Hot Wheels and Matchbox Customizing Thread

[Johnny1996]

Acetone or nail polish remover. Dip that stuff with tissue or paper towel and rub lightly. Think of it as if it were acid that can take off the tampos easily, but also take off paint if you let it make contact for too long in one go. You need to give the stuff a second or two to bite into the tampos. What I like to do is to get a thin glaze of acetone/remover on the surface, leave it for a second, and then begin to rub.

However, avoid letting it sit for too long anywhere, especially in ridges like separation lines, as that can start dissolving the paint to a noticeable amount. What I do is after I get the stuff on the surface, I scrub for a bit, but after about 4 or 5 seconds I stop and I wipe off the excess with my finger, just so the paint has time to recover. If you've exposed the surface to remover for too long, you will notice the paint loses its shine. If you keep it light, little to no damage will be done to the paint.

Thanks! Here's the Exige, which I'm trying to make better (closer to the real car):

 

[AOS-]

What might you be planning to do to make it look more "realistic"?

 

[Johnny1996]

Take off the orange and silver striping, and maybe a wheel swap. Basically, make it look like the car below.

 

[AOS-]

I see. Well, the wheels on it look close enough already and stripes don't make the car look any less real, but if you're going to find wheels just like that one, you're probably going to end up taking them off another Exige model which just seems redundant at that point.

I have the same Exige, and I've painted the existing wheels black, filled in the grills, duct and lights:

 

[Johnny1996]

I see. Well, the wheels on it look close enough already and stripes don't make the car look any less real, but if you're going to find wheels just like that one, you're probably going to end up taking them off another Exige model which just seems redundant at that point.

I have the same Exige, and I've painted the existing wheels black, filled in the grills, duct and lights:
*Exige picture*

Sorry it took me so long to reply; I had homework to do. As for the Exige, I might do the wheel swap anyway. That is, if the wheels that will go in place of the pre-existing ones look good, and if the wheels that are from the Exige that will get new wheels look good on the Exige that will supply the new wheels. I hope I didn't make that too confusing to read.

 

[Kennom]

Hello, I just began to have a interest of customizing hot wheels very recently, and I will be willing to give a shot. And I have a question, is there any possible way to change the color of the windshields, the car that I'm thinking of customizing has a light blue windshields but I want to have a clear windshields, is there any trick that could help?

 

[CodeRedR51]

There is a way to make windows colored if they are originally clear, but there isn't a way to reverse that process. If you want a clear windshield, best to look for another version of the same car that has a clear windshield and part it out.

 

[Cano]

Three new posts in Custom Diecast Mexico that I hadn't had the time to post here because work, sleep deprivation and lazyness. First is this amazing Drag Bug made by our friend Angel, which you might have already seen at Lamley:
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/11/matchbox-muscle-bug.html

Then two posts for this week, both cars you haven't seen before. Well, I don't really remember if Ahmed posted this Rolls Royce he restored, but bear with me; this thing was a pile of trash before but now looks like this:
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/11/tomica-rolls-royce-phantom-vi.html

And finally this Johnny Lightning 1937 Ford that I just finished restoring after it sat for a real while already painted.
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/11/johnny-lightning-37-ford.html

 

[Johnny1996]

Love the customs, Cano. And that's putting it simply!

I currently have an HW Datsun Bluebird 510 I'm working on, but it'll take some time. I have the chrome removed from the wheels, Testors Flat Steel painted rollcage, and not one idea for how to do the body up in my head. Pictures have been taken along the way. After winter is over is when I can start stripping the paint off. After that, the Bluebird painted and will be done, and I can move on to another car.

As for you fellow customizers, I can't wait to see what you'll be posting next. Every car is amazing.

 

[Cano]

Two more cars to show you over at Custom Diecast México! One finishes off last week's resto theme, it's this Lesney Ford tow truck that was a piece of trash until Brujo gave it new life, follow the link to see how it was before:
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/11/matchbox-grua-ford.html

And then a simple repaint/wheelswap on a wheeldonor HW Meyers Manx:
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/11/hot-wheels-meyers-manx.html

 

[RCKakashi14]

Just added side mirrors for this Countach after some sleepless nights:

What it looked like before:

 

[Cano]

Paint them.

 

[RCKakashi14]

It would either be black, white, or keep it chrome.

Chrome round side mirrors from classic cars have appealed me, that's why. The LP400 Countach had those, and they also fit well for the QV.

 

[AOS-]

On vintage cars definitely. I personally would've went for a more angular shape for a Countach to match its body language. Did those mirrors come from another car or was that an accessory?

 

[RCKakashi14]

It's from a donor car.

And I couldn't find the black or colored side mirrors that are standard on the QV Countach, that's why I chose those round side mirrors instead.

 

[AOS-]

Fair enough. 1/64s have their disadvantages when it comes to customs.

Get some.

