option, and how easy is it to do regarding setting up mixing and actual spraying?

[wrightwinger]

16 hours ago, SupraChrgd82 said:

Lexan does require specific paint or it will flake off.

There are several water-based Lexan paints or solvent-based paints available to airbrush other than Tamiya.  You can mix to achieve your desired color.  Note that the water-based paints require a light scuffing of the body and take a good month to fully cure and bond to the Lexan.

https://www.prolineracing.com/paint/

http://www.parmapse.com/fas1.html

https://www.duratrax.com/paint/index.html

https://www.hobbyrecreationproducts.com/collections/airbrush-paint

 

 

 

I've seen it posted a couple times that acrylic paints don't age well. I think rubiracer said his herbie was having a few issues with it (I read so much I get confused who/where it was said).   

I don't know why but I missed prolines selection. Everything else I've seen and gone over. Proline looks like they'd have a better color selection to start with to mix and make my own. I know this should not matter with paint, but I'm kinda *******ed at proline for how GAWD AWFUL their Jeep Gladiator body. I absolutely love the gladiator, and this would be the only way I could afford it.... except they made a total mockery of it.     Unfortunately just before seeing your post I've made my purchases to attempt Ps-55 clear coat, and then enamel, then more ps-55. 

22 hours ago, Busdriver said:

All in all everything above is right. As you say you are starting with the wrong era car, it’s made of Lexsan it is a) very hard to re model and b) has painting issues. In answer to your question I backed the white with grey but I’d already put too much white on so did not have the desired effect. I gave up trying to get it right and just have fun with it. Most people who see it have no idea how inaccurate it really is. I have a number plate on the front(which should be the rear one) but Herbie does not! I did remember to leave off the VW sign though. If you ever get it sorted I’d love to see it.

I'll post for sure busdriver once I have something to show, good bad or ugly. 

Herbie should have a number plate both front and back. The VW logos were left out of the first movie (the love bug) for reasons, but then VW asked Disney to put them back! So Herbie Rides Again, Monte Carlo, and Bananas all have VW logos. But from your herbie post you were going for the Love Bug look anyways.  

On 5/22/2020 at 4:16 AM, ruebiracer said:

Don´t bother, I can fully understand you! Besides my racing Herbie Shells, I always want to build a Sunday runner / shelfer, which should look the part with more and more details. I also like the Monte Carlo extras, the fuel filler cap would be a nice detail, as well as the Carello fog light. Also working lights are a must for me, as my first Herbie shell had it already. I used Sand Scorcher front lights cut to fit, and in the rear I made some reflectors and painted translucent red for the lens. Just Looks so cool driving in the evening. Herbies wheels look like Porsche ones, I only know of 3 d printed ones on shapeways, that could be made to look the part. Unfortunately it´s not so cheap, and it´s a lot of paint work to get them shiny. 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/RKLQJPE9F/porsche-356-rims-for-m-chassis?optionId=6739416&li=marketplace

For the sunroof I found  this week a Video of 2 guys doing 2 Tamiya beetles, one Herbie. I found the sunroof the best I´ve seen yet, done by "painting canvas" and toothpicks and water color. (Hope I understood it correctly):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9XuvNQMKts&t=303s

Could be interesting for you, too!

I´m really motivated to do my next shell, but lack my airbrush equipment at the moment, so will take some time until I get to do the next "mixing" Experiments with Proline colors this time.

Kind regards,

Matthias

P.S. You are Right, only one guy has the Herbie "53" almost accurate replicated. On the front Hood I think in the Movies they glued the Start numbers above the trimline, so I never cut it in 2 pieces yet. But it´s been a Long time, since I last saw one of the movies…

That shapeways find isn't right either. I did find this a while back https://www.shapeways.com/product/T6B342MWP/srb-vw-style-wheels-1-5?optionId=57426349&li=marketplace but I'm not sure what kind of wheels it would fit over, plus you get 2 different sizes in the set due to the 2 different sized wheels of the scorcher. I know i mentioned width, but look is more of a factor. 

 

I'd love to do lighting, but I haven't figure out how. I was playing with the idea of leaving all the light areas taped off, and just figuring that out later. 

I also got a trx4 and all the light kits (of any worth) are cold... can't have cold colored white lights on a classic bronco!  

I'm new to RC, so i'm really not sure what I'm doing at all... I just know where i want to end up. horn would be fun, but a 3ch vs 2ch jumps A LOT in price for my transmitter. 

