Thanks! That is very helpful information. I have already stripped the blue. Normally I would try to salvage it but since this isn’t just some kit I can pick up for 50.00 on eBay, I’m going to feel a lot better starting over on these parts. Also, I wasn’t in love with the pearl blue. Not enough coats left it looking a bit teal and too many made too dark of a blue.

I did manage to get the inside of the back of the leg done. I ended up using royal light gray for the panels on the upper thigh instead of racing white. Flat coated it and it looks really nice in hand.

 

That royal light grey is really nice! This is looking very premium already. Did you brush on the black rubber or airbrush?

 

So far, almost everything is coming straight out of a rattle can. I have an airbrush but it has a tendency to splatter paint everywhere and I'm not 100% confident using it on this kit.

 

New blue showed up today. Pieces should be ready for paint tomorrow. Meanwhile I was able to get the frame of the hips assembled and the legs attached.


As you can see, once assembled he holds together quite well. Nothing is floppy or loose. He also has a decent amount of heft so far considering it’s just about 3/4 of the legs.

 

Ok. Finally finished up some blue bits that I’m happy with. Originally wanted gloss clear coat but ended up applying a thin layer of flat over the blue. I think the glossy metallic blue was fighting too much with the gunmetal and needed something to help dial it back a bit.

 

That's looking really nice. So do you spray the foot blue and then apply the silver details? Just wondering how you get it to look so clean. I've got a few of the 3A Transformer figs and this paint job is on par!

 

Thanks! For the feet, I started with a gunmetal base. Masked off areas I wanted to keep the gunmetal on then painted blue. Masked again and hit a couple areas with a brighter silver. Then applied a bit of a black wash.

Here is the foot before I masked it off and painted blue.

 

Finally finished the thighs. They turned out really nice. I was gambling on how the light gray was going to look but once I put it all together it looks amazing in person.


edit. Found a couple water slides to finish off the upper thighs.

 

So close to being done with the legs and hips. Just have to hand paint some fine details and apply a bit of wash to these parts.

 

I think I’m done with the legs. Should be able to find some time to finish the hips in a coup days.

 

Mighty impressive what Tamiya spraycans can do. I never knew they could go on this smooth.  

 

Working on getting some of the little bits done with what’s left of the paint I have. Just ordered some reds for the upper body.

 

Where can this be ordered? I found the figure but not the kit.

 

You have to message this guy on IG or FB

 

Thanks, prob wont be doing all that. Seems expensive. Thank you though

 

Finally finished the head and started painting the reds on the upper body.

 

Finally got a chance to finish this guy up after pausing for a year. lol. All I had left was the arms but fall/winter set in and I mostly paint outside. Anyways here is a quick update on the arms.

 

Finally finished! Only a year later lol.

 

Amazing work there   have you done anything with the evasion mode Optimus?

 

Thanks! Thought a lot about painting the legendary Optimus but passed on it. Not 100% sure what I’m gonna take on next.