See 1:1.

See 1:1.

This is a ratio comparing two numbers as a fraction. The first number, 1, means that our subject is its original size. The second number is its modifier. The bigger the number the smaller the object is in comparison to the original. In this case 1:1 means normal or original size. In miniature replicas the first "1" will always remain constant because the replicas are based on real-life, full sized objects. In a ratio such as 1:24, our second number tells us that it we would have to double the size of the object 24 times to make it the same size as the original. This ratio is usually used in conjunction when referring to things of real-life scale. Common usage: "I want to build a 1:25 scale replica of my 1:1 vehicle."

Forcibly cures CA glue almost instantly. Use only with proper ventilation and skin protection.

A type of paint thinned with either alcohol or water. The least hot of the three main types of paint (acrylics, enamel, lacquer). For paints with an alcohol base, vodka or 70% rubbing alcohol can be used in a pinch for thinning.

Similar to a full-size automotive paint gun, an airbrush atomizes a liquid with compressed air, typically paint, for spraying on a surface. Airbrushes are ideal for fine detail, murals, and fade-away paint jobs. Due to their small size and many advantages over spray paint, many modelers choose to paint their models with an airbrush.

A brand of lacquer paint most well known for their chrome paint. Sprayed in a few light coats over a gloss black enamel base coat this chrome finish is better in many cases then kit chrome. As well Alclad also produces a lineup of other lacquer paints in metallic and non metallic colors.

See Alclad.

See Paint Thinners.

Small spring loaded clips found at Radio Shack and other electronic supply places. Great for clamping parts while waiting for glue to dry. Attach to kabob skewers for a great handle for painting small parts. Caution though the teeth may mar surfaces so be careful where you put them.

An American kit manufacturer that started production in the 50s. Short for Aluminum Metal Toys. Purchased by ERTL in the 80s and then purchased again in 1999 by Racing Champions. In 2007 AMT was put up for sale. In 2008 a licensing agreement was signed with Round2 to allow for the production and marketing of reissues of AMT, MPC, and Polar Lights kits. Well known for their reissues of decades old kits many of which came from MPC tooling which was acquired in 1985.

A Japanese model car, model aircraft and model ship manufacturer. Their car model range (in the universally popular 1/24 scale) strikes a good chord with modelers, particularly because much of their product range focuses on Japanese domestic models. They have been around long enough that originally their hobby products were made of wood, later switching to the now more popular plastic.

All-Terrain Vehicle

A slang term for engine. By example a 4-banger is a 4 cylinder engine.

A tarmac or dirt track racing type of motorsport event popularized in Europe and especially Great Britain, Ireland, Belgium and The Netherlands/Holland in which drivers of old vehicles race against one another around a race track and the race is won in terms of the first car to the checkered flag, while also attempting to deliberately wreck the opposing vehicles. In the United States, this type of racing is known as a demolition derby. The race tracks are usually oval, around 440 yards (400 meters) but on occasion are constructed in a figure eight design.

See BMF.

Typically the first coat of paint or primer under the color coat. For most colors a simple white, gray, or sometimes black primer is all that's needed. For transparent and candy colors as well as some pearls or metallic colors a gold or silver base coat may be desired over top of the primer for a certain effect.

A task generally required when scratch building parts out of styrene or metal tubing. When bending styrene tube usually only a little heat and perhaps a small piece of wire inserted into the tube is all that is required. For larger diameter styrene tubes and most metal tubes a combination of heat, a filler material, and sometimes a tubing bender may be required. Common filler materials usually consist of salt or sand packed into the tube and sealed at both ends to prevent the collapse of the tube walls during bending. For bending any tube patience and practice is the key to success.

Used for stripping the Chrome Plating off any part that you don't want to be chromed.

See Wesley's Bleche-White.

A condition where paint leeches under the masking material.

Also known as compressor, used to put some pressure on the intakes airflow, thus forcing more gas to be pressed into the engine, resulting in more horsepower. It's belt-driven by the crankshaft.

A self-adhesive foil used to simulate chrome trim on model cars. Can also be used for chrome exhaust tips or other chrome accessories.

Shortening the fenders of an older car or motorcycle by cutting off the protruding areas, originally to shave off weight for racing, but fast became a custom aesthetic technique as far back as the 1930's and 1940's. Also the removal of most of the metal that makes up the fenders, leaving enough fender to be functional and street legal, while removing dead weight and altering to the physical appearance of the car. The infamous "Milner Deuce" from the movie "American Graffiti" has bobbed fenders.

Building a model using just the parts from the box with no modifications other than add-ons like BMF or flocking.

Pistons are mounted on either side of the engine at a 180 degree angle. Due to the fact that the pistons are lower to the ground they tend to give a car a better center of gravity and make them less top heavy. VWs and Porsches, amongst others, use boxer engines in some of their cars.

A subtype of hydraulic fluid used in the hydraulic brake systems of vehicles. This liquid is used by modelers to remove unwanted chrome and paint from plastic parts.

A car or truck with two front seats separated by a center console. Usually found on vehicles with automatic transmissions.

A Coupe with a removable rear seat or with no rear seat. Intended for providing space for traveling salesmen to store their materials. Often Business Coupes came with "standard" equipment.

