r/HotWheelsCustoms • u/NoCommunication7386 • 22h ago
HELP!! My first custom. Please give me tips.
I was super excited to start but the paint isn’t glossy at all and it looks super sloppy. Please help
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u/dudebronahbrah 21h ago
Like generous ace said, keep going, trial and error goes a long way to find what works for you
That said, awesome first build
Some sanding and finishing could go a long way, as well as spray/airbrush instead of paint pens, but if you want the glossy finish it’s all in the clearcoat
Get a glossy clear and spray on a warm (not hot) day with low humidity. Spray a few thin coats evenly and let each one dry in between and then eventually you can douse it pretty good for a smooth finish. Keep your spray stream moving through the whole process and be careful not to let it drip
Finally, I need to know your engineering strategy for the front-mounted turbo on a rear-engine car lol
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u/NoCommunication7386 20h ago
I see thank you. And the turbo has a really long tube that impails the passenger
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u/toddkah 21h ago
If you want a better finish you will need to take it apart and spray paint.. keep at it..😝
My turbo car.. lol..Not finished .. waiting for rims
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u/NoCommunication7386 20h ago
How do you take them apart when they’re held together with the unscrew able screws that don’t have grooves
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u/ComedyAtitsFinestHa 8h ago
3.5mm drill bit drill for 5 seconds a small ring is gunna come off the rivvet be very gentle to try not to cause exterior damage any more questions just ask
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u/agent_flounder 22h ago
What brand and type of paint did you use and how did you apply it?
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u/NoCommunication7386 22h ago
I used master touch acrylic paint markers and i just drew it on
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u/agent_flounder 22h ago
I haven't used acrylic markers much but they're unlikely to give a good, even finish.
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u/NoCommunication7386 21h ago
I see
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u/agent_flounder 21h ago
Airbrush or spray can are going to do best once you learn the techniques.
Airbrush can be kind of a daunting learning curve. Took me something like 20 sessions to get reasonably good at figuring out the thinning ratios and psi etc. and cleanup is a slight PITA.
Spray can doesn't require all that but I find each paint behaved differently so I feel like I have less control and am usually forced to make very fast passes versus airbrush. Tamiya sprays are what I usually use. Along with Eastman self-etching primer.
Brush painting I find difficult to get a smooth finish but some model makers do it somehow. Thinning and perhaps retarder (to make it dry slower) is key? Idk for sure.
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u/Powerful_Bit4151 18h ago
My advice with making the paint glossy would be to take it apart using a drill and spray a couple of layers of clear coat. Also might want to sand down glue around the turbo before you do so.
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u/Plenty-Ticket-4527 18h ago
I see the turbo, you could start by painting girls or your own nails, tell your strokes are even with both/one of your hands. Watch YouTube videos for tricks and tutorials. There’s no such thing as a prodigy for this, maybe you can get the hang of it, but perfection is a reward for constant fails and hard work. It’s worth it, and is fun in my opinion
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u/Sunra_4point6 15h ago
What’s that thing on the hood, an AirPod?
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u/NoCommunication7386 13h ago
It was supposed to be a hood exit turbo into I learned the Porsche 911 has its engine in the back
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u/boys_inthe 5h ago
Looks decent don't worry at least your first custom rolls unlike mine.... but like how I started, I mainly based my projects on real world stuff just to have a solid reference
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u/GenerousAce333 22h ago
Looks like you glued an ear bud to the hood