Building The Death Star - PRODUCTION

[PHArchivist]

The reflectivity is actually about the same as the original. On the original, the tape (or whatever it is) goes to nearly black, up to a just-about-glimmering white. Flat coat does help though - I've got one or two coats so far.

 

[PHArchivist]

Both the white line and the dark line are silver tape on the original here in this shot.

 

[Jedifyfe]

I think they added this tape way back in 1977 just for the fact that they knew someday someone may try to replicate this thing and they wanted to "F" with that person. It just so happens IT'S YOU!!!!

 

[SpyderDan]

Seeing that pic, I think you are pretty close. The tape adds quite a bit to the look, for sure.

The horizontal pieces in that pic are interesting too. More horizontal bits like that will certainly help.

 

[PHArchivist]

Brad, I think you're right!

Dan, yeah... There is a fair amount of the silver on the upper dome, and interestingly, no appearance of "residue", or damaged silver finish as there is on the lower dome. 98% of the silver on the upper dome appears untouched.

A note of clarification:

I've been using the term "silver tape". On the original, I have no idea how they accomplished the silver (though I am 100% positive there is silver on it). Remember that the original was entirely base-coated in silver, so what we see as silver today may be an area of silver base coat they masked off.

Its possible that in the damaged areas, where it appears that there is some grey paint in the middle of the silver, that (as Dave postulated) they forgot to remove the masking, and the masking has since worn off in the corners. If in fact this were the case, then - on the lower dome - where I have silver, it may have been solid grey at the time of filming (if it was painted-over masking that has since worn off).

Make sense?

 

[PHArchivist]

So then...

"Theory A"
In this image, is the grey that is circled all that remains of a grey-painted rectangle of masking tape that has worn off on the corners?

OR...

"Theory B"
Is the grey that is circled the under-laying grey base coat that is showing through where a rectangle of silver paint or tape has worn off in the center?

Wracks the brain...

 

[PHArchivist]

With regard to my concern about it looking "patchy", the only bits of silver I'm not 100% certain about is the broad strip on the second row down, and the two strips inside the largest blank grey area in the upper/first row.

Pretty much everything else, I can confirm was silver, based on the residual silver that remains on the model today.

Unless "Theory A" applies, where as at the time of shooting it was grey-painted masking tape, fully covering the silver that is now exposed... :unsure

This is what I mean - looks a little "patchy"...

 

[PHArchivist]

So what do you guys think? Left over, painted-over masking tape, or worn-away silver tape/paint?

 

[Jedifyfe]

So then...

"Theory B"
Is the grey that is circled the under-laying grey base coat that is showing through where a rectangle of silver paint or tape has worn off in the center?

This sounds more plausibe. They painted a grey square, had reflective tape and said " I wonder if it would look better/more detail if we added this tape for texture".

 

[SpyderDan]

I agree with Brad. Theory B is more plausible.

Whether or not the silver is actually tape or not, I would expect to see a different sort of wear if it was paint. It certainly looks like there is some sort of adhesive residue from some type of tape or film.

Why would they have painted the "tape" to match the base color anyway? Seems counter-intuitive.

 

[PHArchivist]

Thanks guys...

Another thing to consider - when I', "done", if I don't like the silver, I can always peel it off.

The adhesive of the vinyl RC car pinstripe tape I'm using is strong enough to stay put, especially sealed with clear flat, but can still be yanked off if it bugs me.

 

[PHArchivist]

I'm running through the film now.

INCONCLUSIVE

Half the shots are reversed or upside down (as I've known), but the area I need clarity on is always in shadow, or the resolution just isn't there to confirm if there was actually silver tape on the model.

 

[PHArchivist]

I've removed some of the silver tape. Not all. But some. Just wasn't sitting right wih me.

 

[feek61]

I actually like the silver tape; adds dimension. I would guess as the earlier poster mentioned that the tape was not super reflective (mirror type finish) but a duller silver tape so no reflections could be seen. Anyway, I'm only judging from the photos but you gotta be happy. So far your doing just fine!

 

[PHArchivist]

There were some pieces I had added that I was not so certain were on the original. These are the ones I removed, but there is still some I left on.

 

[MonsieurTox]

Both the white line and the dark line are silver tape on the original here in this shot.

Hey Rob, I think the silver strip is the base silver coat that was masked off. You can see than a gray strip is painted on one of this silver strip. And the color of the silver is exactly the same than the silver paint they used to basecoat the DS. (assuming there is several tone of silver ). Anyway it looks to paint to my eye, not tape...

I think there are both silver paint and silver tape on it.

Anyway I really like the result you get with the tape !

 

[Jedi Dade]

OK here's a crazy thought... What if the tape was something akin to scotchlight... dark gray unless the light hits it just right... if you "speckled" paint over top of it you'd have instant windows "if" the light was hitting it at the correct angles...

I'm probaby totally wrong but it was a carzy thought and every now and again they have some merit...

We know thay had some around for the training remote, and the ANH lightsabers...

Jedi Dade

 

[PHArchivist]

Hey Rob, I think the silver strip is the base silver coat that was masked off. You can see than a gray strip is painted on one of this silver strip. And the color of the silver is exactly the same than the silver paint they used to basecoat the DS. (assuming there is several tone of silver ). Anyway it looks to paint to my eye, not tape...

I think there are both silver paint and silver tape on it.

Anyway I really like the result you get with the tape !

Good point, and I need to be careful with my verbiage.

I use the term "silver tape" because that is what I am using to acheive the result.

Though I agree - most likely what is silver on the original is masked off base (silver) coat. I considered acheiving the silver striping by masking my own silver base coat, but figured it'd be easier to use the RC car pinstripping tape.

 

[bobasfett]

Great build....as with many who don't post, I've been watching this one with great interest! In reference to your earlier question of scenarios, I agree with the others that 'B' makes more sense and would yield the results shown.

I was also intrigued by Jedi Dade's post as well. That tape definately has some interesting traits in reference to being reflective under flash and grey not under flash. The only issue with scotchlite in my mind would be thickness as the stuff used on the original deathstar looks pretty thin.

Well, keep up the great work.....it's looking closer and closer to the film model, especially with the detail work. Who would have thought pencil marks would have such a accurizing effect! Kudos.....

 

[TheRealMcFly]

I don't think scotchlite was ever used on anything in the OT... just reflective tape. The 5ft falcon has it, and its likely the training remote uses the same stuff. Scotchlite is 3Ms TMed reflective fabric, not reflective tape. But if you go to find generic reflective tape its white now.

In the photos it doesn't look like refelctive tape to me... it isn't bouncing the light from the flash like the remote does. It still looks grey/silver instead of that glowing white. Maybe it is though. TOUGH CALL!