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Rougher than rough...

2 cookies if you get the song reference. Anyway, I'm chronicling my DreadKnight painting. What's in it for me, you ask? Well, I'm doing something a bit different on this one. I'm experimenting for my first time using BareMetal Foil. Instead of painting the armor pieces, I'm coating them in BareMetal. Cross your fingers...

Step 1:
First I partially assemble the DK, then primer and basecoat it in Boltgun Metal...


As you can see, it looks rather like an exoskeleton without the armor pieces. At this stage, I can't glue the whole thing together yet because of the gold pieces, and it's a lot easier to paint when not completely assembled. The upper torso isn't glued on yet either.

Step 2:
Badab Black wash


By the way, I disabled voting on these because I'm considerate to the people who enjoy voting on minis and don't want to look at pictures of sheer unfinished crap. You're welcome!

Sidestep Omega:
Here is a sample of what the Gold BareMetal foil looks like applied:


More to come....

My finished DK won't have the sword, but I thought it would be a good example of how to do the technique. The directions say you can apply over your paint, but they're assuming you're using enamels with an airbrush. Even if you don't primer/paint the area, you need to give it a good sanding. Micro abrasions give the foil a little grip and the slightest imperfections which would never show up on a paint job will show through the foil.


That's a disposable meat thermometer in case you were wondering. Round toothpicks work great too for smoothing down the foil. Notice the edge of the foil on the paper. The glue doesn't extend all the way to the edges and that little strip is essentially unusable. For best results use 'fresh' BareMetal foil and don't store yours in the garage for two years like I did. The manufacturers recommend storing it in the refrigerator, but I shiver at what my wife would say about that.





That's basically it. I didn't even use the meat thermometer. The plan is to make black chrome flames on the dodgy edge of the blade, artfully poke out the I hole and paint the rest up. Since I'm not using it on my finished DK, it will have to take a back seat until the DK is, indeed, finished. Cut it a bit bigger than what you need, press it on and cut off the 'flash'. To paint the lettering, simply apply your favorite color of ink into the recesses, let dry overnight and then gently polish with T-shirt material so that any ink on the raised lettering gets rubbed off and the shiny letters exposed.

Woah! Wicked stuff! I can't wait to see how this ends up looking.

How does it work? Do you put it in a chamber and such the air out of it? Or is it much simpler than that

Working with BareMetal

As you can see by the crumpled foil in some of the pictures above, I've already made several mistakes which I am happy to share with you and is the primary reason for this post.

Strictly speaking, it sounds easy. BareMetal comes in a sheet on a backing paper. You cut a piece a little bigger than you think you need and apply it directly to the part using a fingernail or toothpick to stick it down and work out the kinks and wrinkles. When finished, you use a T-shirt to polish it. (I tried Q-Tips, they don't work as well)

Mistake #1: Not washing the parts. You have to wash the parts with a drop of 'washing up liquid' (or dishwashing soap as we Americans call it) to get any oils and release compounds off so the stuff sticks right. Also, don't use the outer 1/4 inch of the foil. Apparently there's not enough glue on that part.

Mistake #2: Dull Exacto. Use a new blade. You might even need a couple. If the blade is sharp, it cuts through this stuff by barely touching it. If not, it'll grab and start a rip, which is bad, bad, bad. This goes hand in hand with Mistake #3

Mistake #3: Wrapping around the edges doesn't work that well. Especially on curves. When you get to the edge, use your sharp Exacto to slice the excess off neatly. If you start a rip, STOP and get a new blade.

Mistake #4: Compound curves. They're hard because they cause the foil to wrinkle. For example, the 'shin' armor which is the largest piece. After cursing and ripping off the second try, I re-read the directions and decided on my third time to do it in three vertical strips. This worked MUCH better. On my fourth try, I'm going to try 3 horizontal strips... You see, MOST of the time (if you're doing it right) you can't see the overlap. Even when you can, it doesn't look as crappy as a wrinkle.

