SCM Australian trucks groupbuild

Tom ...
Bozzer, if you name the album "SCM Australian Trucks Groupbuild" it'll show up on the event page: SCM Australian Trucks Groupbuild (15. Februari tot 31. Juli, Moranbah AU)

Bozzer
Cheers buddy, will do 👍

Bozzer
Ok fellas, pictures #3,4,5 & 6 show the correct holes to open up. Obviously, this is just a mock up.

Danny Meer
Lol...the last photo I thought it was a resin part 😄 It's still early, almost awake 😛

Danny Meer
Changed my album name, forgot the SCM letters 😛

Martin Oostrom
I'm very jealous Of your pristine dechromed parts Bozzer. Mine are still murky after multiple soaks in oven cleaner.

Tom ...
Me too, Martin. I'm very jealous!

Bozzer
Brake fluid and bleach lads. I wouldn't steer you wrong and I always try it myself, before opening my mouth. These kits ain't cheap, so I wouldn't dream of spoiling your fun.

Chris Greathouse
I can't find the brake fluid conversation. Does it matter what DOT you use?

Nathan Dempsey
Nice Bozzer 🙂 I'm finding these Italeri instructions to be tricky.

Munkyslut
Chris; DOT 4 & DOT 5.1 are glycol based & DOT 5 is silicone based.
I would actually go for DOT 3 fluid cos you're hardly worried about brake performance & fluid temps you just want to see corrosion 😉
ALWAYS test on something you can bin when it alll goes tits up, I am not a doctor so don't trust me..... ever 😄

Bozzer
Chris, it's in either Tim's or Nathan's thread. It's really easy to follow buddy.

Martin Oostrom
I need to post what happened with my chrome sprue adventures. Will do it later 2day

Chris Greathouse
Thanks for the hole guide on the rails 🙂

Bozzer
Lads, my cab has been a dog! The fit between the front and both side panels, is nothing more than crap! I'm glad I assemble before painting, otherwise I'd have to start again. Sleeper seems to go together flawless. Gonna check the hood-cab fit tomorrow. Still yet to get the cab roof on, but that's the least of my worries.

Martin Oostrom
At least I have two cabs 😉 One should be okay?
No pictures?

Bozzer
I'll get some pictures on later buddy 👍

Bozzer
Pictures 8 thru 11 show the gap issue. I had the back perfect, but the front had a huge gap. I had to fit the top corner of the front of the cab, allow to dry, then work down, to the heater grill area, after that, I then filed very carefully, the front top lip of the cab roof., Testing after every 30 seconds or so.

Bozzer
As soon as I get the steering wheel and the other door glass fitted, I'll lid up the cab and show you guys the final result. I also need to check out the holes in the cab roof, before I even consider painting. Again, I'll get pictures and update this thread.

Martin Oostrom
Holy moly! Mind the gap!
Nice tutorial Bozzer. That office looks nice as well. Years ahead there mate 👍

Nathan Dempsey
Nice update Bozzer. I can see this part is going to be like the rest. Test fit, then force it together with super glue and kicker 😄

Bozzer
Ok gents, I managed to get everything together. Yeah, that gap is still slightly there. I'm gonna try and fill it, when the glue has fully cured. There's light at the end of the tunnel though chaps. First of all though, I found on mine, the rear wall goes slightly in, in the middle. There's supposed to be a lip, all the way around the rear of the roof. I guess it's a kind of gutter? Anyway, just adjust your rear wall slightly, I pinned mine with a clothes peg, until the glue dried. That light I mentioned, at the end of the tunnel? Well, I've dry fitted the hood, cab and sleeper, and they go together beautifully! Don't fit the bar on the bottom of the cab or the chequer plate on the back of the sleeper, until you are ready for mounting everything. That way, it gives you a slight adjustment, if you need any. I really appreciate your comments and I hope this helps you guys. Now I just need to get some paint on the bugger and finish off my chassis. Thanks guys.

