The Energon Pub

Tom_Servo wrote:I always get chips and scuffs on everything I make. It's just part of the game. I don't think that I've had a problem with that part, but I'm having a hell of a time keeping paint on the rear bumper.

The rear bumper huh? Ive had no hassle with mine. The only hassle im really having is the paint chipping on the sections i said, and on the cogs on the back.

I transformed him into alt mode which was a real pain so i gotta go back and make some of the holes bigger and re-apply the paint in areas where its chipped. Its a pain but i guess theres no way of telling if its gonna chip unless you test it out. At least it can be fixed and isnt in a state of disrepair like some kitbashes can get. With painting you always have a way out if you mess up.

He does not look bad at all in red.

Why couldn't Hasbro have done him in a red rather than a blue?

That is definately one sweet repaint. Movie Ironhide definately looks good in G1 red. I can't wait to see the alt mode pics.

Whoa! The color scheme is FANTASTIC!

I'm blown away!

Sonray wrote:

Tom_Servo wrote:I always get chips and scuffs on everything I make. It's just part of the game. I don't think that I've had a problem with that part, but I'm having a hell of a time keeping paint on the rear bumper.

The rear bumper huh? Ive had no hassle with mine. The only hassle im really having is the paint chipping on the sections i said, and on the cogs on the back.

I transformed him into alt mode which was a real pain so i gotta go back and make some of the holes bigger and re-apply the paint in areas where its chipped. Its a pain but i guess theres no way of telling if its gonna chip unless you test it out. At least it can be fixed and isnt in a state of disrepair like some kitbashes can get. With painting you always have a way out if you mess up.

Why not retain the cogs as black? Make it look like it is intended that way.

Auto Bot wrote:

Sonray wrote:

Tom_Servo wrote:I always get chips and scuffs on everything I make. It's just part of the game. I don't think that I've had a problem with that part, but I'm having a hell of a time keeping paint on the rear bumper.

The rear bumper huh? Ive had no hassle with mine. The only hassle im really having is the paint chipping on the sections i said, and on the cogs on the back.

I transformed him into alt mode which was a real pain so i gotta go back and make some of the holes bigger and re-apply the paint in areas where its chipped. Its a pain but i guess theres no way of telling if its gonna chip unless you test it out. At least it can be fixed and isnt in a state of disrepair like some kitbashes can get. With painting you always have a way out if you mess up.

Why not retain the cogs as black? Make it look like it is intended that way.

Thats what im thinking of doing now. Screw the constantly chipping acrylic paint.

Did you blot out the light piping to the eyes?

I'm interested to see a 360 degrees view. Sort of like Ryan's gallery style. If it's not too much to ask.

Sonray wrote:

Auto Bot wrote:

Sonray wrote:

Tom_Servo wrote:I always get chips and scuffs on everything I make. It's just part of the game. I don't think that I've had a problem with that part, but I'm having a hell of a time keeping paint on the rear bumper.

The rear bumper huh? Ive had no hassle with mine. The only hassle im really having is the paint chipping on the sections i said, and on the cogs on the back.

I transformed him into alt mode which was a real pain so i gotta go back and make some of the holes bigger and re-apply the paint in areas where its chipped. Its a pain but i guess theres no way of telling if its gonna chip unless you test it out. At least it can be fixed and isnt in a state of disrepair like some kitbashes can get. With painting you always have a way out if you mess up.

Why not retain the cogs as black? Make it look like it is intended that way.

Thats what im thinking of doing now. Screw the constantly chipping acrylic paint.

I think you're problem will be solved very shortly.

Auto Bot wrote:Did you blot out the light piping to the eyes?

I'm interested to see a 360 degrees view. Sort of like Ryan's gallery style. If it's not too much to ask.

The light piping on movie ironhide is useless anyway. The plastic is too dark and you cant see jack through it, so i just painted over it.

You done good! Your good at this. Ill send ya mine.

Charger426 wrote:You done good! Your good at this. Ill send ya mine.

CHARGER!!

Speak of the blooming devil! I was just thinking about you and realised you havnt been around much lately. Hows it going?

And sure, but shipping will cost a bomb.

This was a holiday weekend here in the U.S. and where I work it gets really busy. Yep I was a tad bit MIA.
All is well. Thanks for askin!

Hey Sonray! Sorry I don't post comments on your work as you do on mine all the time, I'm usually rather busy. I don't want you to feel like it's a one-sided replying just coming from you about all my stuff so I'm taking a look at your work to comment, rar.

Tho I really love the red color scheme (red, silver, and those black kneeguards rule), the overall paint work just doesn't do it for me. The red doesn't bug me as much as the silver. It looks like just a solid coat of silver and that's it, looks like those red pieces on his chest guard are just floating on the silver too. Perhaps it's the bright flash of the camera that's getting rid of any detail on the figure but it looks like all those cool knobs and cogs on his legs, especially below his hips, were just painted silver and left like that.

I love the detail on the arm cannons and it looks like you put the most work into those. Except now they don't look like they belong on the figure because the detailed styled doesn't match the solid-color work on the rest of the figure. Same with the face. I love the detailing on his mouth, around the eyes, truly badass! But then right below that the plank that extends over his chest looks plain silver as do his toes and other parts I mentioned. Again, could be the camera work.

Good job on the figure and I like the gold/yellow stripe detail there!

Hi jin, wow your leaving a comment for once! Are pigs flying!?

