Hot Wheels and Matchbox Customizing Thread

[AOS-]

Andy's One-77 had garnered a few questions as to why it was one of our faves

Opening up the minds of individual ideals. I love it! 👍

I have to agree it's not always about how much stuff you put into it... that criteria would play very well with highly-riced-out cars and donks, wouldn't they? That's fairly one-sided thinking, wouldn't you agree, @Cano? While we rarely go over the top with our customs, we understand sometimes a little work goes a long way as seen with our works.

 

[Cano]

Yeah, some of my favorite cars are some of the most simple jobs I've done, like the Stutz Blackhawk, the flaming Dodge van or the 32 Ford. Hell, even the 55 gasser is actually a pretty simple job. It even retained it's stock color. Sometimes you can give a car a lot of punch with the simplest of changes, or the simplest of jobs.

 

[Nessy]

I think the Aston you did AOS, worked so well because of the subtlety.. it's as if you fixed the design, the fact that it blends back in so well is what makes it work so well, (in my opinion).

 

[CodeRedR51]

Got some decal paper on order, hopefully it's good stuff. I singled out a customizer on HWC because his decals looked great and asked him where he got his paper. Got a 5 white, 5 clear mix for $12 shipped off eBay, same place he buys them from. If they still come out crappy, time for a new printer.

 

[GoldenBlade]

I would love to get back into diecast customizing more. I fooled around with this particular hobby over the summer, and it was really enjoyable. I spray painted a few cars, and they turned out nicely. I've got PLENTY of cars to mess around with. There's hundreds in my collection.

 

[Cano]

I would love to get back into diecast customizing more. I fooled around with this particular hobby over the summer, and it was really enjoyable. I spray painted a few cars, and they turned out nicely. I've got PLENTY of cars to mess around with. There's hundreds in my collection.

work an hour/half an hour on them everyday and you'll make progress, slowly but you'll get there. It's what I mostly do due to having no time at times to really get deep into it.

 

[dunkee]

Awesome thread here 👍 I recently got into the idea of modding hotwheels after I bought some for my son. I did a quick google found this and now I'm hooked! I was into making designs in forza but got bored of it. Some of my work for anyone interested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57490730@N07/

Here's the first cars I bought that I fell in love with and decided to mod. I'll take better pics once I finish practicing on them..

Thinking of putting these wheels on this one...took them off a Jada. The wheels are the same size as what it came with but looks too big...I think if I lower it might look ok.

 

[ChasingGhosts]

This is my first shot at customizing a Hot Wheels car, thought I'd have a bit of fun modding this BMW Japanese VIP Style.

Matt white respray
Black & red interior
Detailed undercarriage
Blacked out rims
Body drop
Tucked wheels

Really love this thread, not sure if there is much of a Hot Wheels modding scene here in Melbourne.

Any tips on how to paint fine details like head / tail lights would be awesome.

Cheers!

 

[Cano]

I hate your rear wheels. Other than that, pretty neat. Take it a step further by adding a small front lip or something.

Also, for detailing: variety of Tamiya/Model Masters paint, very small and slim brushes, and toothpicks.

 

[AOS-]

Pretty clean job on the interior and base. 👍

I personally go for toothpicks because I have no patience to clean up brushes. That and because a lot of damaged toothpick boxes gets thrown out at work, thought it'd be a waste to toss out unused toothpicks just like that so I keep 'em

 

[Cano]

Oi, people, new car at custom Diecast México:

http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2014/01/hot-wheels-midnight-otto-phaeton.html

 

[AOS-]

Like the paint, suspension and interior. Good attempt at smoothie wheels, and I'm amazed at the amount of external materials gathered to put this thing together.

 

[Cano]

Yeah, Angel is pretty good at making stuff with scrap.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Just printed the decals for the Civics I am working on. Figured out how to configure my printer for better quality printing on the decal paper. (setting it to photo paper for one...) Satisfied with the way they came out.

 

[hawkeye122]

So I got a DB9 in my stocking, it's white. I'd love to make it into a GTE car but idk how to put a wing on it. I think I'll start with the gulf paint...

 

[AOS-]

So I got a DB9 in my stocking, it's white. I'd love to make it into a GTE car but idk how to put a wing on it. I think I'll start with the gulf paint...

Snatch the wing off another car. A big tip from experience is to do all the 3D media first, then deal with 2D media. By this I mean, if you have anything to do that involving adding, modifiying or removing physical objects, do that first and see if everything fits, is correctly-sized, symmetrical, etc.. After all that is good, then you deal with surface modification such as paints, decals and detailing.