Martin Oostrom
Looking good Bozzer!

Bill Newcomer
Nice work Bozzer. It is a shame the cab gave you so much trouble.

Bozzer
To be honest lads, it wasn't so much trouble, it's more of a time thing. I know how long I can do things, so when something like this turns up, it kinda throws me out of whack. I also have another build I'm working on, so I kinda jump between the both. On the other one, I'm struggling with the white paint. I'll get some hours in, over the weekend and get back on track. The joys of full time employment! I also have about 4wks before I go stateside, so I wanted to get finished before then, on both builds.

Martin Oostrom
Bozzer, I'd like to have a word with you. As you know I had serious issues dechroming my parts. You made me believe that subsequent baths of brake fluid > Bleach > Brake fluid would clean all parts. So I spent another €45 on a new kit, some more €€ on brake fluid & bleach, and half of my Saturday going through the motions. The time is most precious to me.
Because of your instructions, I now have super-clean parts. Thank you very much!

Nathan Dempsey
Woooo!

Bozzer
Glad to be of help Martin.

Bozzer
Hey guys. #15 thru to #18 show how I fixed that ugly seam. Hopefully it's self explanatory, but I'll explain if I need to. #18 & #20 show my masking. This can only mean one thing. Peter, cringe now😉

Bozzer
#21 shows everything normal, but notice that the top radiator hose is far from where it should be?

Bozzer
#22 You can just work out, that the radiator is sloping forward. Notice though, that there's two holes visible, at the front of my chassis? That's where my front crossmember popped out, after fitting the front axle.

Bozzer
My conclusion is, to file down the centre of the fan, so the radiator sits back. The crossmember issue, I'm not sure about yet. Something is definitely wrong, because this is a first for me and I've built many Italeri kits.

Peter Hardy
Boss, it doesn't look that different to mine, might be a fly shit short at the fan housing? Maybe the bottom mount isn't straight because of a slight warp but it's kinda weird because it still looks square! Are you glued in or can you pull the donk and the rad out and see if they mount? Perhaps the hole for the locator is half full of paint?

Bozzer
Obviously, I built the chassis, and it was square. When I put the front axle on, that's when the crossmember popped. It's like the lugs on the axle are too wide apart, or the front crossmember is too short? As for the fan/engine thing, I'm sure that I've figured it out. I've just got home from work, so I'll have a brew and go and see if I can shed anymore light? Gonna try and fit the hood cab and sleeper, etc and see if anything has been thrown out. I'll get some more pictures too.

Bozzer
Peter, I think I've sussed it! Glue is drying as we speak. The pulleys had moved forward by 1.5 - 2mm. That's been addressed and should close that gap. Just to be certain, I did file the hole part of the fan, just for good measure. The chassis, well I haven't got a proper answer, so I've re-glued it and that's drying. I'll leave everything for tonight and let it dry properly. So, tonight I'm gonna try and work on my cab, sleeper and hood.

Munkyslut
Bozzer has it sussed 😉
Those chassis rails are shite, I'm surprised

Bozzer
Things are looking up lads. Everything is lining up. I must've had a warp in my chassis rails? I did check them and they appeared straight, so I'm wondering if they should've had a slight angle somewhere? I'm not gonna worry about it though. Everything is now tickety boo, so we're back on track! I'm now in the design stage for the exterior of the truck. I'm also still undecided about what parts I want chrome? I'm in two minds as to which way to go with that? Scanning internet pictures doesn't help me either. Truth is, there's that many beautiful trucks out there, I wanna build them all! On a side note, good to see you back with us Munky mate. It's been quiet without you! 👍

Peter Hardy
We will all breath a collective sigh of relief Bozz. You were getting grumpy! Glad to hear it was right on the night. As for the chrome, well, the buyer specs the parts to be chromed so it is actually up to you. Let your creative juices flow. We await the outcome of your artistic flair!

