Project 048 -- Hatsune Miku BMW Z4 GT3 Super GT

Chris Greathouse

THIS IS NOT AN ACTIVE PROJECT YET

I just got this racer in the mail today and HAD to look at the decal sheet... Look at that monster!!!! measures 10-1/16in x 7 1/2in (25.55cm x 19.05cm) Freaking huge.... and sooooooo many of the them 😛 😄

Kerry COX
Will there be enough room for the paint to show through. ? 😉

Clifford Keesler
Really, agree with Kerry. Cool project though.

Chris Greathouse
I don't even care about paint 😛 well yes of course I do, but I'm in it for that monster decal sheet 😄

Kerry COX
Your going to need an awful lot of decal softener mate. 👍

Chris Greathouse
And patience... lot of patience... 😛 Too bad I'm backed up on builds, this would be a great challenge!

Nathan Dempsey
That's going to be a nice project Chris. Can't wait to see all those decals applied.

Chris Greathouse
I'm finishing the Diablo now, then will be the red Volvo FH 16, then probably a couple small kits, then this. So about 4-5 cars out.

Chris Greathouse
THIS IS NOW AN ACTIVE PROJECT.... WISH ME LUCK 😛!

Nathan Dempsey
Yes! I've been wanting to see this one.

Kerry COX
You don't need luck, you have great skills. 😉
Cheers and have fun mate. 👍

Chris Greathouse
#4 Everything has been snipped, sanded, and stuck on skewers. The black has been primed. Tomorrow black paint. Then grey and white primers, then color.

Greg Baker
sign me up!

Kerry COX
These decals look most challenging Chris. 🙂
Is there really any need for paint 😉 hehehehehehe
More pictures please. ???

Donald Dickson II
Yeah, those decals will be interesting for sure.

Chris Greathouse
@Kerry, Are there any types of pictures you want to see? I do my usual batch shots on the styrofoam dry board after colors are done, but I know there is no real definition in the pics other then that step is done... Let me know 🙂

Kerry COX
Chris, Just as they come mate, as I do like to stay abreast of all the builds that happen here, as it keeps me on my toes so to speak, as I start my Mazda 787B and all the bells and whistles I can muster to keep me occupied. 🙂 🙂🙂 👍
I am most interested in how this will look in the end, as you just may have convinced me to get one as well. 👍 (heheheheheh) 😉

Munkyslut
Watching.......

Paul Juliano
IDK what this is but I love it. I dig anime animation, but I just never could get into the shows... I never knew where to start.

Greg Baker
You should start with Area 88... just sayin' 😉

Bozzer
Crazy decals! Chris, you'll end up being certified in the loony house, after applying them.

Chris Greathouse
@Paul, Hatsune Miku is what is called a vocaloid. She is a programmable virtual singer like no other. But she is also visual through projection techniques and is accompanied live by the band Supercell. She sells out arenas in Japan. I have a couple of her CD's.

Youtube Video

Chris Greathouse
#5 Painted all the black pieces with color. Primed all the grey pieces. Painted chrome pieces. Next are metal type colors with the remaining grey primed pieces. Then white primer and paint, Future, then monster decals. 😄

Chris Greathouse
@Bozzer... I'll be stumbling through the hall muttering to people **do you have more micro set?...*twitch* mine is gone. *twitch* There are more decals to do** then stumbling through the halls again 😛

Paul Juliano
Wow, that's really interesting Chris. The culture in Japan is so radically different than anything I've ever experienced I just have to get over there one day.

Bozzer
I'm not entirely sure what I've just watched, but man we've come a long way since I was a kid! My Iron Maiden concerts were always amazing, but that's a whole different level! I may have to go to the pub tonight, for a reality check lol

Chris Greathouse
Aside from the mad Hatsune love I have, it's the technology, syncing with a live band and programming the projections to follow along that really makes my mind spin... And the fact that a virtual singer can sell out arenas is crazy. Also, there are about a dozen vocaloids aside from Hatsune. Their mega shows are insane! Multiple screens for the vocaloids to sing on, and they do duets and group songs..... All that programming and dedication to bring these creations to life, amazing.