A high strength, fast drying glue. Commonly known as super glue. Comes in thin, medium and thick. Use with caution as it may fog clear and plated surfaces.

A convertible coupe.

A semi-translucent coat of color, usually laid over a metalflake base coat. Similar in appearance to a colored metalflake paint, but much deeper.

A strong ultralight woven fabric that is layered with resin in a mold to produce parts for high performance street cars and race cars. Can be reproduced in various scales using decals, or through painting techniques. Examples of both can be seen in the tutorial section.

Term used to describe a particular model car kit. It can be referring to a manufacturer's individual model kits or the final product of a mold. Casting is also the act of producing something from a mold. For Example: "I bought AMT's new 57 Chevy casting today.", or "That engine blocks casting is terrible."

See CSC.

A two part formula where a hardener know as catalyst is added to make the product cure. Typical applications include two part putties, catalyzed paint, clear coats and two part epoxies.

The body of a vehicle is lowered over the frame by cutting out the floorboards and reattaching them higher inside the body resulting in the body resting closer to the ground with little or no modification to the suspension. A common trick of East Coast customizers, as the colder weather and salt on the roads causes floorpans to rust away rather fast, thus making it a prime target for customization.

See channel.

Drag racing slicks that have two groves in them defined as a "tread" so that they are DOT approved for street use. They were called Cheater Slicks because they could be used in "Street tires only" racing classes due the fact that by DOT definition they were street tires. Today Drag Radials have taken there place.

To remove horizontal sections of a vehicle's window pillars, lowering the overall roof line. Some vehicle's chops are so dramatic that the windows are only inches tall, often referred to as a "Mail Slot Chop".

See Chop.

Traditionally, a custom motorcycle with dramatically extended forks with high-rise handlebars and commonly a suspensionless rear end. Modern times regard most custom motorcycles as Choppers.

The factory plated finish on kit parts. A typical frustration of many modelers due to its often poor quality in regards to location of ejector pin marks, sprues, mold lines and excessive thickness. Where plated parts are to be joined with other parts it is best to remove plating by scraping it off mating surfaces.

See Clear Coat.

Paint without any pigment applied, usually as a top or mid coat to seal other colors or decals. Clear coat can also be applied after masking but before applying the second color in a multicolor paint scheme to prevent bleeding under the masking material.

Most kit windows are made of clear styrene. Be careful when using CA glue in the proximity of these parts as the fumes may cause fogging.

A two door car that has small second row seats.

A condition that occurs with some glues when applied with a toothpick of similar device a tiny string is left between the joint and the path the pick takes when pulled away from the surface. To prevent smearing of glue or damage to the surface these are best removed with a soft brush after the glue has dried.

A spray painting technique that resembles cobwebs. This is accomplished by spraying unthinned acrylic at low pressure which results in the acrylic being spit out in stringy gobs which resemble cobwebs laying on the surface.

Usually a two door sporty model of a sedan, or a hardtop sports car. If there is a rear seat, it is intended more for occasional passengers. See also Club Coupe, Business Coupe, Sports Coupe and Opera Coupe.

A cracked, wrinkly texture that occurs when a paint is too hot for the underlying surface.

See Craze.

An upgrade manufacturer of model cars. They make many detail sets, decals and accessories to enhance model cars.

See Creme Hardener.

The portion of a two part body putty added to make the mixture harden.

A multi-purpose automotive cleaner and degreaser concentrate that comes in a purple jug at most automotive stores. In it's concentrated form, it can be used to safely strip paint or chrome from models. While Castrol has recently been removed from the name, most people still refer to it as Castrol Super Clean or CSC. The concentrate itself is purple in color, and often parts are soaked in a tub of this liquid, coining the phrase we commonly use, "Purple Pond".

No opening panels such as a hood or trunk. Also, no engine.

A chemical reaction between two parts that causes paint or body putty to harden.

See Cure.

See Swallowtail Doors.

See CA.

A chemical substance used to weaken and remove joints bonded with Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue.

A decal or transfer is a plastic sheet that has printed on it a pattern that can be moved to another surface upon contact, usually with the aid of water. A decal setting solution might be used such as Decal Set or Decal Sol.

A liquid applied to the surface prior to the decal that allows for easy positioning and better bonding of the decal. Commonly found under the brand name Micro Set.

A liquid applied to the decal after its placed on the model that softens the decal to conform easier around complex shapes or details. Caution do not attempt to move or touch the decal after application of this product, always test compatibility on a spare decal. Commonly found under the brand name Micro Sol.

Removing all chrome,etc. trim and emblems from a vehicle's trunk lid, leaving it smooth. Trim and emblem mounting holes are filled in and painted over.

See Banger Racing.

The commonly used name for the owner of Model Express, one of the most favorite vendors on the BMC Links page.

See Picks.

An American company specializing in aftermarket detailing and finishing products. Their lines contain such items as photoetched parts, flocking, machined parts, polishing cloths and etc.

A 1932 Ford Coupe. The first year Ford came out with a V-8 engine and therefore was able to readily accept later model flatheads and other V-8's

See Deuce.

Motor tool (small electric drill) that can be used with hundreds of different inserts for grinding, cutting, drilling, sanding, polishing, etc. on models. Other brands are available, but this type of tool is often generically referred to as a Dremel even when it's not actually that brand name.

