Car body finishing techniques

Hello!

I'de recommend painting the plastic anyway - it will look better this way. No problem if you don't have an airbrush - if you take car spray paint can like DupliColor (I don't know if you have this brand available), you can get very good results if you try painting the body shell with it. It's good to start with their filler/primer first - take filler if you have imperfections to work out or just primer if the surface is nice and even - then go with some thin colour coats on top of that and finish with a gloss coat - preferably all from the same brand. You might want to fill in the seam lines with black prior to the colour coats.

As for chromes - they don't like to be overcoated with nothing, about the same way it is with glass. Clear always takes away some shine, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. It's good to add chromes at the very end if possible - after all the polishing and stuff. But it's important to make sure they fit well, first.

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Some kits can be cleared and polished, but I generally will paint.  This Tamiya Porsche being the exception

I generally add any front/rear body color items, fill gaps/sand etc.  Then prime/paint/clear the body shell and cary on like this Revell Bronco - which was sprayed with Tamiya right out of the can

Let us know what you decide and how it turns out and good luck!

A coat of clear is certainly better than bare plastic, but paint is better yet.

If you continue to do cars, you need to learn how to do a gloss finish.  It is harder than flat finishes.  I have friends who use spray cans all the time for cars.  I have done that several times myself.  You cannot fully develope any modeling skill without practice.

I suggest you somehow acquire some sheet or pipe plastic (it is not expensive).  Some people use plastic spoons.  Then buy several brands of spray can paint.  One secret to gloss paint is to build up a thick layer until just before it runs.  How do you know the just-before-it runs point?  Experience.  The other method is to put down several light coats, sanding between each coat with 600 or 1000 grit sandpaper.  Then, a heavier last coat.