Movie Optimus Prime build

[kingbob]

Hi All

I'd been looking for a truck to build for a while, needed inspiration. As soon as i saw 1985Kenworths OP build, I knew thats what I had to build!

I usually make military model kits, so I tend to pay attention to detail on all sorts of things. Started this about 3 months ago, but still a lot to do!

Started with a basic chassis build to see what fits where:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/1.JPG

Then moved on to filling and sanding.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/2.JPG
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[kingbob]

The OP truck has full height doors on both sides of the sleeper, so i extended the door on the left of the KH sleeper.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/4.JPG

Also made some indicator bars.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/9.JPG
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But after the lighting test, i decided they were too small, so made some larger ones (on top)
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/12.JPG
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[kingbob]

Got some silver ali wheels, but they didnt have enough shine, so stripped the anodising and started polishing them.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/18.JPG

Flared the rear of the front fenders, and levelled the bottom of the sleeper with the cab. Also squared off the gap between the fender and hood.
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[Espeefan]

Love the maker lights, just above the bumper! I've always wanted to try that, but I could never find LEDs small enough. That looks really awesome!

[kingbob]

Some test fitting once i finished drilling and tapping the new chassis rails.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/31.JPG

Finished polishing all the wheels, and fit them.
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[kingbob]

Then tragedy, the liquid mask i used turned out to REALLY not like the paint it was over. Destroyed the paint which i had to strip. Then had an accident with the paint remover!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/35.JPG

Actually ended up completely cutting one of the cab doors away completely, and had to rebuild it completely.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/36.JPG

Replaced all the rivets, and scribed new lines for the door frames. All more in line with the actual truck.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/37.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/38.JPG

[kingbob]

Made up the door trims. These sit in the scribed grooves, but wont be fully attached until after painting, that way they're a nice shiny silver. Used 2 thicknesses of aluminium tubes, thicker for the hinge.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/39.JPG

Since i was doing all this rebuilding, i noticed the gap between the rear of the front fenders, and the cab was bigger on the real truck
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So its time to chop and extend
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Took a break from the cab to start the rear fenders:
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And build the light buckets up.
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[kingbob]

New grill polished up, mesh and badge added:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/45.JPG

[kingbob]

Thats the build for now. Have had a load of bits of shiny arrive from Russ in the Boneyard. Steps, fuel tanks, etc, but havent fitted them yet.

I'm going to redo the light bars above the front bumper. They should have 2 ovals not 1.

This weekend i'm aiming to finish shaping the light buckets on the rear fenders. And then rejoin the hood to the cab with extension.

Once they're both done, be time to start painting!

Comments??

Cheers Bob.

[cummingsman29]

Very nice work keep it up!

[dabears]

Love this build glad you found your way over here

[Supermario]

Top notch on the details! Very nice work. This truck is gonna be sweet when it's done:cool:

Mario

[DaBomb6988]

Very detailed! I will be following this sweet build!

[Radio Control Trucker]

Great ride :cool: Impressive building skills :D :D

- RCT

[hammer]

That is a sweet looking rig great work I like how you are paying close attention to the little things on your build that is what makes these trucks come to life and look just like the real deal.

TONY

[glorydays24]

Even after all of the mishaps, O.P. is turning out looking really gooooooood.;):):D:cool: How are you going to mount the door trim? Great job buddy.

Big John

[Mama Sue]

Impressive!

Susan

[woodhog]

Very nice :D Did the liquid mask not work on the abs body? i was thinking about trying that on my next paint job

[tbtrucking104customs]

what would you charge if I ordered some of the marker lights? also was that the stock grille you did?

[1985 kenworth]

wow another optimus build..now there is 2 being done...what did i start now with the replicas....didn't think anyone else wanted to build this truck..oh well it will be interesting to see who else will decide to do this build too:rolleyes:

[kingbob]

wow another optimus build..now there is 2 being done...what did i start now with the replicas....didn't think anyone else wanted to build this truck..oh well it will be interesting to see who else will decide to do this build too:rolleyes:

Great minds think alike :D

[Espeefan]

That looks really good! I love the door trim pieces you made. That's a very nice touch. How did you scribe the lines for the trim to fit into? It's a very clean job.

Now that you've chopped the hood, and you are busy cutting away, might I suggest you replace the front fenders with something a little more accurate? Slide them forward too? Just a suggestion. The truck is looking so good, I just think it's worth the extra effort to make Peterbilt fenders look right!

[Kingcam2]

Hi Kingbob

Looking good so far, I am a Big transformers fan so I cant wait to see this build finished.

From Cameron.

[kingbob]

That looks really good! I love the door trim pieces you made. That's a very nice touch. How did you scribe the lines for the trim to fit into? It's a very clean job.

Now that you've chopped the hood, and you are busy cutting away, might I suggest you replace the front fenders with something a little more accurate? Slide them forward too? Just a suggestion. The truck is looking so good, I just think it's worth the extra effort to make Peterbilt fenders look right!

The lines were scribed with.. well... a scribing tool lol. Once the lines were drawn i just used the scriber against a steel ruler.

I have looked at the fenders, but the OP truck doesnt have standard Peterbilt fenders. The truck they built OP from didnt have any fenders at all, so i dont know where they come from, but the reshaped KH fenders actually are a close match:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/48.JPG

[kingbob]

As far as i've been able to discover, this is the truck that Prime was built from.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/49.JPG

[Espeefan]

Bob, you're right. The Transformers movie truck is running aftermarket Peterbilt fiberglass fenders, and I think they are made by WTI. Though they are different from the stock Peterbilt fenders, they do still have the smaller innder fender radius, like the stock fenders do. Here is a link you can check out!

http://www.wti-fenders.com/classicff-pb379.htm

[kingbob]

Well i'll be damned, i never noticed the inner radius. It gets hidden in most photos by the headlights, cant see the change in radius. Had to look might close to see it.
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The smaller radius doesnt appear at the back though, so must only be a wedge.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/51.JPG

Hard to see because i had to blow it up, but you can just make out the wedge shape here.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/52.JPG

I might be able to get away with just cutting out a small wedge on the inside of the fender. Shouldnt need to actually remove the fender completely.

[Espeefan]

Sorry to make more work for you, Bob! The truck just looks so nice, and you've been pretty thorough with everything else, I just had to bring up the front fenders!

[kingbob]

Nah i'm happy to have a detail pointed out to me! Added it to the very long list.
Should be a simple enough job anyway. Saw out a wedge, sand round the edge, build up some styrene.
Interestingly, looking at WTI's site, the rear fenders, and rear light buckets look like they came from there as well.

I make a lot of military models, so am well used to looking for details to model a particular subject. I've got a Tamiya 1/16 Tiger 1 on the go as well, and have got that narrowed down to a May 1943 build. There are lists of things that were changed month by month on the real thing, so making a specific tank can get ludicrously detailed. Even things like using a towing shackle made from square profile bar instead of round. A detail that probably not a single person would notice.

Pretty sure i'm not OCD :P

[Bigrigger]

Sweet build kingbob! You really are getting every detail perfect!

In the words of Optimus Prime: "We are here. We are waiting... Plz post pics!" Just kidding, but I can't wait to see this rig done!

[kingbob]

Chop chop!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/53.JPG

Just had a first coat of primer to pick out what needs puttying up still. After that, some sanding to neaten it out, and good to go!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/54.JPG

And pretty much finished the light buckets on the rear fenders. Ready for a final smooth sanding before painting.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/55.JPG

[diesel950]

looking good!

[plow jockey]

Nice work! Cant wait for more updates!

[rcman]

man what a great job! I sure wish I could do styrene work like that. love the tubing you installed for the doors and the polished rims really are the bling bling! did you use a dremel to polish them?

[kingbob]

Just noticed i missed a few questions, so here we go:

Love the maker lights, just above the bumper! I've always wanted to try that, but I could never find LEDs small enough. That looks really awesome!
Try using surface mount LEDs. Cost me about $2.60 for 10. Bit harder to work with because of their size, but great for tight spaces.

Even after all of the mishaps, O.P. is turning out looking really gooooooood.;):):D:cool: How are you going to mount the door trim? Great job buddy.
Big John
I'll be glueing it into the groove with CA. Which will be applied VERY sparingly, with a needle applicator. Dont want to wreck the paint.

