19/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 19, 2025

6

Huge success creating miniature cars

KUALA LUMPUR: No larger than the size of a thumb, the 1:64 scale miniature cars crafted by Mohd Jaidin Mustafa resemble scaled-down versions of real vehicles. The 40-year-old printing machine technician spends nights in his room, armed with brushes, magnifying lenses and acrylic paints, colouring the models. His work includes painting vehicle emblems, tyre rims, exhausts and more challenging parts such as the headlights, signal lights and decorative door lining. He started in 2020 using Hot Wheels cars as a base before switching to miniatures made of resin, a special type of plastic created via 3D printing. He said the resin car bodies are sourced from two local designers, after which he carries out the detailing process, painting to highlight fine features. “In the beginning, I used spray can paints. But when I saw Thai (artists) doing hand painted work, I was hooked.” “Since then, I practised until I mastered the art of detailing using acrylic paints and fine brushes,” he told Bernama during a recent interview at his home in Kampung Changkat, Gombak. His precision and finishing touches have made his work popular among collectors locally and internationally, with more than 800 units of o Printing technician perfects art of producing life-like acrylic painted models made from resin

according to customer preferences. With prices starting at RM250 per unit, depending on complexity and detail level, he is able to produce about 20 units a month, with each car taking about two days to complete. He added that 3D-printed resin models offer more realism in elements such as lights, spoilers, side mirrors and door lining compared with die-cast miniatures. “I’m not just selling the models, I’m selling craftsmanship. Many are able to use 3D printers, but few can hand-paint with the realism I aim for,” said Mohd Jaidin, who is active on social media with the handle @jdm164_custom. He said for the detailing phase of production, he begins by sanding uneven surfaces before applying a primer and base coat, using masking tape to mark the specific areas to paint. “Only after that do I move to the small parts such as the head and tail lights, grille, signal lights and brake discs and finish with a clear coat to ensure the paint lasts and stays glossy.”

Mohd Jaidin said it takes about two days to complete each model, depending on the complexity of detailing work. – BERNAMAPICS his creations sold, Bernama reported. As one of the local pioneers in custom miniature car design, he often receives orders from customers wanting to buy gifts for birthdays or weddings. Apart from models such as Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86, Nissan Skyline GTR R34 and Volkswagen Golf Mk7, he also creates local car models such as Perodua Myvi, Proton Wira, Proton Satria Neo and Proton X50, customised

Some of the finished products, with prices starting at RM250.

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