Western Star 4900 FA plow truck

[BK9300]

Slow progress, but still making my forward bit by bit.  More work done on the work and back up lights and got them finished today!

 

Got the two amber work lights mounted on the hydraulic filter -

 

The two, step mounted back up lights are ready to glue in place.  Added a couple grommets to attach the wire runs under the step boxes -

 

Backup lights and grommets glued in place

 

 

Wasn't till I looked at this pic that I realized I'm likely going to have to pull the wires for the lights back down under, so I can get the cab in place.  Then some effort will be needed to see if I can get the wires to feed where they need to go into the bottom of the cab -

 

Also got the charge air piping painted and glued into place -

I wanted to do some painting today, but couldn't the temp/humidity right in the shed, even with the heater.  Maybe tomorrow!

Edited Wednesday at 12:41 AM by BK9300

[BK9300]

Finally screwed up enough will to paint the door handle on the driver's side of cab.  I have mixed feelings about the result, but the 'chroming' has at least started and I hope to get a bunch more stuff painted this week.

 

Did a test mask and paint on another Italeri, WS cab door handle.  Goal was to not let paint touch tape and have it wick where I didn't want it!  Went with FusionFirm, Liquid Chrome, as it goes on easy with a brush and flows nicely, if you don't work it too much -

Was able to remove the masking tape almost right away -

Same process on actual cab - 

 

Here's where the mixed feelings come about - really like the shine and reflectivity, but, even braced, the bit of tremor in my hands managed to drift the brush tip against the tape in a couple spots and paint flowed into the crevice around the handle.  The backup plan for that has always been to use a very fine tip brush, and flow in some enamel or acrylic, black panel wash into the crevice around the handle.  I'm hoping I can clean up any stray panel wash way easier than trying to get chrome out of the crevice.  Hard to notice when cab just sitting there, and light not shining right on it, but the pictures always tell all!

 

The Liquid Chrome didn't like being sprayed over Tamiya clear on the test panel, but seemed to dry well enough on the test hood, which wasn't cleared and that's why I'm using it on the door handles.  I still would like a more durable chrome for the parts I need to handle while gluing them in place, so need to decide which other paint to use, and soon.  If the Liquid Chrome on the handle sets up well enough, in a week's time, then I can do the other handle, let it cure and get the cab set in place - that will be a big milestone, for sure!

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 09:12 PM by BK9300

[gotnitro?]

Epic journey! 

[BK9300]

12 hours ago, gotnitro? said:

Epic journey! 

Thanks, Jeff!

[BK9300]

So, after this post, I promise not to do any more dull stuff about what chrome paint I'm going use!  Did another test spray of SMS Hyperchrome, Cold Tone, FusionFirm Liquid Chrome and Alclad Chrome.  The Liquid Chrome edges out the SMS - but only by a little bit - for brightness and reflectivity.  However, it takes quite a long time to set, and even then is a bit susceptible to marking when handled.  The SMS chrome is a lacquer, dries very quickly, and is very durable.  The Alclad, also lacquer, dried very quickly as well, but was not anywhere near as bright as either of the other two.  Still produced a very nice metal look, perhaps for a different use down the road.  Hard to get my iPad to take decent pics of the chrome, but both brands look good in the pics (didn't do a pic of the Alclad) -

 

Top row of wheel parts was painted with Liquid Chrome - needs to cure for at least 72 hours;  bottom row was painted with SMS Hyperchrome and was dry to the touch an hour after painting -

 

A bit better pic of brightness, from this angle - Liquid Chrome on the right; SMS on the left -

 

If the Liquid Chrome 'touch test' is still iffy after 72 hours, I will just go with the SMS, because it dries hard to the touch, and the parts will need a bit of handling to get them glued into place.  In any event, no more babble about chrome paint!