Very nice :D Did the liquid mask not work on the abs body? i was thinking about trying that on my next paint job
Theres a whole story with the liquid mask. Short version, i borrowed it from a friend who had thinned it for spraying with an airbrush but didnt tell me. Whatever the thinner was wrecked the paint it was over.

what would you charge if I ordered some of the marker lights? also was that the stock grille you did?
Ha, they're not that good! Infact i plan to make a 3rd set as i'm not totally happy with those. All i used was a pinvise and small drill bits, and some small files. No machining, done by hand.
The grill is an aluminium one by Brian in PA from this very forum. Few hours sanding and polishing to get it looking bling :D

man what a great job! I sure wish I could do styrene work like that. love the tubing you installed for the doors and the polished rims really are the bling bling! did you use a dremel to polish them?
Yup, the wheels were polished by dremel, and quite a few polishing bits! Stripped the anodising first, then cleaned in an acid bath, then dremelled with aluminium polish. The outer edge of the rims got a light sanding as well to remove some machining marks from when they were made.
Probably took a couple of hours per wheel. I only polished the outside face of the outer rear wheels. Left the inner wheels with the anodised silver finish.

[kingbob]

Dont suppose anyone has parts N7 and N8 from a Knight Hauler spare? Saving me buying a whole N sprue.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/56.JPG

[kaptain Jack]

Fantastic job, I have a few questions to ask. How did you reattached the front fenders so neatly, and strong enough not to brake off,when bumpt and what kind of yellow putty is it?
Thanks
Jack

[kingbob]

Fantastic job, I have a few questions to ask. How did you reattached the front fenders so neatly, and strong enough not to brake off,when bumpt and what kind of yellow putty is it?
Thanks
Jack

I didnt actually cut the fenders off completely. I only cut out a wedge to a point where a molded groove is at the rear, so they were still partially attached anyway. Then i added a thin 1mm thick strip of styrene underneath the fender and under the hood side, and glued in some styrene sheet to connect it all. Pretty solid, not going to come off with a knock.

I use Tamiyas Polyester putty. Love the stuff. It has a hardener, so i mix up a small bit at a time, creamy smooth consistency, no grain at all, and hardens to a point it can be cut/sanded in an hour or so.

[MACK Daddy]

Nice attention to detail

Alfy

[kaptain Jack]

That's very clever, thank you for explaining it.
Jack

[bowtiebuba350]

i had no idea op started out like that cool pics and project

[BRICKNICK]

Me and my younger brother are planning a build of a 1:1 Pete 359, we were both raised in them and instead of a classic muscle car or hot rod build, which we'be already done were gonna build something that can.make us a few bucks lol.

[Espeefan]

Great job on the fenders, Bob. I wish I could work with styrene like that. Everything I try with styrene gives me results that leave something to be desired, but you seem to get great results without any problem! Even on rework, like your fenders. Very nice.

[kingbob]

Great job on the fenders, Bob. I wish I could work with styrene like that. Everything I try with styrene gives me results that leave something to be desired, but you seem to get great results without any problem! Even on rework, like your fenders. Very nice.

They still need some smooth sanding on the inner curve, to get them looking nice. I just take my time and plan things out.

[kingbob]

Got the hood reattached today. Its mostly sanded down, need to fill a few little spots, and blend the right in a little better. But nearly there.

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[kingbob]

So i'm getting pretty close to laying down some paint and am in a quandry. The OP movie truck has a thin light blue pinstripe around all of the dark blue flames (example below), but it is very thin, in most photos you cant see it. Only in close ups is it visible. It looks like its maybe 5-6mm thick, (a little under 1/4") which if it was painted with a proper pinstripe paintbrush would be about right.

Trouble is in 1/14 scale, that makes it somewhere in the region of 0.3-0.4mm thin.

I do have some 1mm pinstripe paper masking tape which is reasonably flexible, and i think i've seen some vinyl 0.7mm online but using that to mask the complex flame design will be a *****. Liquid mask is no help as i'd never be able to cut a consistent thickness pinstripe.

So, do i try and paint a 1mm pinstripe, leave it out altogether, or perhaps try and use some thin blue vinyl to tape the pinstripe?

Suggestions?

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[kingbob]

I'd pretty much dismissed the thought of printing them as decals. Compound curves aside, i'd never be able to get a printed blue flame to match the painted blue of the sleeper/cab. And its the reverse problem for the cab and sleeper flames. I'd never be able to print them in a red to match everything else. Would end up with the whole truck decalled.

And to make it worse, all the rivets and panel lines would lift the decal up, it wouldnt sit flat. Pretty sure printed decals dont like decal softening/setting solutions either.

[kingbob]

I've been going through it in my head, and have come up with 2 ways to paint it:

Spray the light blue as a base, then put the 1mm tape over it, then spray red or blue as appropriate. Let it cure, then mask off that colour and spray the other, then peel it all.

Or, spray the light blue, mask off one colour along the light blue, and spray it. Once it cures, mask that colour and the 1mm pinstripe along with it, then spray the other colour.

Make sense?

Either will give the same end result in terms of layers, but it comes down to how evenly i can mask and trim the pinstripe in the 2nd method. The 1st will give a more even line i think. 2nd way also risks scoring the surface as i trim tape.

[Espeefan]

I'm not much of a painter, but maybe you could use Testors's enamel paint markers, if the tips are fine enough? They've got close to the right color available -

http://www.testors.com/category/458352/Enamel_Paint_Markers

Masking would be a pain, but perhaps the best way to do the job. I think the flames would look a little bland without the pin stripe.

[straightpipejakebrake]

You know if you don't add that pin stripe you are always going to wish you did...practice on something else first but go for it...

[kingbob]

You know if you don't add that pin stripe you are always going to wish you did...practice on something else first but go for it...

Ha, i know. Gonna spray a bit of scrap styrene, see how it turns out.
Can make sure the colours come out how i want them too.

[kingbob]

Well, the hood extension is all finished, sanded and primed. Also relocated the sleeper mounting point from the sides to the rear, will hide the screws that way. Also after all the paint removal, sanding, priming etc the windscreen frame was looking thin so re-styrened that too.

Did a test fit of the body and fenders, starting to look the part now!

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[Espeefan]

Wow, Bob! That cab and sleeper are looking flawless! Great work with the body. I like that you relocated the mounting holes.

[kingbob]

Thanks Esp, many rounds of putty/sanding/priming/sanding/putty/sanding/priming/sanding to get it that good. Filling every pit and scratch i could find.

Will give the whole thing a 600/800ish sanding before it gets any proper paint. Going to do a test paint on a bit of spare styrene first though.

Next up i'll be fitting the steps, tanks, and toolboxes, obviously needed the body extended and ready so i can get placement right.
Need to trim 10-15mm off the rear end of the chassis rails before mounting the light plate too.

I suppose i better start soldering up some LEDs soon too.

[BRICKNICK]

I think you did an amazing job on the extended hood, and all your custom body work . I love the front fenders. I'm very impressed with the amount of detail your putting into it. But I do see one big problem that in my opinion is overlooked by a lot of people when the do peterbilts builds. The height ans shape of the sleeper and cab roof. The cab and sleeper roof are supposed to be the same height, and more rounded. The way the king hauler sleeper sits way higher then the cab and is so boxy up top drives me crazy. Please dont take offense to my comments, I just see the lengths of detail your aiming for, I would hate to see you over look this. But like I said, this thing looks great already.

[kingbob]

I think you did an amazing job on the extended hood, and all your custom body work . I love the front fenders. I'm very impressed with the amount of detail your putting into it. But I do see one big problem that in my opinion is overlooked by a lot of people when the do peterbilts builds. The height ans shape of the sleeper and cab roof. The cab and sleeper roof are supposed to be the same height, and more rounded. The way the king hauler sleeper sits way higher then the cab and is so boxy up top drives me crazy. Please dont take offense to my comments, I just see the lengths of detail your aiming for, I would hate to see you over look this. But like I said, this thing looks great already.

Hey Brick, actually i had noticed it, but its one of those things i decided not to adjust. Mostly its an effort vs result thing.

Looking at the reference pics, the sleeper cab should still be a bit taller than the sleeper, sort of the rounded top of the sleeper starting at the height of the roof. But yes the top isnt as flat as the KH roof.

In scale, the KH roof would need to be dropped about 2-3mm, and the middle of the roof built up with putty to give the more curved look. The 2-3mm drop would be simple, but the puttying and curving would be difficult to keep even, consistent and the same side to side. Plus the actual curve of the top of the sleeper would need tweaking too. Basically rebuilding the sleeper roof, but in a way that would be a real B!tch to keep even and consistent.

In the end i decided its one of those things that i'd probably not be able to do to my own satisfaction, and realistically the difference would be almost unnoticable to anyone not specifically looking for it.

But now you've made me think more about it it'll bug me if i leave it lol

I might not re-do the curve, but i think i will drop the roof a bit.

