Howto
Suzuki SX-4 Fanta (part 2)
by the wind on Apr.06, 2010, under Howto, Project1
front
side
rear
fun shot
Suzuki SX-4 New 2010 Fanta Orange Team
by the wind on Jan.09, 2010, under Howto, Project1, Techniques
things you love to do ..
and a little walkthru tutorials on the project.
Tamiya released this bodyshell as WRC SX-4 version complete with light buckets, rear spoiler and stuff but we figured why go boxart while we could try something fresh for the 2010, something fun as well.
Important note before we start, SX-4 is a semi short wheelbase (251mm).
Boxart Look
It doesn’t really relate to RC drift or drifting, but this cute and wide Tamiya Suzuki SX-4 bodyshell has all the ingredients for seriously fun setup like Fanta Orange soda drink scheme. With a little imagination, some tricks, addons and accessories we try to grab sweetness of the hobby on this build.
Started off with masking areas with lighter or different color than the predominant orange, we figured the layout as it goes.
Tips:
Unless you’re gunning for freeflow paint scheme, it would be better if you have well thought pre-emptive plan prior to laying down the masking. You could use sketches etc.
A little bit of art sense would help a lot in getting the whole bodyshell decorated without going overboard or showing too little. You could always do fine tuning in the end if you have some decals in mind.
so off we go to the spray paint lab.
Now what we want is candy orange as close as possible to the original color on the can.
Here’s the howto layer by layer as easy as abc:
- Anodize Silver 2x
- Translucent Red 1x
- Translucent Orange 2x
- Camel Yellow 3x
- White 3x
Do the same procedures but with different colors for other areas with masking removed.
- Word ‘Fanta’ use Anodize Silver overflow with Translucent Blue backed with silver
- Leaf use Anodize Silver with Translucent Green, also backed with silver
- Droplets use Anodize Silver with Translucent Orange backed with silver
Final seal we use Acrylic White and Black.
Reviews:
You may exercise other options or ways you think would yield better result, what we did was based on what bodyshell and paints we have at that moment.
Finished form coming up!
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Basic Items for RC Drift Maintenance
by the wind on Aug.02, 2009, under Howto
There are many items that we can use in doing a maintenance for an RC drifting car, possibly we have a toolbox full of it. While doing at home in a more relax way with the availability of tools, maintenance during or after a drift session couldn’t be said the same. If you wish to carry a minimum amount of items for a quick drift session but don’t wish to bring your bulky toolbox along, here is a list of basic items needed for RC drift maintenance in no particular order.
1. Brush
a 1/2 inch paint brush probably the most ideal size for cleaning up debris off your chassis and bodyshell.
2. Cleaning Cloth
don’t matter if it is a use one, but preferably not very dirty, to be use in cleaning or as a mat in case certain parts need to be dismantled.
3. Blower
camera lens blower/puffer is great for getting rid of dust in hard to reach unseen parts, as well as providing you with a great arm exercise.
4. Allen Key set/Screwdrivers
It is good if you have the extra budget to replace all those phillips screw to hex head and obtain the precision hex screw driver set.
If you don’t, a decent set of allen keys matching screws on your chassis would be good enough.
5. Oiler/Lubricant
A small bottle of needle oiler is necessary to make sure your bearings are in top condition each run. Do not apply excessively though.
6. Wheel Wrench
small yet useful to take your wheels off. Don’t leave home without it.
7. Spare Body clips
if your car is using this conservative method of body mounting.
8. Zip ties/cable ties & CA/Super Glue
if you tend to go hard and yet still make mistakes.
9. Cutter or Scissors
for cutting something short or adjusting shape.
10. Spare Pinions & Moving Parts
Pinions and bit of parts for tuning speed as well as for uneventful breakdown.
images up soon
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Precise Rear Spoiler Mounting
by the wind on May.09, 2009, under Howto
- grab a transparent tape and lay it up onto the pre-assembled rear spoiler’s footprint, use sharpie or other permanent marker to trace the mounting spots. Be as accurate as possible.
If you wish to punch a hole through the mounting spots, it may work as well but from experience it is best to just mark them.