Munkyslut
Japanese pop & vintage fashion culture is astounding, the diversity is mind boggling!
I used to love the 90's jap heavy metal bands

Chris Greathouse
@Paul, I want to go to Akihabara district in Tokyo for a week, back in the 80's-90's it was primarily the electronic district, and I mean electronics of ALL types and oddities... some of the 7 story buildings looks like garage sell after garage sell of weird/awesome/amazing/obscure/wtf electronics and parts... a freaking treasure trove! Nowadays, while it's still the electronics district, since the 00's The otaku (anime nerd) scene has really popped up, collectable figurines, comics, clothing, more oddities and trinkets, restaurants, shows, and overall Anime awesomeness. There's even a Gundam restaurant that looks dope. and maid cafes 😛

#6 Worked on braking parts, I also primed and painted all the white pieces, including the body. Tomorrow I work on the rest of the secondary colors, slap some Future on and I think I'm ready to work on the decals. 🙂

Chris Greathouse
My mom was wondering if a SSD is an easy bump in performance for her aging laptop (SATA II, 5400RPM, HDD). I said yes. I bought an ADATA SATA III SSD and benchmarked both drives for read/write. definitely a big bump!!!!

OLD: 75.42MB/s read --- 65.56MB/s write
NEW: 552.0MB/s read --- 514.8MB/s write

That's a hell of a bump for a $50 fix 😄

Bill Newcomer
Of all the things I have done to improve my PC's performance, the SSD was hands down the biggest improvement.

Tom ...
Ready for the decal madness....

Chris Greathouse
#7 All the pieces have been painted with all their colors, and I shot the first layer of Future on the exterior parts... That BMW looks mighty plain with only some accents showing... BUT it's the calm before the storm... I wonder how many days those decals will take...........

Chris Greathouse
#8 D Day

Kerry COX
I am all excited for you and the mammoth job in front of you Chris. 👍 🙂
Good luck in all that is about to happen. 😉
Have fun mate. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 👍

Paul Juliano
Do they sell Mr. Mark Setter in a 55 gallon drum?

Chris Greathouse
@Paul, I didn't see any at Costco 😛

Slavo Hazucha
Joining late, but in time for the decal party!😉

Chaz Gordon
looking forward to seeing the decals on

Chris Greathouse
#9 *twitch.... twitch...*

Nathan Dempsey
...and so it begins!

Munkyslut
I'm imagining Chris getting so tangled up in a huge decal sheet he resembles some mad Manga Christmas wrapping paper covered mannequin LOL!!

Kerry COX
Hold your breath folks, as this I do believe will be one of the classics we see occasionally here on SM. 👍 🙂

Munkyslut
Actually I think Chris will pull it off perfectly with no fuss or drama & wonder what he fretted over

Chris Greathouse
I shredded the decal near the rear wheel 🙁 Any suggestions for applying decals on the angled rear wheel well for the other side?? Still love it! 😄... Calling it a day 🙂

Kerry COX
Tons of softener. AND, let it soak into the decal and become so soft, it will be like a piece if slime, soft and gewey. ! I suggest that you use a clear glue like 'clear fix' as the lubricant under the decal to aid in the movement of the decal to prevent taring. 👍

Munkyslut
You can touch that in pretty easy if it's just the year I see about 10 o'clock.
Did it dry on the car too quick as you tried to place it?

Munkyslut
An old mate of mine used to apply large decals in a bowl of warm water so the work piece was submerged

Bob Hall
Get you some of this.
Micro Set (Microscale MI-1, No)

Micro Sol (Microscale MI-2, No)

Donald Dickson II
As mentioned, let the decal sit in the water a good 5 minutes. Make sure the water is warm. When you put it on the car dont be afraid to get the car wet. The more water to float it while doing the major shifting the better. You can soak up excess a bit at a time as you position it.

Once in place use micro set or sol. If they are thick decals you can use solavaset. amazon.com/Walthers-..lution/dp/B00OS3ZX8O Be warned, this stuff is HOT. It can easily melt down thin decals.

Donald Dickson II


Diavoli Rossi F-84 | Album by smokeriderdon (1:48)

The wings, top and bottom and the tail are all single decals. It took a lot of water to float them in place and solvaset to get them snuggled down well. You cant see it well in the pics, but every panel line and rivet are obvious. Solvaset is strong, but it works well.

