Steve's Mclaren Mercedes MP4-25; Revell 1/24

[Guest]

Very nice!

[Waspie]

Looking good Steve. Something alien looking about the shell!!! Was the MP4 a Newey design do you know?

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Looking good Steve. Something alien looking about the shell!!! Was the MP4 a Newey design do you know?

Definately not Doug although Red Bull did make a complaint to FIA about the legality of the rear wing. It had some sort of modification that could give the car a speed advantage on a straight.

[Andy T]

Looking great in paint.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Good luck with your build, Steve.

I made one of these twelve years ago (I used Alclad 2 lacquers) and what I remember about the build is the problem I had getting the decals to sit correctly, especially at the tip of the nose and on the side pods. I was so fed up with the decals on my build that I sold the Lewis Hamilton version rather than make it!

Dave

Update......... Well I think it's important to highlight the things that don't go so well with a build just as much as those things that go right. As Dave pointed out earlier in this post the decals are a real problem. Getting them to seat correctly on the curves of the nose and the side fairings is a real pain. I have encountered the same issue and ended up putting some small cuts into the decal to help them seat correctly. Even then they were still a pain in the backside and I have caused some minor damage to some of them. I think they will need numerous treatments of Micro Set and then I will have some cosmetic repair work to carry out on the decals. Fortunately the damage is under the air intake in a location that can hardly be seen. I have put some pictures up of the decals after the initial fitting. There is a lot of work still to do on them and I feel confident that I can get them something like decent in the end. The joys of putting decals on a curvy F1 car.

[Waspie]

Update......... Well I think it's important to highlight the things that don't go so well with a build just as much as those things that go right. As Dave pointed out earlier in this post the decals are a real problem. Getting them to seat correctly on the curves of the nose and the side fairings is a real pain. I have encountered the same issue and ended up putting some small cuts into the decal to help them seat correctly. Even then they were still a pain in the backside and I have caused some minor damage to some of them. I think they will need numerous treatments of Micro Set and then I will have some cosmetic repair work to carry out on the decals. Fortunately the damage is under the air intake in a location that can hardly be seen. I have put some pictures up of the decals after the initial fitting. There is a lot of work still to do on them and I feel confident that I can get them something like decent in the end. The joys of putting decals on a curvy F1 car.


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I never thought much of decals when I was a nipper. But now, I actually dread it when I get to that stage of a build. Like you Steve, I do believe in a warts and all approach to my build blogs as it's not all plain sailing every time.
But that said, you have a master plan on resolving the decal issue and even with issues it's looking good. It's a shame they can't make decals that are pliable or flexible. It would reduce the stress we endure with the things!!!
All these car builds are making me think its about time I had another visit to the National Motor Museum in the New Forest!

[Tworrs]

its about time I had another visit to the National Motor Museum in the New Forest!

Blimey, it's been a long time since I last went to Beaulieu.
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[Waspie]

Blimey, it's been a long time since I last went to Beaulieu.
[HEADING=2][/HEADING]

I forgot how to spell it!!!

[Stefee]

Re the decals - I feel your pain and frustration. Keep Microsoling and carry on!
It will look fine in the end.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Well some good news to report after my disaster with the side panel decals. After about 8 Micro set treatments and much gentle coaxing with a cotton bud. i think I have managed to save the decals and get them to a reasonable standard. They are far from perfect but a big improvement on where they were at. I have also been messing with some paint mixing and fairly confident I can match the red on the damaged section of decal so it all looks like it is going to come good in the end.

So progress since the last update is
Top part of the body shell where it runs to the rear spoiler is now fitted and decals applied. I needed to get this glued on because one of the decals on this panel crosses over the join of this panel onto the main body shell.
Engine now mounted on chassis and rear sub frame complete.
Front spoiler now fully decaled and now assembled ready for fitting.
Started to assemble seat belts and drivers bucket seat.

I have also made a change to some of the recommended paint. Some of the black engine parts and drivers seat were showing a mix of 90% gloss black and 10% silver. I didn't like it so have swapped it out for satin black. Looks much better.
Soon be on the home straight now.


Body shell resting on chassis. Not yet glued on.

Front Spoiler completed.






Steve

[Mark1]

Coming along nicely

[Andy T]

Great save with the decals. Those belts look very nice!

[Guest]

Looks like you managed to fix it alright, luckily.

[Stefee]

Really looking the part now.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Currently working on the tyre decals. The green band that goes around the circumference is proving a challenge. I am not surprised that many of the finished models that you see dont have this decal showing. I can only imagine the modellers got frustrated in trying to obtain a perfect circle. I shall persevere.





Photo of real tyre