First time doing multiple colors in lowrider style and really happy with the outcome. A few minor touch ups required but I can live with that.
Will let paint cure for a couple of days then wet sand it to even out the layers and then clear coat it.
This hobby gives us many opportunities to learn; in fact, I think we can learn something from almost every build. Here are a few things I have learned recently:
Pic #1 - Mock-up. Doing a mock up and test fitting can prevent issues later in the build. This Lamborghini was a build for my son-in-law and doing the mock up showed me what fitment issues needed to be corrected before I painted. I also saw what parts could be pre-assembled before painting which would help improve the overall finish.
Pic #2 - Practice & test. Currently working on a 59 Impala and I tested and practiced the taping and painting on a spare kit before working on the actual build. Sounds basic, but I am not a patient person and tend to act first and deal with results later, so practicing allowed me to experiment with colors and layering to, hopefully, achieve a better result on my actual build.
Pic #3 & 4 - Expand your comfort zone. Some solutions for kit issues will push you out of your comfort zone. Last week I asked for suggestions on lowering the suspension on the Impala and a few people suggested modifying the chassis (significantly) which is not something I had done before and I was somewhat hesitant to do so. However, the end result is what I was looking for so it was worth the feeling of being uncomfortable with the suggestions.
What about you? What have you learned lately?
Straight-forward, enjoyable build.
Straight out of the box build with no customizing.
Edit: Just realized I forgot to add panel liner to the doors. Doh!
Is it possible to lower the body on this 59 Impala? The tires come into contact with the top of the wheels wells and the wheel wells also touch the body so I don't know how to make adjustments. The tires are slightly larger than the kit tires but not enough to make much of a difference (I checked). Forgot to take a pic of chassis and body with interior tub.
Your model wisdom and knowledge is definitely appreciated.
UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who responded. I took the route of trimming the wheel wells and then discovered the interior cabin won't fit properly. Have decided to use the tires in the kit and forgo the extremely lowered look. Will attempt that on another build.
Getting close to the finish line with the AMT Freuhauf Van
Planning to do a lowrider paint job on an upcoming build and would like advice. The attached pics are just samples, not necessarily the actual design I will do and the purple will be replaced with Tamiya mica blue I will be using rattle cans. I used AI to help me figure out the best approach. Is this the best process for masking and painting?
Note: I am using rattle cans
1. Layout and Masking the First Pattern (Silver & White)
Because white has the lowest opacity, it must be applied early in the process.
2. Painting the Light and Pearl Blues
Now you will transition into your lighter blue shades.
3. Painting the Primary Body Color (Mica Blue)
The primary color ties the entire lowrider scheme together.
4. Blending with Clear Blue (Optional Depth)
To get that authentic, deep "candy" lowrider look, use your translucent coat.
Having extreme difficulty getting the cab to stay attached to the bumper hinges so I can't flip the cab up to show the engine. Also, it doesn't align properly front to back. It is supposed to rest on cab supports and when I line it up on those, it doesn't fit to the bumper properly. Leaving it for now and calling it finished (sort of, for now).
Working on the trailer now. It's painted and just waiting for decals to cure before clear coating and continuing assembly.
Porsche group build entries. I apologize if I missed anyone or made a mistake with your username. Enjoy!
Replaced the molded bed with a homemade mattress, sheet and pillow and my wife sewed me a top blanket. Also cut out the plastic curtain from the frame and my wife sewed an actual privacy/blackout curtain.
Next comes the fun(?) task of attaching the cab to the chassis. Doubling up on my patience pills before tackling that. Lol!
When I first began detailing car kits, it was somewhat overwhelming. Trying to remember what details I could add, what product(s) to use for specific details, and what holes I needed to drill. So I created a checklist. If you want a PDF version or Word doc you can edit, DM me with your email address and I'll send you a copy. Cheers!
Aside from the decal issues I ran into a month ago, this was a GREAT kit to build. Everything fit together nicely so it was a relatively easy, stress-free build.
Unfortunately, had issues with the decals again. Last time I used Dupli-color clear coat and the decals were ruined. This time, I applied My Hobby clear and got some wrinkling again but not to the same extent. Used a Q-tip to smooth out the decals and was moderately successful. I probably should have waited another 24-48 hours before applying it (I let them cure for 24 hrs).
NOTE: HUGE thanks to u/04HondaCivic for sending me a replacement set of decals. You rock!!
Chassis is done. It's been an interesting build so far and for the most part enjoyable. Had a few fitment issues with the wheels and tires, surprise surprise! Other than that, assembly has gone pretty well.
Weathered the tires and added some stains to the fuel tanks. Also replaced stock plastic mud flaps with vinyl flaps and custom decals.
Built this for my son-in-law's birthday and it was challenging to say the least.
REALLY glad I test fitted, sanded, and attached the wheel flares, front grill, and bumper before painting. Think I spent close to 2 hrs getting the proper fit. However, I simply could not get the doors to fit properly even after several hours of trying to find and sand pinch points. The driver's door opens part way and the passenger door opens all the way but does not stay open on its own. Neither door closes properly so am tempted to glue them shut.
Overall paint turned out okay except for the driver's door. I had already wet sanded with 3, 4, 6, 8k papers and burned through some of the paint once so didn't want to attempt smoothing it out. My bad.
Aside from adding grey carpet (flocking powder) to the interior, this was a stock build. I'm hoping he likes it. Planning to do a video for him as well, showing how the kit was prepped, painted, and assembled.
Had a few issues so this is not my best build. Painted gloss citrus green (see last pic for paint can) but the pics look more yellow than green. Decided after I painted the car to do a vinyl roof (oops!) which created a few challenges. Ended up with tape residue on the trunk and passenger door panel and had to touch up paint in a few areas. Several decals also broke apart while trying to apply them. And this kit was from a model show and one of the tail pipes was missing so I had to craft a new one. It was also missing one exhaust manifold so used one from my stash, not a perfect match but it works.
Added wood grain to interior door panels and dash as well as carpet. Also did a bit of detail work on the underbody. Really pleased with the contrast of color on the underside; same paint as body but sprayed over grey primer vs white.
It won't win any awards but I like the overall look and end result.
Hours of taping and re-taping but well worth it. Now time to make custom decals. Woo hoo!!
Tackling a tractor and trailer for the first time and planning to do custom decals and paint instead of the Coke brand.
Although this kit was produced in 2018, the tooling looks like it's from the 70s and it shows. TONS of flash. Also, the part numbers on the sprue don't match with the instructions; instead they are on the bottom of the box (see last pic). Possibly because this kit was released by multiple AMT partners (AMT, AMT/Matchbox, AMT/ERTL, AMT Stevens International). Every release looked slightly different and had different decals.
Interesting fact: The standard color for Peterbilt engines was white and they also custom painted the frame to each customer's request rather than the standard gloss black.
Started this kit way back in Dec 2025 and messed up the decals; that post is here. Ordered replacement set first week of January and was told they were back-ordered and am still waiting. Decided to print my own (see last 2 pics) and finished the build. Looking at the work that had been done, I can see how much my skills have improved since last Dec. Anyway, pleased the kit is finally complete and overall I think it looks pretty good. What say you?
Making this kit for my son-in-law's birthday in August so I want it to be as close to perfect as possible. Spent 2 1/2 hours trimming and sanding parts and now test fitting the body parts to see what still needs trimming, sanding and possible filling before gluing parts in place. His favorite color for sports cars is baby blue so it will not be a standard Lambo color.