1/25 AMT Peterbilt 359 California Hauler

[Gary Chastain]

Wow, just so much good stuff going on here, paint awesome ✅, exhaust built very cool ✅

[Jay Whittaker]

Your attention to detail and making sure things sit “right” is on a level all it’ own. 
 

As others have stated, the way you’ve pointed out flaws and shared your solutions will be of great help to those of us traveling the road behind you. I haven’t built a big rig since my teen years though I have more unbuilt kits than any four builders really need, this kit being one of them. 
 

Thanks so much for posting this WIP, and I look forward to its completion!

[gotnitro?]

Nice looking project, these 359 Pete's are so iconic 

[freightshaker2]

That exhaust system is just amazing!  I'm curious what you will build next Steve. 🤔

[1959scudetto]

On 3/21/2025 at 6:02 AM, cifenet said:

This is going to be one of the disappointing updates for me.  Not satisfying with how I got here today especially with the paint job.

It doesn't happen often for me, but it just did.  I struggled to decide the main body color till the last minute and when I thought what I want and painted the body, I am not liking it the outcome.

 

The body has received enough white paint coats and now I am ready here.  Things were going well at this stage, my planned activities were happening as expected.  Unfortunately, this is where good things stopped.

 

The visor is painted.  I wanted to be more shining, so may be I will have to re-do. 

 

The air canister is also ready.   I trashed the one from the kit and made this with aluminum pipes. 

I wanted one with slightly bigger in size and longer hoping that it can increase the truck's presence. 

The problem is that it is just toooo heavy right now to attach using the kit's  side mount piece.  

 

I also built the storage floor panel thinking this kind would allow to see through the bottom.  Mesh will be added to the openings later.

 

My rear mud guards are painted and decals have been applied.  I am going with white color for the mud guards. 

These decals from AMT are quite thick, I realize they require decent time in decal solution soaking.

 

I also added button details for the front grille cover trim. 

Micro Kristal Clear is used to attach them where I can clean up the glue residue with water without damaging the painted surface.

 

This is the simple painting template design I came up with and now I am thinking that perhaps I should have further improve the curves... 

The curve doesn't "hug" the front fender nicely. I never thought about to be an issue till I painted the car two-tone.

One of my several regrets.

 

I must have measured the masking tapes so many times to align the line and such...  But after the painting session, I always find issues that could have been avoidable. 

 

I gave total three layers of red paint and I regret that I went with "silk red" (name of the color) color here.  I should have added some pearl finish to it...

I also regret that the area painted in white doesn't wrap around the sleeper.  Luckily, one exhaust stakes are mounted, the disconnected area will be hidden...

Regretting more that I couldn't prep the surface better, there are some areas where I experienced paint blemish.

I can't go back now, I am going to move forward and continue with the build. 

Next several days, I am going to do my best to clean all the paint spills and also refine the paint job (somehow). 

If that doesn't work out, then maybe it will go back to the dreadful lacquer bath and start over (I am ready to commit that also).

 

Steve, I think you are your worst own critic about your work - I've just looked over your WIP (I seldom do this on trucks), but your paint work is as good as it gets. These few tiny blemishes come along with almost every masking job and you will (have) certainly correct it. The finished model will be awesome !

[Force]

Very nice.

[Jürgen M.]

On 3/21/2025 at 6:02 AM, cifenet said:

This is going to be one of the disappointing updates for me.  Not satisfying with how I got here today especially with the paint job.

It doesn't happen often for me, but it just did.  I struggled to decide the main body color till the last minute and when I thought what I want and painted the body, I am not liking it the outcome.

 

The body has received enough white paint coats and now I am ready here.  Things were going well at this stage, my planned activities were happening as expected.  Unfortunately, this is where good things stopped.

 

The visor is painted.  I wanted to be more shining, so may be I will have to re-do. 

 

The air canister is also ready.   I trashed the one from the kit and made this with aluminum pipes. 

I wanted one with slightly bigger in size and longer hoping that it can increase the truck's presence. 

The problem is that it is just toooo heavy right now to attach using the kit's  side mount piece.  

 

I also built the storage floor panel thinking this kind would allow to see through the bottom.  Mesh will be added to the openings later.

 

My rear mud guards are painted and decals have been applied.  I am going with white color for the mud guards. 

These decals from AMT are quite thick, I realize they require decent time in decal solution soaking.

