How to install eyes in a resin bust?

[darthwhitey]

Anybody have any tips on installing high quality glass eyes into a resin bust?

I've seen some busts in the past that have a noticeable gap between the eye ball and the socket.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Are there any artists here that are really good at it? I'd like this done right.

thanks!

 

[streetjudge79]

You just have to keep at it with a dremel and a sanding bit until the eye fits. I keep a test eye handy for that. If there is any little gap left, use clear 5 minute epoxy on it. That will seal the gap and give the eye a glossy look. I do them all the time.

 

[darthwhitey]

Thanks Steve.

Do do you set the eyes first and get them all sealed up...then paint?

Or paint first then set the eyes and touch up if needed?

 

[streetjudge79]

I cut the eye holes out first and test fit. Then I paint the bust. Then I superglue the eyes in place. Then I hot glue them in from inside the bust to secure them. Eyes are last things that get put in.

 

[postmanpat]

I do mine slightly differently to Steve but both will work perfectly. Here it is;

1. Dremel out the eye opening
2. Dremel out the inside of the eye so that the eyeball sits pretty nicely and the eyelid has the correct amount of thickness.
3. Use two part epoxy putty and put this inside the eye opening where the eyeball will sit.
4. Use liquid soap or detergent and put this on both the eyeball and the two part epoxy surface you put in the eye opening. The soap will stop the epoxy putty sticking to the eyeball. Also, make sure that you clean the resin surface really well as if it's still 'dusty' the epoxy won't stick as well.
5. Press the eyeball in place firmly so that the epoxy putty takes the shape of the eyeball perfectly. You will get excess putty that flow out of the opening which you will then need to trim away with a blade.
6. Use your fingers to smooth out the eyelid part and make sure the eyeball fits perfect. You have 6 hours before the putty sets rock solid so no rush.
7. I let the epoxy putty set for 6 hours without the eyeball. After it is set test fit the eyeball again.....if it's not spot on repeat with a bit more putty.
8. I just use a big chunk of blu-tac to set my eyeballs in. This way I can move the position of them if I want something different. I've had lifesizes for over 8 years and the blu-tac never let go.

Sorry......I can't show you a good pic. I've done heaps of life-sizes but don't really show my work much. Here is one that shows the eye;

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=210351&highlight=terminator


Hope this helps.

Cheers

 

[Howlrunner]

Agree with the above. In my experience it's all about getting the right size eyes. If you get the exact right size eyes, you shouldn't have any problem with there being gaps. Slightly bigger is better than slightly smaller in this case. And spend time dremelling the eyelids to the exact shape. You may have to take out more of a curve than the original artist allowed/intended if your eyes are too small. Like postmanpat, I use large amounts of blu-tac to hold eyes in place. It means that you can easily reposition eyeballs if they're not exactly lined up correctly, and gives you the option of upgrading them at a later date when budget allows.

 

[darthwhitey]

Thanks guys!

It would be a nice to be able to adjust eyes as needed.