Model Car Mecca Competition Outline

The model car championship at Model Car Mecca has been designed to showcase the very best in scale model car building while providing a friendly environment for hobbyists to enhance their skill set and make new acquaintances.

The nature of competition is welcome at Model Car Mecca but more importantly is a friendly, honest approach where the governing body of the show will provide a rule structure and the hopes that it will be respected. It is most based on common sense and fair play, where talent and effort will be considered, but models built with impeccable fit and finish and wise attention to detail will succeed. Judging will be based on the ideals of superior Basic Assembly Skills, Fit and Finish, Attention to Detail and Accurate Representation where applicable. Models submitted must be built by the entrant, and only the entrant may apply the finish (paint, decals, foil) to any part of an entry. Category 27 is exempt from the entrant applied paint rule. Below are the standards the judges will be basing their decisions on, take a moment and familiarize your self on these basic objectives.

Basic Construction

1. Flash, sink marks, mold marks, ejector-pin marks, and similar molding flaws eliminated.

2. Seams filled if not found on the actual vehicle. (This is especially important on the car’s body.

3. Contour errors corrected.

4. Gaps between body and chassis eliminated as applicable.

5. Detailing removed while accomplishing the above steps restored to a level consistent with the rest of the model.

6. Alignment:

   1. Where applicable, external items (e.g., mirrors, exhaust pipes) aligned symmetrically.

   2. Internal items (e.g., seats, some engine/drive components) aligned properly.

   3. Wheels: All wheels touching the ground and aligned properly when viewed from front or rear of the vehicle. If turned, front wheels should be aligned in the same direction. Where applicable, camber can be set authentically.

7. Windshields and other clear areas:

   1. Clear and free of crazing caused by adhesives or finishing coats.

   2. Gaps between windshield, windows, or other clear parts eliminated where applicable.

   3. All clear areas scratch, blemish, and paint free.

Detailing

1. Exhausts, intakes, vents, and other objects that have openings should be opened.

2. Additional detailing added to the vehicle should be as close to scale as possible. Such items could include door-lock buttons, tire valve stems, dashboard gauge detail, fabric surfaces on interior components, etc.

   Aftermarket parts (photo-etched, white metal, resin, etc.) should integrate well with the basic model.

   Photo-etched parts that require forming should be precisely shaped, and application should be free of flaws.

3. Engine and chassis detailing should be done to a level consistent with detailing on the rest of the model.

4. Working parts, if any (e.g., opening hoods or doors), should match the level of workmanship on the rest of the model. Such parts should operate realistically, and the operating mechanism(s) should be in scale if visible.

Painting and finishing

1. The model’s surface, once painted, should show no signs of the construction process (glue, file, or sanding marks; fingerprints; obvious discontinuities between kit plastic and filler materials; etc.).

2. Finish should be even and smooth, unless irregularities in the actual vehicle’s finish are being duplicated. Such irregularities should be documented.

   1. No brush marks, lint, brush hairs, etc.

   2. No “orange-peel” or “eggshell” effect; no “powdering” in recessed areas.

   3. No random differences in sheen of finish caused by misapplication of final clear coats.

3. Paint edges that are supposed to be sharp should be sharp (no ragged edges caused by poor masking).

   Edges that are supposed to be soft or feathered should be in scale and without overspray.

4. Chrome parts should be correctly represented and should be just as free of surface blemishes and evidences of the construction process as the painted components.

5. Weathering: If present, weathering should show concern for scale, be in accordance with the conditions in which the real vehicle was operating, and be consistent throughout the model.

6. Decals:

   1. Decals should be aligned properly. This is especially important for racing subjects.

   2. Water-slide decals should show no evidence of silvering or bubbling of decal film. Decal film should be eliminated or hidden to make the markings appear painted on.