Tamiya Honda Prelude XX

[scalebuilderchad]

I have begun a build of the newly re-released Honda Prelude XX kit from Tamiya.

I originally thought this kit was a new tool, but it is just a re-release with new decals.

I used to own one of these cars so I was excited to see Tamiya offer up a kit of this classic Honda. I am excited to build it.

I'll try to stay on top of this thread and post progress pics.

 

[scalebuilderchad]

Last night I started the build.

First thing I do is cut the engine and other major engine compartment parts from the sprues so I can sand them and get them ready for paint.

I was pleasantly surprised at the detail. It is rare that the transmission is a separate part, and that the fan shroud and radiator filler neck are separate parts as well.

 

[scalebuilderchad]

Next I cut all the interior parts off the sprues and prepped them for paint.

It is interesting how they made the upper dash, and top of the door panels a U shaped piece, but it is logical when you consider the design of those pieces on the 1:1 car.

 

[scalebuilderchad]

Here are the tools I use for sanding mold lines and other things on parts to prep them for paint. They are carbon fiber sticks from DISPAE. And I put sticky backed sand paper on them.

 

[BarleyBop]

carbon fiber sticks

...addicted to these! The different profiles, and firm support especially along edges!
Other sanding options have their uses, but these really shine in some situations.

 

[Demolition]

You got the colors already picked out?

 

[scalebuilderchad]

You got the colors already picked out?

Still trying to decide on colors.

If I build it stock there are only two interior options, black/grey, or blue.

And there are only 6 colors. And none of the colors are speaking to me.

So I might have to go custom.

 

[Demolition]

So I might have to go custom.

That's the spirit!

 

[scalebuilderchad]

That's the spirit!

Silver with a maroon/red interior is what is rolling around in my head right now. But I'm not sold on that yet.

The Accord of the same year was available with light blue metallic/dark blue interior. Maybe I'll go that route.

Not sure yet.

 

[scalebuilderchad]

I didn't grab a pic, but all the interior parts are ready for primer. The engine parts are all brush painted except for the valve cover which I will spray paint. And the body is ready for primer too.

I can't primer anything yet because I spray in the garage. I have a heater out there, but tomorrow it is supposed to be -20F with a -40F wind chill. My garage heater can't keep up with that.

Maybe next week.

 

[urumomo]

tomorrow it is supposed to be -20F

why anyone lives north of Dallas is beyond me .
That insanity is dipping down here again with lows in the 20s Sunday thru Tuesday .

 

[scalebuilderchad]

why anyone lives north of Dallas is beyond me .
That insanity is dipping down here again with lows in the 20s Sunday thru Tuesday .

Yeah, the super cold weeks like this make me question why I question why I live up here.

I used to live in Florida near the space center.and chose to move up here.

 

[BarleyBop]

question why

...like for most unpleasant, unavoidable things, my dad would say: "That'll put hair on your chest!"

 

[Demolition]

Silver with a maroon/red interior is what is rolling around in my head right now. But I'm not sold on that yet.

The Accord of the same year was available with light blue metallic/dark blue interior. Maybe I'll go that route.

Not sure yet.

If you want you can tell chat gpt what model kit you have and colors you are thinking and it will generate a picture for you. That's how I decide on colors now days.

 

[Demolition]

...like for most unpleasant, unavoidable things, my dad would say: "That'll put hair on your chest!"

My dad said that and " you'll live"

 

[scalebuilderchad]

Updates.....

Borings stuff first.

 

[scalebuilderchad]

I decided on a maroon leather interior.

 

[scalebuilderchad]

Here is the engine. Just missing the belts. The wire dangling off of it will go to the coil.

 

[BarleyBop]

Beauty! that interior!

 

[scalebuilderchad]

And here is the color. It is called Turbulence Grey. I got it from Splash Paints.

 

[TimM63]

Can't go wrong with Splash paints.

 

[BarleyBop]

Splash paints

Had to look them up.

 

[TimM63]

look them up.

They're a little pricey but worth it.

 

[scalebuilderchad]

I changed my mind on the color. Hondas are cheap, happy cars, not dark grey.

So here it is repainted in Splash Paints Cream, with 2k clear.

 

[WtShark]

Cool color

 

[scalebuilderchad]

The engine bay is pretty much done. The parts count and level of detail is top notch.

 

[scalebuilderchad]

I got a spot of super glue on the windshield while I was gluing the wipers on. So I got this idea that using a debonder would take the super glue off.

Well, debonder might work on styrene, but it melts clear plastic..... So this build is on hold until I feel like buying another kit just to get the windows.

 

[BarleyBop]

debonder

Ouch. I've noticed that in some situations, debonder has messed things up a little more than I would have hoped... Even with the non-clear... At the time I wondered if it was primer, paint or other, interacting...
Because CA doesn't actually 'weld' the styrene, my first reaction now is to try and "pry' the join apart.
A smear on clear is something else... Lightly scraping, sanding then repolishing with glass file might be worth trying if the damage is superficial.
I'm gonna do a test with a product I haven't used yet called CA Eraser on some spare clear and let you know how that works.

 

[mustang1989]

Holeeee schmokes!! That interior is HOT Chad!! WOW!!

 

[mustang1989]

I got a spot of super glue on the windshield while I was gluing the wipers on. So I got this idea that using a debonder would take the super glue off.

Well, debonder might work on styrene, but it melts clear plastic..... So this build is on hold until I feel like buying another kit just to get the windows.

Awwww NAW!

. Didn't see that earlier Chad. Hope you can find either a kit or the clear parts sprues.

Tamiya customer support maybe?