The technique of loading a paint brush with paint and brushing it off on paper towel or similar until there is almost no paint left. At which point the brush is then dragged across the desired detail highlighting only the raised portion. May require several repetitions to achieve the desired coverage.

After a molding is injected with Styrene, ejector pins come into the mold and eject the freshly cast plastic. This is done while the plastic is still malleable, leaving depressed circle indentations in the plastic. Manufacturers usually locate these marks in areas that are unseen on a completed model.

An oil based paint typically thinned with mineral spirits or household paint thinner. Regarded as being hotter then acrylic paint, but not as hot as lacquer based paints. Usually found in spray cans or the small Testors or Humbrol hobby jars.

A thermosetting resin; used chiefly in strong adhesives, coatings and laminates. Consisting of a resin and hardener which must be mixed immediately before use, epoxies are tough and very adhesive.

A half-round chrome accent piece attached over the top half of a headlight.

A painting technique where at least one color seamlessly fades into another. This is most commonly achieved with the use of an airbrush.

As related to bodywork: Changing a prominent fender profile on a car so that it instead smoothly transitions into the body. As related to paint: A technique used to smoothly transition between two colors. The less perceptible the transition is, the better.

See Sports Coupe.

Covering of the wheel well, made of metal, often seen on lowriders and lead sleds.

A malleable and shapeable material used to fill holes and imperfections in a surface. This material will harden and can be sanded smooth or to any desired shape. It comes in one-part and two-part configurations.

Any material that is used to fill holes or smooth imperfections or customizations on a car. Common fillers in use in the model car world include Tamiya 2-part putty, Squadron green and white putty, automotive Bondo, and acrylic filler.

A custom paint scheme developed shortly after the birth of the Hot Rod. Rudimentary "flames" were painted on a vehicle, starting in the front and flowing towards the rear.

Refers to adding a piece of material to a fender of a car in order to fit a wider tire in. Sometimes a larger hole must be made in the fender before adding the extra material.

Excess plastic found along the mold lines of a kit caused by poor mating of the two mold halves during manufacturing. Many kits require hours of preparation to remove this before painting or assembly can proceed.

See Flash On.

Most cameras have the option of turning the flash on or off. When taking pictures of models it is usually desirable to have the flash turned off to prevent glare from the flash being reflected back off chrome or highly polished paint surfaces. Ideally increasing background lighting should be provided. As well to provide the best image possible a tripod and timer settings may needed to hold the camera steady.

The time it takes for a paint to get tacky. Ideally the point at which it is best to apply another coat. Times may vary between types and brands of paint. Lacquers and acrylics flash faster then enamels due how quickly their solvents evaporate off.

See Flash.

An older style of engine that incorporates the valves into the block instead of in a head above the block (overhead valve, or OHV engine). The most commonly known flathead motor came from Ford, who used them in most vehicles from 1932 until 1954. Cadillac also used a flathead motor (although they referred to it as a side-valve) from 1914 until 1949, when they converted to an OHV setup.

The process of depositing small bits of fiber on a surface to simulate carpeting, mohair seats and rear shelves on older car models.

Smoothing a vehicle's headlights and taillights into the body by eliminating the seam between the body and the light bezels.

A thin self-adhesive paper used to mask sections from paint, very similar to masking tape.

A Japanese model manufacturer very similar to Tamyia when it comes to quality and price. Producer of both full detail and curbside kits. The most detailed being the enthusiast series which many kits include 200+ parts.

Typically a kit that contains most of the details the real car would have. The hood opens to reveal an engine, as well most chassis and interior details are present. Amount of detail present varies from manufacturer to manufacturer as well as kit skill level and scale.

An acrylic clear coat designed for sealing floors. Thin enough to be sprayed through an airbrush or have parts dipped into it, Future has many uses in model building from acting as a clear coat to fixing minor scratches in clear parts through dipping. Currently manufactured by Pledge under the name Pledge Future. However it is not Pledge, it's still the same Future formula.

Originally any hot rod coupe or sedan running in drag races using gasoline as fuel as opposed to nitro or alcohol. Subsequently Gassers evolved into specialized coupes and sedans using gasoline characterized by raised front ends, high horsepower and low weight.

To only lower (chop) the front windshield pillars leaving the rear pillars full height. This is an easier way to chop a top because of the difficulty in chopping/cutting/lowering the rear pillars.

A term to describe a model kit built with an excessive and often sloppy amount of glue. In some cases parts can be separated by wetting and then freezing over night. In other cases the damage may be beyond repair.

The act of joining two or more parts with an adhesive.

An extremely thin foil of real gold used for decoration. Other metal leafs are also available, some being very colorful.

Refers to taking a section of one type of car and mating it in place of the corresponding section of another car. For example, one could take the fenders from a Cadillac and graft them onto a Buick, thus resulting in a Buick body with Cadillac fenders.

A style of doors in which the hinge is located on the top of the door, causing the door to hinge out from the body and up, much like the action of a bird's wing, hence the name. Some well-known cars that come stock with this type of door include the Mercedes 300 SL and the DeLorean.

