genZOD
Sr Member
This was a really fun project. One of these lamps is for me, the other is for my brother. I hope he likes it.
I built these IG-88 lamps from some excellent resin casts made by an RPF member. There was the normal flash to be removed, plus dozens of holes that needed to be drilled out. The lamp base is from Ikea. I adjusted the height of the bulb by removing 6 inches from the rod that supports it. I 3D printed a reasonably Star Wars-y looking connector to join the two pieces. The switch is from a company that makes "vintage" light switches. The housing for the switch is something that I 3D printed. The paint scheme for the base is meant to be reminiscent of the colors used on some of the Death Star sets. I imagined it was a piece of imperial equipment that got repurposed. I thought that the red on the base and the glowing red from IG-88's "eyes" would work well together. The glowing red effect was achieved by painting a clear plastic tube translucent red & using it to diffuse the light from a red LED bulb.
IG-88's paint was done in several steps. First a coat of primer to make sure that the surface was OK. Then a coat of black--partly to make sure that light didn't leak & partly to influence the next coat of silver. Once the silver pain dried I added a tarnish effect by brushing on several colors of PearlEx metallic powders. I tried to imagine places where heat might discolor the metal. I sealed everything with a clear coat. After that, I randomly applied silver leaf. The intended effect is chrome that has failed. I brushed black weathering powder over all of this and used a liner brush to enhance some of the cast details. The powder catches the edges of the silver leaf & enhances the failing chrome effect. I toned the silver down with a coat of translucent black paint. I did the chrome step three times to get multiple layers of a failing finish. Next, I sealed everything again. I added a little rust and more weathering powder. I also used panel liner to further accentuate the casting. Then, yet again, I sealed everything with a clear coat. Finally I added oil drips & random dirt. After everything was allowed to dry, I sealed the heads with one final top coat.
The base was way easier to paint. I used a vinyl cutter to make the stencil. I Painted the bases cleanly--then dropped nuts and bolts onto them and hit them with a hammer. The 3D printed piece got a layer of Hammerite that was allowed to cure. Then a coat of red that I strategically chipped away. Once the base was assembled I weathered it.
