Italeri Freightliner FLC

[gautreau]

Hi everyone,

I just recieved the new freightliner yesterday for x-mas from my wife.I noticed the the cab is in 5 pieces.Am I able to assemble the cab and paint it or do I have to paint each panel separately and then assemle the cab?If any one can shed some light on this subject I would deeply appreciate it.

Thanx in advance,

Jeremy

Edited December 27, 2010 by gautreau

[truckman1981]

Hi Jeremy,

I usually build the cabs and sleepers then paint that way you have less of a chance of wrecking your paint job with a glue accident.

I hope this helps.

Hi everyone,

I just recieved the new freightliner yesterday for x-mas from my wife.I noticed the the cab is in 5 pieces.Am I able to assemble the cab and paint it or do I have to paint each panel separately and then assemle the cab?If any one can shed some light on this subject I would deeply appreciate it.

Thanx in advance,

Jeremy

[Harry P.]

If you can build up the cab beforehand and still manage to fit the interior, you should build it and then paint it as a unit. You'll have to take a look at the instructions to see if building up the cab will cause any problems later on in the assembly process.

[gautreau]

Thanx fellas I appreciate the info.In the instructions it says to assmble the interior and cab all in one step.Hopefully I'll be able to assemble,paint the cab and then install the interior without any mishaps.

[highway]

If you can build up the cab beforehand and still manage to fit the interior, you should build it and then paint it as a unit.

Harry is exactly right, and since this sounds as if it is your first Italeri truck kit, all the Italeri trucks are this way. I have been working on this Italeri Ford, it's cab is also five pieces, and I assembled it prior to painting.

If you want to check out the whole build so far, check it out here:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28849

One suggestion I use to make sure the cab is built properly and not out of shape, use the interior floor like a "square". While the glue is still workable, slide the floor in position to make sure the parts are in proper alignment, just be careful not to get any glue on the floor while doing this, though, you'll accidentally glue the floor in place before you want it in!

[gautreau]

Thanx for the info and the tip of using the floor as a square.Now I have another question.What is the best type of glue to use to assemble the cab?

[highway]

Thanx for the info and the tip of using the floor as a square.Now I have another question.What is the best type of glue to use to assemble the cab?

When I built the Ford cab in my pic, used Amroid ProWeld (very similar to Tenax7), but I also use Testors Model Master Liquid Cement (the black squarish bottle) quite often. That way, I can sort of "tack weld" the cab pieces to make sure them align properly without accidently gluing the floor in place, but with the capillary action the liquids have, I can reinforce the joints after the "tacks" set up. Also, I usually start with gluing one side and back wall to the roof first, then adding the other side and finishing with the windshield frame. This combined with using the floor as a square should give you a nice straight cab.

[Ben]

On most of the Italeri and Revell, multi piece cabs, you can assemble that cab before you install the interior. Look at the side and rear wall pieces before you assemble them. On the inside of each piece, at the bottom, you will see a flat area where the edge of the floor will rest, once in place. If there are any large tabs that will end up under the floor, you may want to cut these off before hand so that they don't get in the way when your trying to install the interior later. I forget if the Freightliner cab has them but they sometimes put a plastic "tab" for the floor to rest on.

If anything on the instructions is a little confusing, don't be afraid to ask a question here. There's a ton of very knowledgeable truck guys here that love to help! That kit is not cheap, you want to build it right!

Edited December 27, 2010 by Ben

[mackinac359]

I assemble the cab leaving the floor out (unless I am going to paint the roof a different color,then I install the floor leaving the roof off). I then install the glass, and interior from the bottom (or through the top if I leave the roof off).

Tim

[GeeBee]

I built this model a few years ago, before Italeri re-released it, the cab can be built and the floor inserted afterwards, can't recall having any major problems doing it this way.

[gautreau]

Thanx for all the info and suggestions fellas.I will try and remember it all when it comes time for me to start this build.