"Converting Hot Wheels/ Matchbox" Topic

Hello all! I was planning on converting Hot Wheels/ Matchbox (HW/M) to use for some 15mm sci-fi/post-apocalyptic style games. I have never done it before, but it seems like fun (and also super cost-effective). What do you all do when converting them? Do you disassemble them? Paint over the current scheme? Also, I was wondering if just spraying a primer over the stock HW/M and then painting it like a model is a valid alternative to stripping the paint off (I don't really want to go through all the hassle)?

Thanks!

YouTube is your friend. Check out Gaslands. They use Hot wheels to convert for the game.

Gaslands!

Paint, adding 'bits' and weapons are what I have done. Added some 15mm Crew too.

Scotch tape over windows that you want to stay transparent.

Always repaint, as the finish is otherwise too glossy to fit with other things.

Always use a primer to get an even colour when painting on both metal and plastic.

Eyedropper to shoot a drop of wood glue behind the wheels to hold them in place. You don't want things for which you measure movement rolling on the table.

Have fun.

Bring a 15mm figure with you when buying … HW/MB cars don't actually have a scale.

An alternative to repainting is sanding down the stock paint. It removes the gloss. I used one of those foam sanding blocks. It was 180 grit, I believe.

Many cars are more suitable for 20 mm. Elhiem produce extensive range of bits, weapons and crew.

Google and YouTube searches for the post-apoc vehicle combat game Gaslands will give you heaps of what you are looking for.

I second the comment that these cars are generally more like 20mm scale than 15mm. How ever, they are really manufactured to a size, not a scale, so a car may be the same size as a truck or bus. So you may find that some of the trucks, etc fit better with 15mm.

Don't bother stripping the original paint. Primer will stick to it just fine. I will often rough up the model with a file and/or a dremel before disassembling, priming, and painting.
If you want to paint the interior you will have to disassemble the model. Use a 5mm cobolt drill to drill out the rivets.
At rhis

At this point you can replace the windows with armour plates made of plastic or card, or with mesh made from flywire.
Then prime, paint, and reassemble with super glue.
I haven't glued the wheels in place, so the children can still play with them as toy cars, but YMMV.