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!

[BK9300]

Bringing some things back to the bench in the next few days, to give them their final once over.  Did some finish detailing on the front plow, got all excited, took some pics and then spotted one more little item to do.  For another day, cause it's not happening today!

 

Back to finish off the flags on the top ends of the moldboard -

 

I wasn't sure about the first test flag I made - thought it a bit 'stiff'.  But, in going back over some pics, it's clear that the plastic these flags are made of in real life is stiff - they don't actually drape -  to withstand flapping about at the front of the trucks.  Also took note of the ties that helped hold the flags on their thin masts -

 

Got the flags glued in place, using a short section of hose to connect the 0.5mm pins 'welded' to the plow with the flag masts -

 

Plow's unit number decal in place, too -

 

Manufacturer's decal in place, too -

 

A better flag detail shot -

 

Thought I was finished, but saw in this pic that I still need to make the replaceable plow nose (?) piece that bolts on where the red arrow is.  Also got the two plow shoes bolted place

 

Pretty sure I can finish that nose piece addition tomorrow!

Edited 23 hours ago by BK9300

[Biggu]

The nose piece is called a ‘frog’ old school term or now referred to as a ‘corner bit’ and bolts on with one bolt on the leading edge and two bolts on the plow side panel. Supposed to help the blade from hooking bridge abutments, expansion plates and rail road tracks. 

Edited 22 hours ago by Biggu

[BK9300]

2 minutes ago, Biggu said:

The nose piece is called a ‘frog’ 

Thanks, Jeff - knew there was a proper name for it!

[Biggu]

You’re welcome Brian. It is an odd shaped thing but a vital part of the plow cutting edge and its safe operation. It wears down with the cutting edge and shoes so when there is a blade change needed all those pieces need replacing. 

[Pete68]

That very first pic Brian I thought you took a pic of a real truck this build is very convincing going have to keep my eye on you 😂 

[Straightliner59]

3 hours ago, Pete68 said:

That very first pic Brian I thought you took a pic of a real truck this build is very convincing going have to keep my eye on you 😂 

I was about to say the same thing, pretty much! That plow looks like a real one, sitting on a warehouse floor. Beautiful!

[Scott Eriksen]

You're a wildman Brian! Topnotch stuff! 

[Gary Chastain]

Thanks for the chrome info, SMS chrome I am not aware of. Very helpful and aligns with what I have experienced. 

[BK9300]

19 hours ago, Pete68 said:

That very first pic Brian I thought you took a pic of a real truck this build is very convincing going have to keep my eye on you 😂 

Thanks, Lee - pretty sure I couldn't slip anything past you when it comes to trucks!

 

16 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

I was about to say the same thing, pretty much! That plow looks like a real one, sitting on a warehouse floor. Beautiful!

I appreciate that, Daniel!  Sometimes I wish I had been brave enough to add in some rusted bits.  This was a new truck with a new underbody, but no front plow assigned to it yet, and apart from the few new ones lined up, ready to go, the used ones had lots of salt/rust damage to the paint.

 

5 hours ago, Scott Eriksen said:

You're a wildman Brian! Topnotch stuff! 

Thanks, Scott - from way back, you still have me trying to figure out how to fit in that mechanic with his laptop plugged into the dash module!

 

4 hours ago, Gary Chastain said:

Thanks for the chrome info, SMS chrome I am not aware of. Very helpful and aligns with what I have experienced. 

The full product name is SMS Hyperchrome - Cold Tone and its air brush ready - no thinning needed.  FusionFirm Liquid Chrome can be brush applied to smaller items, but I didn't try the SMS with a brush yet.

Edited 2 hours ago by BK9300

[BK9300]

19 hours ago, Biggu said:

It is an odd shaped thing ...

I might be in a bit of a bind to add in the Frog - didn't pay close enough attention, way back, and might not have enough room between end of blade and edge of moldboard.  Still going to try, but it won't fit well!

 

I also sloped the end of my moldboard too much, so the frog may need to sit a bit higher on mine

 

 

[Straightliner59]

2 hours ago, BK9300 said:

This was a new truck with a new underbody

They all start out, that way! I've driven a few new trucks, over the years. For a few days, everything looks clean and shiny. I can imagine a plow would start showing wear almost immediately, but, they do look good, when they're still spiffy! This is a real beauty, my friend.