- after done, the tape will have the marking, now measure the distance between left and right markings and define the middle point. This will be aligned later on.
- transfer the tape onto the bodyshell, of which you have measured or mark the center point with mirror reference point on each side of the rear. Lay the tape down and give a nudge with reamer on spot to be reamed.
- Spoiler mounted precisely in the middle
Wide Fenders & Canards
by the wind on May.09, 2009, under Howto
Wide Fenders
- get suitable size water bottle, decent thickness for strength as most of these bottles are made of PE or PP, they can not withstand high heat as such conducted by hot glue.
- cut the necessary contour shape, create template if needed
- further cut into matching shape, ready to paint
Canards
- don’t throw away your used lexan, use them for making canards!
- find the spot and mark the line for cutting
this is 2 pieces a side, so remember to make mirror image of them, making total of 4 pcs.
- cut and ready for paint
- painted (shown with fender parts), don’t forget to use polycarbonate paint
DIY Bucket Seat
by the wind on Mar.09, 2009, under Howto
This is another DIY option to make a simple, cheap, relatively short built time but great looking RC drifting bucket seat.
Now for some semi Origami time …
step one
prepare the tools for making the template:
- stationaries
- paper
- scissors
- glue
step two
simply draw your seat on rough paper, plan where the folding lines will be. This one for example will make the backrest bend automatically. Depending on complexity of your design, it normally requires about 30mins of build time from template to finished product. CLICK image for larger view.
step three
once the paper mockup is pretty much satisfactory, review the bends and folds.
step four
you can use the paper template and copy it on to 1mm styrene or PP sheet for a sturdier seat… cover it with fabric of choice afterward, we use flanel cloth.
that’s it, too easy! 
Econo Diffuser
by the wind on Mar.09, 2009, under Howto
Here is how to make a super cheap diffuser, using basically material that is supposed to be in the recycle bin.
Shapes, dimensions are subjective to your liking, the one we show here is just one example.
step one
pay attention to biscuit packaging, whether the shape could be made into diffuser
step two
wash and clean the packing from grim, oil or dirt
step three
measure the area on your bodyshell, match it with the material and cut it out.
step four
check for defects and make sure you get the best portion out, dummy check against the bodyshell too.
step five
determine which side to be painted, remember to use polycarbonate paint.
additional tip: basic color spray paint such as black are often use as backing, as much as possible use them when the pressure is at its best (full to half can) for bodyshell paint especially primary color and the other half as backing or for painting miscellaneous item such as diffuser.
image after first layer of paint
step six
mount it up and you’re done!
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Seamless CF
by the wind on Feb.28, 2009, under Howto
A realism quest to create scale and seamless carbon fiber effect hood.
Imitating this:
step one
prepare the material and tools:
- woven fabrics
- scissors
- glue
- stationaries and paper
step two
trace the hood area using marker pen over a piece of rough paper.
Cut it into shape and compare it with the actual hood.
You will be able to guess at least what kind of material I use, if you’re used to outdoor track & hiking. Find a suitable pattern and scale of a used gear preferably those which are of no use anymore.
Similar other material could be use, so just use your imagination. Recycle whenever possible.
step three
Place the traced paper onto the material and start outlining it. Check for any defects on the fabric before copying the template to it.
step four
spray the hood with smoke paint until expected tint level reached.
step five
paste it down using plastic friendly or non corrosive glue (preferably clear/transparent once cured).
Adjust positioning as needed and wait till dry..
Carefully make the holes for body posts.
thats it..
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taken from ” the no idea project”
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- ABC Hobby – Honda Integra type R June 29, 2010
- Tamiya #84132 TA05 VDF (High End Drift Chassis) May 13, 2010
- Tamiya TA-06 ? April 8, 2010
- Suzuki SX-4 Fanta (part 2) April 6, 2010
- Spektrum DX3-E April 1, 2010
- ABC Hobby Toyota Celica LB2000 GT & 1600 GT March 16, 2010
- ABC Hobby #66122 Nissan Fairlady Z March 13, 2010
- Ko Propo EX-5UR #82011 March 13, 2010
- Tamiya #58461 Mitsubishi Evo 5 March 11, 2010