[kingbob]

Incidentally, i was asked in pm how i did a cut so evenly, and scribed the lines for the door trim.
I used a scribing tool made by Trumpeter. Cost about $5, and will scribe a nice neat square line, not quite 1mm thick. Several passes will basically cut through the plastic leaving a nice neat line.

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/36077.html

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/upload/suppliers/HOBBY1234/TRU09912.jpg

There are several others as well, tip and handle design, but this one does the job just fine for me.

[Espeefan]

So that's the tool, Bob? I was wondering about it as well, but I never asked. Did you trace, or free hand the radii in the corners of the doors?

[kingbob]

They were done with a compass cutter like this (http://www.blackrocktools.com/categories/cutting-tools-consumables/circle-cutters/olfa-compass-cutter-cuts-up-to-6-circle-cmp-1-9911.html). Should be able to get one at any decent stationary or craft shop.

Basically like a regular drawing compass but with a blade instead of a pencil. I turned the blade around so the square side would scribe instead of cut.

http://www.blackrocktools.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/m/cmp-1.jpg

Also came in mighty handy cutting the circles out for the rear fenders.

[Kaf343]

Very cool use of tools, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see paint on it.

[Espeefan]

They were done with a compass cutter like this (http://www.blackrocktools.com/categories/cutting-tools-consumables/circle-cutters/olfa-compass-cutter-cuts-up-to-6-circle-cmp-1-9911.html). Should be able to get one at any decent stationary or craft shop.

Basically like a regular drawing compass but with a blade instead of a pencil. I turned the blade around so the square side would scribe instead of cut.

http://www.blackrocktools.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/m/cmp-1.jpg

Also came in mighty handy cutting the circles out for the rear fenders.

Hmmm, I've got one of those, and it never dawned on my to try using it for scribing lines. I bought it to cut lexan bodies, back when I had more go fast models, the scale ones.

[kingbob]

Hmmm, I've got one of those, and it never dawned on my to try using it for scribing lines. I bought it to cut lexan bodies, back when I had more go fast models, the scale ones.

Same here, was perfect for cutting wheel arches in touring car bodies.
I turned the blade basically upside down, so the square end was at the bottom. Scribed perfectly.

[kingbob]

Courtesy of the public holiday, got a fair bit done today.
Dismantled the whole thing so i could drill mounting holes in the chassis rails for the steps, tanks, and toolboxes. And of course drilled the steps, tank mounts, and boxes themselves. The tanks are only double sided taped on at the moment, couldnt bring myself to put a drill through that bling from Russ!

While dismantled i also sanded and repainted the rails, they had various scratches from where i keep putting bits on for test fittings.

Just finished putting it all back together.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/64.JPG
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Am waiting for a couple of parts for the rear end to arrive before i put the rear light plate on, will have to cut a bit of the rails off for that. Also new bumper, the one i made was too thin.

Next things being worked on are the light bars under the sleeper and cab.
Still a thousand and one little things to do, but he's getting there!

[kingbob]

Couldnt resist throwing the stacks on briefly :D

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/67.JPG

[onestepbehind]

the truck is really coming together great. Looks awsome. ya always gotta just throw the stacks on for a quick peek.

[Stuff]

love that long noooose it has!

[diesel950]

coming along nicely

[Diesel Demond]

yes looks great so far!!!

[kingbob]

I havent made much progress in the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately my dog and best buddy Fred fell ill. After multiple vet visits, and all sorts of tests, turned out he had an advanced thyroid cancer which had spread to his lungs. Was inoperable, and regretably had to put him to sleep this week :(
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/fred/fredprofile.jpg

In between vet visits, i did start work on a trailer. Picked up a flatbed to use for parts, sourced a bit of ali sheet for the base, and extended it out to 45", which is a scale 53'. Have got some pieces of stainless steel for the top and front, and ali for the frame, but still working on what to do the sides with. I also lowered it a little to match the movie truck. Have to make up some new legs for it.

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[dabears]

Sorry to hear about the dog...
Truck is looking good! Trailer looks like a good start! Is that the actual ride height of the trailer? Reason I ask is it looks like your fenders are gonna rub some paint off on the trailer... Would hate to see it get messed up.

[kingbob]

The trailer will sit higher, the 5th wheel isnt fitted in the pic is all.

[RCP57]

I'm really sorry to hear about your dog. We lost our best friend to that $*** almost exactly two years ago. In our case we caught it early but still no amount of money or Vet visits including a trip to see the cancer specialists at WSU in the States could save him. I still miss him everyday and I don't think I will ever get over it. Keep up the great work on the truck! This hobby was and still is a great distraction from everyday stress for me!

Reg

[kingbob]

So I did a bit of test painting over the last couple of days. Primed a spare bit of styrene, and laid down some light blue for the pin stripe, then put some 1mm tape over it to form the stripe itself. Did a nice orange to red fade, quite happy with the col ours, and let that dry. After the last liquid mask drama I used a mice fresh new bottle and covered the red areas ready to paint the blue, let it set overnight then did the blue.

I just went to peel the mask, lifted the edge nicely, started to pull it back.... And all the paint came with it!

Lol basically left the styrene untouched, not as speck of paint on it! Had a bit of dry liquid mask with primer one side, red/blue the other!

I had used the wrong base coat, did use a primer, but not a plastic primer!

*face palm*

[kingbob]

I'm working on the light bars that sit next to the aircleaners at the moment. I want to get anything attached to the body done before i paint in case i have to make holes, cut bits out etc.
This:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/72.JPG

But am in a dilemma. I got a load of bezels which are just awesome little pieces of work, and i'm using them elsewhere so i'd like to use them here. But, because the bezels end up being 6mm across for a 3mm LED, they take up heaps more space when theres 8 in a row. Factoring 1mm gap between each, they come in at 57mm, which makes it taller than the air cleaner. But as you can see in the pic, the group should be smaller. At that length it also puts the lowest 2 below the top of the fender.

If however i use the 3mm LED by itself, i can make it much smaller at 33mm which puts the appearance much closer to the real thing. But then i dont get the look of the bezels. Plus the blue LED's actually have a clear body so wont look right when not lit.

This is a size comparison, i mocked up the full 57mm version in styrene to check.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/71.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/73.JPG

The bezels look so much better, but take up a lot more space.

And to make matters more complicated, compared to the movie truck, the air cleaners i have are actually shorter, they should go down to the bottom edge of the cab, which would make the bar with bezels work better.

Thoughts?

[wolfws6]

looks great so far. I would use the led it's self, it looks more to scale The lenses are too big for that . Buy clear blue leds then paint them with tamiya transparent blue paint . then they will look more to scale.

[Espeefan]

Bob, sorry to hear about your dog, Fred. I know how special the bond can be, between man and animal.

On the breather lights, I say go with the bezels. Yes, they are larger then they should be, but I think the inaccuracies of scale will not really be detracting from the model. The cool factor will win over the scale nit-pickers. :D

I'd also lob off one of the breather lights, so that the length of the light bar matches the breather length. Another little sacrifice, I know, but I would much rather have things looking good.

I like that you decided to mock-up the breather light bars like that. Something I wanted to do myself, to check how it would look on my own trucks. You've saved me some of the work!

[Izzy]

Bob - after skimming through your build and the jabbing from friends I watched the latest trans. Movie.

I'm lookin forward to you seeing this through.

As for your Fred - we only have pups as kids ourselves - they are more than just family......

[kingbob]

Thanks for the thoughts for Fred guys.
He really was my best friend and furkid. Had him cremated and got his ashes back yesterday.

He suffered a bit of seperation anxiety if i wasnt around, probably because he was a pound dog. He was lost, gets picked up by the ranger, goes to the pound, gets picked up by a rescue group, gets neutered, goes to a foster home, gets adopted, gets returned, gets adopted, gets returned, gets adopted, gets returned, gets adopted yet again, and gets returned yet again, then finally to me!
Apparently he was returned because he either made too much noise, dribbled too much, kept escaping, and at the last place, stole pizza and a freshly baked cake from the kitchen counter. His carer said she hoped the thievery didnt put me off, and i said any dog that escapes to steal pizza and cake, is my kinda dog! But after 4 failed adoptions and everything else, who can blame him for having some anxiety.

I had just under 5 happy years with him. He had four MAST cell tumors in that time (basically skin cancers), but i caught them all early, and all were removed with clear margins, so he beat them all. The last on his neck was only 9 weeks before all this happened. Thats how fast the thyroid cancer grew. The mass in his throat wasnt there when he had the last one removed. Even the vet said Fred was just stunningly unlucky to have 2 types of unrelated cancers at the same time.

