The Energon Pub

Did you make Hot Rod's head by repainting Optimus Prime's head and taking off the 'rabbit ears'?

^ It's the G1 head.

I just might make a Hot Rod of my own, and use some Milliputt to make a quicky spoiler and some exhaust pipes!

Sigma Vortex wrote:Did you make Hot Rod's head by repainting Optimus Prime's head and taking off the 'rabbit ears'?

No it was Energon Rods head! That's what he said in the description.

Energon or Armada head, yup. Can't remember where I got it from. It may not fit the new body style perfectly but I had to use up that body and his head fit right on.

Why not gloss? I hate gloss. Makes for scuffs and transformation that's too tight. At the winner's request I can clearcoat it however.

Updated with spoiler wings! I can't find an overhead blower to the engine or pipes but I'll be hitting town in the next few days and see what they have. Perhaps it'll be an add-on to the auction. Enjoy!

That is all 32 flavours of Awesomesauce.

Jin Saotome wrote:Energon or Armada head, yup. Can't remember where I got it from. It may not fit the new body style perfectly but I had to use up that body and his head fit right on.

Why not gloss? I hate gloss. Makes for scuffs and transformation that's too tight. At the winner's request I can clearcoat it however.

Updated with spoiler wings! I can't find an overhead blower to the engine or pipes but I'll be hitting town in the next few days and see what they have. Perhaps it'll be an add-on to the auction. Enjoy!

Dont put the gloss on joints then (duh). And if you use the right stuff it doesnt scuff easily. Tamiya clear gloss is da bomb! I love it.

I just think these sorts of designs need to have a shiny finish to them otherwise they look dull. I mean how many custom cars do you see in the real world with an awesome paintjob but no shine to it?

I dont think those spoiler wings add anything to the figure either im afraid...they just dont look like they belong there.

What about pictures of the altmode with the spoiler attached?

It looks great though

Yeah, put him in alt mode. I want to see if it is possible to "Jack" a car over the internet.

"Yo, son, that ride is tight, NO RUN THAT SH1T" !!!

Can he still Transform with the spoiler?

How do you keep your hand steady? It’s hard for me to stop shaking when I am painting. I hold my breath somtimes but it really never helps.

Ya know, when I get the shakes, I just put my brush on the spot and try to hold it still and when it shakes it's like little paint strokes LOL.

Obscure_Demon wrote:How do you keep your hand steady? It’s hard for me to stop shaking when I am painting. I hold my breath somtimes but it really never helps.

Years of practice, and knowing when to put the brush down and come back later.

Obscure_Demon wrote:How do you keep your hand steady? It’s hard for me to stop shaking when I am painting. I hold my breath somtimes but it really never helps.

I always keep the heel of my hand on the table while I paint.

Sonray wrote:
Dont put the gloss on joints then (duh). And if you use the right stuff it doesnt scuff easily. Tamiya clear gloss is da bomb! I love it.

I just think these sorts of designs need to have a shiny finish to them otherwise they look dull. I mean how many custom cars do you see in the real world with an awesome paintjob but no shine to it?

I dont think those spoiler wings add anything to the figure either im afraid...they just dont look like they belong there.

Any time you use gloss/sealer you thicken the coat of paint on the surface. Tamiya clear gloss use useful in small applications but they need to learn how to make their paints easier to thin down and apply like Testors. I don't use Testors clear gloss either because that's even softer than Tamyia's gloss. If I choose to clearcoat it's always Krylon Matte or Satin. Use gloss and you're just asking for visble scratches and scuffs.

Who's talking about real-world cars? We're repainting transformers here. I hate glossy finishes because it makes the figure look like it's made of, well, plastic. Of course the winner of the auction can request a gloss coat.

I agree, I didn't add the spoiler wings at first because I never liked them on Hot Rod and didn't understand what it added to the character. But everyone was asking for some more G1 features and the wings/blower/pipes came up. I just don't have any model car parts to use right now. Also I can't find any pics of a 77 Camaro with a blower on top, grr.

The spoiler detatches from his back when you want to transform him. It doesn't go on the back of the car anywhere because that just looks silly. I always remove the giant spoilders from my Rodimus figs.

