Big Oly Bronco Racer WIP

[coopdad]

Again, thank you everyone for the kind words.

A little update... I sanded the damaged body panel down and resprayed both colors. It turned out much better than the other BUT the blue painter's tape left its glue on the white. I am going to run a few tests of what can remove it without messing up the paint. Alcohol or Finger nail polish are the first to try. If anyone knows something else to try, let me know.

John

[Jim Gibbons]

Again, thank you everyone for the kind words.

A little update... I sanded the damaged body panel down and resprayed both colors. It turned out much better than the other BUT the blue painter's tape left its glue on the white. I am going to run a few tests of what can remove it without messing up the paint. Alcohol or Finger nail polish are the first to try. If anyone knows something else to try, let me know.

John

This is an offbeat idea, and you would have to test it on a scrap painted piece of the same type paint. I use medical adhesive removal pads to remove the residue from the cloth bandage part of my ostomy rig. (Yup, I get to "go" in a bag hanging from my side!) The reason to test it is these pads are basically a petroleum distillate on a "cloth" pad. They're very effective, but might remove paint. They don't seem to irritate my skin, so may be a bit milder than "GooGone" (which I DO use when I run out of pads!) The problem is they're pricey; I pay $19 for a box of 50. If you know someone who works in a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office, you might ask them to get you a few. GooGone is an option, but seems to be a bit stronger. Both do leave a slightly oily residue after use which I remove with hand sanitizer, but any alcohol would do. Again, TEST IT FIRST, and if it works, make sure all residue is gone, than maybe test shoot some clear to make sure there is no absorption of the stuff into the paint which might cause problems. Just a brainstorm which may prove to be a bad idea!

[Romell R]

Hey John just wanted to inform you of this product I read about in the June 2010 issue of SAM I hope this will help they didnt put up a web address but I figure you can goggle it and find out where to buy it. Opps after re-reading the ad I found the web address heres the info: All American Industries L.L.C

4524 Enterprize Place

Oaklahoma City Ok. 73128

(405)942-5544 www.vonprough.com Have a great day and I hope it all works out for you Romell

Edited July 28, 2010 by Aftashox

[Peter Lombardo]

Wow...I am very impressed. What a great job of model construction using a variety of techniques. This is a great looking build. P.S. back in the day when I was out west, Oly was the only beer I drank. Seeing the logo's sure brings back great memories.

[Alyn]

Love your work, John, so I'm enjoying every bit of this one!

I've had good luck with WD-40 for removing gummy glue without damaging whats underneath. As mentioned by someone else, test first.

[coopdad]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I tried alcohol, I guess it worked pretty decent (good enough to allow clear coating).

A quick photo update...

Got it clean, put on decals and cleared the whole thing.

That light at the end of the tunnel is starting to get a little closer. Looking more like a truck and less like a pile of styrene (I will be glad when this is done).

John

[Romell R]

OUTSTANDING!!!!! I love it bro its coming together really nice, better than nice cant wait to see it all together. Glad to see I didnt have to come get you off your backside this time LOL!

[Art Laski]

I've been following along and really love this WIP. Thanks for sharing, John. I remember seeing this Bronco in Parnelli's shop when I was a kid back then. Really awesome job.

Art Laski

[made007]

that decals came like that or did you make them?

[mhadman]

This is one of those builds that is so good,that people who do not know it,will think it came out of a kit that way...

REALLY,and seriously GREAT work...This one belongs in an off road racing museum...

[Jim Gibbons]

This is one of those builds that is so good,that people who do not know it,will think it came out of a kit that way...

REALLY,and seriously GREAT work...This one belongs in an off road racing museum...

Agreed!

[coopdad]

Again, thank you for the kind words... it really means a lot!

Jose, the decals were made using a software called Illustrator. I searched and searched old photos of the truck for referance then searched some more for photos of the 1:1 decals that I could use as patterns to remake them. The "horseshoe" logo on the side was the hardest to find but ultimately I found it on an old beer can.

Of course, they were then printed out on decal paper using an inkjet printer.

As always, if you have any questions about anything I have done, please ask.

