- 2,652
- Las Vegas NV USA
- entertowin(1st) and niNjasPY55(2nd and m
It's coming out nicely dude. Can't wait to see the final product! 
:tup:
:tup:
Hot Wheels and Matchbox Customizing Thread
- Thread starter CodeRedR51
- 9,230 comments
- 1,222,991 views
Cano
Premium
- 20,758
- Cephiro
It's 11:13 pm so I'm still on time. Here is, as I promised, the Chaparral Camaro, a project that got into my mind the second I saw this:
For those of you unfamiliar with the car, here it is in all it's kelvinator white glory at Laguna Seca:
So, on it went...
In this pic already stripped and the wheels had been chosen:
Back when I started this, Hot Wheels' Watanabe-style was not available in here so I had to make do with what I could find at the time to emulate the magnesium Minilite wheels the car ran originally. The closer I had were these off a Racing Champions NASCAR, with their long spokes and deep design,they resembled Minilites as best as I could find, and I liked the idea of the wiiiiiiiiiide wheels.
HOWEVER. That meant modifying the chasis a lot. A LOT. When I was done, some parts of the chassis had almost disappeared, but the wheels fit in the fenders, filled them awesomelly well, and the car rolls perfectly:
When the chasis was done, it was time for paint:
And like this sat for... easily more than a year, maybe even closing to two years because reasons. Then the Muscle Cars theme got announced and the work restarted with the only element that was missing, the decals. The stripes are custom made in Photoshop, I downloaded the decals off the internet, and the Chaparral Camaro lettering came from a picture of the car, as I coluld never find a font that even looked remotely like it.
The last bit came with the Lexan front air dam. But here came the first real problem in the development of the car: when I cut the stock front spoiler, I cut it so I could use it on another car... but this meant that I lost the entire front part of the chassis, and I didin't realize that until it was way too late.
Fabrication was the name of the game. The Dremel was brought up and a new part was manufatured off the front wing of a Super Modified. The Lexan spoiler came off the blisterpack of some thermic paste tube I had lying around, much more sturdy than a HW blisterpack.
Yeah, I know, it looks terrible but the chassis was later painted matte black:
Tiiiiiiiiiime consuming, yes, but I masked off the wheels and painted them silver with cheap spray can paint:
The interior received a little dose of detailing, because I wanted to keep it as authentic as possible, and in the real car the dash and seat were the only black pieces in a sea of white metal. I painted some of the stuff Tamiya chrome and called it a day.
The final result of all this looks like this:
Looks great, eh? It wasn't. Several problems arose when decaling it. In this picture, you can see how the decal on the roof got ripped off the inner section of the roof because of the paint gun's air pressure. Same happened with the trunk decal. We put them back as good as we could while trying not to ruin the clear job. The 1 in the trunk developed a bubble that bursted, leaving a big white mark on it which I retouched with black paint later on. You can also see a bubble of clear in the wing:
Another bubble developed in the cowl vent section and bursted, so I had no other choice but to paint it flat black in order to cover the enormous white spot in the blue strip.
Chassis detailing in the form of white exhaust pipes, just like the real car:
And here is the custom front part of the chassis, which also presented a problem; after being painted and fitted with the Lexan spoiler, the car did not close back together as snuggly, some measurements were wrong from my part and the thing didn't snap back, so I pressed it as hard as I could and closed it.
Still, the front stance of the car was ruined, but the rushing for having it ready for the meeting prevented me from correcting that, which would have involved taking the chassis apart and reffitting the new front section... the day before the contest. No thanks.
Ruined stance:
No, I did not glue the spoiler at an odd angle because stupid, it isn't permanently affixed, I used Pritt Takt to affix it so it wouldn't be as vulnerable to possible impacts and had a chance to bounce around a little; as a side effect, you can move around the spoiler at will. Stupidly, I didn't realize it was not straight when I took the pic, but trust me, it is now.
Detailed tailights and bumper and more clear bubbles.
And a side shot with it's nose riding gasser-style high.