Chris Greathouse
I have and use the SET/SOL products. This is the first time trying to apply around a rounded angled area like the wheel well. I will apply and use more product for the other side, you live and learn. 🙂 Thanks ya'll.

Kerry COX
The 'key', hehehehehe..............Patience, along with all the chemicals you can have. !!! 😉 😉 😉

Donald Dickson II
A better life through chemistry!

Bob Hall
Much Like Fake Boobs, " Better Living Through Science " LOL !!!

Chris Greathouse
Amen 😛

Chris Greathouse
11. 30-40 decals done and there's still a full card of decals left 😛 There are some torn bits which I will try to correct with a dab of paint IF the remaining decals don't hide them 😄

Chris Greathouse
11. Oh and I put more softener on the decal around the wheel well per recommendation and no tear 😄 Thanks

Bob Hall
YIKES !

Kerry COX
This is getting exciting Chris. 😉 😉 😉 👍

Holger Kranich
Hello Chris! And i thought stenceling an F-4 Phantom is a big deal regarding the decal job! You car modellers must have patience and gallons of softener! 🙂

Chaz Gordon
I'm wondering if Microset would be safe to use in a mini spray bottle (ie won't melt the mechanism), but as a bottle of microset is about the same size as the mini sprays I have, I'm reluctant to try just now. I think the atomisation through a spray would work better for an application like this, where you want to effectively float the decal on the solution.

Another possible solution would be to emulate the professional Vinyl fitters and spray a solution of water & Green Fairy Liquid on the surface to be applied to, then squeegy the decal gently once positioned with a soft object, like damp q-tips. Not sure how the Fairy will work with the decal glue, Think I'll try on one of my test articles.

Kerry COX
Chris, this what I use to apply all my decals, mostly as a glue but secondly, as the 'lubricant' to help with the moving of the decals on all surfaces without any taring occuring.
It is water soluble and any excess can be wiped away with a damp cloth (cotton glove)
I mix it with the microsol liquid 50/50 and apply it to the surface where the decal is to be applied.
It can be bought in any artists supply shop.
Humbrol actually sell little bottles of it for $10.00 as 'Clear Fix', but from a arts shop, Elmers clear glue is. $2.00.

[img1]

Holger Kranich
This is an interesting way, Kerry...

Kerry COX
Holger, is is purely adding a little more glue than what comes on the decal paper. 👍
It's either clear glue or one big lump of saliva. :-/

Donald Dickson II
Thinned regular elmers works as well.

Kerry COX
Donald, I do agree that Elmers by it's self works well, though doing a mix with the softener works even better for compound curves. 😉 👍

Chris Greathouse
But doesn't the glue muck up the body?

Chris Greathouse
#12 front sponsors done.

Kerry COX
Chris. The clear glue has no aggressive attributes. It will NOT harm, in any way, any paint or decals applied. 👍

Chris Greathouse
#13 Consider my a$$ officially sponsored 😄 I think I'll be done for today.

Munkyslut
Have you dreamt about them yet?

Chaz Gordon
Chris, just checked your wall, You like your giant Decal sheets don't you. Think you're going to have to do that Refer trailer in the bathtub!

Chris Greathouse
I love decals, so I try to have at least one monster decal kit on the stash shelf 😛

Chris Greathouse
#14 Right side sponsored up... AND there's STILL more 😛

Nathan Dempsey
Holy cow the decals will never end!

Chaz Gordon
I'm so glad to see you return and do that side decal. After the last one, yesterday, I was legitimately concerned for your sanity. Do you have some kind of loyalty scheme with Microscale Industries? That's got to be about a half bottle of Microsol to do that body shell

Chris Greathouse
Well, there are some wrinkles, imperfections and a few tears (still happy with my accomplishments, I'm after having fun, not being perfect) , but yes I'm watching the liquid line in the SET/SOL bottles go down like there's a hole in the bottom 😛

I think I'm going to do the left side now... *twitch* oh, me? I'm fine *twitch* 😛 😄

Chris Greathouse
#15 Left side sponsored up.... I count about 30 more decals for the top/hood/trunk of the car then there's about 30 for interior parts/wheels... I'm getting there... 😛 😛

Chaz Gordon
Scalemates needs a reaction feature. Ill have to settle for lol

Chaz Gordon
Seems there is a spare hood decal that could provide matchable sections to patch tears

Chris Greathouse
There was only 1 big tear on the hood somehow, I've already chopped the spare and fixed it. 😄

Paul Juliano
Chris this is looking slick!

