Revell Viper SRT-10

Looks Great so far.  How do you plan to paint the body? 

Good article on using automotive paint on your model in Fine Scale Modeler Articles. You could use the actual color paint of the real vehicle.

Thanks for your comments so far! I plan on painting the body a gloss white, exactly as specified in the kit. Originally I had wanted to paint it black but it turns out I had already painted part of the undercarriage white to match. Oh well.

 I actually updated the gallery and added some photos. I've reached the point where I'm masking/painting/installing the headlights and brake lamps. Almost every car model I've built when growing up calls for painting the recessed area a metallic color and attaching a piece of clear red plastic. This kit was no exception.

I have several questions about this:

1) How does one secure the plastic in the painted recessed area? Do you leave the paint off the edges and put a ring of cement around it? I tried using superglue but the paint dissolved and it clouded the plastic. I thought of using thinned white glue. Will that be a strong enough bond? Would your answer be different for my signal lamps, which are backed by clear orange (tamiya) paint?

2) It seems like it'd be easier to spray the body, then hand-brush the metallic recessed parts, and then put the lamps on. This seems like it can be accomplished without putting any masking tape. Is that the best way? What order do you guys prefer?

 Thanks again in advance, I'm really looking forward to closing this sucker.

Jeff

You probably have finished the project by now Jeff, nice looking by the way.

But I figured I'd throw in my 2 cents and experience in hopes to help with your questions.

Maybe it will help with your next build?

1) How does one secure the plastic in the painted recessed area? Do you leave the paint off the edges and put a ring of cement around it?

Kind of... I paint the recess but then scrap a thin line all the way around it close to the corner on the side (where the edge of the light lens will touch). I then carefully apply a very thin layer of cement/glue all the way around in the scrapped crevice. I've used my old trusty Testors Cement (orange tube, toxic vapors) and CA glue. I've spread it with a pointed toothpick or an old paintbrush, anything to keep it thin and tight. I've also tried appling the glue just in the corners. All methods worked out fine, but the "wrap the glue around" method looked the best. It looked as if the lens had a small seal or gasket holding it in place.

2) It seems like it'd be easier to spray the body, then hand-brush the metallic recessed parts, and then put the lamps on. This seems like it can be accomplished without putting any masking tape.

Exactly the method I use. 

Sometime this winter I hope to put my SRT together. It's been pre-painted now since summer along with a few other kits. I opted for the usual red though, now I'm thinking I should have picked a different color.

Plan on posting any pics when it's done?