So yeah, as flawed as it came out, it won, but frankly it didn't have much competition. Still, I (we, Ahmed included) learned a loooooooooot of things, as this was the first time we had ever worked with custom transparent decals. The bad experiences we had with the decaling/clearing process won't ever repeat again.
And of course the decals came out awesome. Now that a clear-windshield version of the car is out and the HW Watanabe wheels exist, I'll build another one that will hopefully recreate the original in way better fashion than this one. For a first effort in a lot of things and for teaching us a lot of things too, I consider this thing a success.
For those of you unfamiliar with the car, here it is in all it's kelvinator white glory at Laguna Seca:
So, on it went...
In this pic already stripped and the wheels had been chosen:
Back when I started this, Hot Wheels' Watanabe-style was not available in here so I had to make do with what I could find at the time to emulate the magnesium Minilite wheels the car ran originally. The closer I had were these off a Racing Champions NASCAR, with their long spokes and deep design,they resembled Minilites as best as I could find, and I liked the idea of the wiiiiiiiiiide wheels.
HOWEVER. That meant modifying the chasis a lot. A LOT. When I was done, some parts of the chassis had almost disappeared, but the wheels fit in the fenders, filled them awesomelly well, and the car rolls perfectly:
When the chasis was done, it was time for paint:
And like this sat for... easily more than a year, maybe even closing to two years because reasons. Then the Muscle Cars theme got announced and the work restarted with the only element that was missing, the decals. The stripes are custom made in Photoshop, I downloaded the decals off the internet, and the Chaparral Camaro lettering came from a picture of the car, as I coluld never find a font that even looked remotely like it.
The last bit came with the Lexan front air dam. But here came the first real problem in the development of the car: when I cut the stock front spoiler, I cut it so I could use it on another car... but this meant that I lost the entire front part of the chassis, and I didin't realize that until it was way too late.
Fabrication was the name of the game. The Dremel was brought up and a new part was manufatured off the front wing of a Super Modified. The Lexan spoiler came off the blisterpack of some thermic paste tube I had lying around, much more sturdy than a HW blisterpack.
Yeah, I know, it looks terrible but the chassis was later painted matte black:
Tiiiiiiiiiime consuming, yes, but I masked off the wheels and painted them silver with cheap spray can paint:
The interior received a little dose of detailing, because I wanted to keep it as authentic as possible, and in the real car the dash and seat were the only black pieces in a sea of white metal. I painted some of the stuff Tamiya chrome and called it a day.
The final result of all this looks like this:
Looks great, eh? It wasn't. Several problems arose when decaling it. In this picture, you can see how the decal on the roof got ripped off the inner section of the roof because of the paint gun's air pressure. Same happened with the trunk decal. We put them back as good as we could while trying not to ruin the clear job. The 1 in the trunk developed a bubble that bursted, leaving a big white mark on it which I retouched with black paint later on. You can also see a bubble of clear in the wing:
Another bubble developed in the cowl vent section and bursted, so I had no other choice but to paint it flat black in order to cover the enormous white spot in the blue strip.
Chassis detailing in the form of white exhaust pipes, just like the real car:
And here is the custom front part of the chassis, which also presented a problem; after being painted and fitted with the Lexan spoiler, the car did not close back together as snuggly, some measurements were wrong from my part and the thing didn't snap back, so I pressed it as hard as I could and closed it.
Still, the front stance of the car was ruined, but the rushing for having it ready for the meeting prevented me from correcting that, which would have involved taking the chassis apart and reffitting the new front section... the day before the contest. No thanks.
Ruined stance:
No, I did not glue the spoiler at an odd angle because stupid, it isn't permanently affixed, I used Pritt Takt to affix it so it wouldn't be as vulnerable to possible impacts and had a chance to bounce around a little; as a side effect, you can move around the spoiler at will. Stupidly, I didn't realize it was not straight when I took the pic, but trust me, it is now.
Detailed tailights and bumper and more clear bubbles.
And a side shot with it's nose riding gasser-style high.
So yeah, as flawed as it came out, it won, but frankly it didn't have much competition. Still, I (we, Ahmed included) learned a loooooooooot of things, as this was the first time we had ever worked with custom transparent decals. The bad experiences we had with the decaling/clearing process won't ever repeat again.