A rigid, rather than canvas automobile roof. It has been used in several contexts: detachable hardtops, retractable hardtop roofs, and the so-called pillarless hardtop body style.

A Japanese model company.

A stock-bodied roadster with only the fenders and bumpers removed.

A metal handle which accepts a wide range of interchangeable and disposable blades. These blades are extremely sharp for delicate work. Most popular brand is X-ACTO. Some even use surgical scalpels in place of hobby knives.

A paints ability to react with the underlying surface. Less hot paints like acylics or enamels may cause almost no visible effects to the underlying coat of paint or plastic while hotter paints like lacquers or urethanes may cause crazing or wrinkling or underlying surfaces.

Where all the pistons are in a row. Lots of Hondas use them.

The International Plastic Modelers Society consists of local and national chapters of hobbyists interested in building plastic model kits. The first chapter was established in the United Kingdom in 1963. These chapters usually organize regular meetings or attend events of interest such as air shows. Within each chapter, Special Interest Groups (SIG) are formed which focus on a specific area or type of model building, for instance aircraft or science fiction figures.

A list of things judges at shows may look for in deciding on award winners not limited the some of the following examples: Basics like clean up of mold lines and seams. Imperfections such as orange peel, runs or light spots in the finish. How well was it put together, are all four wheels on the table? Other things such scratch built details that make a model stand out from the others at the table.

See Opera Coupe.

An American supplier of specialty metal shapes, sheets, and wire in aluminum, brass, copper, and stainless steel for the hobby and engineering fields, based out of Chicago Illinois. They produce a wide range of products including a line of tools.

See K&S.

See kammback.

Usually a vertical back end on a sports or race car. Dr. Kamm of Germany discovered the aerodynamic advantages of this design feature. Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe and Alfa Romeo TZ-1 are good examples.

Using the extra, leftover parts from another kit or kits to make your own version of a vehicle.

See Chrome.

Lacing is a painting technique to get a pattern that looks like lace. This is accomplished by sticking fiber or paper lace to the bodywork with low tack cement. You then mist/spray paint over the lace. When the lace is removed the lace pattern remains on the body

Referring to spoked wheels with a large quantity of spokes.

The hottest of all three common varieties of paint. Fast drying hard finish however most of the time dries with a texture to it and will require polishing in most cases to provide a brilliant finish. Thinned with lacquer thinner will craze plastics if not properly primed first.

See Paint Thinners.

Also known as side pipes, lake pipes are exhaust pipes, normally brightly chromed, which exit the front wheel arch of a car and then pass down the sill/rocker panel, finally opening sideways in front of the rear wheel. They are sometimes seen on custom cars and hot rods. Cars in series production which are equipped with side pipes include the Dodge Viper and the Mercedes SLR McLaren, last one having side pipes which end behind the front wheels.

Originally a car built to race on salt flats, made out of a belly tank from a WWII fighter plane. However, it has evolved to mean anything that is built specifically for racing on the salt flats.

Scissor style doors, first used on Lamborghini cars, they open sideways, then upwards. Very common in Tuner cars. There are hinges on the market for a lot of cars

See Lambo Doors.

Customized cars, usually of the 40's and 50's, sometimes having major body modifications done to them (full fender fadeaways, peaking, flush fenderskirting, etc.), which of course were filled and smoothed with lead. It is rumored that some cars could have up to 50 pounds of lead in them! Cars of the 1950's had a lot of chrome trim, leaving a considerable amount of holes to be filled. Some cars had so much lead filling in the holes the name "Lead Sled" was coined.

Local Hobby Store.

Cigarette or BBQ lighters useful for applying heat to a specific area on a part for ease of bending when scratch building new parts. As well for deforming parts for wrecked vehicles.

When taking digital photos it's extremely important to use a lot of light otherwise all those details you spent so much time on won't be visible. Some people like to build a lightbox to place their model in for taking photos. A lightbox is a box with lights in it, usually on the top, but sometimes on three or four sides to get the maximum amount of detail and clarity. There is a tutorial in BMC's Tutorials section on how to build your own lightbox. You can also buy professional lightboxes.

Brand name. A water based liquid that can be brushed onto any areas that need to remain unpainted. After painting, the frisket can be rubbed off revealing the unpainted surface. Note: Some friskets come in colors so they are easily seen on applied areas. Also, some friskets have limited shelf life.

See Liquid Frisket.

Punching directional ports into a flat section of sheetmetal on a car, originally to provide more airflow to the engine, but has since become a more aesthetic touch.

Usually refers to Model A Fords that have been channeled.

The body of a car being lower to the ground through suspension, frame, or floor pan modifications.

See Lowered.

See Lambo Doors.

A function found on many cameras that allows for focusing on fine detail in close range. Typically found as a button with a small flower on it. Very useful for taking clear pictures of models.

Soft poofy brushes most commonly used for applying blush, etc. Also useful for applying chalk pastels and weathering powders. Better used for keeping models free of dust which can destroy finishes. Be sure to use only new unused ones to avoid smearing makeup powders into your paint.

The process or result of using Masking Tape or a frisket to block off areas from being painted.

A type of Metallic paint with larger specks of metal, creating a more dramatic sparkling effect than normal Metallics. Commonly used on Traditional Lowriders.

