This one hurts. I really tried my best on this one, but it was a nightmare. Disassembling this bitch fully so I could dye him was a total pain in the arse, I accidentally spilled a drop of isopropanol on the bugger while transferring some to the Tamiya acrylics I use because I'm an idiot apparently so the roof decided to split on me, the nylon parts turned out GREEN so I had to use two separate dyes to get the bastard fully black, then the twit wouldn't go together correctly, the painted parts like the head scuff, the gold melted off while I varnished it because I'm DEFINITELY an idiot, and I really don't think putting the decals on this little piece of crap will salvage him. ...At least the hand-painted white on the shoulders turned out good??
Sounds traumatizing But he doesn't look THAT bad. Maybe actually apply the decals and put another layer of gold on OR just say it's weathering and battle damage. You could make a really gritty Stepper out of him.
there's no failed projects, only an initial project for a better result. overall black dye looks smooth
Thanks guys. I might just touch up the paint tomorrow morning and print off the decals just in case. I just wish the thing fit together properly, is all. ;-;
It's still a good custom. I've stopped trying to dye plastic, I always end up with a wheel well warping.
Cool protect, sorry it didn't turn out. For more fragile figures like this I suggest using paints instead along with less disassembly of the figure
If there's one thing I've learned from my customizing journey thus far, it's if a project isn't going the way you wanted: Take a break, move on to another project, and come back to it when the inspiration hits again. That being said, this one has some real potential, just need's some refinements. Although I will have to agree and say that trying to custom a Transformer is way harder to do since Earthrise and deciding that every pin should be a flat head one instead on the normal one. But overall, good luck with this project and hope for the best.
Honestly, not much of what you've mentioned comes across in the pictures, so you mostly pulled this one out IMO. Plus, is sounds like the experience leveled up your skill level going forward. I'll echo what others have said in that the result of the dye looks pretty good. There are no failures in science- only lessons learned. You don't typically learn a lot from projects that go perfectly.
...I wanna die. OK, not really, but I am totally gutted. I decided to touch his paint up, and salvage the boy as much as I could. I was about to start work on recreating the decals. I kept him totally intact, until I noticed the head assembly kept popping off. Then the body assembly popped off. "No big deal," I thought, "I'll just pop it back into the holes." Big mistake. The holes had wicked stress fractures and split apart when I tried to put them back in. AND I GOT SO FUCKING FAR, TOO!! I even made goddamn Nebulon out of a spare Firedrive! So, I glued everything I could back into place. The backpack assembly is buggered too after the first re-assembly after dyeing. He's an Action Master now. Fine by me, I guess... But still really disappointing. I've still got one $5 Jazz to spare... should I dare tempt fate and make another, better, non-fucked Stepper? Or do I keep to the plan and make Rad? I just don't know at this point. I'm gonna take some time to clear my head before I work on Bludgeon.
It's hard to make out anything in this black ob black mass. Could you light it out a bit better and maybe draw marks in the pictures where the damage exactly happened? Is that final after gluing him back together? Make Rad. I'd like to see a red Porsche There are so many Steppers already. Which figure are you going to use for Bludgeon?
As Tom Servo said you levelled up from the experience. If you do another attempt don't dye the figure and don't take it apart at the pins, hit it with can of black spray paint instead. We've all had catastrophic failures in life and in customs, it's how you come back from it that really matters.
Sorry, it was late at night when I took the pictures. That's the split right there. Yeah, sadly. TR Hardhead, based on his Legends Universe version.
Aw man pouring one out for your original concept That being said, you can ball out with this one now. Have an Action Master Ricochet or fuck it, use him as a test bed for finishing techniques. Wet sand the fuck out of his paint or something. Make something worthwhile out of the endeavor, even if it's some extra parts in the junk bin.
Yeah, for now he's a good ol' Action Master chillin' on my desk - I've sorta come to terms with that. I'm still tempted to print off the decals to give the guy the full Action Master Steppochet treatment though.
Well, I've tried my best with Stepper and I've come to terms with him not transforming - but something was missing. So... I pulled a Mr. Mister, and took his broken wings so he could learn to fly again. It's hardly perfect, but I think it looks alright. "Do these wings make my tush look big?" Still need to make some decals for him, but for now I think he looks pretty decent.
Aw, man... it sucks when a plan hits (a few) brick walls like that. My successes with dyeing TFs has mostly been with older figures with thicker parts, and more forgiving transformations. I also try to dye them when everything is locked into vehicle mode, to minimize warping. Even so, results are not consistent. It always shocks me how isopropyl alcohol is like instant death to transparent plastic! I've had the same thing happen before, where a single drop of isopropyl fell on a clear plastic piece and SKRRRK... instant crack! It's practically supernatural. This is especially gutting because figures are more expensive now than they used to be (and obvious redecos like Stepper tend to be exclusives). There there, bud. z
Sorry for your loss... but on a more positive note I'm looking forward to your Rad! Bro you should totally do a widebody mod on the mold, it looks so cool
