Hot Wheels and Matchbox Customizing Thread

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Well my SRT Viper Launch Edition I mentioned earlier is done! Normally I would post build pictures of it from start to finish but I failed to get some while it was being done so all I really have is the finished product.

I noticed my Hobby Lobby had GTS Blue Pearl in the model car paint section and I also noticed no one had done a SRT Viper Launch Edition yet last time I checked. So, since I have always prefered Vipers in blue with white stripes and I often try to do things no one has done before, I felt it was about time I made it happen. :D

IMG_0664.JPG
The car was actually was sprayed gloss white underneath and then I used the Tamiya masking tape to mask off where the stripes where going to go and then I sprayed it with some of Modelmasters GTS blue pearl I got from Hobby Lobby. Literally the perfect color for it. I tried painting it blue first and then adding the stripes, but it didn’t go well so I had to do this instead. One thing’s for sure, you never realize how hard it is to paint stripes onto a vehicle until you actually try it yourself. I didn’t expect the stripes to be easy from the start to be honest.

IMG_0665.JPG
While the real SRT Viper Launch Edition has wheels that look more like 5SP’s, all the other SRT Vipers have wheels that resembled Y5’s so I felt that chrome Y5 wheels where a sensible choice for it since I didn’t feel like hunting down a set of 5SP’s to fit it. I had wanted chrome Y5’s from the beginning anyways since I wasn’t satisfied with the gray ones it had, makes it stand out a lot more in my opinion.

IMG_0666.JPG

As for details, I detailed the headlights, parts of the hood, grill, mufflers, along with the taillights and everything around them with a toothpick. Didn’t add any interior detailing since it was already black like the real one, so I just left it. I will not deny that the headlights are a bit sloppy but hey, there is only so much you can do with toothpicks and paint brushes. :P


This was a fun car to customize and I really enjoyed working on it. While working on this car, I learned how to paint stripes on it the easy way and now the next time I plan on adding stripes on a vehicle, I will know what to do. Overall I am very pleased with how it turned out and I am glad I was able to finish it. Ever since I was kid I always loved Vipers with the blue and white stripes and since no one has really attempted to make one of these SRT Vipers like this yet including Hot Wheels, I thought it was time I did that for this car. :)
 
Well my SRT Viper Launch Edition I mentioned earlier is done! Normally I would post build pictures of it from start to finish but I failed to get some while it was being done so all I really have is the finished product.

I noticed my Hobby Lobby had GTS Blue Pearl in the model car paint section and I also noticed no one had done a SRT Viper Launch Edition yet last time I checked. So, since I have always prefered Vipers in blue with white stripes and I often try to do things no one has done before, I felt it was about time I made it happen. :D

View attachment 202710
The car was actually was sprayed gloss white underneath and then I used the Tamiya masking tape to mask off where the stripes where going to go and then I sprayed it with some of Modelmasters GTS blue pearl I got from Hobby Lobby. Literally the perfect color for it. I tried painting it blue first and then adding the stripes, but it didn’t go well so I had to do this instead. One thing’s for sure, you never realize how hard it is to paint stripes onto a vehicle until you actually try it yourself. I didn’t expect the stripes to be easy from the start to be honest.

View attachment 202711
While the real SRT Viper Launch Edition has wheels that look more like 5SP’s, all the other SRT Vipers have wheels that resembled Y5’s so I felt that chrome Y5 wheels where a sensible choice for it since I didn’t feel like hunting down a set of 5SP’s to fit it. I had wanted chrome Y5’s from the beginning anyways since I wasn’t satisfied with the gray ones it had, makes it stand out a lot more in my opinion.

View attachment 202712

As for details, I detailed the headlights, parts of the hood, grill, mufflers, along with the taillights and everything around them with a toothpick. Didn’t add any interior detailing since it was already black like the real one, so I just left it. I will not deny that the headlights are a bit sloppy but hey, there is only so much you can do with toothpicks and paint brushes. :P


This was a fun car to customize and I really enjoyed working on it. While working on this car, I learned how to paint stripes on it the easy way and now the next time I plan on adding stripes on a vehicle, I will know what to do. Overall I am very pleased with how it turned out and I am glad I was able to finish it. Ever since I was kid I always loved Vipers with the blue and white stripes and since no one has really attempted to make one of these SRT Vipers like this yet including Hot Wheels, I thought it was time I did that for this car. :)

Mate that turned out wicked, beautiful job with the stripes.
 
Maybe it's the light you took the pics in, but I think your Viper needs a big fat clearcoat because damn the finish looks really dull.
 
Maybe it's the light you took the pics in, but I think your Viper needs a big fat clearcoat because damn the finish looks really dull.
It has had several to be honest, it was even more dull before I clear coated it. I used a new can of Testors wet look clear coat for this one.

@Sonygamer455. That Viper looks awesome. :drool: So jealous.
Thanks mustang fanatic! :)

Some closer pics of the front and back. Would get closer by my ipod can only do so much with out making it blurry.

image.jpg

image.jpg

Also a bonus.
image.jpg

A base swap from another Viper I am close to finishing.
 