Paint that duplicates a metal finish.

Used to describe a paint with small metal specks that have a sparkling effect.

Extremely fine wet sanding cloths in grits ranging from 3200-12000. Used for removing orange peel prior to using polishing compound and waxes. Also available in sanding pad formats.

Typically used when referring to a mid coat clear. A mid coat clear can be used when doing multiple layers of paint to give depth or seal artwork before the next layer of masking and paint. Mid coats can also consist of a wide range of other colors depending on the effect desired.

See Paint Thinners.

Spraying a very light coat of paint at a time. Repeat with the light coats until you achieve the depth of color that you are looking for.

Wooden or aluminum jig for cutting precise angles. Used in combination with a razor saw they help to produce accurate cuts.

A company that manufactures aftermarket detail items and sets. They are particularly known for their conversion kits and full detail kits.

These are small raised lines along body surfaces. The are the result of where the multiple molds in a model casting meet.

A substance used to prevent molded parts from sticking to the mold, making them easier to remove.

A former American kit maker that produced 1/25 and 1/16th scale kits. Purchased by ERTL in 1985. Many of their kits have been reissued over the years under the AMT name. In 2006 ERTL issued a line called the Nostalgia Series with the old MPC packaging. In 2008 after the rights to the tools were acquired by Round2 production of these kits in the vintage packaging began again.

Multi-Purpose Vehicle

Kits containing a wide range of parts from machined parts, photo etch, resin, and white metal parts. Several well known makers of such kits include Model Factor Hiro and Studio27. These kits can contain hundreds of parts and can be highly labor intensive to construct and thus can be extremely expensive. Recommended for experienced builders.

A detailed painting which takes up a large area of space and usually depicts a scene of some sort. Traditionally done on walls, but often used on the sides of Vans and on Lowriders.

Commonly known as "laughing gas". A chemical compound with the chemical formula N2O. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a pleasant, slightly sweet odor and taste. It is also used as an oxidizer in rocketry and in motor racing to increase the power output of engines.

See Nitrous Oxide.

Removing all chrome, trim, emblems, etc. from a vehicle's hood, leaving it smooth. Trim and emblem mounting holes are filled in and painted over.

See Nose.

A company specializing in finishing products for the automotive and plastics industrys. Most well known for their line of plastic polishes. #3 Heavy Scratch Remover, #2 Fine Scratch Remover, and #1 Plastic Clean & Shine.

This term refers to any unique custom creation, whether it be a concept car, set of rims, specially designed grill motif, etc. where only one of the given object has been manufactured. One-Off items are usually custom fabricated for a single project or client. Car manufacturers use lots of one-off pieces in concept cars to help sell new designs, however many of these parts never see the street.

A one part filler requiring no hardener. Hardens by the evaporation of the solvent in the formula. Commonly found under names Bondo Spot Filler & Glazing Putty (red), Squadron (Green and White), Tamiya Putty.

Out of the box. See box stock.

A Coupe where the rear seats are mounted to the sides of the body and can be folded up or down.

Orange peel is a certain kind of finish that may develop on painted surfaces and cast surfaces. The texture resembles the bumpy surface of the skin of an orange (fruit) hence the name. Gloss paint sprayed on a smooth surface should also dry into a smooth surface. Various factors can cause it to dry into a bumpy surface resembling the texture of an orange peel. The phenomenon can then be smoothed out with ultra-fine sandpaper, but it can be prevented altogether by changing the painting technique or the materials used. Orange peel is typically the result of improper painting technique, and is caused by the quick evaporation of thinner, incorrect spray gun setup (e.g., low air pressure or incorrect nozzle), spraying the paint at an angle other than perpendicular, or applying excessive paint.

The solvent portion of a paint mixture used for thinning the paint down prior to airbrushing or when doing a wash. Lacquers require the use of lacquer thinner, enamels can be thinned with mineral spirits or household paint thinner, and acrylics are thinned with either water or alcohol depending on their base. In lieu of the brand name thinner when dealing with alcohol based acrylics vodka or 70% rubbing alcohol can also be used.

Cutting the top of a bulgy hood and grafting the lower part of the hood to the vehicle, resulting in a flat or "pancaked" hood.

A purpose-specific tool consisting of a sharp carbide steel tip and a handle. Used to deepen panel lines.

A paint technique where panels are painted different colors than the main body. These panels may or may not follow the body lines. Sometimes the panels are free form shapes. Sometimes they overlap each other. They usually have pinstiped, shadowed, or outlined edges. Many times the panels are filled using other paint techniques such as woodgraining, murals, cobwebs, lacing, marbling, and many others.

Removing distortion in molded-in panel and door lines by sanding across the surface, thus flattening the surface of the panels where they meet.

A thin flexible plastic film used in laboratories to seal test tubes or similar vessels. Can also be used as a masking material when spraying paint as its low tackiness will not harm a the underlying surface. Safe for use over metalizers.

Using some form of body filler to create a sharply topped ridge along the hood/fender/decklid/etc.

Type of paint that has a characteristic soft iridescent effect, different from Metallic paint.

An old style of car that could seat up to seven and was a convertible or roadster.

A custom vehicle that replicates a stock vehicle that was never built. For example, a 1968 Mustang Wagon.

