1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Just about done!

[Toxx]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

And try to paint the "Radar-Eye" bottle part from the inside in reverse order!

First the black paint in thin layers, than some more layers of primer.

makes it "scratch-resistant" and saves the clearcoat.

Many of the chrome-look car parts in the 80ies are done this way!

 

[Yodamann]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

scavenged a grocery store and found a special soda bottle. The common way is to use a 3 l bottle, but no such thing exist in Norway, the highest is 1,5 l.

If you want larger pop bottles, you need to approach the levels of freedom that 'muricah has.

 

[Kevlarr]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Thanks for the guides, makes total sense! Really helpful

 

[spacebob]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Toxx and SofaKing are spot on with their advice there,
you can paint even quite "waxy" plastics with SofaKings sanding and misting, and the way we used to paint clear rc car shells in the old days was from the inside.
worked for my artoo lens and its how i do all the lenses on my resin blaster scopes.
(and my comic dredd helmet visor to get the white highlight and black parts)

 

[spacebob]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

You say you have trouble painting the feet semi circles,
are you washing the release agent of the resin parts ?

 

[Kevlarr]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Yes, I washed all the half moons with water before the primer went on. Gave them another layer today, and I hope to mount them tomorrow. Can just add a bit of dirt/rust powder at the end for a little weathering to cover up what I can't get easily rid of.

Sorry for poor quality on a couple of the pictures.


I'm giving it another shot, now also sanded of course. And we are painting the lens from the inside this time.


The first hole for the holo projector at the top turned out fine, but it sure took a while.










When I was out to cut out a hole for another part (rear logic sound), the tool I used cut in me. The ... uhm... piece that held the cutting disk went flying out in use, no matter how hard I screwed it in place.. I ended up just drilling holes to prepare for the two next holo projector holes.










After the holes are drilled I cut out the main piece and start to grind down the edges until it matches up with the drawn on circle.

 

[spacebob]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

good progress Kevlarr
loving this thread, this astromech has more heart than most.

 

[Kevlarr]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

And the dome is right about done, whew. I have now cut out the remaining holes and repainted around them. The whole dome will be covered in clear coat again today, inside and outside to prevent any rust and to preserve it as long as possible. When that is done I will mount the resin parts on, hopefully today. As the blue paint is drying now, the black paint on the lens and primer on the cylinders are getting a second layer.



Looks skewed because of the tape. (Before painting)


(Before painting)






It's true that it's more homemade this way, but now I really get why people just buy a dome that is already cut out, like the 300-dome or so. I will try to get the dome done today, so hang on!

 

[Kevlarr]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Yay! Half moons and all the parts on the dome are installed, except from the eye.


Ran into one problem though, when I tried to glue the lens onto the eye it well... melted because of the hot glue from the glue gun. It's really the only glue I have that I can use on plastic, and if I took two lenses on top of each other I think they would both melt. Any suggestions?
Became sort of curly overall since I had to use some force to get it off.






















Sure did make a difference overall, at least in my eyes.














Won't be any update the next couple of days at least, busy days at the start of the week, with school. But, I will try to get the cylinders done at least.

 

[frank7467]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

I've always wanted to do this but it's a crazy challenge major props.. Subscribed

 

[purplybunny]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Beautiful work

 

[spacebob]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

I've said it before, i'll say it again.
Show me robots.

 

[Amazing DJ]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

The feet and everything look good. :thumbsup

 

[NeoRutty]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Nice work... always like when I see an update on this little droid

 

[Kevlarr]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Thanks guys!


Haven't really done much with the R2 this week, but I will crank it up the upcoming week.

Never works.. I will make the surface more rough on the one at the left.



Off topic:
Was busy making a 1:10 scale Czech hedgehog in steel for the past days.

 

[spacebob]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Great work!
Have you tried weakening the adhesive on your masking tape? tear of the length that you need and then stick it to something that will contaminate it a little bit like carpet or a towel or bedspread a few times before using it on the piece.
it stick enough to work but comes away easier after wards not pulling paint away

 

[Kevlarr]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

No, I have not tried that, but it's actually a great idea, thanks!

 

[MAAZ]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Love this build!! Keep up the great work!!

 

[Kevlarr]

Re: 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Skin in progress

Had to get creative, both with the platform circle and to find a way to bend the skin. Note that the front skin isn't cut out yet.


Coin slot part painted and clear coated.





Front data slot painted with primer.



Utility arms painted with primer then blue.


Clear coating.



Was on my way with silver painting on these parts when the paint ran out. Will buy more when I can, but I have to drive a while to do so, to get the same color.





I tired to make a "blueprint" for the skin-bender and ended up with a poor sketch. You will see what it is further down.


Took some liberty while making it from the sketch with the measurements.


Poor fit..




Taped on a small part to hold it in place.




The 4 strips are to keep it in place and shape. Just 1 skin piece is bent at once. I will let it sit overnight and use a hair dryer on it, let it cool, take it out and hope that it now has a permanent new shape.



How to draw a big circle. Ø = 88 cm (34 inches)




Outer and black clear line = the circle.










The circle does look very smooth and round from a small distance, but it will be sanded down to be as smooth and round as possible any day now, hopefully tomorrow.


Edit:
Just tested the circle size. The R2 may not be 100% correct centered as I just put it on the platform to test the size. Fits perfectly. Now I'm glad that I couldn't make it any bigger.

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: (PIC HEAVY) 1:1 R2D2 building from scratch - Platform & some part paiting in prog

Fantastic. Glad to see an update!