And of course the decals came out awesome. Now that a clear-windshield version of the car is out and the HW Watanabe wheels exist, I'll build another one that will hopefully recreate the original in way better fashion than this one. For a first effort in a lot of things and for teaching us a lot of things too, I consider this thing a success.
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CodeRedR51
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- csiApok
Don't know where you could get it in Mexicoland, but I'm thinking brush on masking liquid could work great for that. It comes in small quantities like model paint and becomes rubbery when dry. It sticks well to the surface so paint doesn't get underneath it yet you can still get it off without damaging the surface underneath.
Just a thought.
- 1,377
- United States
- Firehound427
- CivicTypeR15
Well guys, safe to say that after reading this thread, the bug's bitten me. I've gone digging through my old Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars and came up with 40 potentials that I could work some magic on (even though I've never done anything like this before), from pretty good condition cars that I could touch up or give a new paintjob to old clunkers that I could use the wheels off. Would it be OK if I provided the list?
- 2,153
- Pittsburgh, USA
- sxezach
Yes, absolutely! We would prefer you did not only to see what you are wanting to work on, but to make sure you aren't going to ruin any special cars. 
- 1,377
- United States
- Firehound427
- CivicTypeR15
OK! Here goes:
1967 Shelby GT500: Needs a new paintjob desperately, but I could use the wheels off of this.
Nissan GT-R: New paintjob. TCBPD Super State unit from NFS Undercover maybe?
Chevrolet Corvette C6 Convertible: The wheels look good, and could be used for another car, but I could also keep the wheels on the Corvette and paint the interior to better resemble the real car.
1971 Dodge Charger: This one's a stock car, so I can see the potential for a NASCAR paintjob.
1967 Pontiac Firebird: The paint's crap, but it's got gold wheels that could be used for another car.
Shelby Cobra: Paint is better, but still chipped. The wheels are decent though.
Volkswagen Golf GTi MkV: Matchbox, similar condition to the Cobra.
Lotus Exige: Matchbox, now this one is in great condition, paint is chip-free, and the black wheels are awesome.
Ford F-150: Old one, and I've got no idea what I could do to this 10th Gen F-Series.
Corvette ZR1: Matchbox, paint this dark gray and use the black wheels from the Exige to make a Corvette like in my avatar. I could use the silver wheels for the Exige.
Chevrolet C-3500: Maybe make this more of a custom flareside?
Ford GT-90: New coat of paint?
Ford Thunderbolt: I've got two of these, and I could make them into drag racers or hot rods.
Porsche 911 GT3: A racing paintjob might look good on this.
2007 Ford Shelby GT500: The side stripes are rough, but the wheels are great.
Toyota Tacoma Pikes Peak: A new paintjob may be in order here.
Maserati Quattroporte: Ditto.
Ferrari 458 Italia: The car's great, but I'm not a fan of the gold wheels on this silver Italia, so I may swap the wheels for silver ones.
Toyota MR2: I could paint this up like a trackday car. Alternatively, the five-hole wheels could go on a drag car.
1964 Ford Galaxie: I've got plans to turn this Galaxie into a hot rod or a drag racer.
1967 Ford Mustang: Some restoration work required on this Mustang Fastback.
Hot Rod: New paintjob?
Ford Cougar: This street racer's Cougar is not to everyone's taste, but the wheels and wing could go on another car.
2005 Ford Mustang: Also some restoration work needed on this '05 GT.
2010 Ford Mustang: Grab some green wheels and slap on a drift paintjob.
Ford Focus: You wouldn't believe the wing on this Focus. The Plymouth Superbird is currently wetting itself.
1969 Dodge Charger: Decent condition, so maybe a new paintjob just to freshen it up?
Chevrolet Camaro SS: Indy 500 edition, new wheels.
Honda Civic Coupe: Either paint it a new color, or donate the wheels to another car.
Plymouth GTX: Like the '69 Charger, a new color to give it a new look.
Audi R8: See above.
Chevrolet Camaro SS: A normal model, get some new wheels and paint the car black.