Parts made by transferring artwork to a piece of thin metal which is usually brass, aluminum or stainless steel. It is then dipped in an etching solution and when removed all that remains is the artwork pattern. These parts are very thin and therefore can be made into a more scale thickness. These parts can be a great enhancement to an already well-built model.

Great for positioning small parts and scribing panel lines. Can be found in hardware and surplus stores or ask your dentist next time your in the chair many will have a few kicking around he/she might part with.

Drag racing slicks which have a scalloped edge to the sidewall resembling a pie crust, common with Firestone drag tires. Pie Crust Slicks can also be had in a Cheater Slick version.

See Wedging.

A small portable air tank, mostly used to help fill tires with out bringing the whole compressor. Can also be used to power an airbrush. They come in small sizes from 2-8 gallons.

The ingredient in a paint that gives it the color. May be synthetic or naturally derived.

Vertical segments on a vehicle that hold the roof above the body, thus creating openings for windows. Commonly defined with an "A", "B", "C", "D" and even occasionally "E" in relation to the front of a vehicle. So, the pillars that hold the front windshield are the A-pillar, pillars between front and rear side windows (if present) are the B-pillars, and the pillars that hold the rear windshield are the C-pillars.

When small amounts or grease or dirt remain on the surface before painting (usually from the factory) causing the paint to not bond and leaving small bare spots on the plastic surface.

A small handtool used to secure very small drill bits. Often, the handle is knurled to allow the user a better grip while drilling small holes.

A more secure method of joining parts by drilling small aligning holes on either mating surface and inserting a small piece of wire or piece of a stick pin along with a drop of glue. Great for affixing side view mirrors and etc.

Very thin lines that can either run along body lines to accentuate them, or can be made into an elaborate symmetrical designs on hoods or trunk lids. In 1:1 a special self-adhesive vinyl "striping tape" can be used, but paint can also be applied with a specialty Pinstriping Brush. In modeling scales, decals are most often used.

A type of trim or embellishment consisting of a tube of ornamental fabric, leather or vinyl, typically around the edge of a seat. It may be made from either self-color or contrast color.

Parts covered in brilliant chrome or gold finish.

See plumbing.

To get the realism you desire, plumbing of a model is sometimes a great way to show detail. The "plumbing" refers to the fuel system and all of the different hoses, from hard lines to braided wire. Lots of times racers, dragsters, and modifieds will get scratch built gas tanks, etc. This is where plumbing is needed. You might hear that a model is "chopped, channeled, and plumbed."

Producer of pre-painted automotive kits featuring a wide range of choices.

See Micromesh.

See Styrene.

Prepping refers to the removal of mold lines, flash, ejector pins or anything that should not be part of the part. It is done with files, emery boards, sandpaper and sometimes motor tools.

A flat coat of paint that is designed to be applied to an object first, in order to allow colored glossy coats to adhere to the surface of said object better. It also allows one to see and correct many imperfections in the body of a vehicle before applying color. Using primer is generally considered necessary for a good paint job.

Is a drag racing class that started out as "Factory Hotrods". The class is now dominated by custom built full race cars. Prostock cars differ from other drag classes in that they must have opening doors, two seats and cannot use forced induction or power adders such as turbocharging, supercharging, or nitrous oxide, and there are very strict rules governing the modifications allowed to the engines, and the types of bodies used. These race cars are identifiable by mostly stock appearing bodies with huge slick tires in the rear and small skinny tires in front and large hood scoops.

Is a car built to look as much like a Pro Stock racer as possible and still be legal to drive on the street. Huge DOT approved treaded tires are used on the back instead of slicks and the cars have working lights and muffled exhaust.

Using a specialized tool to pierce a circular or other shape out of a certain material.

See CSC.

See Filler Putty.

An old style of differential that was invented with a cover on the back that could be easily removed to change the gears inside. This allowed one to have a shorter set of gears for everyday street use, and quickly change to a taller set of gears for racing.

Rounding and enlarging the wheel well openings on the body of a vehicle, usually to allow for larger and/or wider tires to fit, or to allow for more suspension travel. Usually appears on racecars or lifted trucks.

Stance is used to describe the vehicle body's position relative to the ground, while Rake specifically describes an angled stance; typically a lowered front end . Both terms are often used interchangeably.

Very thin saws usually with more then 40 teeth per inch. Sold in various heights and lengths. Can be used freehand or in a small miter box for precise angles. Great for making straight cuts through body panels and etc.

A custom paint technique creating very realistic flames, most commonly done using an airbrush.

Synthetic resins are materials with similar properties to natural resins—viscous liquids capable of hardening. Used in model building for casting new parts, there are many factories producing limited series of car body which were never industrially made by model kit companies.

An American model manufacturer. Unlike Tamiya they also make muscle cars.

Factory steel wheels that have had the centers carefully cut out and then re-welded in from the other direction. This process "Reversed" the offset or distance the rim of the wheel was spaced from the hub. Reversed wheels had a deeper dish and looked more like Holman-Moody race wheels and some drag wheels. They were made infamous in the lyric from Jan and Dean's Drag City "Just tuned my car, now she really peels. a'-lookin real tough with chrome reverse wheels"

Small files in various shapes with a bent tip. Great for getting into tight corners or small spaces.

