Zip Zap Bodykits

kevinsupra90 · #1 08-31-2005, 10:57 AM

I was just wondering about bodykits. I've been reading threads about them and what putty to use, and I get that part. I found the Tamiya putty that was recommended, but my main queston is, how can I form the putty into a bodykit? Other people that can do this seem to be perfect at the shape. Can anyone help me?

Thanks,
Kev

frizzen · #2 08-31-2005, 07:11 PM

Basically, you just mold some onto the body in the right areas, and then take away everything that's not a bodykit.

A set of needle files will help you a LOT, emery board (nail files) are good too, sandpaper and a block (wood, plastic...).

Or if you're not into the putty method, styrene works well too.

kevinsupra90 · #3 09-01-2005, 11:30 AM

Okay, thanks! Just another thing, since I seem a little dim sometimes, what exactly is styrene?

frizzen · #4 09-01-2005, 11:58 PM

You're not dim, I've just got too much useless knowlege on this.

Styrene is the street name for Polystyrene plastic.

A man-made thermoplastic material, available in sheet form at the hobby shop, in white and clear. Used in credit cards, model kits, tiny RC cars, packaging for all kinds of consumer goods, and millions of other places I'm too lazy to list off.

Really does well using CA (super glue) or Model Glue (Testors red-tube).

Either way, you make a body kit on a car (with putty or styrene strips applied) the same way you carve an elephant out of a block of marble: Work slowly and just take away everything that's not a body kit.

kevinsupra90 · #5 09-02-2005, 11:04 AM

Frizzen,

Thanks for all on the bodykit thing. You don't have any useless information, I think everyone should know these things. I feel ashamed that I don't because my dad has a PHD in chemical engineering and I feel obligated to know all this stuff.

SO, anyway, thanks for all your help. I hope to get my Zip Zaps and Mini-Zs back from my moms and make these mods. Then, I can post the pics for ya'.

Thanks again,
Kev

frizzen · #6 09-03-2005, 02:29 PM

You're not dumb man, I've been doing this for years, and before that I was building models.

You don't learn everything in a day, but as long as you have a thirst for knowlege, you're much better off than almost the entire population.

Love to see some pics!

kevinsupra90 · #7 09-03-2005, 09:39 PM

Allright. I'll post some pics when I get the kits finished. It'll probably be a few weeks though. My zips are still at my moms house. Then I gotta get some putty or styrene. Do you think AC Moore or Michael's will have either? (The nearest hobby shop is 45 minutes away.)

frizzen · #8 09-06-2005, 02:03 AM

Michaels should. No idea about the other, don't have any local to me.

Though honestly for styrene, I either go to one of the hobby shops and buy a sheet, or just use like product packaging material plastic (ZZ packaging is REALLY good for this).

kevinsupra90 · #9 09-06-2005, 07:48 PM

Thanks, man. That's what I was thinkin', using the ZZ packages. I save mine to put stuff in, so I can make bodykits and stuff. I finally got my ZZs and my Mini-Z so within a week or so I can get some pics for ya.