Mitsubishi Pajero Rally Raid: The car's rough. The wheels are massive and would make a great monster truck if I could find a vehicle to fit them on, but the wheels are also rough. Keeping this on the sidelines.
Dodge Ram: Like the F-150, an old one that I'm not sure what to do with.
Toyota Celica: This street racer's special has a decent wing that could go on another car.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage: Just a touch-up needed on this Aston.
Dodge Viper GTS-R Concept: Get some silver wheels and paint this like the real GTS-R Concept.
1967 Mercury Cougar: It could donate its wheels to cars like the GTS-R.
Lamborghini Reventon: Nothing wrong with this, but its lime green. I think a matte black like the real thing would do wonders.
I've also got a few Hot Wheels originals (not real licensed cars) that I could use, and a few color changers (but I'm understandably hesitant to use them for parts or paint them!).
1967 Shelby GT500: Needs a new paintjob desperately, but I could use the wheels off of this.
Nissan GT-R: New paintjob. TCBPD Super State unit from NFS Undercover maybe?
Chevrolet Corvette C6 Convertible: The wheels look good, and could be used for another car, but I could also keep the wheels on the Corvette and paint the interior to better resemble the real car.
1971 Dodge Charger: This one's a stock car, so I can see the potential for a NASCAR paintjob.
1967 Pontiac Firebird: The paint's crap, but it's got gold wheels that could be used for another car.
Shelby Cobra: Paint is better, but still chipped. The wheels are decent though.
Volkswagen Golf GTi MkV: Matchbox, similar condition to the Cobra.
Lotus Exige: Matchbox, now this one is in great condition, paint is chip-free, and the black wheels are awesome.
Ford F-150: Old one, and I've got no idea what I could do to this 10th Gen F-Series.
Corvette ZR1: Matchbox, paint this dark gray and use the black wheels from the Exige to make a Corvette like in my avatar. I could use the silver wheels for the Exige.
Chevrolet C-3500: Maybe make this more of a custom flareside?
Ford GT-90: New coat of paint?
Ford Thunderbolt: I've got two of these, and I could make them into drag racers or hot rods.
Porsche 911 GT3: A racing paintjob might look good on this.
2007 Ford Shelby GT500: The side stripes are rough, but the wheels are great.
Toyota Tacoma Pikes Peak: A new paintjob may be in order here.
Maserati Quattroporte: Ditto.
Ferrari 458 Italia: The car's great, but I'm not a fan of the gold wheels on this silver Italia, so I may swap the wheels for silver ones.
Toyota MR2: I could paint this up like a trackday car. Alternatively, the five-hole wheels could go on a drag car.
1964 Ford Galaxie: I've got plans to turn this Galaxie into a hot rod or a drag racer.
1967 Ford Mustang: Some restoration work required on this Mustang Fastback.
Hot Rod: New paintjob?
Ford Cougar: This street racer's Cougar is not to everyone's taste, but the wheels and wing could go on another car.
2005 Ford Mustang: Also some restoration work needed on this '05 GT.
2010 Ford Mustang: Grab some green wheels and slap on a drift paintjob.
Ford Focus: You wouldn't believe the wing on this Focus. The Plymouth Superbird is currently wetting itself.
1969 Dodge Charger: Decent condition, so maybe a new paintjob just to freshen it up?
Chevrolet Camaro SS: Indy 500 edition, new wheels.
Honda Civic Coupe: Either paint it a new color, or donate the wheels to another car.
Plymouth GTX: Like the '69 Charger, a new color to give it a new look.
Audi R8: See above.
Chevrolet Camaro SS: A normal model, get some new wheels and paint the car black.
Mitsubishi Pajero Rally Raid: The car's rough. The wheels are massive and would make a great monster truck if I could find a vehicle to fit them on, but the wheels are also rough. Keeping this on the sidelines.
Dodge Ram: Like the F-150, an old one that I'm not sure what to do with.
Toyota Celica: This street racer's special has a decent wing that could go on another car.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage: Just a touch-up needed on this Aston.
Dodge Viper GTS-R Concept: Get some silver wheels and paint this like the real GTS-R Concept.
