Mazdaspeed Efini RX-7 (done, 56k)

[Skv012a]

Since my other thread was mostly for the light kit mod, here one for the body with GOOD pix:

Now here's the current final Version 3 since the beginning:

[amorton94]

yah.....panel lining=ugly

[Skv012a]

Looks way too plain without. Its a curse of white colors on small things. It was intended to look anime/manga as well, but opinions are welcome.

[c1v1c]

I've seen it plain white on minizracer, the panel lining give it a better look.
However the lines could have been a bit thiner..but thats just me!

[kendallcschm]

i like it... except for the fact its not a us car.... but thats just me :-) but you did a good job and i like the panel lining..

[mustang-04]

Originally Posted by kendallcschm

i like it... except for the fact its not a us car....

you cant be serious? your location says you're from earth ..

i like it, not so sure im big on the small decals, but the side graphix look awsome!

[Dr. Kustom]

I love that CF hood, but like c1v1c said, the lines could be thiner. Overall, the car looks good, also great pics!

[Skv012a]

Thanks guys. Thick line, then eraser/finger to wipe the absolute external areas and leave the actual crevases alone. Since either tool can easily get more of the inside it created uneven areas when I tried to thin it even more and decided to go with neat over thin. Glad to see more fans of the look.

[Doc Moddin']

I really like this car...the quality of the plastic makes it look like it is carved out of ivory or perhas is made of porcelain.

I have to agree, the body panel lines could be a bit thinner, but maybe that's just not possible.

I like the carbon fiber hood, but it looks like you had trouble getting all the air bubbles out when you applied it--looks better from some angles than it does from others.

Did you get the Carbon fiber decal from AtomicMods?

--Doc

[Skv012a]

Everything is my own homebrew aside from the body and paints

CF hood was more of a proof-of-concept to see if a) clear stickers would look decent and b) that I could make a good looking texture. Application is always a pain on curvy surfaces and my tape wasn't wide enough to cover the whole piece in one go. Had I a FC or 86...

Now for the #1 question- how'd I make the vinyls/stickers. Avery full-sheet, sticky, printable label paper; photoshop; crystal clear tape of any kind.
-White paper gives solid picture results but unless your car is white or black, matching background color is a pain. Clear is good for any light-colored bodies, but if the picture has any white color it'll end up clear.
-In pshop, I make a new file with document size = measured size of the area I want to cover in centimeters, for precision. Most XMs and Z's seem to allow 5x2 for side pictures.
-Note the pixel size of the "template" document and resize your desired image accordingly. Use filters that allow best reduction. If its too small(like RX-7 logo), then draw it yourself- better 8-bit than a blob.
-Make a 6-8' x 4' ish doc and collage your pieces onto it. Choose a printer, tweak color management, alignment of the collage to conserve paper, and print.
-Once printed, put tape over the desired pictures to protect them.
-Cut and paste.

Only real notes I'll add are that 1) clear paper peels much easier than white, no tears and not as much leftover gunk. 2) to get the exact part area, cover it with tape, outline the edges, peel, stick to the back of the texture you want on that part, cut. I used this to get the hood shape 98% accurate minus slight cutting errors near the windshield and left headlight.

[FinalGear]

nice...

[Skv012a]

Check my thread in XM>Appearance on preserving bodies to race. Bebop ftw.