Jin Saotome wrote:

Sonray wrote:
Dont put the gloss on joints then (duh). And if you use the right stuff it doesnt scuff easily. Tamiya clear gloss is da bomb! I love it.

I just think these sorts of designs need to have a shiny finish to them otherwise they look dull. I mean how many custom cars do you see in the real world with an awesome paintjob but no shine to it?

I dont think those spoiler wings add anything to the figure either im afraid...they just dont look like they belong there.

Any time you use gloss/sealer you thicken the coat of paint on the surface. Tamiya clear gloss use useful in small applications but they need to learn how to make their paints easier to thin down and apply like Testors. I don't use Testors clear gloss either because that's even softer than Tamyia's gloss. If I choose to clearcoat it's always Krylon Matte or Satin. Use gloss and you're just asking for visble scratches and scuffs.

Who's talking about real-world cars? We're repainting transformers here. I hate glossy finishes because it makes the figure look like it's made of, well, plastic. Of course the winner of the auction can request a gloss coat.

I agree, I didn't add the spoiler wings at first because I never liked them on Hot Rod and didn't understand what it added to the character. But everyone was asking for some more G1 features and the wings/blower/pipes came up. I just don't have any model car parts to use right now. Also I can't find any pics of a 77 Camaro with a blower on top, grr.

The spoiler detatches from his back when you want to transform him. It doesn't go on the back of the car anywhere because that just looks silly. I always remove the giant spoilders from my Rodimus figs.

Im gonna start using real world car paint on my transformers, as this acrylic stuff just aint working for me. It does nothing but chip off and cause hassle. The car paint wont as its super-strong, and easier to apply with an airbrush, which will always give a better result than a hand brush.

Love Hot Rod. The more muscle, the better. The little -lings look nice, and the detail for their size is mondo. next step, ones that transform.

Jin Saotome wrote:I always remove the giant spoilders from my Rodimus figs.

That surprises me. Hot Rod was never my favorite character (even though I've learned to love him in recent years) but I've never had an issue with his spoiler. He's a crazy, future car from the year 2005! We don't know what cars will look like th...
Wait a minute.

Tom_Servo wrote:

Jin Saotome wrote:I always remove the giant spoilders from my Rodimus figs.

That surprises me. Hot Rod was never my favorite character (even though I've learned to love him in recent years) but I've never had an issue with his spoiler. He's a crazy, future car from the year 2005! We don't know what cars will look like th...
Wait a minute.

I always liked hotrod. The TF movie was the only access i had to transformers as a kid and i always thought he was cool cos of the flames and his alt mode and stuff.

But wait....its 2005?

omg i need a laptop real gear bot!

Hot rod style and the flames are awesome, a giant yellow spoiler that isn't curved... ehhh... I guess it bugs me the same way Mazinger's wings bug me. It's a flat piece of whatever that doesn't match the rest of the design.

um....hmmm....it's......it's........ BEAUTIFUL!!!

Awesome Jin 'helu' awesome Cant wait to see more Loving that Hotrod. I love the Psp guy he reminds me of Venom In spider..DUR


great work jin awesaotome

Jin Saotome wrote:Who's talking about real-world cars? We're repainting transformers here. I hate glossy finishes because it makes the figure look like it's made of, well, plastic. Of course the winner of the auction can request a gloss coat.

Plus they're machines of war. Who has time for a cut and polish these days when those dastardly Decepticons right around the corner trying to steal your Rubik's Cube?

Plus they're machines of war. Who has time for a cut and polish these days when those dastardly Decepticons right around the corner trying to steal your Rubik's Cube?

LOL. You're funny.

Jin Saotome wrote:Awww, thanks everyone! I'm not the best, just a contender.

This is actually my job now and I spend about 7 hours a day, with plenty of breaks inbetween doing customs. Basically it's practice for me. I kep hearing people tell me my latest work is my best with every figure I make. I get to look back at the first run figures I painted and make adjustments, add new things (like Ironhide' hip) and generally advance my skills. It's a win-win job!

You know what they say:

"Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life"

I wish I had half of your patience and talent.