 

I also added button details for the front grille cover trim. 

Micro Kristal Clear is used to attach them where I can clean up the glue residue with water without damaging the painted surface.

 

This is the simple painting template design I came up with and now I am thinking that perhaps I should have further improve the curves... 

The curve doesn't "hug" the front fender nicely. I never thought about to be an issue till I painted the car two-tone.

One of my several regrets.

 

I must have measured the masking tapes so many times to align the line and such...  But after the painting session, I always find issues that could have been avoidable. 

 

I gave total three layers of red paint and I regret that I went with "silk red" (name of the color) color here.  I should have added some pearl finish to it...

I also regret that the area painted in white doesn't wrap around the sleeper.  Luckily, one exhaust stakes are mounted, the disconnected area will be hidden...

Regretting more that I couldn't prep the surface better, there are some areas where I experienced paint blemish.

I can't go back now, I am going to move forward and continue with the build. 

Next several days, I am going to do my best to clean all the paint spills and also refine the paint job (somehow). 

If that doesn't work out, then maybe it will go back to the dreadful lacquer bath and start over (I am ready to commit that also).

 

It's always painful doing a more than immaculate job masking a model and then finding little spots where paint went through despite all efforts.

I don't mean to know all better, I don't and I hope not to offend you in any way but if I may give a bit of advice?

When you're finished masking use the same color again that you used on the surface you masked. That fills up any tiny openings not visible to the eye.

When that's completely dry you can apply the second color.

Of course it's not a guarantee that it works 100% but it does help!

But you probably did that and I'm just being a know it all.

Your paint job looks great and you're doing a great job on this.

I'll keep watching and keep my mouth shut!

Edited April 5 by Jürgen M.

[cifenet]

On 3/31/2025 at 10:20 AM, Gary Chastain said:

Wow, just so much good stuff going on here, paint awesome ✅, exhaust built very cool ✅

Gary, I didn't know you are working on multiple projects at the same time. 👍

This is something I cannot do, I am bad at multi-tasking when it comes to scale modeling~ 

Curious to see how your custom 359 will come out to be!

 

On 4/2/2025 at 7:35 PM, Jay Whittaker said:

Your attention to detail and making sure things sit “right” is on a level all it’ own. 
 

As others have stated, the way you’ve pointed out flaws and shared your solutions will be of great help to those of us traveling the road behind you. I haven’t built a big rig since my teen years though I have more unbuilt kits than any four builders really need, this kit being one of them. 
 

Thanks so much for posting this WIP, and I look forward to its completion!

Thank you and checking this WIP and appreciate your kind feedback, Jay! 

 

On 4/2/2025 at 9:40 PM, gotnitro? said:

Nice looking project, these 359 Pete's are so iconic 

Thanks, Jeff!  Hope your schedule frees up and that you get to enjoy the hobby again~ 

[cifenet]

On 4/3/2025 at 6:11 AM, freightshaker2 said:

That exhaust system is just amazing!  I'm curious what you will build next Steve. 🤔

Haha, I am also curious what you will build, Landon.  Another Kenworth?  

I am hoping to build a trailer, but I am not sure exactly what and how yet...

 

On 4/3/2025 at 9:13 AM, 1959scudetto said:

Steve, I think you are your worst own critic about your work - I've just looked over your WIP (I seldom do this on trucks), but your paint work is as good as it gets. These few tiny blemishes come along with almost every masking job and you will (have) certainly correct it. The finished model will be awesome !

Thanks for taking a good side on this for me, Helmut! 😄  

 

On 4/5/2025 at 3:10 AM, Force said:

Very nice.

Håkan, always feels great getting compliment from you!! 👍

 

On 4/5/2025 at 8:06 AM, Jürgen M. said:

It's always painful doing a more than immaculate job masking a model and then finding little spots where paint went through despite all efforts.

I don't mean to know all better, I don't and I hope not to offend you in any way but if I may give a bit of advice?

When you're finished masking use the same color again that you used on the surface you masked. That fills up any tiny openings not visible to the eye.

When that's completely dry you can apply the second color.

Of course it's not a guarantee that it works 100% but it does help!

But you probably did that and I'm just being a know it all.

Your paint job looks great and you're doing a great job on this.

I'll keep watching and keep my mouth shut!

Thank Jürgen for the helpful tip!   👍

Your advise is a great one for sure and it would have helped in this case.  Now looking back, I should have done just that.

I actually use "clear" to seal minor masking edges before my second color coat, but I got too lazy and trusted my ability (or inability) to mask which failed...

Again, appreciate your feedback and it is a good one!

[cifenet]

IPMS Roscoe/Turner "Indy Invitational Contest & Swap Meet" event was held yesterday (north of Indianapolis, IN) and I participated the event by entering with several models I have including some trucks.

It is one of the largest events in the Midwest and even though it was raining all day, so many folks showed up making it a very entertaining event.  

I believe there were probably 200-250 models on the contest area (my rough estimate). 

The swap meet was just as amazingly large and super fun to browse.  

 

So many kits to browse and opportunities to acquire!  Some sellers would entertain offers and others would give out huge discounts.

I did buy several model kits/paints and the prices I paid were more than reasonable.  😁 

(note: I blocked out faces for obvious reasons)

 

You can get some good discounts, you just have to ask and find out.

As the event went on, more sellers were willing to unload unsold kits and you could definitely find bargains. 

I think the early birds will get to buy the rare and hard to find kits, and the later comers will get the deals.

And even you don't get to buy anything, it surely is a fun activity going around checking out all kind of model kits.

 

There were some good truck models on the contest table. 

THIS IS NOT MY BUILD (I need to make sure I do not take credit), I don't know who built this Ford truck (could be a member here?), but this one caught my eyes. 

I thought it was very well executed.  Good details, beautiful paint finish, and clean/accurate assembly work.  What a gorgeous build it was.

 

My trucks didn't win, but I got lucky and I was able to take home the best automotive award with red Enzo Ferrari. 

I was secretly hoping my Peterbilt 359 would make it instead... 😁

I think there is already uploaded Youtube showing the entire event, it is definitely entertaining to watch.

 

Edited Monday at 06:09 AM by cifenet

[Gary Chastain]

Congrats on the award, well done

[cifenet]

I was preparing for the contest mentioned above and could only make minor progress on Peterbilt 359 before this update.

 

I used clear smoke paint + flat black paint mixture to imitate diesel soot here. 

 

For windows trim, it is easier to mask it with a template.  I made this template by tracing the window opening first.  Then cut the masking tape using the template to attach...

I know some folks also use a black Sharpie pen to color the trim and do very good job.

 

To making things interesting, I am painting the center panel of the hood with bright metallic silver. 

First a gloss black coat for the base goes on here.

 

Then metallic silver coat on top. 

For the metallic finish, I use low air pressure on my airbrush and I slowly mist from 5-6inches away from the surface.  That is why you see large "over spray" around the masking paper. 

For the lacquer paint I use, I don't want to apply wet coat for the metallic finish (the paint will pool up), I need the paint to dry quicker on the surface, and hence I mist it from some far distance. 

With the windows trim painted and the hood split trim painted, the truck is getting detailed little by little. 

 

I have been playing around with the tint level of the windows.  My first try was too light and now this second attempt looks too dark and green.  I am going to remove and re-do...

 

Not only I removed the tint, I cut out the driver side window so I can display it as rolled down half way.  I just thought this type of detail will make the build more interesting.

 

I mounted my luberfiner (it is such a cool word) and A/C unit on the top.  You can see the tinted windows rolled down here.  This is the tint level I am going with now.

 

Now here comes the hideous side; I mounted the air canister and stared at it for a long time...

Have you seen the air canister this big?!?

It too TOO BIG, I thought.  But then again, more I look at it, it may be okay.  I do not know at this point.

I am willing to RE-DO the air canister, but I am also getting lazy again today.  I am going to wait a day or so and decide...

Edited April 6 by cifenet

[BK9300]

Maybe you're not happy with your air cleaner at the moment, but you've got to be pleased with all the other details - the polished, reflective paint job on your cab and hood, and all the detailing on your frame.  Looks great, Steve!

[1959scudetto]

Looks fantastic, Steve - your dedication to enhance the finest details !

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey Steve 

 The air cleaner isn't to big, but the top & screen are a bit small. Everything else is fantastic.

Ron G 

[Gary Chastain]

Wow, Steve, this shaping to an outstanding build, a well finished truck. 

[freightshaker2]

Steve if you ask me... don't change nothing! It's perfect buddy!