The Energon Pub

I didnt mind your original "constructive critique" comment FR, i just dont think that sticking a piece of styrene over the wings is the answer. It would make them look REALLY wierd and bulky.

I could just as easily fix this problem just by stripping the stripes off, masking them up again and applying the paint for the stripes with an airbrush instead of a hand paint brush, but i personally don't think they look that bad and don't warrant the extra effort.
I like how it looks so i don't feel like changing it.

If i am happy with MY work, then that is all that matters, i dont do these things to please others, although of course positive comments are always welcomed.

I'll make them look better on the next one though as i intend to do another so no need to fret my pet.

(i will be posting new pics later)

Ok so i finally took better pics. I think he looks awesome with the other seekers...now im tempted to do thrust and dirge too.









<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21443276@N07/2080439753/" title="TCALTMODE2 by sonray_customs, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/2080439753_852fb26ee9_o.jpg" width="676" height="407" alt="TCALTMODE2" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21443276@N07/2081225306/" title="TCALTMODE1 by sonray_customs, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2081225306_796611a19c_o.jpg" width="768" height="576" alt="TCALTMODE1" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21443276@N07/2081232536/" title="TCALTMODE3 by sonray_customs, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2081232536_96780663ee_o.jpg" width="759" height="511" alt="TCALTMODE3" /></a>

very nice sweet wing decos

cuters wrote:very nice sweet wing decos

Thanks. The design was actually a mistake lol

Hey, nice job! I think you pulled it off very well. The paint looks smooth and I like the colors you picked.

I think what was making your wing markings look sloppy in the first pic was just the camera angle. You could see into the panel lining so it made the edge look a little jagged. It doesn't look like that in the other pictures though. Although if you are finding the edges a little ragged, have you tried burnishing down your mask before painting? Or just doing a small touchup with a brush to fix any small imperfections? I don't kitbash my Transformers much, but I have been building models for years, and this stuff has always helped me out.

You could also try a matte clearcoat on the glossy parts if you want to tone them down too. Not sure if you want to or not but I thought I'd throw that out there for you.

And keep us posted after transforming him some, I want to know how the paint holds up to repeated use. If you decide to do that that is.

Awesomeness. Good work!

looks dam good to me!

Geekee1 wrote:Hey, nice job! I think you pulled it off very well. The paint looks smooth and I like the colors you picked.

I think what was making your wing markings look sloppy in the first pic was just the camera angle. You could see into the panel lining so it made the edge look a little jagged. It doesn't look like that in the other pictures though. Although if you are finding the edges a little ragged, have you tried burnishing down your mask before painting? Or just doing a small touchup with a brush to fix any small imperfections? I don't kitbash my Transformers much, but I have been building models for years, and this stuff has always helped me out.

You could also try a matte clearcoat on the glossy parts if you want to tone them down too. Not sure if you want to or not but I thought I'd throw that out there for you.

And keep us posted after transforming him some, I want to know how the paint holds up to repeated use. If you decide to do that that is.

Do you mean sticking your finger nail into the masking tape to make it stick into the cracks and stuff? I did that and it still seeped under somehow, only a little bit though but then again i wasn't really using the right tape as i don't have any money to buy tamiya masking tape or any of that stuff so i have to make do with what is down my dads workshop, and thats all automotive paint supplies etc.

The clear coat is a nice idea, and once again id do that if i had money to buy the stuff with. I cant really afford to buy anything outside of Christmas gifts and absolute necessities right now (like the just released tf dvd lol) so that might have to wait, i'll be sure to do it on the next one though.

And as far as the paint holding up goes it all seems fine. I dont transform my figs often and this guy is already in my display cabinet next to ramjet, screamer and skywarp but the one transformation i did was flawless. No paint chipped off, everything was smooth, nothing was stiff at all. Not even the legs where they slide down, i did foresee this being a possible problem though and lubed them up with some Vaseline inside, works like a charm. So based on the one transformation the paint has held up like i expect it to. Thats the benefit of using cellulose paint its tough as old boots.

Thanks

Very Very Nice.

Pffft! Awesome job. Can't say anything else ... you just keep getting better and better.

aha proves it SonRay doesnt need good stuff to make f*ckin AWESOME customs!!!

Sonray wrote:

Geekee1 wrote:Hey, nice job! I think you pulled it off very well. The paint looks smooth and I like the colors you picked.

I think what was making your wing markings look sloppy in the first pic was just the camera angle. You could see into the panel lining so it made the edge look a little jagged. It doesn't look like that in the other pictures though. Although if you are finding the edges a little ragged, have you tried burnishing down your mask before painting? Or just doing a small touchup with a brush to fix any small imperfections? I don't kitbash my Transformers much, but I have been building models for years, and this stuff has always helped me out.

You could also try a matte clearcoat on the glossy parts if you want to tone them down too. Not sure if you want to or not but I thought I'd throw that out there for you.

And keep us posted after transforming him some, I want to know how the paint holds up to repeated use. If you decide to do that that is.

Do you mean sticking your finger nail into the masking tape to make it stick into the cracks and stuff? I did that and it still seeped under somehow, only a little bit though but then again i wasn't really using the right tape as i don't have any money to buy tamiya masking tape or any of that stuff so i have to make do with what is down my dads workshop, and thats all automotive paint supplies etc.

The clear coat is a nice idea, and once again id do that if i had money to buy the stuff with. I cant really afford to buy anything outside of Christmas gifts and absolute necessities right now (like the just released tf dvd lol) so that might have to wait, i'll be sure to do it on the next one though.

And as far as the paint holding up goes it all seems fine. I dont transform my figs often and this guy is already in my display cabinet next to ramjet, screamer and skywarp but the one transformation i did was flawless. No paint chipped off, everything was smooth, nothing was stiff at all. Not even the legs where they slide down, i did foresee this being a possible problem though and lubed them up with some Vaseline inside, works like a charm. So based on the one transformation the paint has held up like i expect it to. Thats the benefit of using cellulose paint its tough as old boots.

Thanks

Ah, very cool. Nice to hear that it's holding up. And you could always put the clearcoat on at a later date.

Thanks for the nice compliments guys.

Nice work Sonray,I think I may have some work for you in the near future

bcm77 wrote:Nice work Sonray,I think I may have some work for you in the near future

Cool, im always looking for more.

Wow, you were right Sonray, I guess the stripes only looked bad from that angle. This Thundercracker is beautiful and if it wasn't in the customs forum I would have assumed it was a legit figure.

Devastator wrote:Wow, you were right Sonray, I guess the stripes only looked bad from that angle. This Thundercracker is beautiful and if it wasn't in the customs forum I would have assumed it was a legit figure.

Why flattery will get you everywhere. lol

Seriously thanks for that, i really appreciate it. To think that my work fools people into thinking its a legit, factory-made professional piece really means a lot to me.

When i make stuff i always feel like something is wrong or something looks lame or whatever and i feel unsatisfied, so to have this reassurance from fans and other re-painters means a lot.