AMT ‘53 Ford

[BeakDoc]

Started this kit thinking it would get me all the way thru summer, but as it turned out, it was quite an easy build. I wanted to make it as stock as possible. I added a real walnut bed, plug wires and kept the grille chrome (I felt like it needed just a little “pop”) and used the California mirrors because I like the way they look on older trucks. I also used medical tape on the seat to simulate cloth. The paint is Model Masters Big Bad Blue with Wimbleton White accents and Testor’s semi-gloss clear. Thanks for looking!

Edited June 17, 2018 by BeakDoc

[MrObsessive]

A classic kit that's simply timeless! Very clean and excellent build!

You used Oak for the floors............where did you get that and did you section it or put it on as whole sheet? Looks very convincing!

[espo]

Great looking little pick up. They usually only looked that good on the day they were delivered.  

[BeakDoc]

2 hours ago, MrObsessive said:

A classic kit that's simply timeless! Very clean and excellent build!

You used Oak for the floors............where did you get that and did you section it or put it on as whole sheet? Looks very convincing!

Thanks.

Let me apologize. The wood I used was actually walnut with an oak stain applied to it. I ordered a bed kit online but didn’t like the wood that was included. Fortunately, I stumbled across the walnut at Hobby Town USA. It had much more pronounced grain than the bass wood in the bed kit. 

I considered sectioning it then decided that that was beyond my skill level so I did some math and laid out where to glue down the rails after I gave it 4 good coats of semi-transparent stain/wash. After the rails were in place I gave it 6 good coats of gloss polycrylic, sanding with 4000 grit between the last three coats and wet sanding after the last. Then I glued it down to the existing bed with a 5 minute epoxy. The underside  is a tri-color dry brushing technique to simulate wood grain on the polystyrene.

 

[MrObsessive]

Very good technique! I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever decide to build one of those again. One of our LHS's is associated with Hobbytown USA. Next time I'm in there, I'll have to check that wood type out.

[NOBLNG]

Nice clean build, like it! looks like the tailgate operates too?

[DumpyDan]

Looks real good.

[ATHU]

Very nice!!

[christian-w]

Man, I built some of this model kit because I like this "little" F100 most. I wish, I'd had one. The first thing I noticed is that your Ford sits good on it's wheels. I often had issues with the all-wheel-touch on the ground. Sometimes it was good as long the chassis wasn't put under the body. Then one wheel lost ground  You did a good job on that! The mirrors are the right choice for it. It is a truck . What you've done with the bed is awesome! This looks very fantastic.

There are two things I'd like to mention: the paint doesn't look as smooth as a new car. But I like it as is. It fits perfect to the F100. For me, a shiny F100 is only a tuned one or show car. The second thing is just a tiny detail. For a closer look on the rims you can see the white plastic by cutting out of the tree. It's easy to paint it by with a brush  ...like some scratches on the rear of the cabin  Not dramatically. Just a hint.

[Tom Geiger]

Very nice build on one of my favorite old kits!

[dimaxion]

Kudos and a Bed Floor Technique I will use on my F-100 Buids .. Thanx .. 

[BeakDoc]

4 hours ago, christian-w said:

Man, I built some of this model kit because I like this "little" F100 most. I wish, I'd had one. The first thing I noticed is that your Ford sits good on it's wheels. I often had issues with the all-wheel-touch on the ground. Sometimes it was good as long the chassis wasn't put under the body. Then one wheel lost ground  You did a good job on that! The mirrors are the right choice for it. It is a truck . What you've done with the bed is awesome! This looks very fantastic.

There are two things I'd like to mention: the paint doesn't look as smooth as a new car. But I like it as is. It fits perfect to the F100. For me, a shiny F100 is only a tuned one or show car. The second thing is just a tiny detail. For a closer look on the rims you can see the white plastic by cutting out of the tree. It's easy to paint it by with a brush  ...like some scratches on the rear of the cabin  Not dramatically. Just a hint.

You are absolutely right about the spots on the wheels. Normally I would cut them from the sprues before painting. I took a short-cut and regret it. After I cut them from the sprue upon drying, I realized I had nary a drop of Big Bad Blue with which to touch up the bare spots. 

I used a semi-gloss clear because I wasn’t trying to build a show truck. We share the same theory there, my friend. As for choosing not to wet sand it out, I make no excuses, that was pure laziness on my part. Something I also regret.

I always appreciate constructive tips, pointers and criticism, Christian. How else will we grow or continue to improve our builds? Thank you for taking the time to do so. ?

[christian-w]

Thank you for your understanding! You've pointed it out: how else will we continue our improvement? As I wrote: your semi-gloss clear is quite right for the appearance. I think I have to gather my F100 for a group picture together. There is none with a highly glossy clear coat as I remember. Maybe, when the Foose-F100 is built.

[christian-w]

...and the Ford batch on the hood is really really nice painted! I never managed this

 

[ChrisR]

Nice!

[gilsdropshop1]

Well done!

[Breezy]

this looks great. working on one now going to do the same bed liner now from seeing this. 

[mustang1989]

Really clean build Chris. Gotta love those old F-100's man.

[slusher]

Super nice F100!

[scalepeter]

Nice build. Well done.    I like the chains on the tailgate.

[Chromecop]

Very nice little truck! I also like the "semigloss" paint as the "wetlook" clear works better on showcars!