Illusive HIC questions

[tnaig001]

Hi all. I had the good fortune of picking up the Illusive HIC some months ago from a friend who outgrew it.


I like the HIC but the panels are somewhat lacking. I'm thinking of upgrading them with darthchromer panels.

I've searched the forum but have not managed to find information on anyone having changing their Illusive Concepts HIC panels.


Has anyone done it before? Would be grateful if someone can chime in on how easy or difficult it is to remove and replace the panels.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tnaig001]

hey guys. need the advice as I wouldn't want to damage the box from inexperience.

 

[tnaig001]

hey guys, no one modded their IL HiC? is it because modding it will affect it's value detrimentally?

 

[exoray]

I believe that there are too few out there and they would need so much work to get to the level most on this forum would want to make it justifiable (vs building one from scratch or a kit) that it's unlikely you will find many that will modify them... They have value all to themselves as is...

As for the value, that is honestly a toss up, I really don't see it increasing the value all that much unless it's one hell of a bang up job, but I can see it certainly lowering the value if it wasn't done well...

 

[tnaig001]

I believe that there are too few out there and they would need so much work to get to the level most on this forum would want to make it justifiable (vs building one from scratch or a kit) that it's unlikely you will find many that will modify them... They have value all to themselves as is...

As for the value, that is honestly a toss up, I really don't see it increasing the value all that much unless it's one hell of a bang up job, but I can see it certainly lowering the value if it wasn't done well...

thanks for chiming in.

I was thinking of adding darthchromer's side panel box to the illusive one since that is the only thing that I think would make it better.

I really don't want to take a $600+ gamble if no ones done it b4, me being a noob and all. :sick

 

[robstyle]

Its been ten or so years since ive opened one up for repairs but the panels should just be held on with drywall screws. One did have some adhesive but it could have just been caulk. Regardless, if you dont want to repaint everything, score the paint around the panels with a sharp blade before loosening or removing them. Id suggest starting at the panel on the bottom first so if you muck up, its already low enough to hide it.

 

[Lam]

I think it would lower the value quite a bit, especially with all the HIC builds around. Most people would just assume yours was a cast of the Illusive's version. Would probably be more cost effective to get/make a frontal cast and then build your own with more accurate panels.

 

[Rebelscum]

I personally plan to cut my IC carbonite up and put it in a new box with new panels. Though that will definitely destroy the value of the piece, I'll have a better front section to start with that further castings allow.

Like Robstyle said, my sidepanels are all just screwed on with drywall screws. They were there when it was painted so they are the same silver everything else is, but obiously a drywall screw.

 

[tnaig001]

Hi guys thanks for the replies.

Its been ten or so years since ive opened one up for repairs but the panels should just be held on with drywall screws. One did have some adhesive but it could have just been caulk. Regardless, if you dont want to repaint everything, score the paint around the panels with a sharp blade before loosening or removing them. Id suggest starting at the panel on the bottom first so if you muck up, its already low enough to hide it.

I'll definitely take your advice if I finally take the panels out. Starting from the bottom is good advice. :thumbsup

I personally plan to cut my IC carbonite up and put it in a new box with new panels. Though that will definitely destroy the value of the piece, I'll have a better front section to start with that further castings allow.

Like Robstyle said, my sidepanels are all just screwed on with drywall screws. They were there when it was painted so they are the same silver everything else is, but obiously a drywall screw.

Thanks for the confirmation. will look forward to seeing your build.

I think it would lower the value quite a bit, especially with all the HIC builds around. Most people would just assume yours was a cast of the Illusive's version. Would probably be more cost effective to get/make a frontal cast and then build your own with more accurate panels.

Think that seems to be the consensus of everyone posting so far. I had thought that upgrading the panels would have brought its value up, didn't stop to consider that it might be thought of as a cast of the original :lol


Looks like I'll be putting this mod off for now. thanks everyone for your advice.

 

[mauidude]

I personally plan to cut my IC carbonite up and put it in a new box with new panels. Though that will definitely destroy the value of the piece, I'll have a better front section to start with that further castings allow.

Like Robstyle said, my side-panels are all just screwed on with drywall screws. They were there when it was painted so they are the same silver everything else is, but obiously a drywall screw.