I ordered decals from the guy with the right font. I asked if he could give me 4 the same size instead of 2/2. Great guy said it was no problem.... But I'll probably just make my own and apply them on the inside (gotta learn how to do that next).  

but if you go here; https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/lovebugfans/herbie-decals-t10805-s10.html   you'll get a nice graphic you can use, and measurements. 1:1 is 16" so just take that image into photoshop, rescale to 1.6", and print 3. the hood one will have to be played with. I will either cut a gumball in half..... and i've also skewed one to be wider, and then moved the numbers further apart.     but yeah, need to learn what to print on, and how to apply it.  Heck we could take these rescaled decals, print on sticker paper, and start a webstore (but that sounds like effort)..

I actually have some leather fabric that is the perfect color the roof (in my mind it's right, i haven't dug it out). I might end up using it. 

[wrightwinger]

On 5/20/2020 at 7:59 AM, ruebiracer said:

Very creative thought,

from my experience it is very hard to spray consistent thin layers with Tamiya rattle cans. You would not get a consistent mix color, and always have darker or different color shine areas! From your L87 example. it´s close to Tamiyas limited coloer Pastel gray, when I look on my rattle can left here. Unfortunately the color seems to be not available anymore.

https://www.the-border.com/Tamiya-PS-Pastel-Gray-100ml-Spray-Can-89920.html

The 89 no. indicates a limited edition run in Tamiya code language.

As you asked on my Herbie regarding the stripes: I put a wide masking tape stripe first, painting all other colors. Then remove it, glue a small stripe in the middle for the white with a 2mm masking stripe. Cover the blue or red side and begin spraying the other. Then again the left outer side stripe. In the end remove the thin stripe and cover everything with bright white. Actually it is the easiest job of the Herbie theme in the end. Of course, I speak here now about doing it with the airbrush...

 

 

I just re read this as I'm looking for masking tape. 

according to my math herbies stripes would be 5 1/2" to 6". I like 6", its a nice even measurement of half blue, 1/4 red 1/4 white, so I'm trying to do a 1/10th version of that. 

now If I do 4mm tape that is too big, 3mm too small. I'm surprised how good your striping looks if its only 2mm!    I was thinking of doing 4 or 5mm, but now I might just do 3mm. 

[ruebiracer]

9 hours ago, wrightwinger said:

I just re read this as I'm looking for masking tape. 

according to my math herbies stripes would be 5 1/2" to 6". I like 6", its a nice even measurement of half blue, 1/4 red 1/4 white, so I'm trying to do a 1/10th version of that. 

now If I do 4mm tape that is too big, 3mm too small. I'm surprised how good your striping looks if its only 2mm!    I was thinking of doing 4 or 5mm, but now I might just do 3mm. 

Actually, I can remeasure, maybe I remeber it wrong! I measured also from some photos and calculated roughly the relations, but didn´t take it too serious.

Can answer tomorrow! I also hope the Proline colors to not loose the contact after 3 month like the Createx wicked I used. Funny sidenote: On the rear license plate hood they stick really well, covered with TS Tamiya clear cote. After all this techniques people posted, I´m also thinking, if a TS clearcoat on the airbrush colors would maybe have saved them somehow to stick longer. I doubt, that it was my preparation. I scuffed it with fine grinding flleece, as from this should help the color grip. But otherwise, all my race Friends, which paint their shells with airbrush do nothing but clean thoroughly and paint on the lexan directly...

As you say stickers from inside, MCI racing comes to my mind. They offer every decal set as a mirrored version to glue from inside the shell, and paint upon the stickers. A friend of mine did a Porsche 911 Gt2 body as the "pink race pig", and the result was very well. If I had to propose some company to do a "near to perfect" Herbie decal sheet, they would be my choice.

[wrightwinger]

Ok this is crazy, but I cannot find the T rating for the 540 model that comes with this M06 kit. I simply cannot find it anywhere. Been looking a week now! I want to know this before buying an esc.  i can't even find anything on here. 

Since I have a trx-4, I was thinking of using the same esc, a traxxas xl5hv.... but I can only find its rated for 21t with a 550 motor. the cheaper xlv from the slash has a lower T rather (12) for 550, and is rated for 15t at 540.

I know I can save money doing a hobeywing or something like that, but since I'm new, this would make less headaches, and less adapters needed. 

 

That's interesting about the reverse stickers. But since the 53 gumball is so simple, simple black and white will do. I just need to learn what to print it onto. If it needs to be reversed, just a simple trick in photoshop. 

