Tamiya Hotshot Build Guide + Tips P5 - How to do the Lexan Bodywork (Ultra Detail)

Hi and welcome to Part 5 of my build series for the re-released version of the Tamiya Hotshot.
This kit goes together very differently to most modern Tamiya kits and there are some important things to look out for. This video focusses on the cutting out and preparation of the Lexan (polycarbonate) body shell and wing, spraying with Tamiya PS paint and cutting and applying the Decals (I call them "stickers"!) - covering build manual steps 43 to 47 and the completion of the buggy.
The colour choice for my Hotshot was made by my good friend Paul ‪@Paul__FC‬ or "Coughlin Corners RC" Thanks Paul, and thanks for letting me choose the colour for your Hotshot!
I hope you enjoy the build and the odd tip thrown in here and there - Cheers!
About the Tamiya Hotshot
The Hotshot, released in 1985, is a milestone as the first Tamiya 4 Wheel Drive chassis and the forefather of many similar chassis to come. The front and rear suspension both have single shocks and double wishbone system. The rear damper connects to the wishbones through a relatively complex lever system. The Hotshot chassis evolved during production, and was re-released in 2007 where the chassis has received a lot of smaller changes compared to the vintage ones.

[@Chunky246]

Love the green, just need the gold wheels now! Would look great with the green.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks a bunch dude! Now that's a great idea for the wheels, gold and green rocks! 🙌🏼👍

[@rocpile]

Great presentation, thank you for the video!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you too!

[@BasBoyRC]

These little buggy part bodies can be the hardest to cut out. I have to say the green looks very nice, it goes well with the decals.

[@MarkBryanRC]

You got that right Mal, as usual your experience shines through! Yes I was pleasantly surprised at how well the colours went! Cheers! 😎👊👍

[@BasBoyRC]

@@MarkBryanRC Like you we have built a few Tamiya's. Tomorrow I have a video coming out that is of a discontinued Tamiya, not super old but never been reissued.

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@BasBoyRC That sounds very interesting Mal! I'll try and catch that video!

[@HaydadRC]

What a beautiful shade of green Mark! The buggy looks fantastic!👍😊

[@MarkBryanRC]

Many thanks Jeremy, that's very kind of you! Let's hope it runs as good as it looks! 😬🤞👍

[@MadBeeRC]

Ahhhh looks sweet as a nut my friend! That green is real nice! Good choice by Paul and love his white HS too! I 100% agree also Mark like l did on mine that 4wd on the wing looks better bang in the middle of the wing sorry Mr tamiya for going against your boxart on that!😮 Great tip with the white paper behind the lexan too! Will use that idea! Fantastic vid Mark have a great weekend mate😉👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi there James! Yeah Paul and I had a bit of fun choosing liveries for each other and thankfully they both turned out well! Glad you agree with the wing sticker placement, it just looks "odd" on the box art to me! Tamiya definitely make the odd mistake for sure! I was struggling to see the cut lines and one day grabbed some paper and placed it behind the shell and immediately saw an improvement, so I do it all the time now. Hope it works for you mate. Thanks as always and a great weekend to you and Shelly! 😎👊👍

[@MadBeeRC]

@@MarkBryanRC haha yeah disagreeing with tamiya boxart is almost as bad as disagreeing with the mrs! But yeah not sure what they were thinking putting the 4wd all to the left like that with nothing on the other side of the wing but empty space? Tamiya just being tamiya l surpose!😆 I do love that green and bet it looks even better outside off camera! Mark you do a great job too mate very tidy and love the little tips you share!😉 Have a great weekend too you guys up there cheers buddy.

[@aviano72]

Like a Green Hornet 🐝 Love it 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Glad you approve of the colour, Are! Thanks mate! 👍😎👊🙌🏼

[@markgreenhalgh8344]

That method cutting the body is great once you get the hang of it. Works really well 😊

[@MarkBryanRC]

I agree Mark. I was a bit skeptical when I first tried it but it does work well with practice. Cheers! 😎🍻👍

[@markgreenhalgh8344]

@@MarkBryanRC will you be picking up the manta ray re re? Just had mine.. Not started it yet.

