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So here is a question, I want to do a better job with painting the lenses of the Space Marine helmets for my HH Iron Hands, unfortunately, I am not a master painter, not do I have the steadiest of hands(Albeit I can do it, just to me it dosen't look right and it makes me crazy haha), so what would you guys think of using the Citadel Technical color of Soulstone Blue on their helmets lenses to give that nice polished/glassy look?

I had the same thought, although with green.
This is the old paintjob. I do eyes and lenses in an old metallic green.

This is the same guy, but I’ve gone over the green with the new technical paint


Sorry about the photography, it looked in focus before the upload and zoom/crop. I should go back and grab another shot, but might as well finish putting down my thoughts. I think it looks good. Adds a nice gloss sheen, a little depth. Obviously not going to be as good as a multiple blend and layer style. But it goes on quick and easy.

I’d recommend doing a test for yourself. If you are like me, you have a bits box full of spare helmets. Paint up a pair, one with the new paint, one without. See how they look.

 Nevelon wrote:
I had the same thought, although with green.
This is the old paintjob. I do eyes and lenses in an old metallic green.

This is the same guy, but I’ve gone over the green with the new technical paint


Sorry about the photography, it looked in focus before the upload and zoom/crop. I should go back and grab another shot, but might as well finish putting down my thoughts. I think it looks good. Adds a nice gloss sheen, a little depth. Obviously not going to be as good as a multiple blend and layer style. But it goes on quick and easy.

I’d recommend doing a test for yourself. If you are like me, you have a bits box full of spare helmets. Paint up a pair, one with the new paint, one without. See how they look.

Just by looking at your work it looks good, I am going to give it a shot myself on an old model and see as you suggested. I do like the blending and layering using a base of Calgar Blue, a light line of Teclis Blue and a dot of White Scar for the glare effect, unfortunately I feel like it dosen't come out right when I do it so I figure try this and see. Thanks though for the opinion and reference material!

I got the blue and green, red was sold out in 36 hours at my local. Damn. I have Tamaya clear red though, so I'll survive.

This sounds like a really good idea. Definitely going to swing by one of my FLGS's after I go to the DMV tomorrow.

sure, or a gloss varnish over a blue painted lense. Or a combination even (well except the gloss varnish).

It does make the lense colour, when painted with say a blue basecoat, a bit deeper and of course shiny.

I did a little experimentation earlier as well which I posted about over on the UnderEmpire boards. You can look at it here, if you like.

also someone (forget who sorry :() also posted a review here on mainly the red I think? but also useful

So I figured I'd give everyone a quick update. I tried the soulstone blue for lenses, and to me it looks good. The blue applies somewhat like a wash, going on thin over a coat of storm host silver, it creates a shined/glares effect with the thin coat of blue, obviously apply more to get a darker more thorough shade. All in all I like the appearance, and will post pictures ASAP for all your guys reference.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
So I figured I'd give everyone a quick update. I tried the soulstone blue for lenses, and to me it looks good. The blue applies somewhat like a wash, going on thin over a coat of storm host silver, it creates a shined/glares effect with the thin coat of blue, obviously apply more to get a darker more thorough shade. All in all I like the appearance, and will post pictures ASAP for all your guys reference.

Any pictures? I'm really curious about this.

For some pointers how to use it- watch this

 timetowaste85 wrote:
I have Tamaya clear red though, so I'll survive.

Has Tamiya clear been compared with one of the GW Technical colors somewhere?
I'd like to know if there is a difference......

 Tim 121RVC wrote:

 timetowaste85 wrote:
I have Tamaya clear red though, so I'll survive.

Has Tamiya clear been compared with one of the GW Technical colors somewhere?
I'd like to know if there is a difference......

I've used both and I'm sticking with the Tamiya (i find the GW to be gloopier and less consistent. Mind you, the GW will do in one coat what the Tamiya, for me, does in two or three thinner coats, but I do vastly prefer the end result of the Tamiya.)

 Matthew wrote:
Any pictures? I'm really curious about this.

Sorry about the wait everyone, I have the pictures, mind you they are not great quality seeing as I used my Iphone for it, but at least it can give you a general idea of how it looks. To me, it's a win, I like it, it's simple, and cleaner than my skills with layering. So here you go, and hope it helps with anyone whose curious.