John

[djway3474]

First time I have seen this thread and I must say WOW! One of my favorite cars growing up out in the deset manning one pit after another. I was lucky enough to go to Parnellies shop several times and hang out with him and Mickey. They had the drawing for start positions at his place once and Mickey took me all around and showed me all the little things they were fabricating.

One time this car was crossing the dry lake coming into Jean NV and the sun was glinting off the wing. Guessing fully wound out the thing was doing well over 130 and the dirt trail behind was amazing, looked like a ball of flame spewing a long smoke trail. I got to see it many more times from Vegas to Mexico. Good times! Again Great work!

[made007]

Again, thank you for the kind words... it really means a lot!

Jose, the decals were made using a software called Illustrator. I searched and searched old photos of the truck for referance then searched some more for photos of the 1:1 decals that I could use as patterns to remake them. The "horseshoe" logo on the side was the hardest to find but ultimately I found it on an old beer can.

Of course, they were then printed out on decal paper using an inkjet printer.

As always, if you have any questions about anything I have done, please ask.

John

thank you

[SteveB]

New member here: I happened across this site accidentally, and I'm quite impressed with this amazing build! I've been away from modeling for too many years, and am suddenly feeling the urge to return to this hobby. The level of craftsmanship and creativity on this particular build is truly inspiring! I've look around this forum some, and you guys are a very talented and creative bunch.

Besides being an old modeler, I'm also a professional graphic artist and a 1:1 Bronco owner/enthusiast. I have a 77 Bronco that I have set up for hard-core rockcrawling. It's not pretty, but pretty capable.

I've seen the full size "Big Oly" in person, and like the others in this post, would love to build a kit vintage Bronco. Out of curiosity, what is involved in petitioning a manufacturer to tool up a new kit? I know a guy in town with a concours restored 66 Bronco roadster that would make a great photo subject...

Can't wait to see more photos on this build. Keep up the great work!

Now where'd I store that big box of old model parts...

[coopdad]

Steve, sounds like we are brothers... both own Broncos, both graphic guys, both NEED a Bronco kit.

There has been many threads in the past but nothing really comes of it. I was really hoping that Tamiya would be coming out with one since they were spotted at Fab Fords a few years ago going over an EB. But sadly the measurements they took were for a RC body not plastic kit. Hey keep your fingers crossed, they have all they need to do it if they just will.

A couple more photos of the progress of Oly...

As always, any questions, PLEASE ask.

John

[Eric Stone]

As always, any questions, PLEASE ask.

Just one: Can I have it when you're done?

[Romell R]

Ok John I think i know what youre doing here youve sourced real build pics if the actual truck and youve photoshoped them to look like its on your desk.....im on you you LOL! great job bro cant wait to see it all buttoned up!

Edited August 24, 2010 by Aftashox

[BigEdsGarage]

John, this build is truly incredible! The level of accuracy and scale representation of the real truck is simply stunning.

BTW, I believe I have a 1969? Hot Rod Magazine annual yearbook that has a feature article on Big Oly from one of the off road races. I would be happy to take a look if you need any more reference items, but I do know it is all black & white.

I do have a question (well, a bunch actually) about your decals though. When printing them, what paper did you use and how did you get the white background/outlines for some of the smaller ones such as the Castrol decal, etc.? Basically all the smaller ones over the gold paint.

Were these printed on an ALPS printer or did you use a similar sized piece of white decal paper behind the colors as a background for the decals to be placed over?

I have been working on some decal designs myself but find I am very limited to color choices because I have no way of printing white.

Also, do you save and print your work as an eps file format? Also, CMYK color I assume?

[coopdad]

John, this build is truly incredible! The level of accuracy and scale representation of the real truck is simply stunning.

BTW, I believe I have a 1969? Hot Rod Magazine annual yearbook that has a feature article on Big Oly from one of the off road races. I would be happy to take a look if you need any more reference items, but I do know it is all black & white.

I do have a question (well, a bunch actually) about your decals though. When printing them, what paper did you use and how did you get the white background/outlines for some of the smaller ones such as the Castrol decal, etc.? Basically all the smaller ones over the gold paint.

Were these printed on an ALPS printer or did you use a similar sized piece of white decal paper behind the colors as a background for the decals to be placed over?

