Fujimi: 1:24 Ferrari F430

As a fan in Ferrari, I try not to miss any Ferrari model kits.  Tamiya used to manufacture high quality and detailed scaled model.  In the past, Tamiya has manufactured various 1:24 Ferrari models, such as Testarossa, F40, F50, Enzo, FXX, and 360 Modenna.  It's sad to see Tamiya has no longer manufacturing scale car model (especially non-Japanese car) as its main product line.  In fact, Fujimi has taken the place to produce and reproduce Ferrari models of both current and past models.  Nevertheless, in comparing with Tamiya, Fujimi seems to be at the down side in term of quality.

When Fujimi announced that it would issue 1:24 Ferrari F430 model kit, I was exciting because F430 looks more sporty than 360 Modenna.  However, I don't expect it would as detailed as 360 Modenna from Tamiya.  There would not be open rear hood to show the detailed engine.  It turns out as I expected.

The car is compose of less than 100 parts, therefore it doesn't have much interior details, such as the engine, suspension, and the like.  However, unlike F355, it has detailed door panel.  That's the improvement to Fujimi.
Due to the lack of fine detail, I have bought a photoetch ("PE") to detail up the model.  The PE is produced by Crazy Modeler, a Chinese company producing surprsing fine quality PE, which comparable Studio 27 and other Japanese brands but in much lower price.  In addition to F430 PE set, I also bought the sets for Mecedes Benz/McLaren SLR, and Ferrari FXX.
The PE set provide, four nice brake disc sets (without calibers, which used the ones from the model); grills for various parts of the car; windshield wipers; safety belt badges; Ferrari badges; etc.  Below are the steps to complete the model with application of PE set.

1. Assemble four disc brakes for later use.
2. The air outlet in the front bumper (parts D1, D2); and side skirt (parts D11, D22) must be attached to the body prior to start making the model.
3. Emptied the grill parts molded on the car body in order to replace the etch grills provided in PE set, the molded-in grills are located in front air inlet (parts D6, D7); both sides of the rear hood; and rear bumper between the lights and below the license plate.  Care must be taken when removing the molded-in grill below the license plate as it connected with the connection points of the chassis.  The way to removing the molded-in grills is to thinning the plastic from inside by using the milling tools.
4. The connection gaps between the body and parts D1 & D2 need to be puttied and smoothened to make it look like one piece with the body.
5. Deepened all panel lines with a sharp needle in order to make them look more realistic when completed.  I don’t like to black wash the panel lines when complete because it doesn’t looks realistic.
6. Sand the body with fine sandpaper to ensure smooth surface over the body.
7. Spray the dashboard, steering wheel and column, and lower part of the cockpit in semi-gloss black.
8. Paint the detail of the steering wheel and cement the changing gear provided by the PE set behind the steering wheel.
9. Spray the body, side mirror housing (parts E1, E2), cockpit, seats, door panels, front part rear panel (part B5), and hand brake (part D21) with white primer.
10. Sand the body with 1500 grit sandpaper.
11. Spray the body and side mirror housing with Shine Red (Mr. Color #79)
12. Spray the cockpit, seats, door panels, front part of rear panel, and handbrake with self-mixed tan color.
13. Spray the cockpit floor with semi-gloss black.
14. Paint the door handle, speaker grill, central console, and front part handbrake in semi-gloss black.
15. Cement the PE pedals and foot rest at the passenger side to the cockpit.
16. Assemble the cockpit and apply the clear part (part G7) to the rear panel.
17. Smooth the red color on the body with 2000 grit sandpaper and apply several layers of Super Clear (Mr. Color #155) to the body and side mirror housing.
18. Apply “F-430” logo to the dashboard and assemble the cockpit tot the chassis.
19. Paint the buttons on the Central console part (part W7) in semi-gloss black.
20. Detach the brake calipers from the discs.  Be careful not to damage the central core of the disc, which need to insert to the disc holder attached to the chassis.
21. Paint all calipers in red color and attached to the PE discs.
22. Assemble the discs to the disc holders and attached wheel accordingly.
23. I decided to open the driver side window, I drill holes and detach the window portion, be careful not to break the connection between the main part with the rear driver side window.
24. Paint the glass frame (including the rear hood) with semi-gloss black.
25. Paint the rest of the clear part (except the window portion) in self-mixed tan color.
26. Sand the body down with 2000 grit sandpaper and rub the surface with extra fine rubbing compound to bring back the shine on the body.
27. Spray the side of the rear hood in semi-gloss black.
28. Paint the assisting rear lights on the rear bumper and third rear brake light in silver and clear red (Mr. Color # H90).
29. Spray all the grilles in semi-gloss black and attach to the body.
30. Paint the window frames in semi-gloss black.
31. Spray the front light housing (parts D4, D5) in semi-gloss black.
32. Paint the indicator light (parts G3, G4) in clear orange (Mr. Color # H92)and main headlight (part G5 x 2) with clear blue (Mr. Color # H96)
33. Assemble the headlight housing and cover to the body.
34. Remove the wiper from the wiper arms (parts B1, B2) and attach the PE part of the wipers to the wiper arms; and attach the reflector part provided in the PE to the rear view mirror.
35. Attach the wipers and  rear view mirror.
36. Apply the Ferrari logo for the front hood to the PE part and put to the front hood.