The Energon Pub

Apologies for posting again so soon after my last contribution, however I am caught in a moment of indecision:

Hot on the heels of my first repaint, I am keen to attempt my first mod. My choice; CW Megatron modded with an LED inside his head to illuminate his eyes at the push of a button.

The problem; to commit to the mod would permanently remove the ability of his tank turret to rotate, unless I mount the electronics externally where they will be partially concealed by his tank track backpack but still visible.

Try as I might, I cannot decide, hence opening the question to the forum - As Megatron sits here in pieces before me, electronics ready to install, are glowing eyes really that cool? Is the option to shoot someone standing 20 degrees to your left overrated? Or is the ability to hide your power source overridden by the need to pierce your offcentre foes with both your glowing gaze and your fusion cannon?

Yankee0 wrote:Apologies for posting again so soon after my last contribution, however I am caught in a moment of indecision:

Hot on the heels of my first repaint, I am keen to attempt my first mod. My choice; CW Megatron modded with an LED inside his head to illuminate his eyes at the push of a button.

The problem; to commit to the mod would permanently remove the ability of his tank turret to rotate, unless I mount the electronics externally where they will be partially concealed by his tank track backpack but still visible.

Try as I might, I cannot decide, hence opening the question to the forum - As Megatron sits here in pieces before me, electronics ready to install, are glowing eyes really that cool? Is the option to shoot someone standing 20 degrees to your left overrated? Or is the ability to hide your power source overridden by the need to pierce your offcentre foes with both your glowing gaze and your fusion cannon?

Noooooo dooooon'tttt do it . If you must make it LED try the cannon insted, it will be wayyyy cooler

Hotconvoy wrote:Noooooo dooooon'tttt do it . If you must make it LED try the cannon insted, it will be wayyyy cooler

Hmmmm I like the cannon idea, although either way I would be losing the turret rotation as the power source would be located in the chest cavity. Although if I did one, it wouldn't be too hard to run a wire to the other also, maybe a purple LED for the cannon at the thick end, shouldn't interfere with the missile gimmick then...

Why the dislike for glowing eyes lol?

I just like painted optics better, but he all ready has clear optics which is fine, and i'v seen alot of CW Megatrons ruined for little or no reward

I just like painted optics better, but he all ready has clear optics which is fine, and i'v seen alot of CW Megatrons ruined for little or no reward

Fair point, that has given me something to think about!

I would honestly forgo LED eyes. However, if you want to improve Megs' eyes I have just the idea.

Step 1: Disassemble Megs' head and extract the light piping element.
Step 2: Use Molotow Liquid Chrome (readily available from Amazon) to apply a chromed finish to the eyes. You can use the refill packs to airbrush the whole piece but honestly, given the small size of the area in question you'd probably be better off just using one of the markers to paint just his eyes. Be sure to allow at least 24 hours for the stuff to cure properly though.
Step 3: Use a clear red paint of some description (such as Tamiya Clear Red) to coat the eyes. You can airbrush the stuff, but at that scale hand painting SHOULD work. Just remember, clear paints always work best in lots of thin layers (same as most paints really, but a bit more extreme due to the translucency).
Step 4: Re-assemble head.

Congratulations! You now have gorgeous shiny RID2001/anime super robot style chromed eyes!

Oooh, you had me at chrome paint!

Forgive my lack of knowledge, but does it being chrome have any bearing on how adherent it will be? Never worked with it, but remember seeing chrome paint flaking off of plastic before.

Yankee0 wrote:Oooh, you had me at chrome paint!

Forgive my lack of knowledge, but does it being chrome have any bearing on how adherent it will be? Never worked with it, but remember seeing chrome paint flaking off of plastic before.

It's pretty tough once it's cured. It's not actual plated chrome but rather very high-shine fine-grain metallic paint. Just DON'T TOUCH IT until it cures fully. Also, if you're gonna do large areas with it it's gonna need airbrushing, the markers are great for small bits but tend to streak a little over big parts. Fortunately it doesn't need thinning and goes through nicely at 15 PSI.

Cheers for the advice old bean, going to give it a go!

Just thought I would give my thanks once again for the advice, finished the eyes today and they came out rather spiffingly, if I do say so myself...!

Yankee0 wrote:Just thought I would give my thanks once again for the advice, finished the eyes today and they came out rather spiffingly, if I do say so myself...!

Nice one. See what i was talking about painted optics are nice aren't they.

Nice! That's gorgeous.

Cheers chaps, much appreciated!