But I have 5 years of memories with him, and his ashes have a spot on a shelf in the lounge now, so he can keep an eye out, and see what i'm up to.

Really miss that little fella, and not ashamed to admit i was a crying mess when i had to put him to sleep.

[Radio Control Trucker]

But am in a dilemma. I got a load of bezels which are just awesome little pieces of work, and i'm using them elsewhere so i'd like to use them here. But, because the bezels end up being 6mm across for a 3mm LED, they take up heaps more space when theres 8 in a row. Factoring 1mm gap between each, they come in at 57mm, which makes it taller than the air cleaner. But as you can see in the pic, the group should be smaller. At that length it also puts the lowest 2 below the top of the fender.

If however i use the 3mm LED by itself, i can make it much smaller at 33mm which puts the appearance much closer to the real thing. But then i dont get the look of the bezels. Plus the blue LED's actually have a clear body so wont look right when not lit.

Thoughts?

I suggest using the LED lights and coloring them with nail-polish (in the color of your choice).
It's an old modeler's trick that I picked up a while back.

It might be worth a try.

- RCT

[kingbob]

How about this:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/74.JPG

Thats with a 3mm orange LED for testing. I think once the LEDs are installed, i can put a touch of transparent blue paint on the lens should do the trick.

But, i need to test one first. Photography is another hobby of mine, so i know that putting a clear blue over blue light will act like a filter to the light from under it. If the blue from the LED is a different wavelength than the blue paint, i'll get bugger all light coming through. May have to use a cool white LED with clear lens, and transparent blue paint to get a decent light.

Do i think too much about these things? lol

[kingbob]

Not quite as neat as i'd like, but good enough from a distance.
Now to make a second one.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/75.JPG

[wolfws6]

It looks awsome Kingbob!!!!!! I think your on the right track, looks great!!!!!!!!!

[Espeefan]

Looks great to me, Bob!

[dabears]

I think you nailed it pretty good!

[kingbob]

Turned out ok, still has the visored effect, but in a much smaller package.

But i tell ya, after making them by hand, i have a new absolute respect for Lynn making his bezels in bulk!

[kingbob]

Bumper with bezels installed, and hidden screws.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/77.JPG

Then made up the LED loom for it.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/76.JPG

[wolfws6]

Thats looking awsome!!!!!

[kaptain Jack]

You are one crazy kid.

[kingbob]

You are one crazy kid.

Heh, whats crazy is that there are 77 more LEDs to do after the bumper.

[kingbob]

Right, thats the bumper wired up.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/78.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/79.JPG

[Espeefan]

Gosh, that's a lot of wire, Bob! Is that the lightest you could find? Hope you have enough room to hide all those wires! The truck is going to be filled with wires. Are you wiring them all in parallel? You should try some series parallel wiring. It will cut down on at least half the wires in the bundle.

[kingbob]

Yeah now i can see it in, i'm contemplating putting the little pcb for the bumper lights tucked up behind the bumper. Then can just run 1 pair back to the middle where it'll get distributed. It is actually quite thin wire, just that theres a load of them.

[kingbob]

Here we go, much better.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/80.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/81.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/82.JPG
Nice shiny bumper from Russ shows the camera reflection :D

[Diesel Demond]

are those blue???? haha lol looks awesome and good job on tightyness on wire control.

[Espeefan]

Looking good Bob! Where did you find the PCB?

[kingbob]

Breather lights ready to rock.
Espeefan I hit the local electronics shop, found some 30awg wire, nice and thin. Even with plastic coating its barely as thick as the actual LED legs.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/83.JPG

[kingbob]

Looking good Bob! Where did you find the PCB?

Its just a prototyping board from a local electronics shop. Each row of the board has a seperate trace, so i just cut off a 2 row length.

[kingbob]

Something about this project and paint is cursed.

I just used some clear blue paint to colour the clear LEDs in the breather lights, finished both, then knocked over the paint! Splashed blue all over one of the light bars, myself, the desk, and the carpet! And when i jumped i moved my foot with speed against a carboard box slashing my foot on an edge, and leaving some complimentary red marks on the carpet to go with the blue!

*bangs head on wall*

Scraped most of the paint off the light bar with a scalpel and sandpaper so its still useable, but the metal isnt as smooth and shiny now. Dunno whether to make another bar, or just put it on the less photogenic side of the truck lol.

[Izzy]

Focus on something else for a bit then come back to this area - you might have a different opinion..... Also stick with your original intent - else you will regret.

[Espeefan]

That stinks, Bob. Sounds like something I would have done myself. :D Sorry to hear that. I'm a bit stubborn, so I would just keep at it, till things turn out perfect. Just learn from the mistakes, and keep things that can spill far, far away from any finished products and parts!

Thanks for the tip on the PCB. Sounds like what we call electronic bread boards in the states.

[kingbob]

Yeah to me breadboards are the white style you can just slot components into without soldering.

I just tested all the LEDs and one of the ones in the messed up breather bar is dead. I did test them all before installing, but hey, it happens. Only pronlem is is glued in with CA, and really not coming out. Marinating it in some acetone at the moment, so hopefully wont need to make a new bar, and cut new tubes.

As Izzy suggested i'll switch to something else for a while. I do tend to bounce from part to part anyway, stops me getting annoyed when a given part doesnt want to behave how i want it!

[kingbob]

Before i lay down any paint i'm test fitting everything to the body to check for any alterations that need to be made. So i attached the makerlights this evening, and did a test fitting with the headlights. I'm not totally happy with the makerlights, but they're about as good as i can get with hand tools.

Need to tweak the headlight mounts a little, mounted to the sides of the the hood gives the a slight inward slant, makes it a bit cross eyed.

Also found that one of the fenders isnt quite straight after i cut out the inner radius to correct them. So need to cut the wedge out, and reposition it.

But heres a glimpse, starting to look a bit like Prime now.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/84.JPG

[Espeefan]

That's a great frontal shot! I like it, Bob!

[R.J.F Transport]

another tip if glued in is to pop it in the freezer for 30 mins or so till its nice and cold then pop out the offending part the freezer makes the glue brittle and will break cleanly i use this when building bodiesand 1/24 scale and glue something in wrong spot

[kingbob]

I trimmed about an inch off the rear end of the chassis rails today, and mounted the angled plastic parts N7/N8 from a knight hauler to get the correct slanted look to the rear end, and mounted a wonderfully shiny light plate from Russ.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/85.JPG

[kingbob]

I was in a soldering mood, so wired up the LEDs for the rear light plate, made light bars for the rear fender brake lights, and made up the roof lights as well.

Unfortunately I cant get more of Lynns visored bezels at the moment, but i found some chrome bezeled LEDs at the local electronics place. Dont have the visored look, but can easily replace them when the visored ones become available again.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/86.JPG

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/87.JPG

[kingbob]

Gave the rear fenders a light blue basecoat, then spent a while masking the pinstripe for the flames. Had to look at a bunch of reference pics to get it right. Not perfect but its close! Its 1mm tape!

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/88.JPG

[kaptain Jack]

looks very nice.

[kaptain Jack]

Hey Bob,where did you buy the head lights?

[Espeefan]

Gosh, the fenders look incredible Bob! Love the rear tail light panel too. Even your masking looks flawless.

[kingbob]

Hey Bob,where did you buy the head lights?

Kappy, they're from Garden trucking (http://www.gardentrucking.com).

Gosh, the fenders look incredible Bob! Love the rear tail light panel too. Even your masking looks flawless.

Thanks ESP, took a couple of goes with the masking to get it how i liked it, and to get them being close mirrors of each other. I'm dreading masking the hood and front fender flames though.

Got the rear light panel all fitted, and the top part painted too.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/89.JPG

[kingbob]

The red areas get painted first, so they got a gold undercoat last night, followed by the red today. Once the first coat of red dries over the next day or so, i'll be sanding a few bad spots where either dust stuck, a finger print showed up, or the paint mottled a bit. Then lay another coat down. Its a semi translucent red so the more coats I lay, the richer it gets. Its a little light at the moment so it should be just right i think.

My desk light makes it look a little orange, but it is red.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/90.JPG

[kaptain Jack]

I can't wait to see the final result.

[kingbob]

I can't wait to see the final result.

*fingers crossed *

Me too. I'm doing the fenders first so that if something doesnt work out with the colours, or backing process, or something they're smooth enough and simple enough to simply sand flat, reprime and try again.

[kingbob]

Son of a....
Just received the styrene sheets I ordered to do the trailer sides. I ordered the wrong pattern.

