A special model deserves special photos
I've always been fascinated by the 58059 Porsche 959, it was on my radar back in 1990 when I first got into the hobby, and I've looked at them enviously ever since. I've been asked a few times to paint the bodies for them but after examining the manual in detail and seeing how complex and involving a job it was I always declined.
Earlier this year I was asked again, and after saying no, I was persuaded to reconsider. I agreed, and this is the result. This is 100% original kit with the chassis built by David, the owner, and the body done by myself. It's a straight box art build, none of my usual additions, not that it really needs them - with lights, interior and exhausts as standard.
It took me several months of my spare time to paint, certainly the most involving and difficult I've done so far. You get no help with anything - no stickers for details, everything's painted. No window masks for those split side windows, no overspray film, nothing! The interior was no problem, it's essentially the same process I've done many times before with the cockpit sets on my rally and touring cars, what took the time was all the details inside and out. I sprayed pretty much everthing, save for some of the recesses on the inside. I used every masking trick in my repertoire - normal tape, vinyl tape for curves, blu-tack and cling film. Normally for window frames and trim around the lights I use cut vinyl, but this is painted as per the instructions.
I usually don't have much trouble with stickers, but these just wouldn't play ball. The combination of being 25 year old and also totally unresponsive to the heat gun wasn't an ideal one. They just would not shrink around the curves. I'd expected some wrinkles on the stripes as even the official Tamiya shots show them. At least it's clear they are originals! I actually ended up doing them twice - the first time with the later 'Racing' versions, but these had some fading to the red. David, the owner had a set of Rothmans so sent me those, the colour of which was perfect. It always looks better with the proper sponsors too.
I've documented the entire process with photos here: https://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/86657-58059-porsche-959-original-body-building-painting-project/
One condition of doing this job was that I be sent the chassis so I could take photos of the completed car. I felt this deserved doing something special so I used the same wood floor as featured in some of my other catalogue recreation type shots. These are lit with multiple flashes in a softbox, to create the soft glowing light, and then merged together in Photoshop to ensure every part of the car is nicely lit. I didn't have access to a spare chassis so the shot with the two cars in is Photoshop trickery.
With this now completed I've done the trifecta of difficult paint jobs - the 959, King Cab, and Sand Scorcher. Compared to these three anything else should be a breeze!
Comments
Klausen
Absolutely beautiful. I always admired your painting skills, and this is up there with the other of your creations. I love the 959, and would love one of these on the shelf, but I will never be able to reach a result near this.
Wandy
Stunning work by you yet again. Such a shame that it seems we wont see this re-released. Having said that, most of us wouldn't be able to paint it properly anyway. Lol.
emspjay
Amazing work as always!!
bjorklo
Seeing such a beautiful result, making me want my own car to be done. Very glad that you made a build thread, that I can have a look at to get some hints.
scollins
Really stunning work as usual,, I really admire your build quality, painting skills,,and the Photoshop too. As a designer I use that software daily,,,but not much in my RC hobby- although you are convincing me I need to do more there. Totally understand the wrath of using old decals that do not behave nicely,, on both R/C models and static plastic kits. Keep up the inspiring builds, this one is mint!
njmlondon
I love your work. So pleased to see you have tackled the hardest body ever made and the best Tamiya IMHO. Awesome as always.
Brads442
Beautiful job on that body & paint. Probably the best I have ever seen! Very nice photography and Photoshop work as well!!!
TIMECMDR
Sweet photography as always......I love looking at your model photos, great stuff
sully1967
I'm preparing for a 959 restoration and your job turned out excellent! Any chance you'd consider making some of the vinyl masks for my project? I would also consider the files you made in Illustrator. Let me know what you'd like for the set of Illustrator files or vinyl masks cut on your machine. Thanks in advance.
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