[ruebiracer]

Hi guys, I started mixing again my new Herbie color. It´s hard to show it in a photo, because you only see white after a while. I searched for a less "greenish" mixture than my first attempt on mixing Airbrush colors. I now use the Proline colors after my hazzle with the wicked Cretaex ones (on Lexan flaking after 4 months).

I used White, yellow, black, a dab of red to get me a more oldschool white aka Herbie. I´m quite pleased after mixing and spraying some test pieces, so I finally dared to start my next race body. It could be even nicer, with a more beige touch, but I keep that that in mind for my next mix sessions.

Some nice additions will be: 

-indicator caps and trim lines in chrome color (Alclad 2 for Lexan)

-Stripes painted (again)

-sunroof and side panels in grey to set it off a bit.

Wish me luck, all the best for the other "Mixers",

Matthias

 

[wrightwinger]

Hey Guys. Matthias that looks like a great start!

Me, well my project did not go well, I did a few things right, and a few things wrong. 

 

What went right; 

the number gumbals I printed up from photoshop.  on a real car, they should all be the same size, but the front one should be cut, or oblonged a little wide to make way for the frunk chrome.   So I modified one gumball, and placed the numbers further apart. because this is a 68 beetle, and the license plate light will goof up the rear gumball, I made that one a little bit smaller to fit.    I then printed these out on a simple bw printer, and hand darkened them with a sharpie. you must use packaging tape to seal the backside, or the ink will bleed!   apply white glue to the numbers in a way so it fully covers it when you place it inside the lexan. 

The stripes are vinyl. I got scraps from a friend, and this allowed me to cut them to be the right width (4mm/4mm/8mm). shame I had already bought ps paint when I got the scraps.  I did have 2 little spots of overspray caused my own laziness. 

Decal sets online are all wrong in sizing, and often font as well. 

 

what went ok.

Krylon paint over clear coat (though time will tell). the actual L87 paint that I could custom order for old beetles, I figured might not stick well. the next best color I could not get. this is what I thought was my 3rd best option from a spray can. 

clearly the color is too light.

 

what went TERRIBLE

,...... well the paint, satin ivory, is too light. I had 3 coats down. so i shot the inside with black....  the coats were not even and this made it look bad.   i tried to sand the paint off, and this made it worse. 

i then used acetone to get the paint off which mostly worked... but then my body began cracking!  so i only removed the spots that were bad and redid the gumballs.  now the body is cloudy. their are a few REALLY BAD SPOTS like on the hood. the rest i could dress up to look distressed/beat up. 

 i would start over but bodies are so expensive! 

i have not tackeled to the sunroof yet. i have some nice scrap grey leather around the house, but dont want to use it on something so disappointing. 

 

 

[ruebiracer]

Hi Wrightwinger, 

don´t judge too bad on your work! I know, how disappointing you probably feel, but every good work often results in some mistake loops. Remember my paint flaking after some months.

You did great work on the gumballs and the Stripes, they look as accurate as can be with the correct font!!

Would you mind sending me your file for my future improvements?

Only hint I can give you is, that you should move your Stripes a Little bit more to the middle of the Hood in the front. From my sightings in the movies and pics they are quite close to the VW Badge on the later films and quite close to recess in the Hood. (what makes masking on the model always very challenging to not get overspray by lifting).

You should not worry too much, just make the best out of it: Eg. you can still turn it to a rusty or weathered Herbie from Rallying or "Herbie goes Bananas". It has also quite it´s charme looking totally abused. Rust paint spots can still be applied from the outside on some areas!

As said, I also find my new paint could have a tiny bit more beige in it. Next time...

I´m without time at the Moment due to my newborn daughter, but mabnaged this week to lay the chrome Details and the translucent red on the rear lights. Very Tiny spots of overspray, but the new Tamiya 2mm masking band for curves is ideal to duck into the trim moulds. Front spoiler section in Grey had some scratches already I could not remember having caused, so I sprayed them 2 more layers. Hope it´s not a Bonding problem again. But my friends all use the Proline airbrush colors now with great result. Maybe I am the failure and have to spray them more "wet" with more color/time.

Anyway, here some new pics of the work so far:

[ruebiracer]

One remark: The black lines are just rough sharpie from the outside, to make masking from the inside easier...

[ruebiracer]

And the chrome color (Alclad 2 for Lexan) is really easy to use with a great result. I always thought, this is the high painting skills...

As it´s my new race Body, the sunroof will only be color. Maybe I make a spot of PS55 flat clear to get a matte finish. In the manual of my T1 Samba this is recommended for the bus sunroof… Doesn´t add too much weight at the top of the car for racing...

All the best,

Matthias