Nicadraus 6130 Posted October 4, 2020 @Ferruz here I created a thread to avoid hi-jacking. Haha! When I retired (3rd retirement) from RC in 2007, I went to look for an alternative hobby. I've always wanted to collect cars so I did. With diecast models. I built and had a lot of 1:24 scale models but I just got really bored with them because of the limited details and lack of realism especially when shooting them. I've done many custom jobs with 1:18 and 1:43 diecast models and they are just so much better working with and they always end up looking more realistic than the fragile plastic ones. Here are links to my Lamborghini and Toyota collection and some other toys. Here - Lamborghini and Here - Toyota, Star Wars, etc Although the pics and list isn't updated yet. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicadraus 6130 Posted October 4, 2020 My goals is to collect each variant I have in three scales. 1:18, 1:43 and 1:64. Like these: But some models are just either elusive or were not yet made in some scales. I also like doing indoor and outdoor photo shooting with my friends. Perspective shooting I also created a diorama in 2009. Took me four straight months to finish. I fabricated most of the items. 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicadraus 6130 Posted October 4, 2020 Also some custom re-work. From stripping the entire model to every pice then modifying, rebuilding, repainting using urethane auto motive paints, wet sanding, buffing, polishing, lowering, doing the right camber and fitting with different wheels while they still rotate and steer. I also download photos of the real 1:1 cars and look for missing details on/in the model. Then I fabricate parts, paint them and install them. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACCEL 2014 Posted October 4, 2020 Let's not go there........................................... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACCEL 2014 Posted October 4, 2020 This wins an Award 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wooders28 4703 Posted October 4, 2020 Stunning! Absolutely stunning, and I thought my 1:18 Autoart stuff was good! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferruz 11555 Posted October 4, 2020 @Nicadraus Amazing skills and collection. Hats off, sir! I particularly appreciate the DIY mods and adding details to the cars, I'm a fan of that too but don't have any pictures of such mods with me now. Anyway, this is definitely another level!! Loving the diorama too. Many of the cars just look like they are real. Great job 😀👍 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topforcein 1764 Posted October 5, 2020 this reminds me iv'e gotta get 3 huge storage boxs full of hotwheels cars out to get them sold (that ive been collecting over the past 20 years) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACCEL 2014 Posted October 6, 2020 7 hours ago, topforcein said: this reminds me iv'e gotta get 3 huge storage boxs full of hotwheels cars out to get them sold (that ive been collecting over the past 20 years) I have my all original Hot wheels from 68' and on, you should keep a few of the hard to finds if possible, that's why i made a sad face. i could always get a TV, a stereo, couch, appliances but my Hot Wheels, Smokey the Bear and my Catfish Hunter baseball mitt could never be replaced, they're the oldest and had the longest toys that have been around since i can remember, then my Tonka's. I have plenty of 1/24th and 1/18 metal collectables, ERTYL, Hot Wheels and a few others , for awhile i tried to sell some of those and gave quite a few away. But what Nic did is phenomenal, very skilled in his details. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicadraus 6130 Posted October 6, 2020 Thank you @ACCEL! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topforcein 1764 Posted October 6, 2020 14 hours ago, ACCEL said: I have my all original Hot wheels from 68' and on, you should keep a few of the hard to finds if possible, that's why i made a sad face. i could always get a TV, a stereo, couch, appliances but my Hot Wheels, Smokey the Bear and my Catfish Hunter baseball mitt could never be replaced, they're the oldest and had the longest toys that have been around since i can remember, then my Tonka's. I have plenty of 1/24th and 1/18 metal collectables, ERTYL, Hot Wheels and a few others , for awhile i tried to sell some of those and gave quite a few away. But what Nic did is phenomenal, very skilled in his details. oh i will keep a certain few and def the one that was on my 40th b-day cake but all the ones i have ae that ones i like very much so it might get very difficult to choose 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mechanic AH 579 Posted October 10, 2020 @Nicadraus thanks for sharing. Beautiful work and collection! I’m not familiar or have any experience with diecast models. I’m assuming they come painted and assembled and then you take everything apart and repaint/modify them? How long on average does it take you to rebuild one? And I guess you use an airbrush to repaint? Is it a more expensive hobby than RCs? Sorry for the many questions. Quite curious. Been seeing them around and other people reworking very small scale ones. Thanks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicadraus 6130 Posted October 10, 2020 38 minutes ago, Mechanic AH said: @Nicadraus thanks for sharing. Beautiful work and collection! I’m not familiar or have any experience with diecast models. I’m assuming they come painted and assembled and then you take everything apart and repaint/modify them? How long on average does it take you to rebuild one? And I guess you use an airbrush to repaint? Is it a more expensive hobby than RCs? Sorry for the many questions. Quite curious. Been seeing them around and other people reworking very small scale ones. Thanks. From stripping down to full custom work will depend on the scope of work. If it involves wheel swap and camber adjustments, lowering, while all wheels still rotate and stir, about 6-8 days in total. I use automotive urethane paint for all my painting. So painting process is just like the 1:1. Interior and engine detailing also takes a lot of time and patience. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mechanic AH 579 Posted October 11, 2020 9 hours ago, Nicadraus said: From stripping down to full custom work will depend on the scope of work. If it involves wheel swap and camber adjustments, lowering, while all wheels still rotate and stir, about 6-8 days in total. I use automotive urethane paint for all my painting. So painting process is just like the 1:1. Interior and engine detailing also takes a lot of time and patience. Sounds quite interesting and something I would try and do but my biggest challenge has always been a place to paint. Thanks for the info! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicadraus 6130 Posted October 11, 2020 I used to build plastic scale models when I was growing up. Learned from my dad (an avid modeler and RC enthusiast) and uncle (another hard core modeler). But the 1:24 plastic scale model cars just became too boring for me as it's too limited, fragile, small and realism is hard to achieve as compared to 1:18 counterparts with full opening functions. I have yet to see pictures of 1:24 can that can pass as real cars in photography without using software enhancements like Photoshop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicadraus 6130 Posted October 11, 2020 I'd like to share this one... The model before. 1:18 AUTOart Toyota Corolla WRC car. From carefully disassembling and stripping down to avoid breaking parts especially the windshields, headlights, tail lights, and other fragile parts. Sanded the body and applied steel epoxy putty on the holes that should be covered. Fabricated side skirts using mobile pre-paid cards. Also used the same material to modify the rear spoiler Fabricated side molding Prepped for painting... Base primer (white) Base paint (Verde ithaca) - I personally mixed this color. Same shade originally used by Lamborghini After top clear coat, masked the body for flat black painting After wet sanding and three-step buffing... Headlights, grill, signal lights, engine modified and detailed... Interior modification and detailing: Replaced stock seats and fabricated ribbon style seatbelts. Installed photo-etched metal buckles, foot pedals, boost box, etc Removed the spare tire and fabricated a board and wrapped in carbon fiber decal Replaced Speed line wheels with BBS CHR wheels. Lowered with minor negative camber in the rear. All wheels are fully functional and steering still works. Another one in white version WRC plain body with modification After painting and wet sanding, prepped for buffing 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicadraus 6130 Posted October 11, 2020 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Before: Stripped down Primer... Mixed the base color Base color - 5 coats Top clear coated - 5 coats After wet sanding, buffing, detailing... Wrapped carbon fiber decal on the spoiler wing's deck Wheel replacement - TE37 18" with big disc brake and photo etched metal rotors Applied decals and top coated to glossy finish Lowered, camber set. All wheels rotate and steer Finished... 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topforcein 1764 Posted October 11, 2020 11 hours ago, Nicadraus said: that looks beautiful i love the wheels where you get them from plus the stickers I have had this one on the back burner for a few years as the spoiler is missing What would you surest fir a replacement 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee76 638 Posted October 13, 2020 Here is my die cast loft find Ferrari.. 308 GT it says on the bottom, but to me it’ll always be the red car which did jumps repeatedly into a pile of bricks (grew up on a building site with dads self build). I had this since probably since late 70’s early 80’s. The err.. detailed engine is still in place and if you look closely there is what could have been chocolate squished into the storage space under the hood. It has now been passed on to my 4 year old who will no doubt care for it in the same way I did. I have pretty much no interest (or knowledge) in real cars, but could totally get into making scale models, especially if any turned out like that blue lancer, absolute top job there, looks awesome. I’d be happy just to have completed one of those wheels and have that on the shelf! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexei 525 Posted November 12, 2020 On 10/4/2020 at 6:02 PM, Nicadraus said: @Ferruz here I created a thread to avoid hi-jacking. Haha! When I retired (3rd retirement) from RC in 2007, I went to look for an alternative hobby. I've always wanted to collect cars so I did. With diecast models. I built and had a lot of 1:24 scale models but I just got really bored with them because of the limited details and lack of realism especially when shooting them. I've done many custom jobs with 1:18 and 1:43 diecast models and they are just so much better working with and they always end up looking more realistic than the fragile plastic ones. Here are links to my Lamborghini and Toyota collection and some other toys. Here - Lamborghini and Here - Toyota, Star Wars, etc Although the pics and list isn't updated yet. nice photos, i have seen a lot of your Lamborghini photos on the interenet when searching around. i also collect 1:18 models, although havent bought much in the last 2 years. currently i have about 365 in total. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicadraus 6130 Posted November 13, 2020 11 hours ago, Alexei said: nice photos, i have seen a lot of your Lamborghini photos on the interenet when searching around. i also collect 1:18 models, although havent bought much in the last 2 years. currently i have about 365 in total. Wow! That's a lot. I haven't been buying too. Last addition was just two 1:43s this year and the the last 1:18 was last year. Since I came back to the RC hobby, I have slowed down on models. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yogi-bear 2293 Posted November 13, 2020 that is very impressive collection and detailing you've done 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACCEL 2014 Posted November 13, 2020 13 hours ago, Nicadraus said: i have about 365 in total That's quite the regiment, that would be like a One A Day Vitamin for everyday of a whole year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexei 525 Posted November 13, 2020 18 hours ago, Nicadraus said: Wow! That's a lot. I haven't been buying too. Last addition was just two 1:43s this year and the the last 1:18 was last year. Since I came back to the RC hobby, I have slowed down on models. they do take up a good chunk of space, but i have 4 Ikea Billy shelves with a glass doors where they are all on display. i could use one more shelf as space is getting a little tight. i bought just one model this year, an AUTOart 1:18 Porsche 991 GT3 RS in purple. didnt buy anything in 2019. prices on new stuff has just skyrocketed and keeps going up. i dont think i will buy much with these high prices, only the models i like the absolutely most. AUTOart has an 1:18 Lamborghini Diablo SE30 announced, that is one i have wanted for a long time, and will most likely buy. 4 hours ago, ACCEL said: That's quite the regiment, that would be like a One A Day Vitamin for everyday of a whole year started collecting in 2004, so the collection has been growing for a long time now. sometimes i take a model or two out and look at while eating dinner 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites