Han Carbonite - thoughts / suggestions for accurate paintjob

cking

Master Member
Hi everyone,

Thanks to VashDstampede's excellent Han Solo in Carbonite project, I've now received a panel casting. I'd really like to paint this using the same sort of techniques that the original prop makers used. Has anyone got any theories or suggestions on how to achieve something that looks accurate? If you look at the photo below, it appears that the outer frame is a slightly darker colour than the carbonite panel itself. Also, there's definitely some shading going on there!
Let's nail this thing!

HanCarbonite.jpg
 
Id do a test using graphite powder from Alec Tirantis over a metal paint finish to begin with. If thats a pic of the original prop it looks cold cast, that finish is going to be very tricky to replicat without dry brushing lots of layers, however, which I think will ultimately be the best way forward. get a big wallpaper brush and a load of acrylic aluminium and black paint !!!
 
great post CKING

at first i didnt think it would be hard to paint, now i'm not so sure...:lol
 
I would paint the carbonite itself the same gunmetal people use on Vader's helmet and the box with the controls a darker color; maybe steel.
Black wash the whole thing and then add perhaps a dusting of light brown for age in a couple places.
 
What about Rub & buff ??? I think it can do the job more than perfectly !!! (Is what I'll try to use ;)
 
I have painted mine with gunmetal and am fairly happy with it...bit it needs something...blackwash for sure.
 
Thanks!!

I made the frame (well I had it made) at work using the plans found at the HICBuilders Yahoo group. It's basically 4 pieces sides of formed aluminum sheet screwed together at the back and glued/bondoed seams.

I do think I need a blackwash for sure...to give it some depth...just havent done that yet.

I do have some of Ioncanon's side panels...been slowly working on them here and there to make them a little more accurate.

Jason
 
House of Kolor's 'Galaxy Grey' looks a lot like that Chris.

Get a good even coat and polish it with T-Cut and you get a very similar shine to what you see on the palms of Han's hands. Although I agree with CustomCreations that the original was probably cold cast from looking at the prop at the London exhibition.

Jeremy
 
anybody that has done one of these know of a good, currently commerically available gunmetal type spray that would be good to use as a starter for one of these. i need something to use as a nice base coat, but really have no idea where to start....
 
finally getting around to painting my front panel

any new updates or techniques to make it easier to pull off?

thanks!

brad
 
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