DeLorean DMC-12 - WIP

It always starts with washing. 

The panel lines of the body shell have been deeply re-engraved. 

Although it is not visible, if there is a convex mold on the back, there will definitely be shrinkage on the opposite side, so I sanded the entire thing. 

I removed it because I will be using a metal sticker instead of the embossed logo badge. 

Now, I'm going to create the hairline, which I think is the most important point of this vehicle, but before that, I've masked the front and rear bumpers. 

The hairline was created using coarse sandpaper. 

I measured the dimensions using masking tape to replace the front grill parts with etched mesh. 

Replacement complete.
However, since the grille is recessed deep inside, it seems like there's no need for modification. 

Now we're ready to paint it black. 

First, I painted the body shell, and since the tail lights are complex and require multiple layers, I masked them and painted them in transparent orange early on. 

As expected, the scratches are very deep and clear, and the surface is also quite rough. 

I worked it again with a little finer sandpaper. 

Masked tail lamp. 

Painted with Clear Red. 

I needed to mask the taillights to paint them black, so I decided to use a cutter. So I scanned the parts and created a vector data. 

I cut them, but they were too small and dense, so they didn't cut cleanly. I made several, so I'll have to pick out the ones that look good and glue them together. 

Because they were too small to be seen, an electron microscope was used. 

I painted the body with black surfacer once more. 

And I painted all the other parts that needed to be painted black. 

There are a few deep scratches on the body, so I think it needs some more care. 

I painted with silver. (IPP's Stainless Silver) 

The frunk is so well finished that it doesn't need any further trimming. But... 

I see a few places on the door that need to be fixed. 

Likewise, there are places on the roof (although it is a door...) that need to be fixed. 

After I corrected everything, I painted it again with the same color. 

While trimming the parts, I assembled the parts that could be assembled before painting. 

Since I don't have the paint listed in the manual, I plan to paint it with a similar color. I also plan to paint the front and rear bumpers using a mixture of the three paints listed below.
The instructions say to mix silver into the bumper, but I think using pearl paint would be better. 

Masked. 

I painted f/r bumper and other parts. 

When I removed the mask, it was a brighter color than I expected. 

After much thought, I decided to re-mask to paint again. 

I like it now. 

I forgot to paint the rubber band next to it. I got lazy and just roughly masked it off. 

The result was a miserable one. 

The same goes for the other side.
I have no choice but to paint over it with a brush. 

The actual wheel should have a hole in the center between the spokes, but it's blocked.
I waited for a 3D-printed, separate product to be released, but there was no news.
So I just painted it with a brush, like I was adding panel lines. 

I also drew a panel line on the body. 

I should've put rubber strips on the door, but I forgot. I quickly masked it off and painted it, but I didn't take a picture. 

The engine room was painted using the dry brushing.
It is a water-based paint for dry brushing by AK, and I liked how it applied smoothly, as if dry brushing with enamel.
For reference, the engine room will be completely covered by the middle cover, so you won't be able to see even 1% of it after completion. 

The brush painting work has also been done. 

I dug a deep hole in the muffler and filled Vanta Black into it. 

Ready to assemble. 

Start assembling.
I should have painted the marked area, but I forgot.
I don't care because I won't be turning it over anyway.
 

I applied glossy varnish to the DMC logo on the wheel. 

I also put on a few decals. 

Interior done. 

The engine room expressed with only three parts. 

Lower body complete. 

Another view. 

I discovered the shrinkage area late. I had hoped it wouldn't be visible after completion, but it was actually quite visible. 

I ended up sanding it down and repainting it. 

Assembled door. 

Attached front wind shield. 

A custom-made metal sticker logo was attached to front grill. 

The actual wheel doesn't have an embossed logo, but I already had a metal sticker made, so I just used it instead. Since it's applied over the decal, I had to use an electron microscope to ensure it was in the same spot as the decal. 

I also attached it to the handle. 

Assembled head light. 

The backs of the left and right blinkers were painted in Vallejo Silver, and the front blinkers were attached to the back with chrome tape. 

I made a robot kit and attached the leftover silver tape to the rear view mirror. 

I measured the size of the location where the room mirror would be attached. 

And I cut the Hasegawa sheet into the shape. 

Then, I glued the rearview mirror on top of it so that no adhesive marks remained. 

I attached the mirror parts of the side mirrors to masking tape and then cut them out. 

I attached the cut masking tape to thick silver foil tape and then cut it. 

Now I attached it to the side mirror and removed the masking tape. 

The assembly instructions say to attach the side skirts at this stage, but because they are curled inwards, it seems like they will cause trouble when joining the upper and lower parts later. 

So first I assembled the face. And then... 

Assembled rear parts. 

And, The engine compartment cover and rear sunshade were assembled. 

Only then did I assemble the upper and lower parts and attach the side skirts.
As expected, it would have been quite a hassle if I had attached them in advance. 

I waited for the side skirts to be firmly attached before attaching the front and rear under cover.
I roughly painted the marked areas because I thought they wouldn't be visible after assembly, but they were exposed.
There's no way to fix it now, and it's only noticeable enough that you wouldn't notice unless I specifically pointed it out, so I don't really care. 😛 

Finally, attach the door and the entire assembly is complete. 

As an additional step, we added a logo badge to the exterior. 

And, I attached the DMC logo to the side. 

Now that everything's finished and finished, the marked area is slightly warped.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed the sunshade itself was slightly bent.
I'm hoping that if I tape it down and put it in the dryer for about a month, it'll be fine. 

All done~
It seemed like there were a lot of parts and assembly would be complicated, but once I actually built it, it wasn't difficult and assembly was easy.
Anyway, this is the only DMC 12 kit so you don't have a choice. 😉 

Thanks for watching...