 

[mustang fanatic]

I have been working on two projects with my dremel I got for Christmas.


I cut the roof off of a hot bird


I'm attempting to make a street rod 32 delivery. I'm not sure if I should make it a rat rod or not.


I am also wondering if I should use the engine and base from a track t on the 32 ford.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Turbo Civic anyone? Also, look how nasty the casting is on that front lip. Got putty drying over it right now then will re-shape it. Also, all the bits of paint are gone now. This car will be going to a friend who used to have a turbo EF Civic. Just waiting on him to get me some photos so I can replicate it 100%, down to the license plates.

 

[Johnny1996]

So if you need to remove the wheels without cutting the axles on a car with a metal base, and don't have any grinding tools or a Dremel, what do you use?

Also, what's a good way to space wheels?

EDIT: One more thing: for painting a car using a Testors spray can, do you need to primer the body first?

 

[CodeRedR51]

1) I use a small tip flathead screwdriver to pry open the things holding the axles in.

2) Space wheels? If you are asking what I think, it's lengthening or shortening the axles. There's a tutorial in the OP for that.

3) Yes, always use primer.

 

[yabiggoose]

Really love this thread, not sure if there is much of a Hot Wheels modding scene here in Melbourne.

Any tips on how to paint fine details like head / tail lights would be awesome.

Cheers!

Being from melbourne, what store did you buy from and what tools?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Finished the decals/detailing on the blue Civic. Just needs clear now. Will do that tonight and depending on how fast it dries I'll get pics up.

 

[Johnny1996]

Got some 1/16th" aluminum tubing at a hobby store, so now I can make some progress for wheel resizing. For any of you that have worked with this stuff, how easy is it to cut and work with?

1) I use a small tip flathead screwdriver to pry open the things holding the axles in.

2) Space wheels? If you are asking what I think, it's lengthening or shortening the axles. There's a tutorial in the OP for that.

3) Yes, always use primer.

Thanks! That was yet another brain fart. I never thought to check the OP.

 

[AOS-]

Any wire cutters will do the job (it's not thick nor strong). You may need some 100-200grit to sand off the edges after cutting because it crimps the ends shut. A dremel with a cutting disk will eliminate that step for the most part (based on my experience).

 

[Johnny1996]

Any wire cutters will do the job (it's not thick nor strong). You may need some 100-200grit to sand off the edges after cutting because it crimps the ends shut. A dremel with a cutting disk will eliminate that step for the most part (based on my experience).

Alright. Thanks!

 

[AOS-]

Alright. Thanks!

Forgot to mention. If you have the cutting disk, you won't need to use wire cutters at all. Still, have any kind of sandpaper in case the dremel pushes the brass material covering the tube opening. It's pretty no-brainer when you do hands-on work long enough.

 

[Johnny1996]

Forgot to mention. If you have the cutting disk, you won't need to use wire cutters at all. Still, have any kind of sandpaper in case the dremel pushes the brass material covering the tube opening. It's pretty no-brainer when you do hands-on work long enough.

I'll keep that in mind also. I'm now going to log off so I can do some quick work on axles, specifically the ones on my red Matchbox Mercury Cougar.

And an update on said Cougar: The paint bled underneath the masking tape while painting the number on, so the car will now get stripped from its paint, which is not something I wanted to happen. I hope its a blessing in disguise, to be honest.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Wouldn't recommend the wire cutters, crimped edges will suck. Dremel FTW.

 

[ChasingGhosts]

Being from melbourne, what store did you buy from and what tools?

Hi,
Tools: I typically use a Dremel, got one cheap at Bunnings Port Melbourne, they typically have a special on them every month.
For other body mods I use standard modelling tools, you can buy them at the Victorian Hobby Centre on Swanston Street.

I typically hunt for cars at Toys'R'us and Coles, they over stock and end up discounting them quite heavily.

Hope that Helps!

CG.

 

[yabiggoose]

Hi,
Tools: I typically use a Dremel, got one cheap at Bunnings Port Melbourne, they typically have a special on them every month.
For other body mods I use standard modelling tools, you can buy them at the Victorian Hobby Centre on Swanston Street.

I typically hunt for cars at Toys'R'us and Coles, they over stock and end up discounting them quite heavily.

Hope that Helps!

CG.

Alright, dremel it is! And I'll check that hobby place out when it's not so hot haha.

Quite often target will have like 4 for $5.

Thanks!