Hello everyone

[chadm500]

Hello everyone my name is Chad. I’m from Indiana and like most of you I’m a huge Indy 500 fan. I’ve been going to the 500 since 1988 when my Grandpa took me out of school to watch fast Friday. Of course that being my first 500 it made me a Rick Mears fan for life. Last year I got to meet him at Indy and he could have not been any nicer, a true class act. Today’s drivers could learn a lot from him. No doubt the late eights and early ninety’s to me is when the race was the best. But I’m hoping that 2012 will bring back some of the magic.

I’ve not build a model since I was younger…you know the day’s when you could go to a store and buy your favorite Indy model. Last year I started building again and I can’t get enough. Thanks to ebay I was able to pick up a few of the AMT oldies but goodies. So after building Al Unsers winning car I’m on to Mario’s Kmart lola. That’s when I discovered this very cool web site. You do an amazing job building some of my favorite cars. I’m hoping to add some pictures this weekend but I most warn you I’m not even close to the quality of builds posted on this site.

I was hoping some of you can help me out with a few things. How do I turn a clear windscreen into the dark tinted one on the car? Then the tires would someone care to give me a few pointers on how to get the lettering to look so clean like the builds you guys are posting. And last has anyone built the Rick Mears 1988 car?

Thanks for reading
Happy Thankgiving!

[Art Laski]

Chad, welcome! I've only been on this board a few months, but as a lover of Indy car racing, it's become my favorite. There are lots of great builders here, and awesome builds to ogle. Everybody is very helpful as well.

I recently finished my first Indy Car, since getting into modeling again since I was a kid, like you, just a couple of years ago. I also can't get enough and have been going to the local shows here in So Cal and gathering internet info and meeting folks on the boards, and it has really accelerated my learning curve. The link to my build is here if you want to see all of the pics:

public.fotki.com/alaski48/lola-t-8800/

As far as the windshield, I used Tamita Clear Smoke, and airbrushed it on the backside. I actually dipped the windshield in Future first to shine it up, then masked the top side and painted the back side. That's the first time I had done that, and I liked the results, although I wished I had laid it on a little lighter. I could have detailed the area behind the dash and it could have been a little visible, which might have added a little something to it.

For the tires, I purchased Indycals tire decals and sanded off the raised lettering. I also used the Indycals decals for the rest of the car. They are far superior to the kit decals, which are missing logos and don't have the right red on them.

Feel free to ask more questions if you wish. This board is a wealth of information.

Again, welcome!

-Art

[illeagle10]

Welcome aboard Chad! Glad to have you here. There is a lot of information for you here. I'm anxious to see your builds! In regard to your questions I can only give you what I do. There may be many other good opinions from some fantastic modelers on this site.

As far as your questions about windscreens. Prior to tinting clear parts I usually polish the clear parts with a polishing kit. That if the clear parts are the kit clear plastic. If it's acetate that is used in vac-u-forming I would skip the polishing. After that I use the Tamiya Acrylic clear paints, that come in a number of colors. I thin them a bit with Acrylic thinner and spray them on to the inside of the clear parts. Finally I take a cotton swab and use Future floor finish by Pledge on the outside of the clear part. Some people like to spray that on also. As with decaling the best way to learn and gain experience is through trial and error.

There are two processes for tire markings. There are dry transfer markings that you rub on and there are the standard decals that are softened by placing them in water and transfering them to a glossy surface. The first key thing to do is to trim as close as you can get to the decal cutting away as much of the clear part of the decal as you can. You may want to invest in a small sharp pair of scissors, X-acto knife or scalpel, whatever you prefer. Before transfering these decals you'll want to prep your tires by spraying on a clear gloss finish. If you try to transfer onto a flat finish you will get a hazy finish with your decals. Once the gloss is dry you can then transfer your decals to the tires. After the decals have set and dried you can then spray on a satin or flat finish to the tires, depending on type of finish you want. Hopefully, this is somewhat helpful to you.

Jim

[trevor83]

Referencing your comment on the 1988 Mears cars, this makes me drool, love it.

mb2501.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=irldc&thread=1721&page=1

[Calvin]

Welcome!

[Deleted]

Welcome aboard Chad, glad to have you here!

Best to you

Russ

[indy]

Great to have you and we always have room for another die-hard Mears fan (see my avatar ;D)

Jordan

[Deleted]

welcome, you'll enjoy the ride here, I'm in Albany, whereabouts in Indiana are you?