1967 Mercury Cougar: It could donate its wheels to cars like the GTS-R.
Lamborghini Reventon: Nothing wrong with this, but its lime green. I think a matte black like the real thing would do wonders.
I've also got a few Hot Wheels originals (not real licensed cars) that I could use, and a few color changers (but I'm understandably hesitant to use them for parts or paint them!).
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AOS-
Premium
- 28,798
- 'Sauga, ON
Spent the whole day disassembling cars. I finally foubd a good drill bit and speed. Using the pilot holes not only make the bigger bit go through more accurate, it also is required to drill through rivets super fast be ause the tip just digs deep using the hole in the center... you guys never mentioned that part. :rollseye:
But yeah, whole afternoon spent doing that. Think I probably disassembled 80-100 cars. That's freaking manual labour work on a day off!
But yeah, whole afternoon spent doing that. Think I probably disassembled 80-100 cars. That's freaking manual labour work on a day off!
CodeRedR51
Premium
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What the hell are you up to!? 
- 2,652
- Las Vegas NV USA
- entertowin(1st) and niNjasPY55(2nd and m
What are you doing Andy? Chop shop? 
- 4,215
- UK
Great work! man 👍 Definitely a lot of hard work gone into that. It's a shame about the stance thing, but the rest of it makes up for it (imo).The final result of all this looks like this:
Can't wait to see the Chaparral Camaro MKII, when you get around to doing it, with the Watt wheels etc, and it should be a breeze, after going through all that crazy stuff 1st time round.
Love the Lexan spoiler BTW, it really does look the part. Thanks for eventually posting the pics bud, it was worth the wait. 👍
@ Jason
I forget, are you going to do the window decals as well? it's looking mighty fine as is, but the window stuff will set it off a treat. 👍
@ Apok.
I wonder whether that masking stuff, is the same stuff, my other half was telling me about the other week. She started doing water colour paintings recently, and it sounds like it might be what she was telling about, to stop bleeding of water/paint on paper. Will definitely have to try some.
@ AOS.
Sounds like you're starting up a cottage industry... actually, scratch that, More like a full-on production plant.
What exactly are you cooking up?
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- 5,559
- The US of A
Good job with the Chapparel Camaro Cano!
👍 You really done good with it.👍 Sounds like your not the only one having problems with clear coat bubbles. That Countach i was restoring had the same problem. Whenever i clear coated it, the clear coat was old and didn't have much left in it. When it was sprayed it came out in drops and it look yellowish when dried. Im beginning to think im going have completely repaint it.
👍 You really done good with it.👍 Sounds like your not the only one having problems with clear coat bubbles. That Countach i was restoring had the same problem. Whenever i clear coated it, the clear coat was old and didn't have much left in it. When it was sprayed it came out in drops and it look yellowish when dried. Im beginning to think im going have completely repaint it.
AOS-
Premium
- 28,798
- 'Sauga, ON
What am I up to you ask? I call it the "Finally-got-time-to-cut-open-cars-that-have-been-waiting-for-months" initiative. Over the past.... 6 months (at least), I've been adding more and more cars to the series but never got around to doing em because of the discouraging attitude of my parents. It's also the start of my reading week and both of them were at work yesterday so I took the opportunity.
Recall that I'm doing more series rather than individual customs, so I've been taking cars apart for the Illustrious Series, Renaissance, Black, Stealth and two unreleased series Dream Cruisers and Rally series.
Recall that I'm doing more series rather than individual customs, so I've been taking cars apart for the Illustrious Series, Renaissance, Black, Stealth and two unreleased series Dream Cruisers and Rally series.
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- 2,153
- Pittsburgh, USA
- sxezach
I think I have found my first extensive body-modifying project. 
- 5,559
- The US of A
My dad is working on a Custom '62 Chevy, he has some pretty big ideas for it and i plan to help him with it.
Kit Kringle had like 5 or 6 of them GMC Motorhome's from 2006 and im thinking about do a GMC Motorhome custom, but im not sure what i will do to it yet.
Im hoping to get a Ford Sierra sometime soon so i can go through with my idea.
