Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR 1/12 (Tamiya 14109)

[Ian T]

Back after a reasonably long break to, what is probably my favourite topic, and that is the Tamiya 1/12 scale motorbike range. Despite being drawn to the Ducati Panigale, I decided to get this Kawasaki ZX-RR. So here goes with the box lid and sprues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ian T]

And off to a comfortable start with the engine, the main frame and swing-arm assembly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stef N.]

Nice start. Looks up to usual high, Tamiya standards. All the best in your build.👍

[Ian T]

Thanks @Stef N., agreed, these Tamiya kits really do come together nicely. I’ve recently treated myself to a new airbrush, the Iwata Ecilpse, and it is so easy to use and clean that I’m trying to spray more of the kit than I’ve done previously.

[Stef N.]

Love my Iwata, it has never let me down. (I may have let it down on a few occasions😀) and it really helps that there are some high quality airbrush metallics about.

[gamblor916]

Nice start on a great looking bike. I also have the same airbrush. Going on a decade now I think and still haven't needed to replace any parts.

[Ian T]

9 hours ago, gamblor916 said:

Nice start on a great looking bike. I also have the same airbrush. Going on a decade now I think and still haven't needed to replace any parts.

That’s great news @gamblor916, I had the “Neo by Iwata” before and it was probably a cheap and reasonable first airbrush, but the difference in quality and particularly the ease of use and cleaning in unbelievable. So here’s hoping for a good ten years airbrushing.

[Ian T]

9 hours ago, Stef N. said:

Love my Iwata, it has never let me down. (I may have let it down on a few occasions😀) and it really helps that there are some high quality airbrush metallics about.

I haven’t really ventured into any “specialised” paints yet @Stef N., at the moment I tend to stick with the Tamiya range. But I’ve read about some of the excellent paints that others get some stunning results with. Is there any particular brand that you would recommend?

[Stef N.]

The ones I've used so far that I find excellent are Tamiya Lacquer and Mr Hobby Super Metallic. AK Xtreme is also brilliant but works best on a glossy black undercoat. These all need good ventilation so it maybe another expense.

I haven't used these for spraying but are great for hand painting small parts/areas. Vallejo Metal Color and Mr Hobby Metal Color.

 

Others have their favourites and companies like Zero have just added some great metallics to their range but so far I like what I got on the shelf.👍

 

 

 

[Ian T]

Thanks @Stef N., it looks like I need to do a bit of research.

[Stef N.]

All because I was looking for the best chrome and I got a bit anal about it. Now I have a shelf full of different brands, some gathering dust some getting a lot of use.😖😀

[Ian T]

I’m back to the Ninja build after a two week detour fixing up a “plank on frame” wooden ship for a friend after it got knocked in a house move, that was an interesting diversion. So now I’ve got the wheels looking reasonably good, I’ve never quite got the hang of the rim decals that Tamiya use. There are three decals for each side, and lining the ends up isn’t too bad, but I struggle to get the curve laying nicely inside the rim, but these aren’t too bad.

 

Any constructive comments and positive criticism is very welcome.

[gamblor916]

I hate rim decals too but they look so good on a bike. I've never found any trick to getting them to lay down any easier. Just patience and solvent.

I've done it cut from Hasegawa finish coloured film but getting stripes exactly the same width is another nightmare altogether.

[Ian T]

9 minutes ago, gamblor916 said:

I hate rim decals too but they look so good on a bike. I've never found any trick to getting them to lay down any easier. Just patience and solvent.

I've done it cut from Hasegawa finish coloured film but getting stripes exactly the same width is another nightmare altogether.

That sounds like a nightmare @gamblor916!!

[Ian T]

A bit more progress with the rear suspension components painted and fitted into place on the rear swing arm assembly. And the exhaust pipes ready for painting.

 

 

 

 

[Ian T]

Now the main frame has met the swing arm/rear suspension/rear wheel, it never fails to impress me how well the Tamiya kits come together. Also the exhaust pipes have been fitted, together with the radiator. I haven’t stuck the little wheels on the stand yet as I can’t get them to look anywhere near decent, so the paint has come off for the second time and I’ll try again.

 

 

 

 

 

[Ian T]

As you will gather, I’m not a fast modeller!! Here is the latest progress, the front forks and the handlebars both had quite a bit of minor detailing to be done, I’m pleased with the end result, it’s not prize winning standard, but I’m happy with it.

 

The little wheels on the trolley continue to frustrate me. They are supposed to be blue wheels with Kawasaki green tyres, the blue is OK but I can’t get the green to a) look good and b) not stray onto the wheels. So I’m afraid that the tyres are going to be black, photos to follow when complete.

 

The one disappointment with this latest progress is the decal on the front mudguard, it wouldn’t lay flat even with decal softening “gunk”, luckily much of it will be hidden beneath the fairing.

 

 

 

 

 

[gamblor916]

There are a few ways to get cleanly masked circles. I recently bought some pre-cut masking stickers which are really handy. You can also do it yourself with some tape and a punch set. Another method is to get a circle template (photo etch or plastic) and airbrush it.

 

The decals are printed by Cartograph and they react really well to GSI Mr Mark Softer. That will probably get those wrinkles out.

[Ian T]

52 minutes ago, gamblor916 said:

There are a few ways to get cleanly masked circles. I recently bought some pre-cut masking stickers which are really handy. You can also do it yourself with some tape and a punch set. Another method is to get a circle template (photo etch or plastic) and airbrush it.

 

The decals are printed by Cartograph and they react really well to GSI Mr Mark Softer. That will probably get those wrinkles out.

Thanks @gamblor916, I tried using punched holes, using a “standard” paper punch, the holes were very close to the right size but not quite. So as I noted above I’ve resorted to painting the tyres of the trolley black which seems to be a thicker paint than the green and it hasn’t run so much.

 

I’ve found some of the Mr Mark Softer on the internet, I’ll order some and give it a go, thanks for the recommendation.

[Ian T]

I seem to have taken a very long time to get the “bodywork”/fairing sorted out (and I’m still not that happy with it). I can still see the seam lines in certain lights even after sanding, filling, sanding, filling (repeat until bored), I don’t always get the gloss shine that I would like and my efforts with a clear coat don’t seem to add much to the final paint finish. And finally even after leaving the paint to harden for several days, it still seems to be tacky to the touch and picks up finger prints like I don’t know what ….. anyways here’s the current progress.

 

 

 

 

[Stef N.]

Which clear coat did you use? It looks fine to my eyes btw, but if it is still tacky after a few days that will be a pita.

[Ian T]

Hi @Stef N., I’m currently using the Tamiya acrylic gloss clear coat (X22) which I thin to about 50/50 with Tamiya acrylic thinners (X20a) and spray at 20psi. I’m wondering if I’ve sprayed it too thickly and with our current weather (I live in Queensland, Australia) being hot and humid is probably not helping.

 

I’m happy with the areas that have dried glossy but some parts are semi-gloss at best, maybe the decals will cover most of it!!

[Stef N.]

Aye, sounds like it could be to do with your weather, the heat and humidity not allowing it to dry properly. (Not something we have a problem with over here except for one week in July 😀). I'm not sure what you could do other than whacking up the AC. Or take it to the England cricket teams dressing room. Icy cold in there at the moment.

[Ian T]

Thanks @Stef N., my work area is air conditioned, so I’ll try that next time.

 

By birth I’m English, but have lived here for almost 30 years and have Australian citizenship, so I do support Australia, which is good at times like this!! I sat down to watch the cricket this morning and it was all over …..

[Stef N.]

Cheers Ian. Let us know if that works. 👍