Minor/Repaint: FE Optimus Prime Repaint and worklog

Discussion in 'Radicons Customs' started by Retroheavy, May 2, 2016.

  1. Retroheavy

    Retroheavy Well-Known Member

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    Just wanted to share my process so on this figure. I found one for a good deal online that had a broken crest, this way I wouldn't be out a lot of money if I screwed up the paint job. Upon taking the figure apart I had to break the pegs on the legs to get the pieces apart. I don't think that pin was ever meant to come out once it was in. [​IMG]

    So I hollowed out the hole, picked up a bit of 1/8 in aluminum tube and tapped it for a machine screw (I don't think I will need the screw just the tube) and super glued it into place. The end result worked out quite well and feels very strong.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Next up was a light sanding and bath, I think I used 600 grit to buff the sheen off the plastic.
    [​IMG]

    Next is posting and masking off trouble areas... I tried to mask off as much rub areas as possible but I think he will still have some issues with transformation.
    [​IMG]

    OPTIMUS PRIMED!!! I took most of optimus apart but as you can see some areas are still together. I was able to remove some but not all pins. The pins on this guy are either onesided (impossible to push out) or just refuse to budge with damaging the figure further. *Tamiya Very Fine Primer.
    [​IMG]

    After the primer cured for 24 hours I applied a couple coats of Tamiya TS-14 black then a coat of Tamiya TS-13 Clear Coat as a base for Alclad Chrome.
    [​IMG]

    Waited a couple days and applied the chrome, I found out that the Alclad, while looks great on the TS series paint does not stick too well. It doesn't take much to rub it back down to the black. I clear coated some of the pieces with TS-13 and it really killed the "Shiney" chrome effect. Live and learn I guess.
    [​IMG]

    Finally after a ton of detailed masking, BLUE! I really like the way this blue turned out. It is tamiya TS-51 racing blue.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    AND RED! Tamiya TS-85 The red didn't turn out at all how I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a bit more transparent like the blue letting the silver base show through, but it is actually an opaque paint. While not what I was expecting I still think it looks great.
    [​IMG]

    I almost have him fully assembled and his smoke stacks from shapeways will arrive today. I'll paint them up and have some nice final pics added later this week. Thanks for checking it out!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. RCtelevision

    RCtelevision cosmos

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    Awesome
     
  3. timcourtois

    timcourtois Well-Known Member

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    Awesome work. Love that mold. I miss the TF Prime days!
     
  4. gericault

    gericault Well-Known Member

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    Nice job; looking great!
     
  5. SG hailstorm

    SG hailstorm JaAm aficionado

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    Wow, that is some serious dedication , it's really showing!
     
  6. plowking

    plowking I'm with ErechOveraker. Veteran

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    that's some gorgeous paint work.
     
  7. bman29

    bman29 Dancitron

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    That fifth picture down looks like a scene out of Dark Souls. Body parts on pikes. Great painting, looking forward to seeing it put back together.
     
  8. Slaglock

    Slaglock Well-Known Member

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    looks very nice. ive noticed on a few chrome paints that applying a sealer or clear coat really dulls down the paint but the paint doesnt stick too well either
     
  9. lprototypel

    lprototypel Member

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    Is it airbrushed?
     
  10. Grimlocka go-go

    Grimlocka go-go Back from the Dead TFW2005 Supporter

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    Looking very good, any update?
     
  11. seali_me

    seali_me RIP January 2018

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    I haven't seen paint work like this TTT and Sabrina Ng.

    Not a lot of peeps can handle it. You obviously are talented.