James Cameron’s Dark Angel prop. Requesting painting advice etc

[saberdance]

Hi everyone,

I’d really appreciate it if anyone here could help me out answering a couple questions. I recently managed to get a screen used statue from the Pilot episode of Dark Angel. I’m beyond thrilled to have it, but the poor gal has a significant amount of gold paint wear. I’d love to get it back to its original condition. I’m posting pics so you can see the type of paint job and wear.

1. Can anyone tell me how this was painted? It looks almost like the vac metalized painting of C-3PO action figures, but deeper hue. But it’s a single piece apart from the pedestal, so I don’t know how that could be possible

2. Any advice on how I could touch it up? I want to leave the original paint as is.

3. Does anyone know anybody who worked in Fox’s prop dept in 2000? I’d love to try to find out who the artist was. Any contact info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Cool piece, but honestly I would not do any touch ups. Anything you do can risk devalue or ruin the piece. If you want it restored, you should get in touch with Tom Spina as he's a professional.

 

[Leinads]

Seriously cool and interesting piece! I wish you luck with whatever you decide, but I agree with TMG that touch-ups might devalue this fantastic work. There’s so much character in its current condition, don’t you think? There was nothing quite like Dark Angel

 

[Rik1138]

Is it actually ceramic? There are paints you can use on ceramic that actually have gold in them (the paint itself doesn't really look gold when you paint it on), and when you fire it in a kiln, the end result is the gold element in the paint is left behind and looks basically like what you have. Since it's painted on like any other paint, you can put it exactly where you want and then fire it...
Definitely not something you'd want to try to re-do in that method though, re-firing something like that would probably not have good results...

If it's plastic or resin or something, then I'm not sure how it was done...

Ultimately I kind of agree with the others... Leave it as-is, put it in a nice display case so it doesn't get any worse, and just enjoy that you own it!

 

[saberdance]

Cool piece, but honestly I would not do any touch ups. Anything you do can risk devalue or ruin the piece. If you want it restored, you should get in touch with Tom Spina as he's a professional.

Thank you so much for your advice! I’m certainly torn as to what to do. I’d love it to look just like it did in its prime, but we all age. Well, everyone except Tom Cruise! I’ll look up Tom Spina! Thanks again!

 

[saberdance]

Seriously cool and interesting piece! I wish you luck with whatever you decide, but I agree with TMG that touch-ups might devalue this fantastic work. There’s so much character in its current condition, don’t you think? There was nothing quite like Dark Angel

Thank you! It’s beautiful and unusual. And it’s the item that brought the two main characters on the show together. Can’t quite believe I have the hero prop!

 

[saberdance]

Is it actually ceramic? There are paints you can use on ceramic that actually have gold in them (the paint itself doesn't really look gold when you paint it on), and when you fire it in a kiln, the end result is the gold element in the paint is left behind and looks basically like what you have. Since it's painted on like any other paint, you can put it exactly where you want and then fire it...
Definitely not something you'd want to try to re-do in that method though, re-firing something like that would probably not have good results...

If it's plastic or resin or something, then I'm not sure how it was done...

Ultimately I kind of agree with the others... Leave it as-is, put it in a nice display case so it doesn't get any worse, and just enjoy that you own it!

Thanks so much for your input! It does seem to be ceramic. Definitely not plastic, though the yellow you see where the gold has gone is some additional layer( primer?). That makes sense what you described.
I’m certainly not up for putting it in an oven again!!

 

[Rik1138]

It's been a long time since I've worked with ceramics, so I kind of forgot the process... Did a little research and it all came back. It's actually called an 'overglaze'. You would actually paint the figure with normal paint, fire it, then paint on the gold overglaze, and fire it again at a lower temperature. Then it leaves the suspended gold particles behind...
So that would explain the existing yellow paint behind it the is revealed as the gold wears off with handling.

Here's a short video showing it being used and the result when fired:

(Not that you are going to try it, but when firing this stuff it lets off toxic fumes, so respirators and a well ventilated area are required...)

 

[Lost in Trek]

I’m in the leave it alone camp. While there is some paint loss it still looks great and I think would display well.

 

[saberdance]

It's been a long time since I've worked with ceramics, so I kind of forgot the process... Did a little research and it all came back. It's actually called an 'overglaze'. You would actually paint the figure with normal paint, fire it, then paint on the gold overglaze, and fire it again at a lower temperature. Then it leaves the suspended gold particles behind...
So that would explain the existing yellow paint behind it the is revealed as the gold wears off with handling.

Here's a short video showing it being used and the result when fired:

(Not that you are going to try it, but when firing this stuff it lets off toxic fumes, so respirators and a well ventilated area are required...)

I think you nailed it!!! Definitely looks very similar in texture and sheen. Thank you so much! I certainly don’t have any of that equipment so, not an option for me to try. My lungs are probably safer

 

[Leinads]

Could it be gold leaf?

 

[Leinads]

The way the color is eroding and peeling back, especially in the hair area is reminiscent of gilding. It reminds me of vintage pieces I had that would peel like that.

 

[saberdance]

The way the color is eroding and peeling back, especially in the hair area is reminiscent of gilding. It reminds me of vintage pieces I had that would peel like that.

That was my first thought, but the videos I’ve seen of gold leaf it looks less shiny than this.

I just want to ask again here-does anyone know anyone or have any connections with people who worked in Fox prop dept back in 2000-2001? Would be so nice to identify the artist! I actually also have some theories about the inspirations in creating the design…

 

[Leinads]

Which episode(s) feature the piece? I’d love to see it in the show.

 

[saberdance]

Which episode(s) feature the piece? I’d love to see it in the show.

It’s the pilot!

 

[Rik1138]

Is the little scroll in it's hand actually paper, or part of the ceramic?