Supposedly, you can paint over the stuff (we'll see...) and mask with it even.

More to come... I'll also post a pic of the tools I'm using.


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Samus_aran115 wrote:Woah! Wicked stuff! I can't wait to see how this ends up looking.

How does it work? Do you put it in a chamber and such the air out of it? Or is it much simpler than that

I stuck (temporarily) the leg armor on after the basecoat phase and about had nerdgasm. I could tell it was going to 'pop' as the saying goes. Yep, no hyperbaric chambers involved. just cut a piece, lift it off with the knife and slap it on. Much like a water transfer. No water involved of course. It's actual metal foil.

i went with gold, rather than Chrome Silver on the advice of my son and best friend. "If you're going through all that trouble, do Gold and make it REALLY different".

By the way, kids, I bought this stuff at a local hobby store. The kind that sells plastic models and RR trains. I can't say it's cheap, but it's not outrageously expensive either. i want to say $5-10 buck/sheet. The more I use it, the better results I'm getting. I'm thinking of scratching off the first couple pieces I did and re-doing them.

I also have Chrome Silver, and "Black Chrome" which I can't wait to find an excuse to use. It comes in half a dozen other flavors too.


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Mistake #5: HUGE mistake... All flash, bumps etc must be removed and filed smoother than a baby's butt. Indentations are fine (like the lettering) but anything that sticks up (including the rivets...bummer, I know) has to GO. They'll cause wrinkles. Any defect, dust, plastic shaving, etc. will show through the BareMetal. BareMetal has a little flex and give to it, but not much. If you're not sure, or want try something, experiment on a spare piece first.

More tomorrow.

This looks awesome will have to try

I finished the next stage last night, but unfortunately I had camera problems this morning and don't have a picture yet. I'll remedy that tonight.

So last night I selectively drybrushed the entire exo-skeleton with Polly-S Steel, Tamiya Chrome Silver and Mithril Silver. I'm not all warm and fuzzy with the results as at this stage all the glaring mistakes show like sore thumbs. Apparently in my zeal and excitement I wasn't as methodical on the filing/flash trimming as I usually am.

Lack of painting skill aside, I affixed one side of the armor temporarily just to see what it would look like and the overall effect is quite pleasing. Despite the defects in workmanship (hey, I'm getting old...the eyes and hands don't work like they used to) the effect is stunning enough to allow one to ignore that. It looks great from 18" away or farther. After detailing, basing and completing the assembly I'm hoping to reduce that to 12" or less.

Point is: I think this technique is a winner. I think that anyone with even mediocre painting skills put some time and love into this technique they could get gob-smacking, jaw-dropping, effing cheers results at their next game. Think of the possibilities with Tau vehicles! NMM Chrome Hammerhead are way cool, but who's seen an ACTUAL Chrome Hammerhead?!?

nice!

Gigantor?

Did I win 2 cookies?!

Jburch wrote:Gigantor?

Did I win 2 cookies?!

Nope, sorry! You probably have to be British for that one.

Speaking of Gigantor, let's see how he's doing...



He's shaping up. I see one problem though. I'm finding a hard time thinking of why I should put him on a base other than that whole close-combat thing. He looks so natural just standing there.

Anyway, this was the end of the drybrushing stage. The gold pieces aren't affixed (or painted!) yet. They're just hanging on by gravity. So at least now you can see what I'm trying to accomplish with this thread. This is a tutorial, huh? I guess I'll have to take a couple snaps of actual work being done.

Check back tonight! I might even have the weapons attached...(don't hold your breath though)


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Wow. I just noticed I can see the reflection of his arm thingy on the shoulderpad.

That looks like a really impressive effect. I shall keep an eye on this one, the finished product should be awesome!

For the cookies - Rosie Gaines - Closer Than Close?

The model is looking awesome. Can't wait to see it progress

Maxim C. Gatling wrote:

Jburch wrote:
Gigantor?

Did I win 2 cookies?!

Nope, sorry! You probably have to be British for that one.