*bangs head on desk*

[JoseFL10-4]

Hey men nice project, take a look a grille on evil bay

[Espeefan]

Bob, any updates on the paint? I can't wait to see it all finished! The fenders are looking really nice.

[kingbob]

Actually ive sanded the fenders back and re-primed. The light blue pin stripe just look ridiculously over scale. Holding off painting them until i come up with a better way.

The real pinstripe looks like its only 5mm or so, which in scale is something like 0.3mm. Unpaintable. Im going to look for some blue pinstripe tape and see how thin i can cut it.
Otherwise i dont think it will be doable.

In the meantime i've been working on the light bars under the cab and sleeper. Finally made some im happy with after 6 hoes.

Will add a pic tonight.

[Radio Control Trucker]

Hey Bob, for the fender pin-stripes - How about making up a set of clear decals that have the pin-stripes printed onto them and then apply the entire decal over the fender. The paint would be protected and still seen through the clear decal paper with the pin-stripes straight and intact without tearing or any misalignments.

Just a thought :)

- RCT

[kingbob]

The thing with decal paper will be wrapping it around the compound curves without it wrinkling.
Be worse on the cab with all the bolt detail.

I have a mate whos a sign writer, i might get him to print/cut some that i can then trim to half a mm or less.

[kingbob]

Just found some 1/64 light blue pinstripe tape. Works out at 0.39mm so should look better.

[kingbob]

Got my cab and sleeper light bars finished. Couple of finger prints to wipe off but good to go!
Love Lynns bezels, these are the 3mm ones.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/94.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/95.JPG

[kingbob]

Light bars fitted.
If it wasnt so overcast they'd look shinier.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/96.JPG

[diesel950]

coming along nice bob

[tracksntreadslou]

This thing is awsome Bob ..Your attention to detail is awsome as well .Every time I open this thread I can almost hear that deep voice ..Lol .When done this will be a coffee table working conversasion peice ..Very cool

[kingbob]

Work has been keeping me busy lately, but i managed to get the LEDs wired up for the cab and sleeper lights.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/97.JPG

[toniolillo]

Is a great job, I've always liked the Transformers, I have the entire collection from Hasbro.
I have wanted to see it finished

[Espeefan]

Oh, nice! That's going to look awesome all lit up at night.

[Berman]

What amazing craftmanship and and awesome build! Watching with antisipation!

[dabears]

Bad A$$!! Love lights!

[kingbob]

Oh, nice! That's going to look awesome all lit up at night.

If I've counted correctly, the truck will have 90 LEDs in it. So yeah it'll light up the whole dam* room if they're all on at the same time!

Let alone however many wind up in the trailer.

[kingbob]

Actually looking at that pic I need to lower the steps a little, and add a small air tank on them too.

[1985 kenworth]

Can't wait to see it done :)

[Kaf343]

Nice job on the lights, looking forward to seeing it painted.

[kingbob]

Can't wait to see it done :)

Me too! I think yours will be done before mine though. Still waiting on my grille etc to arrive, and mine hasn't seen paint yet. (I'm redoing the rear fenders, the blue pinstripe was too thick)

[1985 kenworth]

you got the grille also from e-bay?mine showed up last week.i came pretty quick which i am surprised:jaw:

[1985 kenworth]

i pick up the body and fenders tomorrow and i am assembling it right away still have to add more lights though;)

[kingbob]

you got the grille also from e-bay?mine showed up last week.i came pretty quick which i am surprised:jaw:

Yeah I couldn't let a more accurate grille like that go past. Plus I was never totally happy with the maker lights I did so that solves that too. I'm getting the breather lights too, again put the ones I made to shame.

Was funny I sat down to make a tray for the headache rack from pmd, happened to check eBay and saw that guys headache rack, so saved myself the hassle and ordered that too.

Just have to buy another king hauler to use the redundant grille, headlights, and headache rack on! :D

[kingbob]

i pick up the body and fenders tomorrow and i am assembling it right away still have to add more lights though;)

Am looking forward to seeing the paint job! Did your painter manage to do the pin stripes?

[1985 kenworth]

Yea just waiting for the headache rack to show up i got the breather lights. There is only 7 lights instead of the 8 but i don't care i can live with that

[kingbob]

Michael Bay should be shot. I could accept the Peteerbilt Optimus Prime instead of a CoE, but this monstrosity is apparently Primes new form in the 4th TF movie!

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18p71tpngrxqijpg/k-bigpic.jpg

[diesel950]

no shooting him would be too good for him...make him drive that...that ...THING!!

[TRUCKMAKER]

Its actually the new 2014 Western Star in disguise;).

[1985 kenworth]

he must have a new sponsor:eek::mad:

[kingbob]

Thats one replica I will not be making. *barf*

But yeah, product placement basically.

[kingbob]

Isnt the idea to "hide in plain sight"? Not stand out like a drag queen.

[TRUCKMAKER]

he must have a new sponsor:eek::mad:

Yes he does, Its a good way of rolling out a new product. I kinda always wondered why nobody builds Stars on this forum:lol:.

[1985 kenworth]

Thats fine but when there is a franchise involved and you deviate from the original ongoing characters sometimes it spells disaster. Especially the hardcore fans.would people still like bumblebee if they changed him into a smart car?I have to agree with bob on this i won't do this replica and i am sorry but that truck stands out like a sore thumb,and you would never see that as an everyday work truck that blends in to society.And for the record,lol i am going to build The Outlaw steel cowboy western.star with the help of rick(probuilder)yes another famous truck ;)

[kingbob]

They could probably have gotten away with modernising the truck a bit, maybe update to a new 389, but keeping the details and spirit the same as the existing truck.

Or *shock* switch to a CoE, make it more classic! That would probably be a lot better recieved.

Guess it came down to which truck company wanted the product placement.

[TRUCKMAKER]

Thats fine but when there is a franchise involved and you deviate from the original ongoing characters sometimes it spells disaster. Especially the hardcore fans.would people still like bumblebee if they changed him into a smart car?I have to agree with bob on this i won't do this replica and i am sorry but that truck stands out like a sore thumb,and you would never see that as an everyday work truck that blends in to society.And for the record,lol i am going to build The Outlaw steel cowboy western.star with the help of rick(probuilder)yes another famous truck ;)

I agree with what your saying, never said I liked the new version and its sad that the company that puts up the most cash can possibly change the whole outcome of the movie!

[Espeefan]

Yilkes. Lag pipes AND triple stacks on the new Optimus Prime?

[BRICKNICK]

I'm sorry I just threw up in my mouth a little bit, this is a disgrace. I will always know prime as a peterbilt.

[1985 kenworth]

:lol::lol:

[civic83]

I personally don't think the trucks too bad, if you removed a bit of the flash and the god awful pipes it might be ok

[404]

Oh no! It's the western star "fart cab"! Seriously maybe it'll get smashed into a bazillion fiberglass chunks, Peterbilt all day 'erry day.

[hippy]

hey Dwayne bud, do you remember the original bubble bee, he was a beetle! so ya not sure about this one but......

[kingbob]

Speaking of Bumblebee, he's been changed too:

http://edge.alluremedia.com.au/m/g/2013/05/bumblebee.jpg

They've gone retro with his design, why couldnt they go retro with OP too and give us the CoE we all want to see!

[1985 kenworth]

my wife is p#$&^% off that they changed bumblebee..i am sorry but personally this is going to kill this franchise and i am going to become the new harry potter guy :lol::lol:

[Goose19]

Bumble bee got better, he's a real car now instead of that wannabe (no pun intended) version of a camaro.... New stuff sucks, kinda like that western star/prostar/giant turd with 6 pipes behind the bunk.....

[Espeefan]

Dang, Bumblebee turned into a SS Pro-touring Camaro? Prime should have become a COE Peterbilt Pacemaker, Kenworth C100, or one of those old Freightshaker COEs! From what I recall of my Hasbro G1 Optimus Prime, a Freightliner seemed to be best match for the look of the toy. For shame. I thought Transformers 3 was going to be the last one we'd see. Kind of glad they kept it going, but not in this direction....

[kingbob]

Yeah if they can go old school for Bumblebee, they should have gone old school for Optimus too.

[cosworth34677]

Isnt the idea to "hide in plain sight"? Not stand out like a drag queen.

Oh no! It's the western star "fart cab"! Seriously maybe it'll get smashed into a bazillion fiberglass chunks, Peterbilt all day 'erry day.

