Polar Lights 1/25 Back to the Future Time Machine Kit Build Review

By Steve Causey

Build Review

The first thing you notice when you open the box is the lovely pre-finished body.  Polar Lights did a great job of reproducing the finish of an actual DeLorean.

The great looking body is a blessing and a potential curse. The beginner could build this kit in an hour or so, and the pre-finished body will help make the finished model look nice. But for anyone who wishes to add additional detail, such as body trim, painting the time machine details, etc. the finish adds a little complexity to the build. More on the pre finished body in a bit.

Besides the body, the kit includes 39 parts in gray and chrome plated styrene and two metal axles. Also included are two stickers to depict the license plates. The kit offers the option to build the "Mr. Fusion" powered version or the car with the long hook to catch the power line, but that version would really need white wall tires and different wheels to be accurate.

Assembly is simple, but like most snap together kits the pins that hold the parts, and their corresponding holes need some cleanup to fit well. The instructions give basic color call outs but research will be needed to insure accuracy.

I noticed a lot of mold release on all the parts, I soaked all the trees in "Purple Power" and hot water and dish soap, even then I had a little trouble with fish eyeing in the paint. So make sure to really get the parts clean before assembly and painting.

The finish of the body is somewhat fragile, I was going to sand down the minimal mold release lines on the fenders and that's when I saw how easily even light sanding erased the finish. And it also will marr if masking tape has too much adhesion. (I used Tamiya fine line tape and Bullfrog delicate surface tape to mask the many details.) I found a fix to the damaged surfaces; I over sprayed the body with Armory Clear Matte Sealer. I really love this paint; it has not reacted to ANY painted surface I've seen. Lacquers, Enamels Acrylics. And it smells like cookies!

The kit goes together well with no surprises like I said before, the AMS builder will want to add a lot of paint and extra details. The modeler who wishes to paint the many details is in for a masking session. But once completed the kit really builds into a pleasing replica.

A beginner could build this kit in a few hours, I spent a week with all the masking and painting that was needed.

My sincere thanks to Round 2 Models for this review sample!