Bozzer
Well, I was saving these pictures, to show you the transformation. It's not finished yet, but as you can see, I had started on my paintwork. No decals for me, I love the challenge of airbrushing. Hopefully I'll get back in the cave and get her finished. The stencils are already cut and waiting to be applied. For now, she's just dry fitted. I still can't believe that we're all going blue, but that just shows that we really are a hive and collective. Great minds,eh boys?

Tim Heimer
I heard once, Great minds think alike or fools seldom differ. Your pick! LOL!

Tim Heimer
I guess this group build BLUE it?

Bozzer
Lol, well I guess we could just showcase our handy work? To be fair, so far I've enjoyed it and I think every single one of us, has learnt something. To me, that makes the whole thing worth it. We're all winners and stars 👍

Bill Newcomer
You guys are making me wish I could join your group build. I have the Revel psuedo "Australian" truck. I love all the chrome that comes with it. It is the reason why I want to paint it blue too. But alas, it is not in the queue yet because I want to build my diorama next and I want my skillset to be better before I tackle it. I really need to buy an air brush. I have plenty of cash. I just haven't pulled the trigger.

scalemates.com/kits/..00-australia--111552

scalemates.com/kits/..semi-trailer--143341

Mark Boots
looking great! i like the blue! 🙂

Bozzer
@Mark, thanks buddy.

Bozzer
@Bill. Danny and I have the same T900. Maybe a future group build? That chrome tanker takes some work mate. Once you build your can, then move on to the chassis. You need to get your can perfect first. Then slowly build your chassis, but don't add the outriggers. I taped my dry chassis to the can, then added the ribs, but in hindsight, I should've just attached it with glue, then built it up. The worst thing is the fingerprints! Dude, they drive you insane! I'm gonna clear coat mine.

Bill Newcomer
I have heard that about the finger prints. I'll try to remember to wear gloves when I open the box and handle it.

Danny Meer
Sounds great Bozzer, I could use the Beall trailer for behind mine 🙂 But After this groupbuild wich will still take me some time to finish...
I have 2 others I want to build first and still have to finish the Unimog lol

scalemates.com/kits/..tank-trailer--114969

Bozzer
I have a new tanker coming, but I want that Heavy Duty Tanker, that I saw in the states. That's a damn beast! How's your build coming along Danny? Any new updates?

Danny Meer
My hobbyroom temp and humidity finally good for airbrushing so start with that tomorrow 🙂
Will do the chassis and engine tomorrow. atm started with painting inside cab

Bozzer
I'll check out your pictures bro. I'm screwed until my paint comes now.

Bozzer
@Peter. Check out pictures 3-6 for the correct placement of the tanks

Peter Hardy
Read my mind! I have some 2mm magnets I was looking at using.

Tim Heimer
I have to say, this is the 1st group build where everyone has the same kit, same problems. This is clearly a kit bashing on a poorly made kit!

Bozzer
I know it's an old kit, just new parts and new box. I'd like to see some new moulds brought out, like airfix have done. I've just been working on the Freightliner FLD 120 special. Same cab issues and there's another fit issue that I have to get my head around. Still, we're plastic engineers, so we'll find a solution. Still say that you can't beat the old ERTL kits 👍

Nathan Dempsey
I'm building some Tamiya kits after this one!

Bozzer
Lol, I have 3 ERTL, 4 AMT and two Italeri, on the go at the moment. I have to build my new custom spray booth though. I can't cope with the current one. There's no extraction and the cave can't cope, it's too small. Yesterday, I managed to cover everything in a fine dust of white, when spraying the FLD with a rattle can! Looks like I'm gonna be doing some cleaning up soon too.

Danny Meer
lol Bozzer, you should see my garagefloor 😛 I used rattlecan's to do my RC's and mostly rims for the 1/5 scale gas powered cars and the floor isn't concrete gray anymore 😛

Chris Greathouse
When me and my friend getto painted the sides of my old car (I painted the hood), the cloth we put down was all sorts of colors... the garage floor got some of it too lol, now there are drips of paint on the floor ... fun day... had the car for 7 more years after that.

imgur.com/a/LB8Hhmj

Tom ...
cool car chris!

