The Energon Pub

here's my quick how-to add realistic chrome pipes to leader class optimus prime. I recently got a request for this tutorial from a member on this board, and thought I would share. On that note, I've also since this tutorial remade the pipes, cutting the top part on a 45 degree angle to resemble the movie prime's exhaust more accurately.



1. go to your local Rite-Aidpharmacy and buy this (chrome) makeup application set. It's made by mabeline and costs around $4.00, right in the makeup section.



2. break off the actuall brushes and stuff on the applicators. you need the tube.
Take a pencil or something light and make 2 small marks where you plan to cut the piping. Make sure the 2 pipes match in legnth now, or you'll be buying a second set.



3. rest an X- acto blade on your mark, pressing firmly (but keeping it straight) then roll the piping under your blade, causing a 'score' where you want the piping cut. roll it a few times until you hear light 'crunching noises'



4. grab some pliers or something to grasp the smaller end (not the part you will be using as the pipe, or you will hurt the finish)... with other hand, snap off you pipe. don't laugh at my poopy Ikea brand tools...



5. take the good part, and lay it's end onto some fine grit sandpaper. gently sand off any sharp edges. this also creates a nice buffed look for the edge.



6. cut about 3/4 off of the rubber pipes on leader Prime. Whatever's left over you need to shave down so these new pipes slide on tightly. I suggest trimming the rubber pipes so they are cone shaped. I left most of the base untouched, only trimmed a bunch off the tops. they need to be shaped like a pencil point.



7. Firmly slide your new pipes onto Optimus. Mine sit so tight, I won't even need glue. Now, I have Nice shiny chrome exhaust pipes.

did you use the chrome paint set to paint your Optimus too?

most parts of the exterior, yes. The photos seen in the tutorial were prior to the Alclad chrome paint job though. I focused chrome on the bumber and exterior stuff. robot mode I used a variety of shades of silver metallic.

now that is definitely a great idea, think I'll be trying that.

Awesome

Leader Class Prime's smokestacks really do suck! Yours look much better. The bendy plastic Hasbro used would have been fine if they could have found a way to keep them straight. I know, it's a safety issue, and I don't care.

Personally, I don't think it's a big deal, but a little shine can go a long way.

brilliant.

any chance you've got a pic of the brushes before you butchered them? just to see what I'd be looking for.

I can't find these suckers . Don't have that drug store up here. Havnt checked everywhere, but walmart has nothing like them so far!

the brand is "studio basics" i have not a pic of them pre cut, but just imagine the scraps in pic 1 attached to the chrome tubes

well, i just went to their site, here's the set:

also, from their site:

Studio Basics products can be found at these local stores:
Acme Food
Albertsons
Beauty Warehouse
Cosmetics Plus
Drug Emporium
Drug Fair
Fred Meyer
Giant Food
Gordmans
Harmon
Kerr Drug
Kmart
Kroger
Longs Drug Stores
Navarro Discount Pharmacies
Pamida
Rite Aid
Stop & Shop
The Container Store
The Fragrance Outlet
Ulta
Walgreens
Wegmans

Thanx for that!

I can't find that brush kit anywhere I've looked! :-x

Have you tried the stores on the list? another option would to ask a worker in one of those stores to special order it for you.

option also, check ebay. or go directly to the manufacturer's website? they have them at longs and riteaid out in San Diego.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Studio-Basics-Brush ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Studio-Basics-6 ... dZViewItem

Looks like I'll be buying some make up brushes on eBay.

This should be interesting.