It doesn't appear smooth likely because the paint itself is still textured. My recent Shelby cobra turned out the same way. Even if you're putting down more coats, the last coat has to have some thickness to it. Misting and light coats lack the "fullness" of say- a medium coat. When you get a single coat that provides a texture-less surface, then you'll get that smooth gloss you're looking for.

edit: A light/mist coat giving you a textured look is a result of some paint landing on the surface, with some spots get missed. It's like trying to cover a black floor by throwing a handful of white confetti, and still seeing bits of black. What you want to to cover it entirely in white. If you got a good feeling of your spray can/airbrush, you may not need to rely on a thicker coat of paint, because sometimes a thick coat is not what you're after.
 
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Indeed. That's why I said "big fat", a clearcoat shot with a spray can is pretty different than a clear coat shot from a paint gun. When I cleared up the Across Australia Citroen I really missed being with Ahmed, as the clear cot froma paint gun is amazingly glossy and deep, even if you don't polish it up.
 
Airbrush painting is so addictive. I almost don't want to go back to aerosol cans. When it's not nail polish I'm putting through the tubes, it can provide precise coverage without overspraying anything. :drool:
 
Yeah, I took it out of my collection because of that... so I could do this:
:bowdown:

It's one of my favorite customs in the entire thread. Amazing. :drool:👍

@R1600Turbo I was actually wondering how you were able to pull off the name on the display base. I'm not a "customs" guy, but believe it or not, yours is the best one I've seen. :dopey:
 
A tattoo artist whom added me on facebook (presumably because he was taken by my work) posted a pic of his work station.

1488215_582335911877363_2369389759998188853_n.jpg


:bowdown:


Yeah he mods toy cars as a hobby too, but if I ever move out, I'd definitely have to make a bunch of shelving unit for myself.
 
It has had several to be honest, it was even more dull before I clear coated it. I used a new can of Testors wet look clear coat for this one.

Thanks mustang fanatic! :)

Some closer pics of the front and back. Would get closer by my ipod can only do so much with out making it blurry.


Also a bonus.
View attachment 202839

A base swap from another Viper I am close to finishing.
Dayuum!
 
Here is my SA rx7

You really, really need to pop up a lamp whern photographing your cars. I can't see a damned thing, yet I think if I saw it I'd like it a lot.

Also that pool table is absolutely awesome. I'll make one.
 
You really, really need to pop up a lamp whern photographing your cars. I can't see a damned thing, yet I think if I saw it I'd like it a lot.

Also that pool table is absolutely awesome. I'll make one.


Yeah I know but iam taking them on a iPhone and its playing up big time, won't flash and such. Yeah but need some sort of lighting, sorry about that.
 
Yeah I know but iam taking them on a iPhone and its playing up big time, won't flash and such. Yeah but need some sort of lighting, sorry about that.

Get to it, heck, photograph them ouside if need be. Your work seems quality stuff, want to see it.

Also, last weekend there was some club's meet where one of the honorary members of Custom Diecast México, Abigas_Wheels (the dude that did the abandoned Motorhome) was asked to display his cars, the awards he has won, and give out some tips to people and such. Here's a small report we put together.

http://www.customdiecastmexico.com/2014/08/exhibicion-customs-abigaswheels.html
14644028838_b3c2d8844d_o.jpg
 
:bowdown:

It's one of my favorite customs in the entire thread. Amazing. :drool:👍

@R1600Turbo I was actually wondering how you were able to pull off the name on the display base. I'm not a "customs" guy, but believe it or not, yours is the best one I've seen. :dopey:
Just FYI I have tag notifications turned off. I usually see them in the other thread since I am in there every day, but not so here. As far as the name on the display base, I just printed out a new one and double sided taped it over the top. Looks like crap in person since my printer sucks. Hence why I haven't done decals lately, need a new printer.

Also, @Ustad please resize your photos or attach them as thumbnails please! Mobile devices don't like them.
 
It doesn't appear smooth likely because the paint itself is still textured. My recent Shelby cobra turned out the same way. Even if you're putting down more coats, the last coat has to have some thickness to it. Misting and light coats lack the "fullness" of say- a medium coat. When you get a single coat that provides a texture-less surface, then you'll get that smooth gloss you're looking for.

edit: A light/mist coat giving you a textured look is a result of some paint landing on the surface, with some spots get missed. It's like trying to cover a black floor by throwing a handful of white confetti, and still seeing bits of black. What you want to to cover it entirely in white. If you got a good feeling of your spray can/airbrush, you may not need to rely on a thicker coat of paint, because sometimes a thick coat is not what you're after.
Thanks for the advice once again AOS-. I do remember out of the several coats it had, the last coat was a little light since I was trying not to make it puddle off the sides. Now that y'all mention it, it does look kind of dull, but at this point I am not sure what to do about it.
Indeed. That's why I said "big fat", a clearcoat shot with a spray can is pretty different than a clear coat shot from a paint gun. When I cleared up the Across Australia Citroen I really missed being with Ahmed, as the clear cot froma paint gun is amazingly glossy and deep, even if you don't polish it up.
Seeing this comment makes me wish I had a paint gun.

So, just a simple question, but should I attempt to add a little more clear coat to it? Yes or no?
 
"Yes" only if you haven't permanently assembled the car yet.


Lay down enough until you see a thick wet coat on it. Be careful though, coats like these then to smudge the easiest when being handled so let it sit for a week, somewhere dry, possibly near a dehumidifier if you happen to have one.
 

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