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@markgreenhalgh8344 Yeah I do want the Manta Ray, waiting for it to come back in stock at Time Tunnel Models! 👍👍

[@kimpestridge6668]

Love the green colour. The car looks amazing. Take care & enjoy the rest of the weekend 😊

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi there Kim! Glad to hear that you like the colour, green is one of those love or hate colours 😉 😀 Thanks mate and hope you're having a good one too! 😁👊🤞👍

[@darkstorm303]

Looks magnificent in that green Mark 👌

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks, glad you like it pal! All the best! 😎👊👍

[@lumpycheesegames]

Hi Mark, followed your build guide for my Hotshot, thanks very much for all the tips and information. When I bought my HotShot a few weeks ago in Scotland the guy at the counter tried to talk me out of it in order to buy the HotShot 2! "You've heard about the front and rear suspension right?" Yes I have, thats why i want it!!! Its such a unique looking system, all mechanical, it just looks like a real good buggy to me, warts and all!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi there, great to hear you bought a Hotshot and followed the guide! Haha, yeah the suspension is weird but works amazingly well and in my opinion makes this buggy so special. Glad you weren't put off by the guy at the counter! Have fun with it, I'm sure you'll love it. Cheers! 😎🍻👍

[@lumpycheesegames]

@MarkBryanRC I'm looking at adding the HotShot Suspension upgrade kit next, as much as I like the design of the HotShot, the front suspension really is like...yeah wow, this just isn't good!

[@RCBirds]

Awesome build and paintjob Mark. This green looks just🤩🤩🤩

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much Dirk, always appreciated my friend! Have a great weekend! 😎👍

[@RCBirds]

@@MarkBryanRC thanks and best wishes to you, too

[@catcancrunch7260]

The green hornet 🎉 looks proper mate, nice job indeed ❤ and thanks for your upload mate 👍🙏🐱

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hello Cat 🐈‍⬛ and thanks a s always for watching! Glad you like it mate! Cheers! 🍻😎👍

[@Toystheyrenot]

Lovely build Mark! The metallic green really pops.😊👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you, Sean, much appreciated! Cheers! 🍻😎👍

[@fpvDRE]

beautiful colour that marky really suits this buggy excellent attention to detail 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi there brudda Dre! I'm glad you like it mate, wasn't 100% sure but you know what it's like, you pays ya money, you takes ya choice! Thanks dude! 👊😎👍

[@coygtrc]

The green is sweet 😮 Nice tip on the cable routing 🤝 Looks awesome 👍🤝

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you my friend! Yes, those cables needed moving as I couldn't get the body to sit correctly. All the best - Cheers! 🍻😎👍

[@coryn1980]

Hello mark loving that mate great build and looks amazing in green 💚 great video as always

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you so much Coryn, hope you are doing well! Have a great weekend mate. Cheers! 🍻😎👍

[@AddamsPlayground]

It looks pretty slick in the green!! I would not have thought to try the green but it works very well. I am sure it is going to looks even better out in the sunlight! Looking forward to seeing it scoot around out side! Take care Mark and have a great weekend!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Same here my friend, but I had to go with green as I had a Pact with Paul! Glad it turned out OK!!! 😅 You are right, it does look better in the sun! Can't wait to get it on the dirt! Cheers pal, wishing you a great weekend too! 😎👍

[@markconnor269]

Wowsers that looks sweet Mark 👏

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you Mark that's much appreciated 🙏 😎👊👍

[@TeamJunkYardDog]

Love the Green!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks pal, you know I like to try out different liveries! Cheers!

[@poorboysrc]

Dang, you're fast, Paul! :)

[@MarkBryanRC]

Too fast for you mate! 😅😎👊

[@poorboysrc]

@@MarkBryanRC hey, them's fightin' words! 🤣🤣👊🏼

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@poorboysrc Put 'em up, buddy! 😂😂😅😅👍👍

[@Paul__FC]

That looks amazing! Cant wait to see it running!!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Paul, yours looks ace too! Can't wait to get it out on the dirt! 😎👊👍

[@poorboysrc]

That green turned out great Mark! It's got a nice metallic sparkle to it that really pops! And the red plastic from the Hotshot chassis provides a perfect contrasting colour, which is spot-on! Great video dude! 😃👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Right on Fil, you know, I wasn't sure about the green at first but it looks bloody lovely "in the flesh"!!!! Agreed, the contrast is a "nice" accident! Now time to get this buggy out on the dirt! Cheers brother! 🍻😎👍

[@thecontractor365]

Hi Mark, well you've produced some stunners in the past and here's another one. Absolutely gorgeous. The two-tone emerald & ( gold of the stickers ) looks so, so cool, complemented with a dash of red. Why heck - even the bloody motor wires are a perfect match !😂😂. Unplanned moments like that are a blessing. Also your scheme of red and white on the other Hotshot was also inspired. And finally, I liked your creative tip of the impromptu paintig handle made from tape. That was a really great tip. As always - super impressed by your Tamiya shells. Have a great weekend...😊👍🏻.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hello again pal! Great to see you in the comments again and as always, a lovely comment to read! I'm chuffed you approve of the colour, I thought it would either look cool or look like a dog's dinner! 😅 But I am genuinely very happy with the result. Unplanned moments indeed, I did clock the green and yellow wires kinda fitted in! Thanks again and I hope things are going well for you my friend. And of course a smashing weekend to you too! 🍻😎👊👍

