The Energon Pub

News Credits: 5 · by **Universe** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:21 am

ROTF Voyager Class Repaint with Testor's Model Masters Enamels.
Enjoy!

News Credits: 9 · by **Mykltron** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:22 am

Very nice details - that face looks great!

News Credits: 2 · by **MutantDinosaur** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:24 am

Ooooooh! Nice! I know ROTF repaints seem to be almost flooding the boards, but this is some seriously nice work! Great detail and color choices (not overdoing the gold/bronze/whatever highlights). Best looking movie Megatron I think I've ever seen! (You've clearly been doing repaints a long time, no?)

News Credits: 2 · by **MutantDinosaur** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:27 am

Enamels, huh? Do they set okay (ie, they dry to the touch)? Do you use any pre- or post-painting preparations? Also, do you spray or paint it? (Sorry for the question overload; I'm just so impressed by the results, I'm curious.

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News Credits: 5 · by **Universe** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:38 pm

MutantDinosaur wrote:Enamels, huh? Do they set okay (ie, they dry to the touch)? Do you use any pre- or post-painting preparations? Also, do you spray or paint it? (Sorry for the question overload; I'm just so impressed by the results, I'm curious. )

Hey MutantDinosaur,

This is my second repaint using enamels- I painted a few before using acrylics and here's the differences. Enamels take quite a bit longer to dry since it's not water based like acrylics. 24 hour dry time is usually required, while acrylics can be lightly handled as soon as the water evaporates from the paint. It's also quite a bit softer, so you really want to make sure the coats are thin and you spray some kind of sealer afterward. I was moving some parts in between coats, and I could literally feel the paint's softness, so extra care has to be taken in handling, unless you want fingerprint impressions. However, the trade-off is the look of enamel metallics are far superior and more realistic than the acrylic counterparts.

Not matter what kind of paint is used, the prep is always the same. Usually pop off any removable joints and occasionally unscrew select parts if it helps the painting process. Then it gets a soapy bath and set aside to dry. With enamels, I stray it with multiple, very light coats of matte black, and from there it's drybushing and detailing with brushes. Acrylics is a wash of a base color. Finally, it's sealed with either a matte or glossy clear coat, depending on the look you want.