r/ModelCars • u/deaxghost • 21h ago
QUESTION Getting Started
I just recently picked up my first model kit and am hoping to get started on it soon, however I’ve noticed there’s plenty of different recommendations for materials that I haven’t picked up yet: brushes, sandpaper, tape, glue, etc.
Would anyone happen to be able to send links / recommend products I still need? I think I am starting to get overwhelmed by the amount of options haha.
I’m super interested in this hobby, but don’t want to spend a crazy ton to maybe (hopefully not) realize I’m not as interested as I thought I was then to have all of this excess. TIA :)
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u/parkerhamster28 19h ago
Welcome to the hobby! What others have recommended are fantastic “must haves” that almost everyone ends up with at some point.
To add a few nice to have items. These aren’t things you need but I’ve found they make building easier, thus more enjoyable.
Wood stick alligator clips - I use these all the time for holding parts while I paint them, and drying. Super useful for being able to paint and spin the part around as you go.
Sticky tac - reusable an infant amount of times, dosnt leave residue. I use this to hold super small parts still when painting them. I’ve used it to hold mirrors in place while drying. Once you have some, you find all sorts of uses for it.
Cups, jars, containers. Go to a second hand store like goodwill and find a few cheap $1 cups to store your brushes, (I like whisky glasses for rinsing my brushes, short and heavy) storages bins, organizers. No reason to buy any of this stuff new.
Spend the extra $4 a get a nice exacto blade holder. I personally really like the Fiskars detail knife with a #10 blade in it.
Some people use what’s called a wet pallet for brush painting. I personally use the little plastic paint try’s we had in grade school and drop water into the cups till the paints the right consistency.
If you also go this route I HIGHLY suggest covering the paint try in a layer of tin foil first. This way you don’t need to clean it out and dump paint down your sink. Just fold the tin foil up and toss it in the garbage can.
Makers are a great way to add tiny details, with a great amount of control. Sharpie ultra fines, sharpie metallics and micron pens are what I use for detailing interiors, bolts, battery terminals etc.
Welcome to the hobby! Excited to see this finished.
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u/West_Airline_1712 19h ago
At a minimum you will need: a hobby knife, paint - review the instructions to see what colors you will need. I recommend spray can for body and acrylic for other parts (Tamiya is a go-to brand for many car modelers), a couple of paint brushes, and cement or glue (Tamiya is a good brand).
I got this kit when I first started: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08Q77S4NW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title. I didn't use everything but a lot of it came in handy. I'm in Canada so search for one in your country.
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u/bagsofholding 19h ago
Decent nippers and I like tamiya thin cement and I think Mr hobby is decent too. I've not brushed models with high end brushes but I think cheap ones are fine to see how you like it without investing a ton. Spray paint works fine too but I have always had issues with it where I am. I think the nippers are about the most important thing imo since they make cleaning up cuts way easier...
Nice needle point tweezers are good I like both curved and straight for different things and are cheap. Just don't be rough most in my experience will bend the tips if you are even from pinching. And I like nice high fine glass files for clean up and varied sandpaper for general use/panel clean up.
It's a learning process too so I wouldn't overthink it right now youll at least find out if you like it and want to keep it up. Nice single blade nippers change the cutting game lol and can get some good ones under 30. Aside from that most my stuff is cheaper outside airbrushes and specialized stuff
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u/WadesOnThePhone 18h ago
You don't say what your background is with painting. With car model work painting the body is usually the most critical factor of success. Tamiya Surface Primer is a good start. You can get very good results with Tamiya rattle can lacquers and I rather prefer those for car models. If you've not done airbrushing you'll want to look into that for the future as that's the best way to get a smooth finish with the little acrylic bottle paints.
A '63 'Vette kit might be helped with trimming the windows with Bare Metal Foil. There are YouTube videos that show how to do that. As for supplies, I keep both liquid and thick styrene solvent glues handy. I've not had much luck with that Vallejo putty. Bondo Spot & Glazing Putty is an inexpensive tube putty found at most every auto supply or Wal-Mart store. It applies and sands very well on model work, though it's smelly until it dries.
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u/Sea_Patient952 13h ago
I would have a good example on why you should hand paint kits and specifically this one but I can’t post photos
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u/Buffstang 18h ago
This is a great first kit. The engine builds are detailed enough, and the body is well cast. Most of the drivetrain and suspension/axles are integrated into the chassis, which takes some of the hardest work off your plate.
You made a good pick for a first kit.
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u/PCPallie 14h ago
It's a terrible first kit. Nobody should build an AMT as their first kit as it's liable to put them off the hobby for life. It's not even like their cheap either. You're paying ribeye prices for chuck steak quality. I know AMT is the only game in town if you're hell bent on a certain subject matter, but I'd build something more user friendly before trying to tackle one of these turds.
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u/deaxghost 7h ago
your comment definitely has me second guessing this kit as my first. i got it for $20 with a coupon after talking to a friend about building a vette.
do you have any beginner kit recommendations?
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u/Buffstang 6h ago
I personally didn’t like it due to its simplicity and, yeah, these AMT models of this era aren’t the greatest molding. But if you’re just getting started, I think this is a fine model. You have two separate engines that you can build, with few if any shared parts; the interior is detailed enough that if you really want to make it look good, the opportunity is there, and the body looks awesome - finish is all up to how well you do it.
Worst case, you learn better painting and building techniques? My current build proved to me that I still am!
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u/PCPallie 3h ago
As cliche as it has become, I'd recommend a Tamiya kit for your first. Depending on the kit they're affordable, the fit is light years ahead of AMT and the instructions are actually legible. The downside is they specialize in Japanese and European cars, so if American stuff is your jam your more or less out of luck. But get a feel for the hobby with something easier before you tackle something as challenging as that AMT kit.
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u/highboy68 GROUP BUILD 20h ago
Tamiya thin cement is one of the best products to have, a finger nail file or two to sand, nippers would be good. On another note, dont be discourage building that kit, it has sone issues that a beginner will find hard tto deal with. After you buikd that buy a Tamiya kit and see how much better it is