Speaking of Gigantor, let's see how he's doing...

Dang, could have sworn it was a reference to the Gigantor theme song....I really needed those cookies too.... /wrists

More Human than Human, White Zombie? Well there goes my idea to use this stuff on my orks!
Too many "imperfections," sily oomies those is kustomizashuns.

Ok, here's a hint: It's a Ska song, heavy on the reggae.

Naaaaaa...Dreader than Dread
Naaaaaa...Rougher than Rough
Naaaaaa...Dreader than Dread
Naaaaaa...Tougher than Tough

I'm hoping to get far enough to put the weapons on tonight.

Yes, you CAN see your own reflection in the Gold bits.

Honey Boy Martin

Can't wait to see how it comes out. I'd steal that idea if I ran Silver Grey Knights instead of Black.

Looks promising! Keep of the good work!

Platuan4th wrote:Honey Boy Martin

Can't wait to see how it comes out. I'd steal that idea if I ran Silver Grey Knights instead of Black.

I think the gold would be stunning on a black DK. Even better, actually. I mentioned earlier, this stuff comes in different colors one of which is 'Black Chrome'. Mmm? I can't wait to find something to use it on.

Maxim C. Gatling wrote:

Platuan4th wrote:Honey Boy Martin

Can't wait to see how it comes out. I'd steal that idea if I ran Silver Grey Knights instead of Black.

I think the gold would be stunning on a black DK. Even better, actually. I mentioned earlier, this stuff comes in different colors one of which is 'Black Chrome'. Mmm? I can't wait to find something to use it on.

Black Chrome looks amazing, I have a Starscream knock-off figure done up in all Black Chrome.

Plus, I already painted my Knight.

I'm sorely tempted to buy another after this. For one, I know I would do a better job on the next one. Black and Gold would be awesome...

Black & Gold hmmmmm........ Isn't that a dance song by a guy called Sam Sparrow??

Seriously though, it looks really nice as it is, and its great to see someone pioneering a new technique. Black chrome and gold would look immense.

This feels more like a project log with tips thrown in. I think it might be a better fit for the P&M Logs and then creating tips for the tutorials section out of some of the content.

His toe is all flashy.

grey_death wrote:This feels more like a project log with tips thrown in. I think it might be a better fit for the P&M Logs and then creating tips for the tutorials section out of some of the content.

Perhaps you're right. I'm new to the forum, so please accept my apologies and feel free to move the thread into the proper place. If I knew how, I would, but MODs are good at that sort of thing. Starting a new thread and cut'n'pasting seems to be a pet peeve of some posters, so I'll leave it to you.

Over the weekend I gave him a pedicure and fixed some other sore spots you can't see in the pictures. I also chromed up his sword (see new photos at the top) and stripped all the 'gold' pieces and re-sanded them.

Brilliant effect, I can imagine it lead to a lot of swearing though. I'm sure I've seen people applying leaf with a paintbrush, did you try that? I suppose it probably wouldn't get as smooth an effect though.

When I saw the pic of the dreadknight on the base with the barrel, the immediate image that came to my mind was of a giant hobo warming his hands over a flaming barrel lol. That'd be a fun bit of fanart.

Interesting colour choices. Looking forward to seeing more.

WarMill wrote:Brilliant effect, I can imagine it lead to a lot of swearing though. I'm sure I've seen people applying leaf with a paintbrush, did you try that? I suppose it probably wouldn't get as smooth an effect though.

When I saw the pic of the dreadknight on the base with the barrel, the immediate image that came to my mind was of a giant hobo warming his hands over a flaming barrel lol. That'd be a fun bit of fanart.

That is different stuff (foil is even thinner) and while I do have gold leaf and the adhesive, I haven't tried that yet. I am actually going to. I bought some bitz pieces for cheap on eBay just for this purpose as a 'test'.

Anyway, I'm going to skip to the chase and just finish him, so tune in this weekend for (hopefully) the finished product. I'm much better at picture taking now too!