Anyone have good tips on weathering the aluminum one? I'm getting one soon with his new grenade, booster and cone. I'm extremely excited,but am not sure how to weather the aluminum. He was out of the steel,but the aluminum is beautiful too!
Thanks in advance!
The two best options are Paint and Aluma-Black by Birchwood Casey.
Here are some helpful threads to start you off.
Where to find Aluma-Black http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php...ering+aluminum
Weathering a steel emitter http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php...ering+aluminum
Weathering a grenade http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php...ering+aluminum
Remember kids, the search function is your friend, and so am I.
Thanks for the info. I've never used alumiblack. How are the results. I'm very interested in making it look as weathered as the original without the look of paint. Anyone have pics of the weathering on their aluminum emitter? I hope to pick up a steel from him on his next run.
Alumablack is awesome, just go slow. Rub it on, wipe it off, rinse it, dry it, repeat. If you just dunk the piece in a bowl of alumablack, it'll just form this charcoal shell that'll wipe right off and make you irritated and dirty.
Great tip! Is it difficult to acheive those black line type things present on the obi emitter? I am sorry for asking such basic questions.
You mean the kind of "brushed" look? Nah, just wipe the alumablack on in a consistent direction, and then if you want to remove some, go the same direction with a chunk of very fine steel wool. Like everything in this hobby, the key is go slow
Great. I can't wait to get my parts. Should be a fun project...hope I don't mess them up. This is my favorite saber and over the years have had many and end up so close but not close enough. NOw with the accurate parts, I'm stoked...I just don't want it to look weathered on purpose.
Nice job on the weathering Scarfman! Hey that was an older version of Roman's emitter right? I had one,but it was chorme. I didn't want chrome,but it came with the kit I got off of another member. This was during my so called healing process and self inflicted exile from props haha...didn't work. Anyway, I really wanted a weathered version and weathered the chrome...was never really happy with it and ended up damaging it beyond repair. I hope I have an easier time with the aluminum from Russ. IT looks so good! I just hope I can get it to look close to the weathering most of you guys are doing with the steel verison.
So am I correct that the only way to effectivley weather the aluminum is by alumi black or something? No chemical induced weathering will work as in the steel verisons?
If you guys have more pics to add ...please go for it! It seems as my obsession with the Obi ANH saber is returning in full force. Uh oh!!
Actually that is a Gavidoc emitter, It predates the discovery of the balance pipe by many years.
Here are some more pics of that particular saber, but I sold it to someone else a few years ago, so I'll let him chime in with detailed pics if he wants.
As with all art, there is no "correct" way. Aluma-Black is chemical weathering, and is the most durable finish for weathering aluminum.So am I correct that the only way to effectivley weather the aluminum is by alumi black or something? No chemical induced weathering will work as in the steel verisons?
I believe this is the best option for the chronicles(bottom) version, paint may be better for the Tatooine(top) version.
Last edited by scarf man; Feb 7, 2009 at 11:51 AM.
Pics don't show, but thanks! That Gav emitter was very nice. I am more interested in seeing other pics of the new Russ emitter to get an ideal of what I can expect mine to look like. Thanks alot Scarf! You have been most helpful !
How bout now?
As for a steel emitter, Birchwood Casey also makes Perma-Blue, Super-Blue, And Brass-Black for your grenade stem and vane.
Ask Russ what grade of steel he used and find some scrap of the same type to practice on.
The great thing about chemical weathering is that it's easy to buff off with some steel wool if you screw up.
Last edited by scarf man; Feb 7, 2009 at 12:02 PM.
Oh yes....very very nice saber there. She's a beauty!!
I LOVE the weathering job you did on that aluminum emitter. I hope to achieve the same results with mine. Do you have any tips? I hope I can get my hands on some Alumi Black and do the same.
Also, I'm equally impressed by what you did with the Graflex Clamp. Looks just the Chronicles pic! Great job ! Now that I'm lookin what's the story with the grenade? That's the color I hope to get my Russrep steel to look like. Man, I'm so glad you posted these up!
My best advice for using Aluma-Black is first, use it in a well ventilated space.
Second, don't rush, brush a little on, fix with water, buff a little off, and repeat until you get the desired color and patina. (same goes for any chemical weathering i.e. Perma-Blue, Brass-Black)
The grenade is a Chen, and was darkened with Perma-Blue on the frag body, then Brass-Black on the stem.
A good tip, handle the parts with your bare hands after chemical treatments, something about the oils in ones hands give it that used look and feel.
Thanks for the tips! Wow, I can't wait. NOw to find where to purchase this stuff.... Hope I can get them locally at a store.
Your best bet is a sporting goods store with a big firearms section. I've found Perma-Blue many places, but Aluma, and Brass-Black are more of a specialty item. Are you in the states? If so, Gander Mtn. and Cabella's are the best kinds of places to look.
Oh awesome Scarf. Yes, I'm in Indiana. Man, you've been a big help!
No problem brother. I'm glad to help.
If you or anyone has any more questions, I'm always here for you guys.
That's what I'm talking about! I am go glad I got back into props. The feeling of community here really is back. Thanks alot and I will definitely need help again I'm sure! I'm a little helpless at times when it comes to finishing props
And guys and gals...forgive me for this,but I am not able to post in the JY yet.l If anyone has a steel emitter from Russ they can part with, please PM me.
Thanks!
I guess I've looked at so many pics that I just let it get the best of me.
Brother I know how you feel, it seems like a year I've been waiting for that grenade.
Yeah, was looking for that updated pic that was supposed to be posted. I haven't waited as long as some of you,but am very excited. I think Russ is pretty busy though.. Asked about shipping everything I ordered and shipping the booster later,but haven't heard back. I bet he's really busy shipping and is probably bombarded with messages ect. The results sure have paid off. I've had many grenade replicas in the past and this one is AWESOME! I can't wait.scarf man said:
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