FINISHED! First project in 15 years - Sand Scorcher Re-Re

[Collectible Cars 186]

I had a lot of fun rebuilding some Porsche 959s back in 2006, wish I kept them as they are worth a lot more now than I sold them for then! One even had a clear bodyshell and was completely unbuilt. Since then I hadn't hankered for another RC.
It was sparked again by the desire to get a full size Beetle but that just threw up all sorts of space issues. But getting a Re-release Tamiya Beetle, now that I could make work!
The fun of a new build appealed more than a restoration right now so I promptly ordered a Brand New Sand Scorcher. The blister packs where a big draw!
I have more experience with airbrushing than I do building and driving, so the plan is an immaculate Box Art paint job and some tasteful add ons, before adding some accessories when I get a 3D printer. Starting with the obligatory box art...
 

[Collectible Cars 186]

The first job was to start work on the mold lines on the bodywork which are quite heavy. I did one pass but there are still some faint dips

[Collectible Cars 186]

My first question is do you spray the nose cone in place or separately and then screw it in later. It's a pretty tight fit so I fear once the paint is added it won't slide into place?

[Collectible Cars 186]

I Dremeled out the rear light innards as I'm not sure what I'll do for lighting but it'll be something. I left a lip for the clear lense to glue to which I'll paint as a rubber seal.

[Collectible Cars 186]

So the body prepped and coated with 2 layers of Halfords Plastic Primer which went on well. It's very thin and wet so easy to create runs if you are not careful.

[Re-Bugged 10152]

1 hour ago, Collectible Cars said:

My first question is do you spray the nose cone in place or separately and then screw it in later. It's a pretty tight fit so I fear once the paint is added it won't slide into place?

I tend to prime the nose separate, then fix it in place, touch up the screw heads with primer the paint the rest with it in place. 
Enjoy the build and I’m looking forward to seeing it done 😉

[Willy iine 18806]

@Re-Bugged is the pro! 

On my comical version I ended up making a clean groove on that nose to bonnet parting line after gluing and putting it initially.   

GL with the painting!   I hope to finish my car later today. 

 

[Willy iine 18806]

@Collectible Cars Any updates?  How did the body go?

[Collectible Cars 186]

Yes, been busy on it today!
I've used my scale modelling experience to produce chrome wheels & I couldn't resist creating a heat stained titanium exhaust! I used Alclad gloos black primer and Alclad chrome to do the parts after removing all the seam lines.
The body has gone well with five coats of Halfords VW Pastel White which is a very period creamy white, a proper Beetle colour. I'm slightly delayed by Tamiya not doing Sky Blue in their TS 10ml range as I was going to air brush it on, so I'll look into plan B to do the blue.
 

[Willy iine 18806]

@Collectible Cars - Ooooo~ fancy exhaust tip!    I love the rear bumper metallic finish too.

Keep up the great work.  Excited to see how yours turn out.

[Beetlemankurt 676]

Looking good! What did you use for the chroming of the rims? I'm picking possibly Alclad? 

I always love to see another Beetle coming along, look forward to seeing the body finished.

Cheers

Kurt

[Steelyglint 34]

I'm looking at getting one of these, any more tips or progress? 

[Collectible Cars 186]

On 1/7/2022 at 7:24 PM, Steelyglint said:

I'm looking at getting one of these, any more tips or progress? 

It's a nice challenging build so I don't want to rush it, especially as I am setting up a new business at the moment so the R/C stuff has taken 2nd place.
But I did manage to get the body masked up and the blue applied today, Halford's Ford Olympic Blue.
Wow, it's INCREDIBLY hard to get a sharp line, even if you take your time. I may try spraying some clear decal tomorrow with the paint and then apply a thin strip of decal to sharpen the line where it needs to be. The other option is the black lining as I've seen some do.

[SupraChrgd82 1425]

The bluing on the header is spectacular.  Can you describe your process?

