Progress: Pagani Zonda C12 1/24

[Dino Scuderia]

This will be a diecast conversion...yes I said the D-werd...but it's the only game in town for a 1/24 Pagani. The proportions of the body are good and so is the size. The interior is good enough to work with too but the rims are too small, my pics are shown with Corvette C6 rims because they are bigs and littles, always a pain to find rims for these type cars.

I'm looking forward to stripping off the super thick paint and fixing the panel lines. The doors and engine cover will be glued permanently shut. I will find a striking color for it and a nice set of rims.

http://infinite1der.org/~dino/pagdie1.jpg
http://infinite1der.org/~dino/pagdie2.jpg


Stripped off the very thick paint which revealed some nice detail but also some nasty mold lines and ill fitting parts. Had to file a lot of metal away at the leading edge of the door to get them flush with the fenders and lower body work. The body will requre a bit of putty to clean up the mold lines, then I will epoxy the doors and engine cover shut and begin work on the panel lines.

http://infinite1der.org/~dino/paganifile1.JPG
http://infinite1der.org/~dino/paganifile4.JPG

[Steve_L]

Brian,

I never knew of the existence of a Pagani Zonda. Where is the real car manufactured and is it available here in the U.S.? Is is raced in any major events?

You have a good project going there -- and thanks again for the generous use of visuals.

[Dino Scuderia]

It's made in Italy, all carbon fiber body and rear engine V12.

http://www.paganiautomobili.it/

[Scott L]

Steve,

Check the link in the tread above about being addicted to a TV show. The link to the Paris video shows a Zonda and how practical it is on the streets of a major European city!

[slammd454SS]

Brian,

what did you dip that thing in to get the paint off? i have a die-cast that needs that treatment as well, your knowledge would be valuable.

thanks
brian

[Dino Scuderia]

Hi Brian,

Stripping diecast is a lot easier than plastic models because you can use a very harsh agent to do it. Go to Wal Mart or an Auto Parts store in the paint department...most of them sell a spray on stripper. Spray it on outside and while wearing gloves, also you will need an old toothbrush to brush of the paint when it begins releasing from the metal.

Usually takes about 20 minutes, spray it on and the paint will almost immediately bgin to wrinkle, there isn't any primer, just paint. Be sure to diassemble as much of the body as you can and spray underneath it as well as the outside. Use the brush to get into the crevices etc.

I usually do this over a box so all the desolved paint residue falls in it.

Don't use this product on plastic models.

[slammd454SS]

yeah i can assume its probably a lil bit harsher than laquer thinner, xylene should probably take it off as well. Its tough on that, we'll see what works, a test of some things to use...

[Zoom Zoom]

I concur w/the use of metal stripper. The can I got at Wally World is called "Auto Strip" and it's also listed as an aircraft stripper. It immediately bubbles the paint. Great stuff.

Make sure once it's all cleaned off and you are ready to prime to use a zinc-based "etching" primer before doing any more paint/primer or bodywork. Etching primer sticks to the diecast while regular auto primer will chip off easily if you aren't careful. You can apply regular primer over the etching stuff. The etching primer is found at car parts or auto paint stores, perhaps also at Wally World. It's usually an ugly green :eek: ;)

[Matt Wadlinger]

Looks good so far, I can't wait to see how it progresses.


Brian,

I never knew of the existence of a Pagani Zonda. Where is the real car manufactured and is it available here in the U.S.? Is is raced in any major events?

You have a good project going there -- and thanks again for the generous use of visuals.

I saw the Zonda at Sebring in 2003, I believe it failed to qualify, but it sounded so awesome down the back stretch at full throttle. Here's what it looked like then.

http://images14.fotki.com/v244/photos/4/431166/1731226/seb03ms23-vi.jpg

It is currently being raced in European races as well.