1955 Chevy Box Stock and Box Art Build

[Nacho Z]

Let's see if anyone is watching.  I'll share my '55 Chevy with all of you.  I have always loved this kit back from when I was a kid. I decided to build this box stock and as box art. I did not sweat all of the small details, instead, I concentrated on making a presentable shelf model. The model is actually built but I thought I would share a few pictures, tips and techniques with all of you.

This is the kit I used. It is 1991 vintage.





The body is fairly rough in this kit. Panel lines were very soft, sometimes just a mere depression in the plastic. The side trim was not even or crisp. There were "steps" in the mold joins that really could not be sanded out. I usually rescribe all of my panel lines. I tried this on the gas filler door but was having absolutely no luck. Finally, I decided to just fill it, and all of my scratches, in with super glue.

[Nacho Z]

Looks like we have had a few visitors to this thread so let's carry on with the build.

I also like to scribe around things that will have BMF applied to them. This provides a channel for the knife blade to follow to, hopefully, give a nice clean, straight edge. I did at least three separate coats of primer to work on getting the body ready for paint. In the end, the extra work pays off. The body was painted with Tamiya Gloss Black straight from the can.










As the body paint was drying I worked on other bits. The glass was pretty scuffed up from getting beat and banged around in the box since 1991. I test fitted it only to find it did not fit in the body. It was just a tad too short. I cut the rear glass from the rest of the molded piece. I then dipped both pieces in Future. Although not perfect, it is waaaay better than it was.



Next, I worked on the interior. I sprayed everything gloss red and later dull coated it. I left the dash glossy and freehand brush painted the dash details. Although they don't really show up in the pictures, the gauges were picked out as well as the name badge on the glove compartment. This is one of the details I did not worry about because once the body is on, you just can't see the interior details very well. The rotors were painted red. The wheel chrome is not good. I removed the raised letters on the tires and put on decals. I then dull coated the tires.





The engine was finished. Again, I did not worry about it because, one, it is a box stock build, and two, it will not be seen when the hood is on.



Stay tuned, up next is the body work.  I will apply those big 'ol flames and lay down some clear.

[Eddie]

Looks great. Thanks for the tip to make the windows look better.

[Nacho Z]

Thanks, Eddie, I appreciate that!

[Nacho Z]

One more update before I post pics of the final product.

Once the body paint had dried, I sanded it down to a fairly decent finish and applied those big 'ol flame decals. Remember, this is a box art build. I have to admit that I kind of like those multi-color flames...lol. I let the decals dry out and then clear coated the body. This is the first time I have clear coated a body, let alone a body with decals. I was a little nervous. I used Testors Wet Look. It is a little thick but it worked wonderfully! The body was set aside to cure.






Once cured, I set out to sand and polish the paint. I use Micro-Mesh cloths and Gravity polish. I think it came out well.







Once the body was polished out I began the laborious task of applying BMF. It is a bit nerve racking. If the blade slips, you have just screwed up all of that beautiful paint. If you cut into the BMF, you have to reapply it. Yup, nerve racking. The pre-scribed lines along the trim paid off. Even though they kind of filled in with paint they still provided a guide for the hobby knife. I don't do a lot of BMF work so I know I could have done better but I think it turned of OK.







I worked on other details but did not take a lot of photos. I painted up the hood emblem. Monogram's box art is incorrect. A quick Google search had plenty of nice detail shots. For some reason I had trouble getting a good picture of my emblem.



Here is a shot of what I call a poor man's wheel alignment jig. There is some distortion in this picture but I assure you it is pretty dang square.



The hood pins are just molded in blobs with a little pin that sticks up. If you try to BMF foil this the way it is, the BMF will not lay down flat. I punched discs of BMF and then drilled little holes in the middle. I applied the BMF and then touched up the pin with Molotow.

[oldcoyote]

Great build so far John. I really like your idea of scribing the perimeter of areas that will take the bare metal foil. I had never thought of that. Like you, I don't do a lot of BMF work, but that idea bears some testing. Do you have a specific scribing tool? If so, could you tell me where you got it?

Your paint work on this old, rough body is exceptional. Great job so far.

John

[Nacho Z]

Sept 1, 2019 8:47:55 GMT -5 oldcoyote said:

Great build so far John. I really like your idea of scribing the perimeter of areas that will take the bare metal foil. I had never thought of that. Like you, I don't do a lot of BMF work, but hat idea bears some testing. Do you have a specific scribing tool? If so, could you tell me where you got it?

Your paint work on this old, rough body is exceptional. Great job so far.

John

Thanks, OC!  I do have a specific scribing tool that I like to use.  It is made by Bare Metal Foil.  My local hobby shop had it which is the only reason I bought it over some other brand/style.  It is the only scribing tool I own or have used so I cannot tell you how it compares to other styles.  It is not perfect for every application but it is wonderful for straight lines.  I have trouble with it around tight curves.  I will often times resort to the old standby, the back of an Exacto knife.





Although it may look like it is blunt in the next photo, I can tell you it is quite sharp and pointed.  I was just trying to get the angles on the tip.

[oldcoyote]

Thanks for the great pictures John, I may try to find something along those lines and give your "system" a test run. It looks quite promising.

Again, you have a beautiful build going there, and again thanks for your help.

I think I'll jump back on TMM more often. I really like seeing what you are building.

John

[Nacho Z]

There is just something about this model that I have always liked which is why I built it to match the box art.  I am a fan of box art and I have bought models because of box art.  Every time I see this model it puts a smile on my face.    I hope you enjoyed this thread and enjoy the final result!

[oldcoyote]

Gorgeous build John. That's simply stunning. Your work is so clean and sharp.

[fireguy14]

Great work!

[Nacho Z]

Sept 12, 2019 9:14:14 GMT -5 oldcoyote said:

Gorgeous build John. That's simply stunning. Your work is so clean and sharp.

Thank you, OC!  Coming from someone whos builds I greatly admire, I sincerely appreciate it!

[Nacho Z]

Sept 25, 2019 9:46:12 GMT -5 fireguy14 said:

Great work!

Thanks, David!!

[Nacho Z]

Just a quick update.  I stated in my opening post remarks that I just wanted a presentable shelf model.  I think I accomplished that.  On a whim, I have taken this model to three model shows so far.  I am truly humbled by the results.  It has been up against some wonderful models.  Actually in one contest, in my class, (Box Stock), I voted for one of my competitor's models over my own.

[Eddie]

Awesome John, thanks for sharing.

[tim]

That turned out awesome. I built that one a long time ago. Not even close to this one. Congrads on the awards!

[Nacho Z]

Dec 13, 2020 14:36:38 GMT -5 tim said:

That turned out awesome. I built that one a long time ago. Not even close to this one. Congrads on the awards!

Thank you, Tim!

[nyratrod]

That is one VERY SWEET ride. Well Done !!!!!

[jerry]

Very well done!! This has to be one of the best I've seen of this car!!