Painting the body shell should be done with several light coats, each coat should be touch dry before the next is applied, 3 or 4 coats would be normal.

You will probably need more with white as it's being sprayed over the grey primer coat. For this model I have used Power Plus (Holts) Ford Diamond White. I prefer to get a gloss finish without using a clear varnish if possible and temperature and humidity are vital to this result. If you’re not spraying in a climate controlled environment and I’m sure the wife/partner will have something to say about you spraying in the house, please test your painting techniques prior to painting any models - it will be worth it.

While the top coat was left to dry, I like to leave it for several days, I built up the interior. Previously painted parts were fitted to the base plate, the decal applied to the dash panel and the wheel centers fitted ready for final assembly when the paint on the body shell has hardened. This can be helped using an oven if necessary but not too hot or too long or you will end up with a yellow model instead of white.

This is better done at a time when wives/partners are not at home or suffer the consequences. If necessary now paint the interior of the vehicle around the windows. This car does not have a black edge around the window so no painting is needed.

Now glazing can be fitted, this come as a one piece clear “vac form” and should be cut into separate window areas, you will get a better fit doing this than trying to fit it as one piece. To adder “vac form” in place I use Microscale Kristal Klear which comes as a white substance but will dry clear and therefore is better for glass areas. It's water based so can be cleaned of easily if too much is applied. Never use super glue on clear areas. The Kristal Klear will also fill gaps if there are any and gives a good fit

Dave Eames

Dave has travelled many continents in search of models and built over a thousand himself. He is one of the many passionate collectors of model cars. The 1/43 has become the collectors' scale, enjoyed by diverse enthusiasts from the man in the street, to rock stars and royalty alike.