[Collectible Cars 186]

I've had fun trying different wheels.
I bought some Pargu Factory wheels with the idea of fitting the Rough Rider tyres. It seems the Rough Rider tyres don't fit the Pargu wheels though.
Also, the front tyres when fitted on the Pargu wheels seem too skinny and a lot of the wheel lip shows. Any ideas guys?
I bought a 0.7mm white lettering pen though and it does a great job of detailing the sidewall lettering.
I'm loving the standard wheels coated in Alclad though.

[Collectible Cars 186]

9 minutes ago, SupraChrgd82 said:

The bluing on the header is spectacular.  Can you describe your process?

Thank you so much! I picked up the process modelling the Tamiya race bike exhausts. There are a few good tutorials on YouTube which help but it's just practice really.
You need to spray the exhaust in Aclad gloss black primer, then Alclad chrome. The shinier the black primer, the better the chrome finish.
Then have fun with four Alclad Hot Colours. Sepia, blue, red & voilet. Light passes and build up the colours, you simply cannot rush it!

[Willy iine 18806]

Looking real nice @Collectible Cars!    

 

Not a big deal, but the rear paddle tires should be mounted (rotational directionality) the other way... (last picture)

[Re-Bugged 10152]

Looking good 👍🏻 

I’ve only ever used Pargu’s rim covers, they don’t stick out. It must be something to do with the solid rims.

 

He does 2 different sizes too, the Sand Scorcher wheels are slightly smaller than the Buggy Champ ones. You have to read the description carefully when ordering, one is a size ‘A’ and the other a size ‘B’ if memory serves correctly. 

[Collectible Cars 186]

19 hours ago, Willy iine said:

Looking real nice @Collectible Cars!    

 

Not a big deal, but the rear paddle tires should be mounted (rotational directionality) the other way... (last picture)

I just slap the wheels on when I take pictures as the model is still boxed, I just didn't take any notice of which side went on!

[Collectible Cars 186]

17 hours ago, Re-Bugged said:

Looking good 👍🏻 

I’ve only ever used Pargu’s rim covers, they don’t stick out. It must be something to do with the solid rims.

 

He does 2 different sizes too, the Sand Scorcher wheels are slightly smaller than the Buggy Champ ones. You have to read the description carefully when ordering, one is a size ‘A’ and the other a size ‘B’ if memory serves correctly. 

There were two types, A & B but A was the 5 Spoke & Type B was the Centreline Style, so no width options!

[Collectible Cars 186]

Slowly taking shape. Nose in place and decals on waiting for clear coat now as the next stage.

I'm waiting on Kyosho 0.4mm micron tape now to define the mask lines.

[Steelyglint 34]

On 1/20/2022 at 9:41 PM, Collectible Cars said:

I've had fun trying different wheels.
I bought some Pargu Factory wheels with the idea of fitting the Rough Rider tyres. It seems the Rough Rider tyres don't fit the Pargu wheels though.
Also, the front tyres when fitted on the Pargu wheels seem too skinny and a lot of the wheel lip shows. Any ideas guys?
I bought a 0.7mm white lettering pen though and it does a great job of detailing the sidewall lettering.
I'm loving the standard wheels coated in Alclad though.

Have a look at the recent thread which has lots of Intel / info on sand scorcher wheels and alternates... "Aftermarket tires for the Sand Scorcher" . The build looks fantastic btw. 

[Willy iine 18806]

Looks real nice, @Collectible Cars!   

I wonder who would finish first.. you with your SS or me with my ever-taking-so-long XR311.      Not that it is a race by any means.   

Have fun with the rest of your build.  

[Collectible Cars 186]

I've finished! The car, anyway! I've yet to add the driver but I haven't even started him and so don't hold your breath on that one!
I finished off the mask lines with the 0.4mm Kyosho micron tape and I used Bare Metal Foil for the chrome belt line trim.
The window quarter light were done with a Molotov Chrome pen.
I clear coated it in Hycote acrylic lacquer which was cut using a small attachment on my car polisher.

Overall I'm very, very happy with the results. It was really challenging, and I'm glad I didn't rush it. 
I've some inner wheel arches and I'm currently painting some 3d licence plates I've 3d printed.
I reckon an engine is on the cards too...it'll never end!!!

 

[Aerobert 2147]

Just beautiful. Great work on that Sand Scorcher.