M54 truck

[GCB]

Ok thanks.. will look for burnishing fluid and give a try. If not, will dip into a small container with paint.

Btw, I decided to use the hard top rather than soft, as not sure how paint the soft one to look real.
I am sure you would have build a canvas one with fabric!! But I dont have your skills.

 

[BarleyBop]

canvas one

Haha, I just try things until it works, sort of.
Here are things that I have / would try.

I was reading through that book with Shep Paine gems... saw something I wanna try, basically laying fabric ( fine weave for scale) into modeling clay to create impression on the surface (for sandbags). I imagine you could do something similar with wet, almost dry paint...

Even without the fabric impression, choose a base color (if the guide says to use the vehicle colour, modify it a bit to show it is a different material), then mix a lighter version for highlights and a darker for valleys of folds. Refer back to your photo to see where to apply each. I don't worry too much about mixing the base paint evenly, so you get a bit of stained/bleached canvas effect.

I don't know if you have used retarder before when brush painting, I just tried it recently and it really helps with blending while still wet.
Dry brush is another technique you might find useful if you haven't done it before, especially for shading... the nice thing about that is that it can leave a 'speckled' effect that adds that fabric like texture.

And you can try painting the canvas top before installing it... nothing to lose! And experiment on the underside first (you can always paint over with a darker shade before installing)

 

[GCB]

Could try... anyhow, if not wasted.

 

[Jakko]

If the chain isn't going to hang free, I would glue it in place first and then paint it in situ.

 

[GCB]

Was planning to let it partially hanging like on this drawing

 

[GCB]

And I found this.. are they really selling this kit for $395? Even the bumper is not straight!!

 

[BarleyBop]

Ha! There's a side hustle for ya!

 

[Jakko]

Was planning to let it partially hanging like on this drawing

I figure I'd also glue it down if it's such a small loop, and glue the links together once it hangs as you want it to. You may want to degrease the chain first, though — if it's brass, there may be some grease on it that will prevent glue and paint from sticking.

 

[GCB]

Thanks Jakko, will definitely degrease it.

 

[GCB]

On going and main paint phase completed.
Applied the "Star" decals and while pretty nice quality, got 3 of them which broke / tore apart when installing... Weird.. Anyhow, enough of them to completed the kit... Still need to varnish them after they dry.

 

[GCB]

And tires done too. Only remaining is weathering.

 

[GCB]

before weathering...

 

[Rimmer]

A really nice looking build - I do like to see Trucks being built up and I've always had a soft spot for this version. I've just read through the thread from the start and you're doing an excellent job.

 

[GCB]

Thanks Rimmer.. Very nice truck indeed!

 

[GCB]

And done...
I really enjoyed this kit, and except a couple of adjustments required, the built went quite smoothly.. Highly recommended!

 

[GCB]

Under natural light

 

[Rimmer]

Awesome - that really does look excellent. What did you use for the weathering?

 

[BarleyBop]

Highly recommended!

Great job on a classic softskin!
I like how you finished the winch, cable and chains.

 

[Rob]

Great job!

 

[GCB]

Awesome - that really does look excellent. What did you use for the weathering?

Thanks Rimmer.
For weathering, started with some AK light rust wash on a few points, then airbrush diluted AK Africa dust effects, then "brushed" various pigments