Anyway, about the paint. Its not the flash, it was intentional. I didnt want to go with a dry-brush look on the silver on his legs, as i wanted it to look more G1-ish, which means less detail.

I did consider going to town with all the details on his legs and stuff like you mentioned but i decided to just go with a solid paint job. I was going to change his arm cannons to be just solid silver too but i didnt for some reason.

But never mind as im stripping all the paint off and starting over again anyway, so i think when i get around to it the next time i will go with a more detailed paint scheme like you mentioned as i think it might look better anyway. This was more of a test than anything else.

Thanks for leaving a comment though, means alot to me. I need some motivation and positive feedback cos ive been feeling depressed lately so thanks!

You gonna do one like this too?

Great job Sonray. I like how i'm not the only one who uses actual auto paint. *Phew*
Like how you did up the paint, especially the smooth finish (not shine, but texture). Looks prettey sweet.

Sherade wrote:Great job Sonray. I like how i'm not the only one who uses actual auto paint. *Phew*
Like how you did up the paint, especially the smooth finish (not shine, but texture). Looks prettey sweet.

Yeah the car paint is the only thing i have had success with. I cant understand how all these other painters have so much success with acrylics cos personally i think they are ****. (thats probably just the anger talking there, as i just spent three weeks painting this thing and putting my whole heart into and it all gets messed up as soon as you transform it cos the paint chips off. )

They are good for detailing but as far as durability goes i dont see what the big deal is.

Say if you use car paints too, what did you use to strip your paint off, if youve ever had to that is...

So why are you stripping this down?

Tom_Servo wrote:So why are you stripping this down?

Because i transformed him into alt mode, and all the paint on the bot mode parts started chipping and rubbing off. It looked like junk, so im starting over with tougher paint and if it doesnt work, then it goes in the bin.

Not after drying. During painting, if I need cleaning, I use goo-gone and soapy water. You can always scratch it, but it might got to the plastic.

WAIT!
If you have access to one (I do because of my dad's work) you can use a glass bead blaster. It removes paint without damage. But, only if you can find one to use.

Actually, acrylics aren't tooo bad, I used them a lot, and still do, if my car paint doesnt work so well.
Actually, here's a tip for you Sonray. Visit a local hobby shop and look for testors R/C spray paint. It is used on R/C cars and the like, and sticks greatt plus glosses itself. The scratch factor depends on how you use it, but, I've used it to my advantage.

Sherade wrote:Not after drying. During painting, if I need cleaning, I use goo-gone and soapy water. You can always scratch it, but it might got to the plastic.

WAIT!
If you have access to one (I do because of my dad's work) you can use a glass bead blaster. It removes paint without damage. But, only if you can find one to use.

Actually, acrylics aren't tooo bad, I used them a lot, and still do, if my car paint doesnt work so well.
Actually, here's a tip for you Sonray. Visit a local hobby shop and look for testors R/C spray paint. It is used on R/C cars and the like, and sticks greatt plus glosses itself. The scratch factor depends on how you use it, but, I've used it to my advantage.

Would a sand blaster do the same trick as the glass bead blaster?

No hobby shop near me sells anything testors related BTW.

Oh, forgot that you live..somewhere else.
I beleive a sand blaster'd work, but I use bead to be safe about plastic damage, beause the sand is coarser, and may scratch. But try what you will.
If it goes, I'll take it as is. Me likey.

Sherade wrote:Oh, forgot that you live..somewhere else.
I beleive a sand blaster'd work, but I use bead to be safe about plastic damage, beause the sand is coarser, and may scratch. But try what you will.
If it goes, I'll take it as is. Me likey.

Id imagine the sand will scratch the plastic to a degree, BUT i can then rub down the plastic with light gritted sand paper, then primer it, rub it down again and then paint it and that should eliminate all the scratches.

I think the sand blaster will only take the shine off of the original plastic and just make it feel a little rough to the touch, just like rubbing down a real car with sand paper before you paint it does. It shouldnt leave huge gaping scars in the plastic though....but thats why we do tests first.

I will try that tomorrow.

Or i could just buy a new figure....lol

The paint do look a bit thick on the head, body and arms. Maybe you can try thin coats on your next try. Since you're stripping down the paint anyway.

Something like the paint on the legs; looks thin enough.

The cannon paint is the best one. It looks realistic. I'm truly impressed with this part.

Auto Bot wrote:The paint do look a bit thick on the head, body and arms. Maybe you can try thin coats on your next try. Since you're stripping down the paint anyway.

Something like the paint on the legs; looks thin enough.

The cannon paint is the best one. It looks realistic. I'm truly impressed with this part.

I put the paint on as thin as possible, the tamiya flat red didnt cover very well over the black plastic. So i had to put on four coats just to cover the black plastic.

I wont have this problem with the air-brushed applied car paint though.

Sonray wrote:

Auto Bot wrote:The paint do look a bit thick on the head, body and arms. Maybe you can try thin coats on your next try. Since you're stripping down the paint anyway.

Something like the paint on the legs; looks thin enough.

The cannon paint is the best one. It looks realistic. I'm truly impressed with this part.

I put the paint on as thin as possible, the tamiya flat red didnt cover very well over the black plastic. So i had to put on four coats just to cover the black plastic.

I wont have this problem with the air-brushed applied car paint though.

So your red paints are all hand brushed?