Custom Spotlight: Markus Jaksch

Occasionally we post images of the modifications our customers give to their CCM models in the Customer Highlights section of our website. Whether clean and new or rusty and worn, we love to see the modifications, super-detailing and custom painting people come up with for our models. With so many recent submissions, we have been inspired to start a new feature where we look more closely at some of this great work.

Our first featured customizer is Markus Jaksch. When you first look at his custom detailed CCM models you might need a second take to make sure it's not a real machine. He has a love for old Caterpillar equipment, that's for sure, but he doesn't want them showroom fresh. Rather, he prefers to add a few years to the appearance of these old workhorses so they look like they've spent decades digging and moving dirt.

Here we see Markus' work on our Cat 245 Front Shovel and 769 Rear Dump Truck. We think you will agree the images speak for themselves.

The rust, the flaking paint, the scrapes and dents—all are are done with a patient hand utilizing a time-consuming process.  Markus starts the magic by first removing the original paint from the model and applying a new primer of a special rust colored liquid. After this is dry, a very thin coat of new paint is added, then the rust stains are applied over this with a needle and custom brushes. The finish is further brought out with dry pigments and other "special methods". The final touch is photographing the models in hand-crafted scale backgrounds with natural light. As you can see, the results are stunning!

When it comes to advice for others who wish to try this technique for customizing their own models, Markus replies, "Practice, practice...and (start with) very well done models, models from CCM."

According to Markus, other models of ours are waiting to go through his custom aging process but they have to stay "top secret" for now. We here at CCM extend our sincere thanks to him for sharing his photos with us, and we can't wait to see what's next!