A two seater vehicle without a roof, rear or side windows. Modern day roadsters have side windows and a retractable roof.

Room Temperature Vulcanizing silicone. This is the type of silicone that automotive gasket maker is made from. It can be used as an adhesive for large pieces and some time to make molds to cast small parts.

A commercially available weathering kit consisting of multiple powders and paints used together to achieve a rusted appearance on parts of a model.

To smooth or polish a surface with the use of an abrasive, such as sandpaper.

See Sand.

Is a painting technique where Saran Wrap is pressed onto a wet painted surface and them removed while the paint is still wet, to reveal a pattern.

A company that makes detail items, transkits, full detail kits and decals. They are praised for their quality.

Often referred to as stylized speed lines, these are a style of graphic that usually consists of elongated triangular shapes pointing towards the rear of a vehicle.

Removing material by dragging the edge of a sharp blade against the surface of the material.

See Scrape.

Building components of a model from raw materials and not from supplied parts. Common materials used are brass, styrene and aluminum. Scratchbuilding can replace poorly detailed parts, or can allow a modeler to make a particular part that is not commercially available.

The process of removing a small amount of material from the molded-in panel and door seams by dragging a very sharp point in the lines. This creates a deeper line, which when painted appears more realistic as a gap in sheetmetal. This is commonly done with a designated tool (panel scriber) or the back edge of a new hobby knife.

Removing a horizontal or longitudinal "slice" from the body of a vehicle, causing it to look lower and longer. A very advanced customization technique. It reduces the overall height of a vehicle's body, letting the top half of the body meet the lower half closer to the ground.

See Section.

See Section.

A 2 or 4 door car with 2 rows of seating and a B pillar.

To remove exterior door handles, emblems, and trim.

Small depressions in the surface of a part where the plastic shrank as it cooled when it was being produced.

See Lake Pipes.

Used to describe a vehicle that has been severely lowered, usually with large diameter wheels. Slammers are a modern trend, but the term may be applied to vehicles of all years.

A vehicle with a powerful modified drivetrain for street racing, popular in the 1940's and 1950's. Desipte the power under the hood, it appears to be a normal stock vehicle in every other way. Sometimes everyday 4-door Sedans were used, their engine blocks painted pink and we're notoriously known as "Pink Elephants".

See Shaved.

A style of pinstriping that closely resembles (and is commonly considered inspired by) calligraphic embellishments taught in the Speedball Textbook.

See Tuner.

A Coupe with a sloped rear roofline.

See Sports Coupe.

The rack that parts in a kit are attached to.

See Roadster.

A brand of modelers tools and supplies, mostly Filler Putty, pliers, scissors and scribing tools specifically for the model building hobby.

See Rake.

A metal alloy consisting mostly of iron, Steel became common in the 17th Century. It is known for its strength, hardness and versatility. Steel is one of the most common materials on Earth, and is a major component in the construction of automobiles, ships, buildings, tools, etc. Steel has a multitude of uses, and can be alloyed with varying other elements to obtain steel with other desirable qualities.

Used in model building to create very tiny (in-scale) real rust particles for weathering jobs. Just make it wet, let it rest for a few days, then shake it and catch the particles.

Steel wheels as opposed to Aluminum or Magnesium wheels. Popular in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Aluminum wheels are the current standard for cars.

In the original sense of the term, described an automobile that has not been modified from its original factory configuration. Later the term stock car came to mean any production-based automobile used in racing. This term is used to differentiate such a car from a race car, a special, custom-built car designed only for racing purposes.

See Inlined.

A popular show category consisting of cars meant for the drag strip. May include everything from pro street cars up to full-blown top fuel cars depending on the show.

A company specializing in multimedia kits, aftermarket decals and detailing parts.

A common type of plastic manufactured from petroleum. The majority of model kits are made from styrene. It can be cast into molds with great detail, making it an ideal material for model kits. It's also available in sheet, rod, tube or specialty shapes. Comes in a wide range of colors.

Doors hinged from the back instead of the front. Can apply to front or back doors. So named because of people opening the door and being pulled out of a moving car.

Sport Utility Truck

Sport Utility Vehicle

At least part of the lower window opening is lower than the rest of the body sides. Examples would be the Triumph TR-3, Jaguar XK-120, and the Kaiser-Darrin.

Marks on the surface of a molded plastic kit due to flows of plastic at different temperatures meeting during the molding process. These often look like lines of different height, yet are smooth to the touch. A good primer/sealer should eliminate any negative effects on the paint finish.

A Japanese-based model manufacturer that is known for their high quality models.

A tool with virtually limitless possibilities for use. Usually consists of two arms with alligator clips attached to a heavy base with a system of ball swivels. Useful for holding parts while soldering, painting, gluing etc. Some models come equipped with a magnifying lens for viewing fine detail.

See Third Hand.

A common camera function that delays the time from when the trigger button is pushed to when the picture is taken. Great for use with a tripod to get steady pictures of models with no shake from the actual pushing of the trigger button.

A manufacturers complete set of molds used in the making of a particular model kit. Sometimes used in place of Casting.