Bill Newcomer
Bozzer, You need to make yourself one of these.

Paint booth | Album by musclecarfan (1:25)

Munkyslut
Just caught up with this one, doing an excellent job Boz 😉
What blue is that? Eye catching shade, I'd like to use that on one of my 1/& C2 Vettes.
How's quarantine? You a free man yet?

Bozzer
Hey Munky mate. I've just left a note on Danny's page, for those of you that haven't glued your cab together yet. Been working on my booth. It's looking mighty fine, if not slightly huge! I did have a little build time this morning, but I've stalled on my truck until I get the booth up and running. Munky mate, I'll check that paint now, for you brother.

Bozzer
Chrome! I finally have chrome 🙂

Munkyslut
Sweet! We expect to see chrome stuff then 😉

Nathan Dempsey
Very nice Bozzer. These builds are looking sweet!

Bozzer
I'm trying lads! Gloss black, white, and everything else, is following. But it's a start! Thank you God!

Peter Hardy
And very nice chrome it is too! Nailed it!

Martin Oostrom
Chrome is very nice Bozzer

Danny Meer
Nice job on the chrome mate 👍 great to see the different effects of chrome

Bozzer
Gentlemen, I have done a test today. Many of you are aware that certain clear coats dull Molotow Liquid Chrome? I performed this test with what I had to hand. Everything is brush painted, and here are my findings. Alclad II won hands down, closely followed by Johnston's Clear. I'm aware that the latter has changed it's name, depending on the country in which you reside, so if you choose that method, do your research before buying it. Also, please do a little test before committing to your prized model. The original Clear that I have, has been under my kitchen sink, for around 30 years. It's the stuff the aircraft guys use for canopies etc. Thanks for reading, chaps. Carry on!

Munkyslut
That's an interesting observation about the Molotow chrome getting dulled down.
I've often wondered about spraying or brushing flat clears, semi gloss clears etc straight on to factory chrome sprues to see if it can dilute the over bright toy like finish.

Peter Hardy
Bozz, I gotta admit I have learned heaps from everyone on the Groupbuild. It's been a worthwhile experience and my first Groupbuild.

Munkyslut
Well said Peter!
Bozzer invited me to join the group build & I declined as I'd got far too much business & personal bollox going on...... in hindsight I wish I'd done it now 😉

Bozzer
I'm glad to be of help lads. Sharing information is important, so that we can all move forward, to the next level of insanity. Hopefully, this build will encourage others to get out a kit and start building, keeping the hobby alive? I'm also thankful for the generous timescale that this build has. It just proves that you don't have to rush things, to be a modeller. Munky mate, you missed out on the fun this time, but maybe next one? I'd certainly do another group build with these great bunch of guys. JD, sorry mate, I keep forgetting to give you a heads up! I'll try to remember in future buddy.

Nathan Dempsey
That's why Scalemates is a great place. Everyone always shares and helps out.

Peter Hardy
Expect some progress this weekend Bozz. Getting very bored looking at the chrome slowly dissolve in the cover pic!

Tim Heimer
Hey Peter! I think he needs a better method to remove chrome, as long as those parts have been soaking in that pic the plastic should've melted by now!

Peter Hardy
And to think Chris was concerned about his own progress! I've seen a sloth move faster than The Bozz!

Martin Oostrom
Don't go picking on Bozzer just because he's English! You colonials!!

Bozzer
Lol, I'm on it fellas. Had a major screw up, followed by a collosal balls up, on my paint. Basically, I've started again! It was my own dumbass fault, for not concentrating. I'll bring it back though. Them bloody tank steps are shite! You need a masters degree in physics, to sort them out. I nearly tossed them out of the cave door. Back on track now though. I'll get some pictures, when I get time.