Looks great... You selling these?

 

Couldn't if I wanted to since it's not my design. But if you know anyone with a 3d printer, it's a 5min print. Making it fit will take much longer.

 

Looks decent.

I still cannot believe nobody has tried to sell a one piece add on for this yet!

 

I can mod it, but have no access to a printer

 

So I have joined the ranks of the Big Spring method to affordable 3P/MP collection building.

My opinion of the figure pretty much aligns with every other post within this thread.





He's a great figure for the affordable price that he is... but sorely needs to get a facelift.

Unless I'm going for a certain John Carpenter's Halloween look.



I am at a bit of a loss for how I can improve his face. I don't have too much modeling equipment... but with the covid-19 related quarantine in effect, I find I have a lot more time on my hands... so I can probably purchase some equipment, putz around, and learn.

Then there's also the question of changing the color of the face? Without owning an air-brush, I am not sure how I can fix the color of Big Spring's face.

Great job! A little subtlety goes a long way!! What did you use to sand it down? What did you use to draw lines on his face? I wonder if a Micron 0.2 would work?

Amazing work!! It might just look better then FT Apache!! I know there are different putties that bond with plastics, and others that can have undesired reactions. Can you tell me what putty did you use, and how did you smooth it?

I really like what you did with shaving that sides of Big Spring's face. Raising the 'cheek-bones' really helps change the face and makes him look less like Michael Myers. Can you let me know how you shaved down the sides of his face? I fear that the plastic would become rough, splintered, or shredded.

@toretilo , @neurowing , @Red2 ... I really like what each of you have done with improving Big Spring's face.

Thanks in advance for any insight that you can provide!

Cheers!

 

Congrats on picking up a great figure!

So using reference pics I just picked a shape and used an exacto knife to slowly and carefully carve away. You can also use some small modeling files. You'll be surprised at how much material you can cut off. I felt like I just kept going. Just take it slowly and keep test fitting.

 

Still surprised there’s been zero 3D printed faces for this guy. Usually see a lot of that stuff.

 

Welcome to the Big Spring club! Well, painting is not my thing, so I avoid it whenever I can and I didn't paint the face, but when I paint, first I try with markers, and if they're no good I usually use sprays, white primer and then colour.

Thanks! To sand something down I just use a regular nail file or a sandpaper over the table and I rub the part, and to draw the lines I started with a X-acto cutter but ended up using a kitchen knife to make the lines wider. As you can see, my modeling equipment isn't the most sofisticated out there   but you can get good results with simple tools at home.

Yeah, me too.

 

Hi @Necrobot! I use Tamiya epoxy putty for resculpts. I think I just used 600 or 800 grit sand paper to smoothen it.

 

Thanks @Red2 @toretilo @neurowing for your responses, examples and explanations!! They are much appreciated!!

Due to fear of %#$@ing up the only face Big Spring has, I am thinking about making a mold out of his existing face to essentially make copies which I can then 'edit' using an exacto knife, file, extra-fine sandpaper.

How to Make a Resin Mold

It seems 'doable' in theory. But I have absolutely zero experience in this... so anything goes here. It could be a duplicatable success. It could be a complete disaster.

Thanks again!!

 

Keep in mind that you wouldn't be able to do a simple press mold for this, as you need both sides of the part. This would have to be a two part mold, which (speaking from experience) is a bit more tricky.

 

Hmm ...

 

@Necrobot maybe this can help.

I took out the face since I'll be repainting it anyway. .

I added putty make the jaw more angular, sanded sides of the nose and added putty to make it a little V shaped, sanded and scribed the lips.

 

Oh sweet! Great job!

 

You can certainly try to mold his face but as I am researching molding Skorponok’s visor, it’s not a simple task. Since his face is so small and thin, air bubbles are going to be an issue so a vacuum chamber is necessary.

 

That's not true. I've molded countless small parts using Oyumura type mold making compounds and clear binary epoxy and have not had issues. The key is slow and careful mixing, and a slow dribbling pour. You may get micro bubbles but nothing that will show after painting. You can also use a binary epoxy putty in the mold (Apoxiesculpt, Milliput, etc) for even less chance of bubbling issues.

 

I finally got Big Spring and its fantastic! Probably my favorite Springer out of the entire lineup (Well...I honestly love the Siege Version) but like a lot of others have said..his face isn't perfect and I wish there was another expression or just completely different face for this guy. Still, I'm very happy with it.
I've also never had a figure that I needed to add the Autobot symbol on.
Does anyone have any recomendations? I really like this figure so I want a good quality sticker/press/whatever the cool kids use.  
Oh yeah! Also, really cool pictures from you guys, y'all are way more creative than me when it comes to the faces/paint/additional work.

 

Oh! Do you have any links to those techniques?

 

I don't. I bought the materials and figured it out on my own. If you do liquid epoxy, it is imperative to stir the two parts together very slowly to avoid large bubbles. Pour very slowly into the mold; the key is to be slow but even. I also tap the mold on the side repeatedly to encourage any trapped air to rise to the top. You will likely have some micro bubbles present, but if it is a painted piece they will not be visible after an opaque paint coat.

For epoxy putty it's easier. As you work the putty and knead it to mix, you also work any air bubbles out. I've had no issues with bubnlingvand putty, so long as I'm diligent about firmly working the putty hard into any corners or small detail areas in the mold.

The biggest issue is getting a two part mold set up. It is very, very difficult with a heat activated compound like Oyumura. You have to be very diligent in how you set up the parts, allow for an adequate opening to pour into, and bubble issues become compounded when you have limited access while pouring, requiring an even greater degree of caution. I've heard silicone or other mold materials are better for the two part molds, but I've yet to invest in anything like that. However, I'm about ready to give up on my current project and just spend the cash to try it, though.

 

Well, after looking into what it would take to create a front and back mold, and bearing in mind that I've never attempted even a single resin mold/cast, it became apparent that I was in over my head.

So, I elected to sand down Big Spring's face.



Underneath the greyish white coat is a color that is much more aligned to the rest of the figure. In my opinion, they should've just applied a clear coat over that 'keylime pie' tone.



Now I need to figure out how to make an appropriately contoured smouth, and two slits to accent the sides of his face... and not wind up a bloody mess in the process.

@neurowing , your work on Big Spring's head looks fantastic!!! And it certainly does help.

What type of implement did you use to make the cuts for the mouth?

What color are you planning to repaint the face... and perhaps more importantly, what type of paint are you using?

Definitely looking great!! Your hardwork is paying off!

Cheers!