Still needing that Boulevard Rigor Motor, my "crazy idea" isn't going to be finished intil i get it. Im hoping i can find a way to chrome parts of it really shiny, but i don't know anything yet.
Kit Kringle had like 5 or 6 of them GMC Motorhome's from 2006 and im thinking about do a GMC Motorhome custom, but im not sure what i will do to it yet.
Im hoping to get a Ford Sierra sometime soon so i can go through with my idea.
Still needing that Boulevard Rigor Motor, my "crazy idea" isn't going to be finished intil i get it. Im hoping i can find a way to chrome parts of it really shiny, but i don't know anything yet.
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- 2,153
- Pittsburgh, USA
- sxezach
Have you ever asked Kit Kringle who their supplier for their older Hot Wheels is?
- 5,559
- The US of A
They told me and my brother once a few years back but i forget what it was. They do an amazing job with it however it is they do it. I'll ask them again next time i go.
They do an amazing job with it however it is they do it. I'll ask them again next time i go.
Cano
Premium
- 20,758
- Cephiro
Thanks to everyone that replied about the Camaro (and those who didn't, screw you (: ), the work on that car paid off and not because "it won", but because we learned a damn lot.
Also, Apok, the thing you're telling me about, yeah, forget about finding here in Mexico land /godforgottenplace.
McZc, the GTR wagon would be one hell of a project; I'm thinking Dodge Magnum for the body? Do it!
Also, Apok, the thing you're telling me about, yeah, forget about finding here in Mexico land /godforgottenplace.
McZc, the GTR wagon would be one hell of a project; I'm thinking Dodge Magnum for the body? Do it!
- 5,559
- The US of A
Question Cano, but that Maverick Grabber you posted earlier, how was your friend able to meld those Maverick's together the way he did? Yes i know it is not your work, but i would like to know how it was done.
- 5,559
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Please do! Me and my dad would really like to know how it is done! 
That Maverick Funny car is awesome!
That Maverick Funny car is awesome!
AOS-
Premium
- 28,798
- 'Sauga, ON
No, Nessy Ford Man Sir of the Diecast Disease... I am in fact creating a series that will become so easily recognized in the niche hobby of customizing diecasts that people who don't even know me will be talking about it.
"Hey man have you seen this guy's custom? The colour scheme is so cool, but get this: this guy has been making literally hundreds of customs with this exact colour scheme. He has so many he's made his own line up of cars! Everyone knows about it and whenever a new photo of a custom hits the internet, it's unmistakably his work."
Yup it'll hopefully turn out like that.
What's with you guys and wagons?!
"Hey man have you seen this guy's custom? The colour scheme is so cool, but get this: this guy has been making literally hundreds of customs with this exact colour scheme. He has so many he's made his own line up of cars! Everyone knows about it and whenever a new photo of a custom hits the internet, it's unmistakably his work."
Yup it'll hopefully turn out like that.
I think I have found my first extensive body-modifying project.
What's with you guys and wagons?!
- 79
- Mexico
Cano that liquid Masking is available here in Mexico, you just have to look for it at any Scale Model shop, they use it to mask war airplanes
Sonygamer, I use 2 mavericks for that funnycar, I'll look for the pictures and I`ll post them tomorrow for you to see
- 406
This may be the guy:
http://lamleydlm.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-step-by-step-customs-of-idi265.html
Check out the last custom.
- 2,652
- Las Vegas NV USA
- entertowin(1st) and niNjasPY55(2nd and m
McZachenF1138I think I have found my first extensive body-modifying project.
A R35 "Stegea"?! I have to say this.... Go for it! Besides this will be a complete standout among the customs you always see. A new branch to HWs customs also.
I agree with can on using the Magnum, but look around for other wagon casts as well.
@Cano: Sorry I'm late, but I love that Chaparral Camaro man! That's a classic right there. 👍
- 79
- Mexico
Here are some pictures of the maverick buid up
As I told you I used two mavericks to enlarge the front,as you can see in the picture there is two Maverick lettering on the side, first I pasted the two parts with some baking soda and superglue, the next thing was to fill it with putty, the last step was sand the body to make it smooth and make the meld invisible
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