[@fonswalma3574]

That coms out very nice Mark , good job again mate , looking forward to the test ride 💪💪 Greets Fons

[@MarkBryanRC]

Many thanks my friend Fons! I hope it runs as good as it looks! Greetings to you too, I hope you are having a great weekend! 😎👊👍

[@rc-dom-uk]

green works well mate 😊👍good show

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thank you my friend Dom! Cheers! 😎👊👍

[@tiborvon]

You make it look very easy Mark 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Tibs, after building about 40 Tamiya's it does get easier mate! I still love building them so it's all good! Cheers 🍻 pal! 😎👍

[@n22pdf]

Lovely job mark love the green ❤😊Pete

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much Pete, always appreciated mate! Have a smashing weekend! 😎👍

[@ShenRC]

Mark the green looks really nice!! I never put those rear pins in the rear wing I would rather have it pop off in a hard crash then get all bent up.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Steve - oh yeah what a great point about those rear pins, I was thinking exactly the same as I fitted one of them and didn't fit the other! I'll be removing that one before the first run! Cheers pal!

[@Fortes_RC_Adv]

Nice work💯 That green is awesome 💚✅️💪

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks a ton! Glad you approve of the colour - cheers! 🍻😎👍

[@scaleworksRC]

Wow, Mark! You really knocked this one out of the park 🎉🎊 Those colors go perfect together!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Wow, thanks, that's very kind of you to say! It looks great in the sun! Wishing you a great weekend! 😎👊👍

[@Jaysqualityparts]

Looks great Mark.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks I appreciate that pal!👍

[@3TRCGarage]

Hi Mark, your bodywork videos are always the best for tips and tricks, I’ve never used an xacto blade to cut out a body. 👍🏾

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks very much Paul, that's very kind of you to say. Oh yes, once you get a little practice in with the blade it's a great way to cut Lexan! Cheers!👍

[@madsrcbuggy]

I think it's great, Mark! And while I remember to mention it, your wiring is really nice, the green and yellow motor wires look good and match the colour scheme, even! Gotta love that metallic green, and with white backing it really pops! Really a special body to fit, fiddly, eh? One thing that annoys me with Tamiya sometimes, they have you put a really nice decorative sticker on, and then there is a body clip hole almost right on top of it, ha ha! Really a nice result, Mark, and also Paul's white turned out awesome, too!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Glad you approve Mads! Haha 😄 yeah I had to sort that wiring out as it was playing on my OCD!!! Gotta have it neat and tidy. I was lucky with the wire colours too! Oh man, I so agree with you about Tamiya putting a hole through a lovely sticker! 😅👍 And the body is so awkward to fit, like everything else on this buggy, as fiddly as feck!!! Thanks for the great comment and I hope you are having a great Sunday 👍 👌

[@RCJunky]

Great video Mark, love the green

[@MarkBryanRC]

Glad you like it mate, thank you very much! 😎👍

[@outbackrcaustralia4895]

G'day our Mukka🤠🙋‍♀️. Mate that looks sensational in green, it looks Grand, we know the camera never does it justice but that shimmer is spot on!!👌, the white really made it stand out, nice one. We're not a huge fan of the box art red, the white looks great too. Thats a top idea the way you put the tape so you could hold it Cobber👍. Nice build🏆. Sheila's given it her stamp of approval too🕵️👌. Have a fantastic week Mukka and thanks for your video🦘🇦🇺

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi there my Cobber and Mukka! Yeah this buggy looks sweet in the sun 🌞 and I'm chuffed that you and Sheila have given it your rubber stamp 😀 😉! I'm also happy you noticed the odd trick in the video, always a pleasure my dear friends! You two have a wonderful week ahead too, take care and keep smiling 😃 😊 💙🤝😎👊👍

[@outbackrcaustralia4895]

​ Yep you got the official rubber of approval from the RC Inspector herself 🕵️😁👌😂 Thanks for everything Cobber and have a great week🙋‍♀️🤠

[@PeteWylieRC]

Hiya Mark. Oh yeah it does indeed look spiffing. I did always think that box art red would be the only way to go with this but it does look super cool in metallic green and the white that your mate did. Good tips on the score and snap. I have tried that and it's not quite as scary as it seems. Also good tip to get the wires out the way as wires poking out the side of an RC car is one of my pet hates. Great viewing for a Friday evening with a pint as ever. Best wishes for a smashing weekend mate 😁👍👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Hi there my man Pete! Haha, I don't know where the word "spiffing" came from mate, it just fell out of my mouth! 😂 My dad thought it was hilarious for some reason! 😅🤔 I know red is the mainstream choice but I like my buggies to stand out from the crowd! I was going to do it white but Paul suggested we make the choice for each other and told me "green" before I could suggest a colour for his! At leas I know the white would have worked! 😅 I'm with you on the sticky-out wire hate thing! Had to be sorted! Anyway, thanks for the lovely comment and I hope you're having a good one too! 🍻😎👊👍

