Started 14 Sep 2009 - Completed 03 Oct 2009
After deciding to buy my Mk3 Spray Booth, I pulled out this kit from the stash, and decided to light it. I ordered bags of bits from the LED-Depot for the LEDs, resistors, switches and battery clip. I used the LED Center to calculate what LEDs and resistors to use. I have ended up using 330ohm resistors with 4 x 3mm and 1 x 5mm LEDs. Power is from a 9V battery, which with the switch will be housed in the base.
Here is the results of test fit and lighting test.
At this stage the parts basically snap-fit together, so apart from the knee cap plates, everything you see above is held together with the locating pins alone.
Here are some of my first painted pieces in progress. Alclad2 Grey Primer is laid down, Alclad2 Pale Gold is then applied. For the faceplate, after curing for a few hours I masked off and then sprayed Alclad2 Transparent Red.
Due to the way the kit has been designed, you have to follow a specific build order - extremities to body - so I have decided to build and paint each sub-assembly seperately, mask then add the next section.
The major problem I can see with build, is the combination of seams and Alclad2. As you can see on the photo showing the feet, the seams are visible, but before I laid the gold on you could not see them. Until next time.
21 Sep 2009
After going back over the seams on the feet with Mr Surfacer 500 about three times, I think I have finally beat them into submission.
With the lack of proper light in the booth last night, when I painted the gold on the left forearm, I didn't quite a full enough coverage and the primer was showing through. So I have resprayed it.
The head and feet were also sprayed up, along with the plates that go on the back of the hands with Alclad Pale Gold, followed by two coats of Alclad Transparent Red.
30 Sep 2009
Just a quick warning for any of you using the Transparent Alclad range - they will be removed by Tamiya thinners.
I have been using the Alclad metallics for about 5 years and I have never had any problems, when I have not sealed the metallics. Using both White spirits and Tamiya thinners on them, with no effect.
On this build, as the Transparent Red I applied 24 hours ago had cured, I set about hand painting the black areas on the front torso and head with Tamiya flat black. Being a bit ham-fisted I made a few boo-boos, so I thought, no worries, I will just go over the errors with a q-tip soaked in Tamiya Thinners. After a few swipes the q-tip started taking on a reddish hue, so I stopped and found the four coats of Red had been reduced to about 1/2 of a coat.
After this little disaster with the Alclad Transparent Red, I resprayed the Red and then applied 2 coats of Klear, and a panel wash with Phil Florys Black wash. When I get some free time, I will seal this in and then re-paint the remaining details using enamels.
Here is the results so far.
I actually finished this 2 days ago, but I have not had much joy with taking an "lights on" photo, so I have picked the best out my selection so far.
