Tamiya Sand Scorcher

Restoration account of this much-loved SRB
- page 4: more bodyshell detail

Having got the Sand Scorcher's bodyshell primed up and masked, we're into the final stages! (click on an image to view it larger)...

The blue is on
Sitting in the spray booth with its blue top coats on. 5 coats were used, each one very fine to prevent the dreaded 'orange peel' effect. Well, maybe it didn't escape completely, but it looks OK from a distance!


Ready for the white coats
With blue coats hardened over a few days, they are masked over and the bodyshell is ready to receive the white coats. The masking takes a lot of time, but it's worth doing it well!


Cutting compound ready
All top coats done and hardened. Not too bad a job, but the shell needs some attention with a fine cutting paste to remove some orange peel and surface imperfections.
Starting to look like a Sand Scorcher now!


Masking round the windows
Now this was fiddly!
It's really worth taking the time here with the black paintwork around the windows. More masking tape and a steady hand needed!


Finished bodyshell and bitsWith the bodyshell painted, decaled and lacquered, it's ready to receive the finishing touches!
All the 'bits' were painted over days, and they can't be rushed... they provide a great chance to improve on your delicate painting skills!
The wipers, mirrors, light lenses and front indicators (and stinger exhaust, not shown) are repros, available from Tamiya Club member rcgrabbag. The license plates, front light surrounds and door handles are original pieces.
The decals are also repro, available through the club.


Painting the tyre lettering

This is yet another fiddly job that can't be rushed. The nib of the white paint pen had to be trimmed down a bit with a sharp knife blade, to fit inside the lettering. Even then, some paint managed to jump outside of the lettering walls, so a black marker pen was used afterwards to tidy things up.
Painting the tyre lettering really finishes the car off nicely!


The finished Sand ScorcherTu-dah!! And there she is, my finished Tamiya Sand Scorcher SRB.
Not perfect by any means, but not a bad job I think! Lessons were definitely learned during this little restoration project... maybe the Rough Rider will be perfect!

 

Return to the first page of the Tamiya Sand Scorcher rebuild.

Sand Scorcher eBay listings

Shown in the table below are current (real-time) eBay listings for Tamiya Sand Scorchers and parts. Please note that these are genuine eBay listings, and clicking any of the links will take you through to eBay.com (USA).

 

Related pages & Resources

Related pagesThe start of progress and general SS info.

Related pagesPage 2 of the rebuild (chassis).

Related pagesPage 3 of the rebuild (bodyshell)

Related pagesTamiya Rough Rider - my Rough Rider restoration project (future page).

Related pagesTamiya SRB series - the rc cars that made history.

Related pagesTamiya Club - for vintage and modern day Tamiya lovers.

Stop Press!

(May '09) Wow! Can you believe it?!

Unthinkable... Tamiya have promised a re-release of the Rough Rider! Not a cheapy, plasticy reproduction but a full-blown metal parts and all the trimmings version, exactly like the original and improved in a few areas.

This is fantastic news for any SRB fans, myself included! Release date is supposedly July 16th 2009 - Google 'Tamiya Rough Rider / Buggy Champ' (its re-re name), model code TA58441 to keep up to date.

Will they follow up with a re-re Sand Scorcher??

If you're an SRB lover, let's talk in the forum!