Dang, Bumblebee turned into a SS Pro-touring Camaro? Prime should have become a COE Peterbilt Pacemaker, Kenworth C100, or one of those old Freightshaker COEs! From what I recall of my Hasbro G1 Optimus Prime, a Freightliner seemed to be best match for the look of the toy. For shame. I thought Transformers 3 was going to be the last one we'd see. Kind of glad they kept it going, but not in this direction....


geez i am with all of you!! in the old comics, prime was a old worn beat up truck, with a fat guy hologram driving. i never really got why they never made him a cab over truck? there are so many out there. scania, man ,mack.... its not like they are trying to keep the all u.s car thing with a merc , Ferrari , audi in the last film. i really hope they get a writer for the next movie and not kill off the stars of the comics and cartoon in the first five min(arcee iron hide jazz)

[kingbob]

And it looks like they pinched the Bumblebee design from a car restorer!
Link (http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/06/did-transformers-4-rip-off-this-guys-design-for-the-new-bumblebee/)

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18pe18y2i3eu0jpg/xlarge.jpg

[Radio Control Trucker]

I always thought that O.P. was best thought of as a Marmon truck :D

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd267/sourkraut_photos/100_3450.jpg

Just my thought :cool:

- RCT

[1985 kenworth]

Good eye my friend ,this truck would be perfect for the cartoon cabover version of optimus...got the square box look and even the colour pops out at you as optimus:D

[kingbob]

Back on topic a bit... I'm aiming to start laying down paint this weekend. I want to try and get the rear fenders done, they're simpler to paint than the body.

[kingbob]

Well, the flash makes the pinstripes look thicker than they are (they're 0.3mm), but i'm not sure i'm happy with the colours.

Thoughts?

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/98.JPG

[tc1cat]

Looks great to me:D:D

[Espeefan]

Wow! Great job on the masking, Bob! That is incredible. Are you thinking the pinstripes are to light of a blue? It's really hard to tell. I've looked at some photos of the 1:1 Optimis Prime Peterbilt, and I think it's actually really close to matching, but in the end it's up to you to decide if you are happy with it. I'm a perfectionist too, so I know how little things can be annoying when I know they aren't right.

[kingbob]

The flash lightens the pinstripe, but its about right to the eye. I actually cheated with the pinstripe, its not paint. I found some 1/64" blue pinstripe tape online, so used that.
Covers small flaws in the paint from when the mask was removed too.

Its more the red and blue, they're close, but i dunno, hard to explain. They just sort of feel a bit off compared to the real thing..

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/99.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/100.JPG

That being said, i read an article somewhere ages ago on a military modelling forum about the guys who will match paint chips from the real thing, to a model colour. But then when painted, the model doesnt look right.

Apparently there is something in the way the eye sees things that doesnt see the same colour when something is scaled down. Ie: a real red truck and a model truck in the same red, look like different colours because of how we percieve the scale.

And to add to the mayhem, there seem to be multiple shades of red on the truck.
The rear fenders, the sleeper flames, and the cab flames are different. Not to mention the orange/red faded hood.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/101.jpg
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/102.jpg

[kingbob]

I'm toying with the idea of redoing them in an Anodized Candy red color like this:
http://s4f68b909e5ea9.img.gostorego.com/809E82/cdn/media-v2/s4/f6/8b/90/9e/5e/a9/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/z/szx15059.jpg

Which is actually pretty close to the paint around the cab on the real thing.
Not quite true to the movie truck, but will make it look less "toyish" than the bright red and blue do.

Comments?
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/102.jpg

[kingbob]

Here it is test fitted in late afternoon sun.
I dont think the colours are right.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/103.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/104.JPG

[1985 kenworth]

bob what i think is the problem is that the pinstripe is way too large and it is taking away from the actual flame paint.when i see that the first thing i notice is the pinstripe and it makes the paint look cartoon like..just my opinion.the pinstripe has to be real suttle and blend in ,it is too bright .the colours are probably right because don't forget the camera doesn't see colours as well as the human eye .i have taken pictures of my kw Zeus and the pictures come out almost a dark blue look but the truck is metalflake purple,also do you have a clear coat over it to protect it and make it shine ,it comes off as a matte(flat) look ,at least your pictures

[1985 kenworth]

what shade of red are you using for your paint?see if you look at the pics of the real optimus the pinstripe is so small and blends in you hardly notice it unless you are right up close ..yours is BAM!!! right in your face no matter how far away or close you are ,on the real optimus the pinstripe is a shade of blue not white...thats what i think

[tc1cat]

After looking at all of the pics here is my opinion: Your pin striping does not blend into the fender flames as the real paint does. Might be the fact that its is tape and not paint. Your shade of red for the fenders seems too light. Your paint is fantastic on the fenders but the tape pin striping seems to be the main problem.

[kingbob]

The pinstripe actually is light blue, but looks almost white in the pics, so is a little deceptive.
I havent clearcoated it yet, wanted to wait until i'd decided i'm sure on it.

But you're right, the pinstripe stands out too much. Looking at the real pics at an equivalent distance its barely visible, in scale it must be hairline, which is practically unpaintable so will leave them off.
I used standard tamiya gloss red, but it is a very in your face bright. I have a couple of bottles of Autoair airbrush paint in some different reds, and some other makes. So i'm gonna spray a piece of styrene in the various reds to see which i like best. Also have a couple of blues to try.

But, pretty sure its gonna be a re-paint. Again. lol

[Bigrigger]

This truck is looking fantastic! The paint looks spot-on to me! Your attention to detail is astounding! Keep up the great work, and lets see some pics!!!

[kingbob]

Will be painting this weekend. I think ive got the right colours now.

[kingbob]

So I sat down with the airbrush yesterday and sprayed some scrap plastic. Did 4 different base colors, black, white, silver, and flat aluminum. The auto-air paints are semi opaque so the base color makes a big difference.
None of the paints I tried came out how I wanted. A couple were OK but didn't quite have the look I wanted.
Going through my paint box I noticed a bottle of a deep red that I forgot I had. Tried it out and its exactly what I wanted!
The rear fenders have now been painted red, leaving them to cure for a couple of days before I mask up the flames, but I think I'm finally happyb with the color.

I swear these fenders must have as much putty and primer as they do plastic!

[kingbob]

I need to get a daylight pic, this just doesnt do it justice.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/105.jpg

[tc1cat]

That matches your pics of the real thing :D Did you get my PM???

[Espeefan]

Dead on! That is a beautiful red. I think you've solved your red color issues. I can only imagine it looks 100 times better outside!

[kingbob]

That matches your pics of the real thing :D Did you get my PM???

Last pm I got from you was 4-5 weeks ago. Figured you were uber busy.

[kaptain Jack]

Sweet!!!!

[1985 kenworth]

wow that is a really nice shade of red:D

[kingbob]

Its slightly ironic, I went to ludicrous lengths to make things like maker lights to get all the details as close as I can, yet the paint colors I've chosen are purposefully different, more metallic than on the real thing. I'm just trying to avoid the sort of toy pastel colors that are on the plastic toys.
Hope it works out because damned if i'm respraying the fenders for a fourth time! Lol

[1985 kenworth]

i hear you about that :D

[Espeefan]

I can tell you that I've tried things 3 or 4 times for my own truck, before getting the results I was after. It gets old after 2 failed attempts, and by the third, your patience is really being tested, but when it turns out the way you want it, then you quickly forget the trials it took to be happy.

[kingbob]

I really love this red but **** its hard to get a photo of it that shows it properly.
These look good, but still dont show it properly.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/106.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/107.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/108.JPG

[kingbob]

Got the blue chosen too, and have made a start on the body. Undercoated silver, and sprayed the front end blue ready to mask the flames before doing the orange to red fade.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/109b.JPG

[Bigrigger]

Looking good KB! You keep bashing your painting skills, but you are really an excellent painter! Your colors are all spot-on! This rig is so good, it should be sponsored by the movie, or Hasbro, or something! Keep up the great work!

[Radio Control Trucker]

KB, if you keep painting this well, I'll be sending my fleet your way for a repaint. :eek: :eek: :p
God knows my skills are amateur at best. :lol:

Keep up the great work. :popcorn: Everyone loves your OP. :jaw:

- RCT

[Espeefan]

Bob, I'm eagerly awaiting the completed paint job on this one! That blue looks sharp on the hood, and with the red, I think it's going to be perfect. You must be using an air brush? That's one smooth finish.

[kingbob]

At the moment i'm working on making all the little flame masks for the front end. They're all in seperate pieces which will make applying them easier, but makes drawing and cutting them out a pain in the a$$.

