Movie Optimus Prime build

[1985 kenworth]

wow lots to do yet..eh...i know the feeling

[kingbob]

Yeah theres always something left to do.
Need to apply the chrome wrap to the side panels of the trailer still too. Thats gonna be a painful exercise.

Then theres a mk2 body to do since im not entirely happy with this one.

[cabs]

that looks awesome, my last tractor was a black triaxle lit up with blue air cleaners, back of cab and under fenders and frame rails, looks hot at night

[kingbob]

Well i just applied the chrome vinyl to the side panels for the trailer, and am really unhappy with the result. Just a bit uneven, too many little defects, and given the size of the panels and grooves i dont think i can get it any neater.

Now i need to come up with another way of getting them mirror polished shiny.

[1985 kenworth]

hey bob it can be done ...trust me it takes time and patience,when i did this one it took 3 days ..lots of patience oh yea and a few swear words also..i said some i didn't even know i knew ,but the end result is here what you see...don't give up

[kingbob]

I have a feeling it was partly due to the thickness of the vinyl I used. Was difficult to get it into the little ridges of the styrene.

I actually found a local place that does that awesome multi part spray on spectra chrome. Gonna call them tomorrow, see what they charge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBNfMd0Plec

[kingbob]

So i was doing some googling looking for alternate ways to chrome the side panels, and was looking at the multi-part spectra chrome paint. Expensive, but not impossible. Doing some reading it mentioned that you need a smooth gloss black basecoat, to apply the chrome over.

I have some chrome paint i've used on clear polycarbonate RC car bodies, so i thought i'd give it a test.

Sprayed a few different blacks i have to see which gives me the glossiest finish, then applied some of the chrome over it. A good old spray can of gloss black came out the smoothest. I was tempted to polish it, but not sure what effect the residues of the polish will have on the chrome adhesion finish.

It came out more like a shiny stainless steel than chrome, but still mighty shiny, and i'm actually quite happy with it. (chrome left, black right).


I'm going to polish some of the black, and see if it makes a difference.

[Espeefan]

Originally Posted by kingbob

Comments?

Sweet! That's all I have to say about that!

[kingbob]

Here we go, this shows the reflection. Not mirror shiny, closer to stainless steel, but works for me. Good for paint!

[kingbob]

While painting the side panels that shiny chrome in the post above, I ran out.
And as was pointed out to me, some of my mishaps on this build can be traced to my method of running out of something, so substituting something else.

In this case i stopped immediately, and ordered more of the same paint. Got it in today, so with a little luck, this weekend the trailer should be looking pretty close to done.

STILL waiting on my reefer unit though.

[kingbob]

Some minor progress this weekend, I got both side panels painted up and ready to install. Also made the silver strip to go on the side, as well as making the red/white reflective strips for the sides.

I had to re-make the upper frame sides for the trailer, the position for a couple of the LEDs conflicted with screws i'd already mounted. They're all cut, drilled, and primed, ready for blue paint tomorrow.

[1985 kenworth]

cool!!! waiting to see it done and complete

[kingbob]

Its close! I have the materials for the rear doors, and the reefer finally arrived so have to paint that.

I do still have to make some legs for the trailer though. Because i lowered it slightly i cant use the kit ones.

The end is in sight! I ordered the King Hauler for this project exactly 12 months ago, and started the build at christmas. So i want to have it finished by then! A 1 year build!

[1985 kenworth]

you are lucky mine will be at the 2 year mark feb 2014 ,i am still working on my trailer ,but added a few extra builds too so i have been juggling all of them....whew!!!.i keep the positive like you...the end is near..

[kingbob]

Got the frames painted drilled and mounted to the trailer floor and roof. Made all the LED looms, just need to solder them into a board for power.

The blue trailer lights will have their own power and a switch on the trailer, because i'm pretty sure the light controller in the truck wont be able to power an extra 80 or so LED's. The brake lights/reverse/indicators will run from the truck though.

Also, i hate trying to keep finger prints off the stainless steel!

[Tamiya Cowboy]

Looking Good Bob..

[BRICKNICK]

I can't wait to see this baby pulling that sweet trailer. Looking great Bob.

[flatdeck]

Bob What gage wire are you using?? That is going to be a well lit wagon...


Wayne

[kingbob]

It is actually very thin wire, just happens to have thick plastic on it. Pretty sure its about 32awg.

[dabears]

Looks great so far with the wiring!