Chris Greathouse
Thanks Paul! I think I might take today off and veg in front of the T.V.

@Munky... The decals are starting to swirl and dance in my dreams... Lookie there, a straight jacket 😛

Kerry COX
It must be the 'acid' in the microsol. !! hehehehehehe 👍

Gordon Sørensen
After all these decals, doing something the Viking Truck will be easy-peasy!

Slavo Hazucha
If a model would greet me with such an optimistic face, I'll probably build faster...😉

Nice little decal frenzy!

Chris Greathouse
#16 -- 6 decals per wheel is a bit much I think lol! But got 'em done! All that's left is interior decals and a few miscellaneous one's, then I'm go for Future and build.

Tom ...
Wheels look slick! Nice job.

Bill Newcomer
Nice wheels. Looking good

Chris Greathouse
#MissingNo. Applied all the rest of the decals and sprayed a last coat of Future. I'll start building later tonight or tomorrow. 😄 She's pretty 😄

Chris Greathouse
#17 Pieces! Starting now.

Bob Hall
Will definitely be a unique stand out ride at "Crazy Chris's used car lot" Mighty fine decal work my friend !

Slavo Hazucha
This is such a positive kit... there is even a smiley on the wing... 👍

Chris Greathouse
Good Smile is an awesome company! 😄 They make anime figurines and collectables 😄 and yup! smiles! 😄

Andy Ball
My (real) Z4 2.3 S-drive never looked like that!...Superb so far!!

Chris Greathouse
#20 Done! Photo booth pictures to follow at some point. I am happy with it :d

Konrad -
Hey Chris that is just f... awesome 👍! Like it a lot very cool and colourful build!!

Bob Hall
After all that decaling !!! Still sane ?

Chris Greathouse
*twitch*

Chris Greathouse
Thanks Konrad!

Nathan Dempsey
Should I ask if the decals are done yet? 🙂

Munkyslut
That Beemer has come out amazing, looks incredible with all the layers of colour!

Chris Greathouse
@Nathan, yup!! And of that whole sheet of decals, there was maybe half a dozen small ones that I didn't use. I'd figure there was maybe 125-150 decals total. A TON of SET/SOL used.

Nathan Dempsey
Very nice Chris. All other decals will seem like nothing after this one!

Tom ...
Cray-cray. Nice work man!

Chris Greathouse
Thanks guys!

Greg Baker
Wow... fantastic result.

Donald Dickson II
Nice! I feel like I want to give this one a go myself. LOL

Chris Greathouse
Thank you gents! Hell of a kit 😄

Chris Greathouse
You're all going to jail I tells ya! JAIL! 😄 😄 😛 Project 049 -- Paddy Wagon | Album by chrisagreat (1:24)

Brad Furminger
Needs more decals. You missed a spot.

Chris Greathouse
LOL!

Cliff Jones
Nicely done, Chris!

Chris Greathouse
Thanks!

Bob Hall
I gotta say, That is one wicked looking little Beemer !

Chaz Gordon
Awesome job Chris

Chris Greathouse
This is my favorite part of any project, the comments. You guys are super supportive and awesome! Good pumped up feels as I slide into the next project. Thanks!

Munkyslut
Paddy Wagon??? Can't wait to see that!

Chris Greathouse
Well follow the link and jump on the Wagon 😛😉

Munkyslut
Another one of my childhood faves, think I've built most of Tom Daniels Monogram offerings 😉

Bill Newcomer
Chris, You are a better man than me. I would never attempt such a decal nightmare. Great job.

Chris Greathouse
@Munky, I have a feeling that I may be building a lot of these fantasy vehicles... They are just too cool and fun

@Bill, Thank you good sir!

Slavo Hazucha
I doo see a few spots where a decal or two could yet be added...😉

Nice job, a max positive karma build with a great finish!