[@yodadarksideGreenHawksRC]

Wow! How nice does that look then Mark?!! That would look so nice in our fleet next to the green tube box...... You could say that I'm 'green' with envy!! 😂 You make the whole process look so stress free and simple- Cool, calm and easy, nothing to prove! I like the paper tip I will definitely be trying that one next time I do a lexan body. I think that colour goes really well with the red shocks mate. Almost seems a shame to now go out and get it all dirty..... almost! 😂 Something that I'm sure will be coming in the next video. Just watched Fils Fazer V tto2 speed video......well done for holding your own mate, I said there wouldn't be much in it didn't I! Looking forward to seeing what challenge you throw back at him! 😊 👍 👍 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

I'm so pleased you like it James! Yeah I need to sit it next to my green Lunchie! I do find building Tamiya kits to be a very calming experience, almost therapeutic! Good to know that it comes across in the video. You know it has to be thrashed mate, that's what they're for! Waiting for some decent weather my friend... might be a while though! 😅 I was so pleased to be level with Fil, I might go back out and beat him now I have a new servo fitted! Cheers mate! 🍻😎👍

[@theoagrc]

Crikey Mark! That green came out great didn’t it mate! Great example of the score and snap method. I always end up going over twice just to be sure

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Craig that's very kind of you to say mate! Yeah score and snap was the way to.go with this fiddly little body. I use the sharpest blade I've got and it usually takes just one pass - usually!!! 😅 All the best my friend! 😎👌👍

[@manta1121]

Great video❗✨😉Thank you for your hard work👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

And thank you very much for your kind comments! Cheers 🍻 😎 👊

[@OlliRC1980]

The PS 17 is a great colour. It looks goos on my Mercedes E190 Touring Car and I think I will do a second Body for my Racing Fighter in Metalic Green and Gold.

[@MarkBryanRC]

Oh yeah, love a bit of metallic green! I bet it suits your Merc well! Green and gold is a classic combination! Very cool! Cheers my friend! 🍻👊😎

[@dwarfyh32]

Looks really good in green. Good tip for applying the decals as well, never seen it done that way before. I never did get why the 4wd on the wing was offset, it messes with my OCD 🤣

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks mate, yeah I wasn't sure about the green at first but now it's grown on me! Glad it's not just me and my OCD, that sticker Had to go in the centre 😅 Cheers! 🍻😎👌👍

[@lo2713]

Turned out great, im a little worried if you run it on grass, you want be able to see it 🤔😂 the eay you ran the motor wires was a lot better i think 👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

Thanks Richard, haha 😄 oh yeah I need to keep this green machine away from grass! Take care and all the best from Mark! 😎👊👍

[@Paul__FC]

First!!!!

[@MarkBryanRC]

Oh YEAH! You got your winning streak back!

[@UncleBobsRC]

Great video man but I need to be honest, the green don't work for that body with all the other colors in the kit, MY OPINION ONLY!!! Me thinks Paul was on shrooms at Disney in the color room, LOL.... Now your choice of white for Paul's Hotshot looks t!ts.... Sorry again mate, but you asked and I'm not one to sugar coat things... However, I know you like the color (colour) green... I like green too... Anyway, Great video my friend and ATB to All..

[@MarkBryanRC]

Fair enough man! I'm just glad you are honest with me but then i know that very well by now and it's always great to hear your point of view. How boring it would be if we all thought the same! Yeah I was going to paint it white but then Paul contacted me with his proposal. I agreed and as you know, I'm a man of my word! Glad you enjoyed the video though dude, best wishes to you and yours!

[@UncleBobsRC]

@@MarkBryanRC Look on the bright side mate, you can hang it in the tree at christmas time, LOL.... All jokes aside, agree, all the same is boring however, maybe Tamiya Lame Flake or a different shade of green or maybe even color shift paint.... ATB my friend...

[@MarkBryanRC]

@@UncleBobsRC Christmas tree!!! 😂😂😅😅👍👍

[@allanritchie1539]

That colour really will stand out in the grass won't it.😊😊😊

[@MarkBryanRC]

Haha! 😂 I never thought of that, good point Allan! 😅😎👍

[@joedipietro2559]

Thats really nice Mark great work here mate.👌👍

[@MarkBryanRC]

That's very kind of you Joe! Thanks mate 👍 👌 🙏