Shelby's Marine Service

[sdrees]

I recently started construction on Sierra West Scale Models Shelby's Marine Service.  This kit was released in 1998.  I wanted to take a break from the layout construction once the track was completed.  But I still have 50 switches to install.

[sdrees]

The first step is to prepare the strip wood.  I did this by mixing a jar of about 20ounces of water and adding a teaspoon of India Ink to the solution.  Instead of adding Polyscale paints, I added Model Master acrylic paint, 3/4 - 1 teaspoon of grimy black, a oily black and dirt, to the solution.  There are 11 bags of strip wood to stain.  Each bag of strip wood was placed in a shallow pan filled with the stain and allowed to soak for 24 hours or so.  I used this older technique because there is so much strip wood in this kit, it seemed a lot faster that using the pastel chalks and alcohol. Also, since I have done both methods, the soaking method tuned out very well.

[rpdylan]

24 hours in water doesn't swell/ soften the strip wood?

[postalkarl]

Hi Steve:

Have fun with that one. Looks like a nice kit.

Karl

[GPdemayo]

Looking forward to this build Steve. 

[sdrees]

The strip wood does not get soft nor swell at all Bob. 

Thanks for the encouragement Karl and Greg.

[sdrees]

Here is what the strip wood looks like after taking out of pan and air dried.  The color is varied among the boards and within the individual boards.  It has a nicely aged look to it.

[sdrees]

I use a template to build the framing for the walls.  I use double sided scotch tape to hold the studs in place.

[sdrees]

Here are several pictures of the siding applied to the stud walls.  The peeling paint effect was achieved with the damp brush technique found on Sierra West site. 

[ACL1504]

Steve,

I meant to comment earlier but got side tracked. This will be another winner for all of us to see your building skills in action.

I'm on the front row having worked my way up.

Tom

[sdrees]

Tom,

Hope you will enjoy it. 

[ACL1504]

Tom,

Hope you will enjoy it.

Steve,

I am already enjoying it. Thanks for posting the thread.

Tom

[sdrees]

The second story walls are chip board and need to be braced to prevent warping.  This was done with 1/4" strip wood.

Also, the second story chip board walls and the first story are glued together and the trip is applied. The front wall first and second story walls are not in line.

[rpdylan]

Awesome work! I need to try your strip wood technique! Love the way your walls came out!

[sdrees]

Hi Bob,

Thanks, For more information on this go to the Sierra West Scale Models Web site.  There is a lot of information there on these and more techniques.