I usually paint military models, so i'm not bad with an airbrush, but it's rare for me to do a clean shiny paintjob. A good airbrush makes all the difference though. I've got 3, rarely use my oldest one since its a suction feed, have a Tamiya HG Superfine which is great for thin paint and detail work. But my main one which i got a couple of years ago is an Infinity airbrush from Harder and Steenbeck (http://www.harder-airbrush.eu/infinity/index.php#infinity) in Germany.

http://www.harder-airbrush.eu/images/Produktabbildung_Infinity_Solo.jpg

I absolutely love this brush. Can change the tip/needle size for different paints, full double action, adjustable tension, click to set paint limiter, screw on paint cups, love it. Seriously if anyone is looking for an airbrush, theres nothing better!

[Radio Control Trucker]

Thanks for the tip :)

- RCT

[kingbob]

Quick snap under bad lighting in my hobby room.
Need to let it cure for a couple of days, then gloss coat and polish it still.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/110.JPG

[tc1cat]

Your last choice of colors looks spot on. The rear fenders really POP :eek: Can't wait to see some completed truck pics :D:D Your painting skills make anything I do look childish at best :)

[Espeefan]

Those fenders are looking really good! Wow! This might end up being the best paint job anyone has ever done.

[kingbob]

Those fenders are looking really good! Wow! This might end up being the best paint job anyone has ever done.

They're not THAT good!

[1985 kenworth]

:popcorn:agreed...try taking the pictures outside late afternoon around 6 just as the sun is getting ready to go down but it is still partially up in the sky...if you understand that:lol:thats normally when i take the pictures of my trucks.if you do it under artificial lightning then it will come out as such..use the natural light to bring out the colours vibrantly.some cameras have different settings for the lighting and also some cannot dicifer the colour contrast like the human eye can .i have a camera and when i take the pictures of zeus ,he comes out dark blue in the pictures.i am not an expert but one of my trucker friends is a professional photographer on the side and he told me how to try to get close to the colour as i :)can.even in the pictures you posted of the fenders,you can tell what the colour looks like and how great it will look with the right setting,great job on the paint;)

[Bigrigger]

They're not THAT good!

No Kingbob, they are that good.:jaw::bounce::bounce::bounce:

These look simply phenomenal! This would be a brilliant paint job on a full-size car, let alone a 1:14 scale replica!:eek:

The excellence of your work continues...:cop::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[kingbob]

And i just discovered a new detail. Theres a small oval window in the lower part of the door. Have to ponder whether to add it.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/111.JPG

[LOUIE 379]

Bob,
i would add the window but if not, maybe even paint it on to look like it, just a thought , great job by the way

[kingbob]

Question for those who know more about the real things: does a Pete like the Optimus truck only have that oval window on the right hand door?

I cant find any pics of there being a window like that on the left.

[Espeefan]

Bob, those windows on the passenger side door (left hand drive here in the USA) are very common. They are used to check blind spots, when changing lanes. A lot of trucks have them. I'm not sure I've ever seen a truck that didn't have one. Most drivers seem to use the mirrors more then that window though. What they do use the window for, more often then not, is for stickers, or to stick a suction cup footed Garfield there. :D

[kingbob]

Yeah going over reference pics it does appear a few times on the right only. Surprisingly well hidden detail. Guess if its only the one, I better add it in!

[1985 kenworth]

yea bob they are only on the right for the blind spot as previously said .i drove a gmc general awhile back that had the window on the right and a vent door on the left,as for the kw's and the petes that window was there before someone decided to add the convex mirror's to the nose of the trucks for your blind spots.surprising my real 85 kenworth w900b does not have that window on the passenger door...its solid:)

[Radio Control Trucker]

The side window in the right-door is in most U.S. trucks. It was installed to help the driver watch his/her blind-spot. :)
It also makes for a wonderful easy-access panel when you lose your keys, to get into your truck (Don't ask). :eek: :eek: :lol:

It's not hard to install one for the replica. I've seen several done & they look really nice. :cool:

- RCT

[doodlebug]

The side window in the right-door is in most U.S. trucks. It was installed to help the driver watch his/her blind-spot. :)
It also makes for a wonderful easy-access panel when you lose your keys, to get into your truck (Don't ask). :eek: :eek: :lol:

It's not hard to install one for the replica. I've seen several done & they look really nice. :cool:

- RCT

Don't laugh, I had a truck last winter that would self lock the drivers door, screw driver to the rescue!
Cheers. Neil.

[kingbob]

Gave the rear fenders an initial protective gloss coat today, and got a couple of snaps in sunlight. Once the body is done, i'll give them all a proper equal gloss then polish and wax.

They're still hard to photograph to show the depth of colour properly.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/112.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/113.JPG

[kingbob]

Have masked up the blue flames on the front end, so will spray the exposed blue silver again ready for the orange-red fade. I've also added in a the window in the right door, but have glued in a small raised frame, so need to wait for that to dry for a bit before i can spray the front end.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/114.JPG

[Bigrigger]

Looking fantastic as usual, Bob! Loving this build, you are the master masker!:D

[kingbob]

Seriously, i AM cursed when it comes to painting this truck!

Just peeled the masking for the front end, and in several places its peeled the blue paint with it :(
I didnt have the problem with the fenders, so i know its not specific to the tape or blue paint i used. The only thing I can think that I did different was the silver undercoat. On the fenders i used a tamiya flat aluminium, but ran out, so used a tamiya chrome silver instead. Obviously one adhered better than the other.

In the worst spots, the blue has lifted almost like a latex, and taken some of the red/orange with it.

Now i need to work out how to fix it :(

Not happy :( :( :( :( :(

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/115.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/116.JPG

[Espeefan]

Dang Bob. I feel your pain. If it wasn't for that peeling, it would be perfect. Sorry to see such troubles painting. Unfortunately, I can't offer anything but my condolences. Some days things work out great, other days nothing works out. I had one of those days myself, Monday. Take a break, relax, and try again, once you've calmed yourself down. Persistence will be rewarded.

[kingbob]

Yeah i'm happy with the colouring (finally), just that !@#$%&^ peeling!

I think i'll have to sand down all the blue to primer and fill where necessary to remove the flame contours. Then respray the silver base, and red-orange fade.

The red/orange will need a clear sealant, and once thats cured, i'll re-mask the flames in negative, and spray the blue again as the top layer, so i dont have to apply any tape over it.

Running out of that red too, and its **** hard to get.

*sigh*

[tracksntreadslou]

Hang in there Bob .Im sure your efforts are all going to pay off someday soon ..Unbeleiveable how much patients it takes to build somethings like this from start to finish..i walked away from my builds a few times ..Between you and Dwayne these cool transformer trucks are Keeping us well entertained ..We need a LIKE button .lol
Are you using the newer water based colors ?..My buddy used used to do custom harleys and used House of Kolors ..expensive but awsome results

[Radio Control Trucker]

Don't worry Bob, just take a break (but don't break the truck :eek:) Then go back and see if you can sand and touch up. If not you could always repaint the whole cab, it's a pain in the @$$ but at least it would be just what you want. My mother always said that if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right! :)

You truck is fantastic. Don't let a small set back stop you from making it a masterpiece of the forum. :cool:

- RCT

[BRICKNICK]

Omg I feel like I'm gonna be sick, I can only imagine how long it took you to get that amazing result. Only to be ruined by the final step. Don't worry Bob, that's my luck too buddy. You'll get her done eventually. Just walk away take a break and kool off, or you wind up throwing things like me LOL. Your doing great man, keep at her.

[kingbob]

Yeah when I saw the blue lift up my heart just sunk. All that work shot to sh!t.
Its because of the silver, looking under the peeled blue, its silver. So the blue did adhere to the silver, but the silver has lifted from the primer.

It also means the same might happen to the red if I put tape over that. Need to see how much of it I can save, dont have enough red left to do it again.

[1985 kenworth]

keep at it bob you will get it sooner or later;)....not to be disrespectful because you are doing an awesome job so far but thats one of the reasons i left the paint on mine to my friend who is way better than me at it:o .it doesn't look complicated in pictures but it is and was even for my friend that did it.that would frustrate me to no end as many times you have had grief with the paint :(,like the others said ..step back take a breather and start again with a cooler head:D

[kingbob]

Yeah, I just need to keep calm, and avoid throwing the body at a wall! lol
I'm trying to do as much of it myself as possible, so i will get there!

I'm much more used to painting military models, its so much simpler to paint a dirty, faded, chipped, old paint job, than a smooth glossy one!

By comparison, this was easy!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/t34/9.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/t34/15.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/t34/14.JPG

[kingbob]

Right, lets try this again...