I have been working on some decal designs myself but find I am very limited to color choices because I have no way of printing white.

Also, do you save and print your work as an eps file format? Also, CMYK color I assume?

Thanks Ed for the offer. I might take you up on it.

Yes, those decals were a challenge. For those decals with the white outline I built them then put them on a gold background. After printing (on white paper) I carefully cut out the decal up the to gold edge. For instance the "Big Oly" on this wing, the gold will be cut away leaving the black outline with white paper inside. The reason for putting on the gold is if I don't get exactly to the black edge a little gold will show... and being on gold paint it won't show too much.

Works great with simple decals like the circle of Castrol but very tough for "Big Oly".

Like I said, white paper...on an ink jet printer. But I did print the whole set again on clear paper for the decals on the white areas.

And yes built as eps files saved out as pdf (since my printer likes pdf more than eps). CMYK. Be careful to check all your blacks for CMYK and 0% C, 0% M, 0% Y, 100% black rather than rich blacks or RBG blacks. Anything more than 100% black will show registration issues of you printer. I learned that the hard way with my last build.

Hope this explains it. Let me know if I didn't... it is getting late.

John

[Alyn]

Very handy info on the decals. Thanks for sharing.

The chassis shots are drop dead georgous. This one's going to give your white Bronco a run for the money. Both are great builds. You really have this figured out.

Edited August 26, 2010 by Alyn

[BigEdsGarage]

Awesome info about the decal process, thanks John!

You've given me new hope for my project...LOL

[SteveB]

You know, John... I'm finding myself spending more time examining your photos than I spent lookin' over the real truck that one time I had the chance! I have to compliment your photo skills, too. That makes a big difference at this scale.

I especially like the way you handle paint finishes. Flats, semi-gloss, metallics. That goes a long way toward a convincing replica.

Question about decals: Do you have a preferred decal manufacturer? I've only made custom decals twice, and got different brands each time. One was noticeably more opaque than the other over darker body colors. I remember one being Testors, but I didn't notice the opacity issue until I have disposed of all the left overs; so I couldn't tell which was which.

Also, being new around here, I've got to ask if you're scratch building most everything we're seeing in these photos? I mean those coolers and radiator in the front of the chassis are unreal! I'm curious if you're able to pull parts from other kits, or if you're building most of your components as you go.

Great work!

[coopdad]

You know, John... I'm finding myself spending more time examining your photos than I spent lookin' over the real truck that one time I had the chance! I have to compliment your photo skills, too. That makes a big difference at this scale.

I especially like the way you handle paint finishes. Flats, semi-gloss, metallics. That goes a long way toward a convincing replica.

Question about decals: Do you have a preferred decal manufacturer? I've only made custom decals twice, and got different brands each time. One was noticeably more opaque than the other over darker body colors. I remember one being Testors, but I didn't notice the opacity issue until I have disposed of all the left overs; so I couldn't tell which was which.

Also, being new around here, I've got to ask if you're scratch building most everything we're seeing in these photos? I mean those coolers and radiator in the front of the chassis are unreal! I'm curious if you're able to pull parts from other kits, or if you're building most of your components as you go.

Great work!

Thanks much for the kind words Steve.

Yes, most parts I did have to make. The only things I did not make are sprinkled around the model: most everything on engine/tranny is either from other kits, front I beams, fuel filler "thingys". Other stuff I sorta made (modified then cast) were the seats, rear pumpkin, wheels and body panels/hood. The radiators were all made from pieces of old radiators from my parts box. I cut out the center part and made new sides to make it the correct size or shape. Everything is just styrene rod or sheet. Hit the link in my signature to see more detailed photos.

Decal paper... from the papers I have found I believe most, if not all, all use the same paper. Micro Mark and Testors both have the same text in the same font in the same color on the back. And I did not notice a difference in opacity. I did notice that the larger decals I printed on white did crack some. Not sure if it was the clear coat spray I used (not thick enough) but it was like the paper expanded. The clear paper did not do it.

John

Edited November 6, 2010 by coopdad

[steamboy]

FYI John-

I finally got a letter out to you today...with some "goodies" in it!

I sent it to your work PO address...hope that was best.

-Clint