Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So, for an odd project I need to have a Space Marine in the process of melting. Say, from the knees down, hands/forearms starting to melt as well. He will be on a base, starting to melt into a puddle. I have several in assembled Tac Marines to work with.
But I can't figure out how to go about this.
Suggestions?

could always use processes that actually melt plastic(heat or chemicals) or if you can sculpt would be the way to go.

I can't recommend actually melting polystyrene, it gives off some very toxic fumes.

Cut the marine off at the knees, glue the knees to the base, sculpt green stuff around where he would be melting, paint.

Well, like mentioned, you've 2 options:

1: Sculpt it with GS. Do some Google work and look at stuff melting. I'd say look at Wax museum fires and such to see the results.

2: Actually melt the model. Yeah, that'd be what I do, but only because i'm GAK at sculpting. But I'd do it with the metal model, to avoid fumes. I'd start a campfire outside (or fire up the grill), grab a cookie sheet, throw down a layer of parchment paper, and set him on the hot cookie sheet for 5 minutes (grilling? leave the lid open. It'll only melt from the feet up, I figure).
This is experimental, and I have no idea exactly how well it would work, if it would work at all. But I figure it's probably similar to those cool little Die-cast DIY kids kit from the 90s (yep, I have 1, looking to acquire more molds for it), I'm just not sure if it's gonna be a quick "Solid...Solid...Solid.... Puddle..." kind of thing...

Experimental. Take it with a grain of salt. And I shouldn't have to mention the possible risks involved for self harm, so take the appropriate precautionary measures. Goggles, heavy leather gloves, if you wanna be super extreme a heavy leather vest.... fire extinguisher on hand... maybe an ambulance on standby....Warn your parents/wife/kids/roommates of possible annihilation...

true plastic cement is actually a solvent and will melt the GW plastic pretty quick. The Plastruct brand in the glass bottle with orange label works particularly fast. perhaps soak the legs in the solvent then take them out and push it down on a base, the plastic should get gummy.

Warning do this in a well vented area. that glue is strong and probably kills hundreds of brain cells a second if you can smell it.

The solvent in plastic cement has to actually contact the styrene to liquify it - I imagine legs would be too thick to turn to goo without destroying (not just softening) most of the outer material, first.

I suggest cutting off and re-sculpting the desired affected areas. Even if you're a complete sculpting neophyte, you're not making highly detailed parts, here. Rough shapes and puddles of goo shouldn't be beyond anyone's skills. You could even use globs of hot glue, in a pinch.

Let me also recommend AGAINST actually melting a metal model. This will result in a near instant puddle of very dangerous molten metal. The alloy most manufacturers use has a very low melting point and it will all melt suddenly at once.

 Todosi wrote:
Let me also recommend AGAINST actually melting a metal model. This will result in a near instant puddle of very dangerous molten metal. The alloy most manufacturers use has a very low melting point and it will all melt suddenly at once.

EXPERIMENT COMPLETE! This tidbit of scientific data has been filed in my head for later use.

Thank you for your results! And now I will also side with sculpting

I would make the globs with either greenstuff or a hot glue gun and then paint. A bad sculpt can be saved by an awesome paint job.

Maybe try globing on liquid green stuff?

Melt wax. cut off legs of marine. glue to wax. Win.

Thanks for the advice. Going to use liquid green stuff or hot glue, experimenting a bit before doing the final project.