My Indy ROTLA golden idol
- Thread starter Gigatron
- Start date
Gigatron
Sr Member
Hey Marcus,
I used a pair of sprue cutters (fancy diagonal cutters) to cut down the hairline ridge. Then I sanded the area and used a simple electrician's triangular file to rescribe the front of the hairline. Took maybe a half an hour for the total job.
As far as the finish, I've been handling it all day without any problems. The trick is to buff it so that no more powder comes off on the rag. When it's at that point, it's pretty permanent. If it does pickup any prints, it's easy to buff right out.
Hey hedjii,
Just as a matter of practice, I always prime before painting. I use krylon sandable primer. It's good on projects like this because it'll fill in small imperfections without affecting any detail.
-Fred
How durable is the finish? Can you handle the idol without gold coming off?
BTW, that looks awesome !
BTW, that looks awesome !
Gigatron
Sr Member
Thanks! I've been handling it all day and haven't seen any coming off on my hands. It might come off if scratched, but seems pretty durable from regular handling.
-Fred
Gigatron
Sr Member
well, since I painted and powdered the idol in halves (painted and powdered the front half one day and did the back the next). I experimented with the timing to see if there was a difference.
And to be honest, there really wasn't much. When I did the front half, I waited howver long it took to watch "The Evil Dead" (about 1 hour and 20 minutes). When I did the back half, it was overnight because I didn't get home till late and I put on the coat of paint before I went to bed.
I basically got the same result either way. The only thing that seems to make a difference is the texture of the paint. When I thinned the paint, I got more of a yellow-gold color. When I painted straight from the bottle, I got more of a black-gold - like a deep, reflective gold or reflective black with gold highlights, it's hard to describe. But for all intents and purposes, it looks like plated gold, just not as gold. I guess it's something you have to see in person to understand.
-Fred
And to be honest, there really wasn't much. When I did the front half, I waited howver long it took to watch "The Evil Dead" (about 1 hour and 20 minutes). When I did the back half, it was overnight because I didn't get home till late and I put on the coat of paint before I went to bed.
I basically got the same result either way. The only thing that seems to make a difference is the texture of the paint. When I thinned the paint, I got more of a yellow-gold color. When I painted straight from the bottle, I got more of a black-gold - like a deep, reflective gold or reflective black with gold highlights, it's hard to describe. But for all intents and purposes, it looks like plated gold, just not as gold. I guess it's something you have to see in person to understand.
-Fred
PHArchivist
Master Member
More peppering with questions! That's what you get for turning in such an awesome piece of work! 
How did you adjust your technique for rubbing powder into all the nooks and cranies?
How did you adjust your technique for rubbing powder into all the nooks and cranies?
Gigatron
Sr Member
More peppering with questions! That's what you get for turning in such an awesome piece of work!
How did you adjust your technique for rubbing powder into all the nooks and cranies?
Actually, I didn't. I just used a brush to get the powder down in the nooks and crannies and then just kinda shoved a q-tip down there and wiggled it around.
From going to many, many museums over the years, I noticed a lot of things about ancient gold work - the little crevices are never nearly as shiny as the more easily accessible areas. So I figured this idol was probably supposed to be several thousands of years old and left it that way. I think it makes it look more authentic.
-Fred
Gigatron
Sr Member
Thanks obi !
Ok guys, after much experimentation and even more experimenation,
Here's the method I would use for getting the best possible outcome;
1) trim and sand the entire idol, then give it a wash in some warm soapy water and let dry
2) prime with a sandable primer
3) Paint on the gloss black enamel - but work in sections
- paint the back of the head, wait 10 minutes and apply the gold powder (but don't buff it out).
- repeat for the face and then the body.
4) Wait 24 hours for the paint to cure and then buff with a clean cotton rag.
You can apply as many coats as gold powder as you think necessary to get the depth of the finish you're after.
well gang, I hope that helps everyone who's looking to do one of these, but I also hope people experiment on their own and share their results as well.
-Fred
!Ok guys, after much experimentation and even more experimenation,
Here's the method I would use for getting the best possible outcome;
1) trim and sand the entire idol, then give it a wash in some warm soapy water and let dry
2) prime with a sandable primer
3) Paint on the gloss black enamel - but work in sections
- paint the back of the head, wait 10 minutes and apply the gold powder (but don't buff it out).
- repeat for the face and then the body.
4) Wait 24 hours for the paint to cure and then buff with a clean cotton rag.
You can apply as many coats as gold powder as you think necessary to get the depth of the finish you're after.
well gang, I hope that helps everyone who's looking to do one of these, but I also hope people experiment on their own and share their results as well.
-Fred
PHArchivist
Master Member
Another quick question for you Fred - have you played with a clear coat at all? I know you said the finish is durable...
Michael
so is there a reson most people dont replicate that with glass eyes? most people's ive seen just leave them gold.
blufive
Sr Member
My initial thought is, most replica idols are solid, not hollow. Replacing the eyes would be difficult.
Gigatron
Sr Member
To be honest, I haven't. Clear coats tend to have funny reactions with reflective metallic paintjobs.
BUT, I am considering picking up a second idol, so maybe I can use my first one as a test bed for different techniques. I figure at $45, I can afford one more a few weeks from now and if it's a benefit to the community, then why not.
Most, if not all, resin idols tend to be solid cast - nearly impossible to install glass eyes correctly without having to resculpt the surrounding eye area. And TBH, Blufive's is the first hollow idol I've seen offered. If anyone were interested in trying an idol with glass eyes, this would be the piece to do it on.
-Fred
PHArchivist
Master Member
Absolutely. And I'd suppose this apliation/technique would be no different - clear coat dulling it down.
Wampa did do one with glass eyes. I think another reason is what the mind thinks it is seeing. The glass eyes in a gold idol look a bit strange, albeit accurate.
Fred, another beauty about your technique is it is not a perfectly plated, factory fresh finish. It looks MUCH more in line with the aged idol.
Great_Bizarro
Sr Member
Have you tried the SnJ spray metal they advertise on the same link you gave?
Gigatron
Sr Member
I've used the aluminium when doing natural metal finishes on WWII aircraft.
My experience is that it gives an aged or weathered look. Like aluminium that's been sitting outdoors for months. Adding the aluminium powder on top did nothing to enhance the reflectivity.
My gut feeling is that the gold will be an antique gold finish, but I wont swear to it.
I have been tinkering with gold powder over gold rub n' buff. It's an interesting effect. Slightly less reflective than over gloss black, but it has warmer undertones.
-Fred
My experience is that it gives an aged or weathered look. Like aluminium that's been sitting outdoors for months. Adding the aluminium powder on top did nothing to enhance the reflectivity.
My gut feeling is that the gold will be an antique gold finish, but I wont swear to it.
I have been tinkering with gold powder over gold rub n' buff. It's an interesting effect. Slightly less reflective than over gloss black, but it has warmer undertones.
-Fred
Jerseydevil
Well-Known Member
Beautifully done! Thanks for sharing on how this was accomplished.
That has to be one of the best finishes on a ROTLA idol...ever.:eek
