WIP Black Tracks Classics

Sidbeckett · 05-31-2012, 08:42 PM

Well, this was my first attempt to dye a figure rather than going with my tried and tested spray paint method. I love the finish I get with sprays, but even with base coating and prep-work (sanding down etc...), I find paint rub is inevitable.

I spent a few hours experimenting with the dye at various temparatures with various amount of time with the toy in the dye, I followed the Redline tutorial but there were so many conflicting guides, it was more of a starting point to finding my own method.
First things first: IF YOU ATTEMPT TO DYE, USE VENTILATION AND WEAR A PROPER MASK.
Acetone and RIT dye are not meant to be breathed in, and if you heat them, they will go airborne and fuck you up. I've been suffering for a few days now, and it seems to be out of my system.

As with all customs, prep work is everything. Disassemble, clean, remove paint etc...
I used RIT dye for the black which went in really well (heat to 180, remove from heat, fully submerge figure, check very thirty seconds or so, rinse in cold water when finished. If not colour you want, re-heat water and repeat steps), I was happy with that.
I used RIT dye for the grey parts. I wasn't happy with that. It went too dark after I'd removed from the dye and rinsed, the head stayed lighter but any defect on the figure or area where paint had been seems to attract more dye meaning darker colouration.
Thankfully, I did two of these as I was working on them, and didn't dye the second lot of parts grey, opting for a spray finish for comparisons. That's drying along with the roof which was sprayed (can't dye without colouring windows too) and I'll post pictures tomorrow.

Anyway, WIP Black Tracks attempt 1...

He looks very odd without his chest windshield...

The black went in very well.

...I expect attempt 2 to look better, and will hit attempt #3 next week.

azdragon58 · 05-31-2012, 09:31 PM

Thats the same method I use when I dye figures... Works pretty good like that... Like the way he is coming along...

Sidbeckett · 06-02-2012, 10:20 AM

New, much better images up on first post, shame I can't change the thumbnail.

99% finished, need the right colour blue for the face in tribute to Diaclone. Next week I will finish attempt #2 which has I think nicer grays, and that one will have a gold face detail to match Lucky Draw Black Tracks (pictured).

chansformers · 06-02-2012, 10:26 AM

not bad looking so far.
i like how the dye tuerned the stock hood flames into almost a kind of silver ghost flames effect now!

joevill · 06-02-2012, 10:51 AM

Awesome good job Sid!

Sidbeckett · 06-02-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chansformers

not bad looking so far.
i like how the dye tuerned the stock hood flames into almost a kind of silver ghost flames effect now!

Good eyes sir!

Yeah, totally unexpected but a happy accident. I have this mold seven times now, but on all the others I don't have the Hasbro Tracks flame markings, so I am quite happy to leave this as it is. I don't have the sticker on my Lucky Draw Black Tracks so I wasn't going to repro this one either.

Roof was hand painted with gloss to match the body after careful masking and black primer base coat.

Erector · 06-02-2012, 06:28 PM

As I said in the UK thread: the dyeing turned out really well. Looking good and can't wait to see the finished product!!

Sidbeckett · 11-08-2012, 03:26 PM

I have a finished version of this fella on ebay, so if you wanna see the finished product, make with the clicky click.

My third attempt was the best, IMO, and that is the one I am selling. I went with the gold face paint to make it look more like the LD Black Tracks and less like the scarce Diaclone.

