1/24 Audi R8

[stillp]

Trying to remember the last time I built a model car. I think it was around 1969!
This is a Revell kit repackaged for Marks & Spencer, so it's not just any Audi R8, it's an M & S Audi.

Another charity shop bargain of course. One day I really must buy a kit from a model shop. You'll notice it says it includes paints, glue and a brush. Well, the paints and glue are there, but the brush looks a bit bald:

The box was sealed when I bought it, and there are no brush hairs in the box so it must have been packed like that.
Sprues were nicely packed in plastic bags, one for each colour so 3 or less in each bag.


8 sprues, plus the body, and separate vinyl tyres. I haven't noticed any flash yet. I'll have to get that 'chrome' sprue in a bath of bleach. What's the best finish for these polished alloy wheels?
There's also a nice decal sheet, and a small piece of plastic mesh.

The thing that's been putting me off building cars is painting the body. I've never had much success with rattle cans, and when I've tried to decant paint from them I've just made a mess.
At the moment I'm thinking I might paint the body in Tamiya X13 metallic blue, as a change for the 'silver' that R8s often are, and I have an unopened jar here. Whether I can get a decent gloss finish is another matter though!
All suggestions welcome.
Hope to make a start tomorrow.
Pete

[JR]

Nice a M&S Audi. :smiling3:
I'll take seat Pete, should be good.

[scottie3158]

Pete,
I will follow as you build my dream car.

[stillp]

The first 5 parts joined, and already I'm finding fit issues!

Gaps and misalignments all over this engine, it's going to leak oil!
Pete

[Jim R]

Hi Pete
Like Scottie this would be up there in my list of "cars I'd buy with a lottery win" :tongue-out3:
The kit looked really nice but if the fit issues are throughout it's going to be a lot of work.
Jim

[Del640]

I often look at cars and motorcycles, especially motorcycles as I've ridden all my life both leisurely and professionally, but like some of you it's the glossy finish that I wonder about.

Maybe one day!

Look forward to the finished R8 though!

[stillp]

I haven't been entirely inactive:

As usual I'm spending a lot of time trying to work out a painting sequence, which usually turns out wrong! The engine didn't turn out too badly though, after a few smears of PPP.
Pete

[JR]

Progress Pete, bit by bit . Engine looks ok , what's those parts at the bottom , Exhaust Manifold ?

[stillp]

Thanks John. Those bits at the bottom are the air intake box, still have to add three decals. The shiny black bits are drive shafts.
Pete

[JR]

Thanks John. Those bits at the bottom are the air intake box, still have to add three decals. The shiny black bits are drive shafts.
Pete

Thanks Pete. Shows how much I know about super cars !

[stillp]

it's the glossy finish that I wonder about.

Yeah, that's worrying me too!
Pete

[stillp]

The paint has been worrying me, but I think this'll do:

Not terribly glossy, but it'll have a clear coat later. The floor pan has also been painted:

Still have to paint the suspension arms.
Cheers
Pete

[stillp]

Painted the contrast panels behind the doors - Tamiya Metallic Grey. Didn't come out as smooth as the metallic blue but should be OK under a gloss coat.
I also started painting the interior, but the dark grey I used isn't dark enough, so I'll try a different paint tomorrow, or perhaps mix something. Many of the 1:1 cars seem to be all anthracite inside except for the stitching on the seats and steering wheel, but I think that'll be a bit too sombre. Revell have the seat bodies in beige, and the seat facings and footwell carpets in brown, but I don't fancy the beige so might use a lighter grey instead. Any suggestions chaps?
Pete

[Tim Marlow]

This is coming on grea5 guns Pete. Nice finish so far.....
As to the interior, I would look at the options available on the internet and pick one you like.....

[yak face]

Looking good pete , the paint will look great with a gloss coat . As for the wheels just plain old silver paint will be fine , most alloys on modern cars are painted rather than polished anyway , cheers tony