The Energon Pub

This project should have done sooner after Optimus was done. But you know, other projects rolled in, life rolled in, holiday season rolled in. Many things here and there and he is postponed until now. If you like to see more pictures, they are here and here. Please don't judge on the combined form as it is just my personal preference. Any comments are welcome.

That's how I combine mine too! MIND=BLOWN
Nice work BTW

Amazing job with the detail. I hope you don't mind if I use your design to upgrade my own. Jetfire is always combinded with Optimus on my shelf and this will make it look a lot better.

Thanks guys.

Grahf wrote:I hope you don't mind if I use your design to upgrade my own. Jetfire is always combinded with Optimus on my shelf and this will make it look a lot better.

Of course not. I'm honored.

By the way, beside using silver, gold, and gun metal for the weathering, I also mixed another color and it is very hard to distinguish from the photos. It is mixed with silver, red, yellow, and black plus some flat base.

Paul, I'm afraid that gorgeous silver on your Optimus' metal parts stole the show for me.

What brand of silver paint did you use for OP? The metallic effect looks very realistic. Mind describing the process [priming, number of coats, etc.], if it's not too much trouble?

**edited for typos.

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:What brand of silver paint did you use for OP? The metallic effect looks very realistic. Mind describing the process [priming, number of coats, etc.], if it's not too much trouble?

Thanks.

Since I'm too lazy to take everything apart (not even sure if it's possible for OP) or tape cover all his blue/red body parts, I first hand brush those parts with Tamiya black. Since mine is glossy, I need to add flat base. Also thin it down with waters and then apply two to three thin coats. Usually the ratio is about 10 drops of paint with 5 drops of water. But that depends on the age of paint (older paint is thicker). So sometimes start with 2 or 3 drops of water first and then mix them. If I feel too thick, just add more water drops until satisfy. Then dry brush them with Tamiya chrome silver.

Jetfire is much easier, just spray him all with flat black (Model Master lacquer can) and then add details.

I can't do much spray now. I don't like spraying inside and my garage is too cold now.

paul053 wrote:

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:What brand of silver paint did you use for OP? The metallic effect looks very realistic. Mind describing the process [priming, number of coats, etc.], if it's not too much trouble?

Thanks.

Since I'm too lazy to take everything apart (not even sure if it's possible for OP) or tape cover all his blue/red body parts, I first hand brush those parts with Tamiya black. Since mine is glossy, I need to add flat base. Also thin it down with waters and then apply two to three thin coats. Usually the ratio is about 10 drops of paint with 5 drops of water. But that depends on the age of paint (older paint is thicker). So sometimes start with 2 or 3 drops of water first and then mix them. If I feel too thick, just add more water drops until satisfy. Then dry brush them with Tamiya chrome silver.

Jetfire is much easier, just spray him all with flat black (Model Master lacquer can) and then add details.

I can't do much spray now. I don't like spraying inside and my garage is too cold now.

Wow, that's a very smooth finish for a hand-brushed paint job.

BTW, did you seal it or anything? I'm assuming you used acrylics, as you mentioned thinning the paint with water. Acrylics are pretty easy to scratch without at least a clear coat. I'd humbly recommend Future floor polish--it's crazy tough, self-leveling, and adds more shine to your metallic finish.

Speaking of taking OP apart, has anyone ever been able to dismantle those gears in his chest. I mean, he'd look perfect if you could get at those gears and paint the up.

I was looking to paint up my OP, but those gears in his chest stopped me in my tracks. At the very least, I was hoping to fit a pair of metal-painted sheets of plastic to cover them up, but there doesn't even seem to be a way to get inside that damn windscreen.

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:BTW, did you seal it or anything? I'm assuming you used acrylics, as you mentioned thinning the paint with water. Acrylics are pretty easy to scratch without at least a clear coat. I'd humbly recommend Future floor polish--it's crazy tough, self-leveling, and adds more shine to your metallic finish.

I did that but on other figures, not these two. Tamiya's acrilic paints are quite sturdy for most part unless they are tight joints or panel connectors. I generally use Model Master's lacquer semi gloss clear spray but Future floor polish sounds like a good idea.

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:Speaking of taking OP apart, has anyone ever been able to dismantle those gears in his chest. I mean, he'd look perfect if you could get at those gears and paint the up.

I was looking to paint up my OP, but those gears in his chest stopped me in my tracks. At the very least, I was hoping to fit a pair of metal-painted sheets of plastic to cover them up, but there doesn't even seem to be a way to get inside that damn windscreen.

It is doable. Seen this and this?

paul053 wrote:I did that but on other figures, not these two. Tamiya's acrilic paints are quite sturdy for most part unless they are tight joints or panel connectors. I generally use Model Master's lacquer semi gloss clear spray but Future floor polish sounds like a good idea.

Wow, acrylics seems to be a lot tougher than most people give it credit for.

paul053 wrote:It is doable. Seen this and this?

If only someone posted a tutorial. I'm a little hesitant to take the whole chest area apart without instructions; not sure if I can put them all back together. All those moving gears sound like a nightmare to reassemble.

The torso weathering looks really great.

Amazing job you have done. Its a work of art, i wish i could what you can do. thank you for sharing .