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/117.JPG

[1985 kenworth]

True bob but imperfections is easy to do .i do them all the time :o:D

[petermoblin]

Bummer you have to go through this:(. The rest of the truck is turning out great! I'm sure you'll be able to get her back on track;).

[Espeefan]

Bob, at least you can do multi-colored paint schemes. I can barely lay down a nice single colored scheme. Even when they turn out perfect, something stupid happens. Like a fly lands in it, or it tips over, while drying, and lands in some dirt!

That military model looks great. Your perseverance will prevail.

[Bigrigger]

Hey Bob, quick question, how do you sand/putty/primer, and what do you use to do it? (start/finish grits, different grits for layers, type of putty, type of primer, average amount of repeats).

[kingbob]

Hey Bob, quick question, how do you sand/putty/primer, and what do you use to do it? (start/finish grits, different grits for layers, type of putty, type of primer, average amount of repeats).

Putty i mostly use Tamiyas polyester putty. Has a hardener so hardens in no time at all, and easily sandable. Very smooth with no grain, applies like cream.

Primer i mostly use a grey acrylic primer filler from an auto parts store. Though i do use a Tamiya superfine white primer sometimes. It can be good to have colour contrasts so you can see where you've sanded too much.

Sanding is a mix. That sanded hood was with a 240 grit painters sandpaper since i had to cut through all the bad paint. Now that its primed, i'll go over it with 400, and probably 600 as well. I use wet and dry for 400 and up, but only use it dry. If i'm polishing aluminium i'll go to 1000, 1200, 1600, and 2000 grit, done wet.

I do go to 800 on putty/primer, but usually only before i'm about to paint, so it gives the smoother finish.

Number of times, basically just until its smooth. With the extended hood, to get the join smooth and invisible, i probably puttied/primed/sanded at least 4 layers. Probably way overkill, but i just do it till it looks right to me.

But dont take me as a guru or anything, i'm just making it up as i go along! lol

[kingbob]

Third times a charm!
I probably should have made the yellow/gold band a bit thicker, but oh well, too late now.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/118.JPG

[Bigrigger]

Paint looks great, and so does that window!:D MOAR!!!!

[kingbob]

I'll give it a protective clearcoat tonight, then make the masks for spraying the blue. The one for the roof of the cab is going to be a pain.

[kingbob]

I'm letting the clearcoat cure properly for a week or so before i do any masking over it. So in the meantime i decided to get some work on the trailer done since the styrene for the side panels came in.

Armed with drill press, grinder and shears, i got a fair chunk of it made. The top is a sheet of stainless steel, still has protective plastic on it, and will until its all painted/prepped/lit/etc. The real trailer has rounded front corners, so i cut and bent a sheet of aluminium to fit. I still need to cut and grind the front top corners to get a curve to match before I can attach it fully though.

The real trailer is a 53", so in scale its 1150mm long. (or about 46" for the metrically challenged).
I've now realised I dont have a shelf in my house anywhere thats long enough to display the truck with trailer hitched! lol

(flat bed trailer box for scale)
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/119.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/120.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/121.JPG

[BRICKNICK]

That trailer is really looking sweet, how tall should it be to be a scaled 13'6" and how tall are those plastic sheets you used for the side panels? Im thinking of converting my 53' flatbed to a reefer trailer.

[kingbob]

From what I worked out, in scale it should be about 294mm tall ground to top of the roof. But the actual box should be about 200mm tall, which is how i've tried to size it.

I redrilled the mounts for the axles/suspension to lower the trailer, ended up with about 10-15mm between the tyres and floor of the box i think. Probably some variation due to construction thicknesses, but its within a few mm i think. In scale it should look "about right" lol.

The styrene sheets are by Evergreen, 12" x 24", so theres 2 on each side, glued together in the middle so the pattern matches, and trimmed to size. Cost about $18US each i think. I did find some local stainless steel with a pretty similar pattern, but was going to cost me too much, like multiple hundreds. Wasnt worth it. I have some chrome adhesive vinyl on the way to cover the styrene.

[kingbob]

Made the rear bumper/lights for the trailer today. Its a llittle uneven, but it'll do the job. Still need to paint the styrene, and polish the ali though.

Thanks to Russ for the centre light plate.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/122.JPG
http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/123.JPG

[BRICKNICK]

The trailers looking awesome bob, nice Jon ....keep up this build.

[kingbob]

Got the rear of the trailer mounted up. Had to re-make the rear side uprights of the trailer frame too, turned out they werent even.

Have some of Lynns bezels for the lights, and waiting on some chrome vinyl wrap to cover the styrene side panels. I've worked out what i'm doing for the back doors, but am having trouble working out how to mount the trailer running lights along the frame to get the right look.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/124.JPG

[Radio Control Trucker]

Lookin' good Bob.

- RCT

[kingbob]

I had to remake the front panel of the trailer, the previous one was 5mm too short.

I think my method of construction is: measure once, cut, test fit, swear, measure again, trim a bit, test again, swear some more, throw it out, cut a new piece, test yet again, swear profoundly, measure again, hack it a bit, whack it on, yell good enough!

I also ground down the front corners of the frame to round it for the front panel to fit. God bless the Dremel!

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/125.JPG

Not done up completely yet, have to dismantle the whole trailer for painting and chrome adhesive on the styrene. Also going to add a painted strip of styrene (or maybe ali) along the top and bottom of the front panel. Have a reefer unit on the way, so will mount when it arrives.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/126.JPG

[kingbob]

So i'm working on how to do the back doors, they have a quilted pattern which is difficult to replicate.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/128.JPG

I had a spare bit of thin aluminium, so i tried putting a cross set of bends in it for the quilted pattern. Not really sure if it works or not. I could probably do a better bending job, but getting the crossed folds tends to flatten it a bit.

Thoughts?

http://members.iinet.net.au/~canison/prime/127.JPG

[Espeefan]

Bob, that actually looks really good, despite loosing some of the pleats. Hmmm, I wonder how an aluminum sheet would look if you started with a little thicker piece and actually scribed the pleat folds into it. It may not look as 3D and soft, but it would hold the lines better and be more durable.

The other idea I have, though extremely labor intensive, is to find some wire mesh screen the right size and with the right pattern. Then burnish a piece of aluminum foil over the top of it, getting it snuggled down in between the mesh on a solid flat surface. Then, if you separated the mesh from the foil, and flipped the foil over, you could glue it to the door, but it would be very fragile. Just an idea.

[bigdogrod]

evergreen styrene has some sidewalk or square tile pattern sheets that might work, it would be a pain to get them chrome, but it's a start. maybe paul's chrome could do something with them.

edit: even better:

decorative stainless steel sheets , pattern might be a bit big, but i think they do custom orders.

http://www.quickshipmetals.com/decorative-sheet-metal/decorative-stainless-steel/decorative-stainless-steel.html

http://www.quickshipmetals.com/quickshipmetals_decorative-stainless-group1.jpg



here's another place:

https://www.stainlesssupply.com/order-metal-online/index.php

[Radio Control Trucker]

Bob, if you're using real aluminum doors, you could use an engraving tool to etch the pattern into the doors and then have the doors chrome dipped. It's a thought.

http://image.lowridermagazine.com/f/features/1103_lrmp_david_renteria_master_engraver/30122039/1103_lrmp_15_o%2Bdavid_renteria_master_engraver%2B engraving.jpg

- RCT

[kingbob]

Ive seen the square pattern styrene, and thats my fallback if I cant make anything else. I may get a better result by using a thicker piece of aluminium, the one I did above is super thin 0.1mm. A thicker piece may hold the pattern better. I have some 0.2 and some 0.4, so might at least try it.

That stainless above has a 3" pattern so is way too big, but embossing it over wire mesh might work.

[kingbob]

Its not a layer issue though, just one of pattern.

[kingbob]

Ahh, right, sorry didnt get what you meant. The Ali I used was 0.1mm, so almost like foil anyway. Im going to try it on a slightly thicker piece and see if it holds better.

Also just found some nice little 1.8mm LEDs for the trailer lights. Should be able to just have the round tip showing through on the outside.
http://www.ledsales.com.au/catalog/images/1.8mmleds.jpg

[Radio Control Trucker]

Nice find :eek: :eek:

- RCT

[kingbob]

Not bad for 25c each!

[Radio Control Trucker]

Where did you get them from?

I know of a couple places (maybe), but not sure of prices.

- RCT

[kingbob]

From an aussie shop online. Www.ledsales.com.au

They do some nice electroluminescent wire too, might have to think of a project to use some on.

[bowtiebuba350]

I love this build