A drag racing class where the vehicles run a maximum of 90% Nitromethane and roughly 10% alcohol. Top Fuels run the 1/4 mile in under 4.5 seconds at speeds over 330 mph. Top fuel is the fastest racing class.

See Sprue.

See Real Fire Flames.

Refers to cutting out the wheel well of a car and making it larger in order to make room for a wider tire. The most common application for this modification is drag racing.

See Tub.

A Ford two-door sedan.

A vehicle with extensive engine, suspension, and body modifications.

Modification of the vehicle's floorboards to accommodate the vehicle's transmission and driveshaft, creating a hump (tunnel) for clearance

Similar to "frenched" headlights, but with the headlights being recessed deeper inside the fender.

See Tunneled.

Another type of compressor, used to put some pressure on the intakes airflow, thus forcing more gas to be pressed into the engine, resulting in more horsepower. It's located in the exhaust pipes and is driven by the exhaust fumes.

Commonly known as polyester putty, requires the use of a cream hardener to cure. Color is dependent on the hardener used. Commonly found in auto body stores in larger cans by the manufacturers Evercoat and Bondo.

Referring to a type of paint that is very durable with a high resistance to water, abrasion and stains. This type of paint is highly toxic when sprayed.

See Business Coupe.

The pistons are mounted on the sides at anywhere from a 40-70 degree angle. Most muscle cars such as a 1970 Hemi Cuda or a Mustang Boss use a V-style engine. These typically come in four, six and eight cylinder versions.

A spray painting technique where thick paint is sprayed in one long continuous string. Veiling requires the use of a special veiling gun and veiling paint. The syrupy veiling lacquer is mixed with color toner and shot onto the surface in a continuous stream in free form patterns.

Refers to a vinyl covering for an automobile's top. This covering was originally designed to give the appearance of a convertible to models with a fixed roof, but eventually it evolved into a styling statement in its own right. Vinyl roofs were most popular in the American market, and they are considered one of the period hallmarks of 1970s Detroit cars.

The name comes from a combination of V engine (German: V-Motor) and the German word "Reihenmotor" (straight engine). The combination of the two can be roughly translated as "inline V6 engine". By using the narrow 15° VR6 engine it was possible to install a six-cylinder engine within the existing Volkswagen four-cylinder-model engine bays. The narrow angle between cylinder banks also allows just two camshafts to drive all of the valves and a single cylinder head to be used. For example, Volkswagen and Nissan use such engines.

See VR Engine.

Two V-6 engines side-by-side. These engines are only seen in a few cars such as the Bugatti Veron.

Lightly painting using thinned down paint, which collects in the recesses of detailed pieces, to accent or highlight features that might otherwise be almost imperceptible, or to add in small color details. Commonly used to accent engines and grills, and are invaluable when creating a used or decrepit vehicle.

A condition occurring when paint is applied to a surface that hasn't completely dried after cleaning. The water drops on the surface will pull the paint away, resulting is a dark ring surrounding a lightly colored center. This is prevented by letting cleaned parts thoroughly air-dry before painting.

Various techniques used to create all kinds of used looks, starting with a bit of a dirty appearance up to totally rusted out vehicles and surroundings. Often used with diorama builds. Can be created with washes, painting or using supplies like Rust-All or weathering sets.

A set of different colored powders or paints used to simulate every shine of weathering appearance. Comes in sets for mud, snow, rust, etc. Often used by military model builders. Tamiya has different sets.

Removing an elongated triangle shape piece of material from a particular section of a vehicle body, causing it to slope where the wider area was removed. This could aid in streamlining, and enhance the looks of the vehicle with certain parts appearing less prominent amongst the rest of the body.

Also known as Bleche-White, a Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) solution used to clean mold release off of resin parts. In Canada it is also known as Simoniz Tire Cleaner.

A final coat of paint where paint is applied evenly over the entire surface until it looks "wet". Usually at this point the surface will have a smooth even glossy shine when dealing with glossy colors. Use caution when approaching this stage to not have too much paint there's often a fine line between "wet" and running paint.

Smoothing or polishing a surface with fine sandpaper using water with a drop of a mild soap. The soap acts as a surfactant, lowering the water's surface tension. This allows the water to carry away sanding residue away from the surface being sanded. A lot of modelers just do this under running water without any soap.

Normally our eyes compensate for lighting conditions with different color temperatures. A digital camera needs to find a reference point which represents white. It will then calculate all the other colors based on this white point. Most digital cameras feature automatic white balance whereby the camera looks at the overall color of the image and calculates the best-fit white balance. However these systems are often fooled especially if the scene is dominated by one color, say green, or if there is no natural white present in the scene. For instance, if a halogen light illuminates a white wall, the wall will have a yellow cast, while in fact it should be white. So if the camera knows the wall is supposed to be white, it will then compensate all the other colors in the scene accordingly.

See Work In Progress.

30 gauge wire found at Radio Shack or other electrical supply places. Great for scale spark plug wires on 1/24 & 1/25 scale cars. Also good for detail wires such as under hood wiring on larger scale vehicles.

Using an assortment of wood-colored paints applied in a manner to simulate woodgrain on automotive dashboards, consoles, and other wooden areas.

Term given to an individual project being worked on. For example: "My 1949 Mercury WIP is coming along nicely."