1:24 Alpina e36 Sedan transKIT for Hasegawa

The quiet version with four doors

Where the wagon reads as practical and the coupe as showy, the sedan was always the inconspicuous choice with this brand. From the outside it differs from an ordinary 3 Series only in small things, yet inside it is a car built in Buchloe piece by piece. It is exactly that contradiction between a civilian look and careful execution that makes the sedan a rewarding subject, because the model has to convince by its finesse and not by standing out.

The depth of the paint decides more than the shade

If the build is to capture a car built by hand, the surface has to look as though you could see into it. That is achieved only with a coat of clear lacquer over the paint and over the decals that have been laid, which levels their edge flush. Without it the edge of the film stays palpable and traces itself as a shadow in the reflection. Apply the clear lacquer in several coats, let it cure for a week and then polish it with the finest abrasive and a polishing compound.

Steps that have proved themselves

• Lay the decals onto a glossy surface and secure them with a decal softener.
• Apply the clear lacquer gradually; a thick coat soaks the film underneath.
• Do not hurry the curing; polishing lacquer that is too fresh will dull the surface.
• Polish in one direction along the body; a circular motion leaves marks.

A closing note

This is a body conversion; the donor kit in 1:24 scale has to be obtained separately. In closing it is worth remembering that the method here calls above all for patience. More time is spent waiting between the individual steps than working, and anyone who breaks that rhythm usually loses hours of work in the last few minutes.