05-31-2012, 08:42 PM	#1
Sidbeckett Sons of Unicron PTT Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3,757 Location: Warks, UK Collection Count: Too many News Credits: 2	WIP Black Tracks Classics Well, this was my first attempt to dye a figure rather than going with my tried and tested spray paint method. I love the finish I get with sprays, but even with base coating and prep-work (sanding down etc...), I find paint rub is inevitable. I spent a few hours experimenting with the dye at various temparatures with various amount of time with the toy in the dye, I followed the Redline tutorial but there were so many conflicting guides, it was more of a starting point to finding my own method. First things first: IF YOU ATTEMPT TO DYE, USE VENTILATION AND WEAR A PROPER MASK. Acetone and RIT dye are not meant to be breathed in, and if you heat them, they will go airborne and fuck you up. I've been suffering for a few days now, and it seems to be out of my system. As with all customs, prep work is everything. Disassemble, clean, remove paint etc... I used RIT dye for the black which went in really well (heat to 180, remove from heat, fully submerge figure, check very thirty seconds or so, rinse in cold water when finished. If not colour you want, re-heat water and repeat steps), I was happy with that. I used RIT dye for the grey parts. I wasn't happy with that. It went too dark after I'd removed from the dye and rinsed, the head stayed lighter but any defect on the figure or area where paint had been seems to attract more dye meaning darker colouration. Thankfully, I did two of these as I was working on them, and didn't dye the second lot of parts grey, opting for a spray finish for comparisons. That's drying along with the roof which was sprayed (can't dye without colouring windows too) and I'll post pictures tomorrow. Anyway, WIP Black Tracks attempt 1... He looks very odd without his chest windshield... The black went in very well. ...I expect attempt 2 to look better, and will hit attempt #3 next week. Attached Thumbnails HEXATRON PRE-ORDERS OPEN - £110 shipped in UK CLICK FOR SALES THREAD Read my Novella, "Not In The Eye", cheap on Amazon. MY COLLECTION - officially the 68th biggest in the UK

06-02-2012, 10:26 AM	#4
chansformers butcher of the bots Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,126 Location: calgary Collection Count: literally a whole basement full News Credits: 1	not bad looking so far. i like how the dye tuerned the stock hood flames into almost a kind of silver ghost flames effect now! http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...2ndplace-2.jpgdecepticons are weak,insecticons rule!

06-02-2012, 10:51 AM	#5
joevill Omnibot Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 238 Location: California Collection Count: Counting in Process	Awesome good job Sid! Sig pictures are to be no larger than 40KB in file size and should be no larger than 300 pixels in height and 500 pixels wide - 2005 Staffer]Sig pictures are to be no larger than 40KB in file size and should be no larger than 300 pixels in height and 500 pixels wide - 2005 Staff When eating planets alone isn't enough to satisfy the Chaos Bringer's hunger, Unicron comes to Earth to fill up on McDonald's, The golden arches will light our darkest hour by clogging his arteries, raising his blood pressure, and giving him diabetes.[/center]

06-02-2012, 06:28 PM	#7
Erector I ruined the Hall of Fame Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 10,590 Location: Manchester, UK Collection Count: 345 and counting News Credits: 21	As I said in the UK thread: the dyeing turned out really well. Looking good and can't wait to see the finished product!! My collection \| My Most Wanted! \| My For Sale thread My feedback \| My customs \| My Twitter

11-08-2012, 03:26 PM	#8
Sidbeckett Sons of Unicron PTT Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3,757 Location: Warks, UK Collection Count: Too many News Credits: 2	I have a finished version of this fella on ebay, so if you wanna see the finished product, make with the clicky click. My third attempt was the best, IMO, and that is the one I am selling. I went with the gold face paint to make it look more like the LD Black Tracks and less like the scarce Diaclone. HEXATRON PRE-ORDERS OPEN - £110 shipped in UK CLICK FOR SALES THREAD Read my Novella, "Not In The Eye", cheap on Amazon. MY COLLECTION - officially the 68th biggest in the UK

05-31-2012, 09:31 PM	#2
azdragon58 Constructicon Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 702 Location: Tucson, AZ	Thats the same method I use when I dye figures... Works pretty good like that... Like the way he is coming along... Feedback:http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/junkio...zdragon58.html

06-02-2012, 10:20 AM	#3
Sidbeckett Sons of Unicron PTT Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3,757 Location: Warks, UK Collection Count: Too many News Credits: 2	New, much better images up on first post, shame I can't change the thumbnail. 99% finished, need the right colour blue for the face in tribute to Diaclone. Next week I will finish attempt #2 which has I think nicer grays, and that one will have a gold face detail to match Lucky Draw Black Tracks (pictured). HEXATRON PRE-ORDERS OPEN - £110 shipped in UK CLICK FOR SALES THREAD Read my Novella, "Not In The Eye", cheap on Amazon. MY COLLECTION - officially the 68th biggest in the UK