 

[Johnny1996]

So I picked up a Charger Daytona for my next project, which will be done soon. It'll be subtle. Quite subtle. It'll take just a hair more work because the one axle thingy on the interior piece is screwed up, so I'll have to fabricate and install one myself. Speaking of the interior piece, it has a casted engine. I'm starting work tomorrow if nothing comes up. Here's the Daytona for reference:

Image from southtexasdiecast.com.

 

[Cano]

This past week at Custom Diecasst México was entirely comprised of cars you had already seen over here, including thwe Toyota Supra restored for Wyvern:
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/11/hot-wheels-toyota-celica-supra.html

And this car, which I'm pretty sure Ahmed posted here in the past... or he didn't? Well, here it is anyway, the Bad Ass Bird built for the muscle car themed custom contest held by hot wheels Mexico club, in which it won second place:
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/12/hot-wheels-bad-bird.html

This week we won't update as we're working towards finishing our customs for the contest held at Hot Wheels Mexico Club's meeting which is next saturday. Check out what we're working ion in the next link:
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/12/work-in-progress.html

 

[Johnny1996]

Awesome Supra, Cano. 👍

 

[mustang fanatic]

Well, here is my first big post of the customs I have done so far. They are mostly wheel swaps, but there are also some upcoming projects, and paintjob attempts. Sorry about picture quality.







I still need to paint the interior on this one, since it's chrome.

This one isn't done yet either. It still needs some detail, and I have to take it apart again to adjust the front axle size.

This one was my first wheel swap, but I am not sure about the wheel color.

This one is pretty much just a mock up. I think I might keep the wheels, but I just have to find time to put it together and detail it.

I was working on this one today, and I especially like the steelies on this one. It isn't finished because I made the holes for the screws too big, so I need an alternative way to put it together. Any ideas?

Some upcoming projects:

I found this Muscle Machines Mazda RX7 when I was cleaning out the basement. I don't really care much for imports, but I like this one because the detail is awesome. Even the engine is realistic.

Some Greenlights:











Anyone know how to paint the black on this greenlight plastic roof?

Repaint Attemps-they're all fails. The paint esily comes off with your fingernail.







These two could be the closest to getting right.


My project bucket.


One more question. I have a Ferrari here. It's called a speedy berlinetta. I am not sure of the brand. I am wondering if I should restore it or customize it. Anyone know anything about it?


And there you have it. Hopefully you liked the customs. Sorry for such a long post.

 

[AOS-]

Cool stuff.

What paint are you using on that roof piece? Have you tried enamel?

 

[mustang fanatic]

Cool stuff.

What paint are you using on that roof piece? Have you tried enamel?

Nothing yet. I'm just wondering how to paint it without getting paint all over the windows.

 

[Cano]

Well, here is my first big post of the customs I have done so far. They are mostly wheel swaps, but there are also some upcoming projects, and paintjob attempts.
One more question. I have a Ferrari here. It's called a speedy berlinetta. I am not sure of the brand. I am wondering if I should restore it or customize it. Anyone know anything about it?


And there you have it. Hopefully you liked the customs. Sorry for such a long post.

Noice, some of those wheelswaps I have planned as well. Also, pic of the base of the Ferrari. I'm almost sure it's Corgi or Dinky, but can't fully assure it.

 

[AOS-]

Get your bling on.

The magic you can do to make your cars look richer for only a single dollar.
http://athobbies.blogspot.ca/2013/12/customs-you-may-be-cool.html

 

[Cano]

New post @ Custom Diecast Mexico, featuring every single one of the 49! entrys in the custom contest held by Hot Wheels Mexico Club. Sadly, I could not participate due to a family emergency at the very last hour -even tough I had 6 cars ready- but that doesn't stop you from going and checking out all the stuff that was there, as well as the winners.
http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/12/concurso-customs-hotwheelsmexicoclubcom.html

 

[AOS-]

Mmm steelies on the Greenwood.

Also, boo for using past customs! 👎

 

[Cano]

You always do that. You build customs for building customs most of the times, and in competitions like these where everything goes, you bring all your weapons. Hell if I had been there I would have taken the yellow Alpine A310. That thing has been built for close to three years, and hasn't participated in a single contest. And I would have had a great shot at winning something with it.

 

[AOS-]

That's understandable but sorta silly when I think back to why people hold competitions in the first place.

Anyway, the Sky Busters are making slow progress. Juggling between these guys, assembling an arcade joystick controller, painting a 1/18 Diablo, photographing other planes and painting a giant picture frame, there's more than enough on the plate.

 

[Cano]

Golden plane :0

anyway, new post at Custom diecast México, we keep on going with the covwerage of the cuastom contest held last weekend with the 3rd place finisher, the Datsun 620 rat rod by our friend Christian:

http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2013/12/hot-wheels-datsun-620-rat-rod.html

 

[skootertrash74]

I just found this forum. Here are a few wheel swaps I have done. I am looking for tips and tools to do detail painting fine brush types etc....