That is definitely the way to go for the ultimate HIC. The copies lose a lot of detail. The IC version is already a copy of a copy. The aftermarket ones are at best, copies of copies of copies of copies.

For example when you look at the hands you can really tell the difference between a IC version and a aftermarket version. His pinky is usually completely smooth with no detail at all on the aftermarket, the IC version has all the lines and creases in the pinky.

 

[zenix]

The IC version is already a copy of a copy. The aftermarket ones are at best, copies of copies of copies of copies.

are you counting the negative molds as generation copies? I thought the original is 1st generation, IC is 2nd generation, a copy of the original, and then aftermarkers are 3rd generation, a copy of a copy.

 

[exoray]

are you counting the negative molds as generation copies? I thought the original is 1st generation, IC is 2nd generation, a copy of the original, and then aftermarkers are 3rd generation, a copy of a copy. Today 12:58 AM

Not a NiC expert, but I suspect, from original work of art to ESB prop to ROTJ prop to Illusive's 'primary' mold to Illusive's 'production' mold it's pretty far removed in truth...

 

[mauidude]

The IC version is already a copy of a copy. The aftermarket ones are at best, copies of copies of copies of copies.

are you counting the negative molds as generation copies? I thought the original is 1st generation, IC is 2nd generation, a copy of the original, and then aftermarkers are 3rd generation, a copy of a copy.

How can the aftermarket be a copy of a copy when you need to make a mold out of the IC version and then pour from that copy? That's two copies right there.

Yes I have to count the negative molds as copies because everytime you pour one you lose detail. It is by its very definition a copy of the previous mold.

The way I understand it is a master was created (the original HIC), then multiple molds were pulled from this "master" for the movie, creating "copy #1". Then IC creates a copy of "copy #1" for their master mold (copy #2). From this master mold they make four or five pouring molds (Copy #3) which become the ones you could buy from IC. Then a private person decides to make their own HIC using the IC "copy #3". So they make a master from "copy #3" and then can pour their own HIC. The master mold copy of #3 would become copy #4 and any made off this mold would become "Copy #5".

So by 5 copies it starts to lose some detail. I have never seen a aftermarket HIC with the detail of the IC. I have seen better boxes, better paint, and better sides but never better Han Solo detail.

 

[amurorei]

Changing or in anyway modifying the original structure of your Illusive HIC would seriously devalue the item if not completely ruin it. I would discourage you from this.
I agree that the side panels on the Illusive are poor compared to the available panels and lighting kits from people like Darthchromer. I bought an Illusive HIC just recently myself and the panels are my biggest complaint as well.
Rather than change the structure of the Illusive HIC a better idea would be to buy some recast panels and modify them to fit over your existing panels. I had been building my own HIC when I bought an Illusive a few days ago. I have not even received the item yet but, I had already thought of modifying the panels in this way. If this is something I do for my own I will post it over at the HIC Builders Club on Yahoo.

 

[Rebelscum]

Changing or in anyway modifying the original structure of your Illusive HIC would seriously devalue the item if not completely ruin it. I would discourage you from this.
I agree that the side panels on the Illusive are poor compared to the available panels and lighting kits from people like Darthchromer. I bought an Illusive HIC just recently myself and the panels are my biggest complaint as well.
Rather than change the structure of the Illusive HIC a better idea would be to buy some recast panels and modify them to fit over your existing panels. I had been building my own HIC when I bought an Illusive a few days ago. I have not even received the item yet but, I had already thought of modifying the panels in this way. If this is something I do for my own I will post it over at the HIC Builders Club on Yahoo.

Yes it will devalue it of course, but in my case, the fiberglass case is quite wavy on the sides, so it's a waste anyway.

When you get your IC, you'll see the side panels are just screwed on with drywall screws. If you're happy with the cabinet, you can just remove the screws and side panels and replace them. I don't think it will work to try and put something over the IC panels.

 

[Stormrider]

The side panels are indeed drywall screws. You could remove the panels, create a 'plate' that mounts to the drywall screw holes in the IC HIC and then mount your new panels on those plates. This way the original is intact, your old panels are in a box, and your new panels are secured to the HIC.

The IC panels are poor detailed, solid resin, and IMHO a tad undersized.

A side note, theres no paint under the panels. They paint the HIC's with the panels on.