Hot Wheels and Matchbox Customizing Thread

  • Thread starter CodeRedR51
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What Paint do you all use? just model paint? I think i want to repaint some of my autos. also, what is the best way to remove and replace tires? i have never done any of this before and would love to try my hand at making some of my hot wheels more hot than they already are.
 
There's a few tutorials in the first post for the wheel swaps & disassembly.

As far as paint goes, for bodies any normal spray paint in a can will do. For detailing, the Testors enamel paints in a bottle available at most hobby stores for around $1.50 are what most people use:

testor2230.jpg
 
Yeaaaah!!! The art store next door from my school had Testors for $2 so I grabbed a bottle of gold and a bottle of thinner, as well as a gold metallic sharpie! :D
 
R1600Turbo
Quick sneak of my next wheel swap/detail. ;)

DSCN53471_zps8af3eb8b.jpg
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That is so money. I'd want bright red, or black or something, but it really looks as good as is, too. Perhaps flashy colors bit overdone & repetitive these days.

How much work do you have into this car already. It looks like you already detailed it.
 
IF ONLY EVERY EBAYER WAS THIS CLUELESS!!

I was researching the value of a Mint Frito Van because I may have one to sell and came across this sold listing. For extra giggles, check out this sellers other sold lots...apparently he figured out how he undervalued EVERYTHING and pulled the plug. Notice how he cancelled Many listings as the last thing he did. :lol:
 
Wrong thread... but I can't believe a Frito Lays van sold fvor less than 10 bucks. That must be Photoshop

/trauma
 
Because we're going to customize a Mint Frito Van.........(?)

Anyway, now that I've learned I can't put any of this clear decal over a dark surface, how do you guys reckon I can make this complex dragon decal happen?

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I am not printing that on a white decal sheet if that means I have to do a bunch of cutouts.
 
a6m5
That is so money. I'd want bright red, or black or something, but it really looks as good as is, too. Perhaps flashy colors bit overdone & repetitive these days.

How much work do you have into this car already. It looks like you already detailed it.
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Maybe an hour? I had to resize the axles, removed the tampos, then the front/rear are detailed. I haven't touched anything else. Those side market lights are like that stock, I got rid of the front ones as they were stamped off center.
 
AOS-
how do you guys reckon I can make this complex dragon decal happen?
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Looks impossible, but really sweet design. :lol:
R1600Turbo
Maybe an hour? I had to resize the axles, removed the tampos, then the front/rear are detailed. I haven't touched anything else. Those side market lights are like that stock, I got rid of the front ones as they were stamped off center.
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Is it easy to remove tampos? Obviously, it doesn't affect the stock paint job. The whole thing really came out beautifully. 👍
 
Making the tampo itself isn't impossible for me, but I'm fishing for solutions if anyone has one. Clear decal sheets are no good for dark surfaces, and even if it's a blue of that shade, I won't get anything. No I'm jsut wondering if anyone has an idea using white decal paper.

I'm going to talk to one of the Rapid Prototyping guys to see if they'll laser cut decal paper. If they will, then there's a chance I can still make that happen.
 
AOS-
Making the tampo itself isn't impossible for me, but I'm fishing for solutions if anyone has one. Clear decal sheets are no good for dark surfaces, and even if it's a blue of that shade, I won't get anything. No I'm jsut wondering if anyone has an idea using white decal paper.
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You'd have to print it in white paper and surround the edges in a color as close as possible to the car's body color, so any edges will more or less blend in when you clear it. Lots of trial and error, maybe ):
 
Hmm. Understandable, but sounds tedious.

What I had in mind about the laser cutting thing was that I could print out the colour decal on the clear, get the people at school to cut out the shape of the decal on the white decal, put the white on first, clear the body, and then put the clear decal on top of that. The only downfalls I see out of this is misaligning the decal (which can be fixed) and having a really really thick paint layer on the body.
 
Well, if you can get it laser-cut it would be an ideal situation since you can absolutely replicate the cutting pattern of both decals, which would be impossible cutting it by hand. It coul work, you'd have to experiment a bit. Snap pics or video while you're at it. I'd be very interested to know, as I am now dipping deeper into making custom tampos.
 
Ugh! tough call. Look, if it was any other car, not something as rare as a Double Header, I'd already have it stripped. But the thing is rare :crazy: I think I'd keep it as is and go get me a more common redline to restore...
 
R1600Turbo
Acetone and a Q-tip.
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I'll be. I guess that makes sense. :crazy: It's easier than painting the car, I might try that when I get to wheel swapping.

Do you go out and buy acetone, or do you use a product that contains acetone?
 
Yeah, you're probably right. I'm heading to a big flea market this weekend, so we'll see. :D

What boggles me is how the axles are not bent the slightest bit and the line on the tires have survived. :dunce:
 
a6m5
I'll be. I guess that makes sense. :crazy: It's easier than painting the car, I might try that when I get to wheel swapping.

Do you go out and buy acetone, or do you use a product that contains acetone?
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Straight up acetone in a......can? Not sure what to call it. Hardware store, walmart, wherever you can get paint. Just be careful with using too much. Rub too hard and the paint will in fact come off.
 
Acetone is acetone. It's stronger than products labeled as "nail polish remover", especially if it states it's 100% acetone- Duh. I'd go for those.

R1600Turbo
Acetone and a Q-tip.
Click to expand...

You know, that "Unmarker" dry-erase marker idea didn't work out too well for me.
 

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