Making a practice 1/537 model for aztec painting in airbrush, getting ready for 1/350 build

[Tarekcryptor]

Here is what I have accomplished so far, I printed a new defector housing, Impulse Deck rear saucer which is a little big but that's bc my machine would have issues doing smaller. I printed a new bridge and accurately detailed the rim and base of bridge deck, Ive primed many pieces and have base paneling decals added in which I will go over with airbrush for the aztec pattern. I have everything done in matte flat finish so when I do the aztecing with airbrush it will pop. Im doing this practice build so I can work on my technique for I never aztec painted w airbrush before or airbrushed at all for that matter, so here will be my first attempt. Most pieces I have gotten to the point of electronics planning, mapping and placement so here are pics to show how far I am along. I got lucky because this is a 1986 U.S.S. Enterprise Refit 1/537 scale from Star Trek IV in which I got in pristine condition for only $26 I am not going completely all out but I hope I can get it to look cool enough. Im using UV resin from 3D resin printers to bind the pieces together which has solved my engines falling off curse this model has because it binds so well instantly w one hit of a uv light its immediately set and its also great from sealing cracks without putty bc no light can penetrate it and it fuses plastic pieces together like Ive never seen before. I also have been lining the inside with reflective metal plumbers tape instead of painting it black because it applies nicely fits everywhere and reflects the lights all the way around inside so less LEDS u need to use. Also if you want a section to stand out and light up like the spots you just have to cut that area out of the tape once its been applied. This is my first documented build even though Ive been a fine scale modeler for over 40 years. I hope you enjoy what you see so far and my progress. Here are the pics! Let me know what you think! Oh, I also printed a TWOK badge after scaling it up so it can be my new model base. Im using this model as a practice piece for airbrushing aztecs so I dont mess up my 1/350 build bc it will be the 4th one I've built. I got the new 2025 release coming finally and I want that one for once perfect to me so this is my guinea pig project.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Got more done today I did the saucer lights and decaling basic decals only so I can do the advanced stuff in airbrush

 

[Analyzer]

Ah the old stunt stand in for the real model.

I have done that several times. Great excuse to build the smaller scales

Looking good

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Ah the old stunt stand in for the real model.

I have done that several times. Great excuse to build the smaller scales

Looking good

Thanks. I solved the pylon suppotrt issue by using UV resin and a UV light it binds so fast and fuses the plastic support sections together so that saved me having to resin the hell out of it as well so I used my 3D printer to modernize alot of flaws as well

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Got more done today, redid the torpedo lights and added basic aztec decals so I can pearl over top of them later, hooked up bridge flasher to the rest of the saucer lights, and finished basic decals on secondary hull. just6 have to basic paint the outer edges with duck egg blue on the engine nacelles and all the parts are ready for airbrushing!! My masking set is coming Tuesday, so Im trying to bet all pieces prepped by then.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Got my paint masks which I was hesitant to get because I had planned on getting a Cricut to do them myself but with no luck at getting an affordable one currently I just sucked it up and bought the mask kit from aztek dummys and culttvman.com. After hours of cutting, trimming and posting to transfer tape I was able to apply a few finished pattens to the top saucer after much tedious placement and squidgy work with a few dental tools and xacto blade. Well worth it I hope. I want this paint job! I need the practice.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

I finished laying the masks today on the top of the saucer. It would have been nice to know they only include enough panels to do one side at a time which is really time consuming and rather a rip off. I am in the process of designing and printing my own line of masks for the oldies but goodies models as well as the new ones, Im just trying to find a decently priced vinyl cutter machine. At least I will sell both sides in one kit for everyone. That's too much work to have to rip up put back on tape and reapply on other side. Better to do them all fresh. After I laoid them all out I did a base coat of Pearl white. I will do my color tones in the coming days. Stay tuned...

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Today, I got my other airbrush from Amazon which is less expensive than the one I have and easier to handle and adjust so I primed it up with iridescent blue and began spraying 3 coats on alternating panels. I dont know if you can see if clearly because its freshly painted and drying in the pic but so far so good. It took 4 hours to do so after all were coated, I wrapped for today. Im doing green and violet tomorrow.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

This is the map I am using to paint my panels. I adjusted the vibrance, saturation and contrast so the panels are clearly visible. This shows what I REALLY have in store for me and what's ahead if I want to accomplish what I am aiming for. The masks are designed for a 2 tone, so we shall see about that when I do my 5-6 color tone lol. Ill prove that wrong. Ill probably have to brush the individual squares because they are tiny on the 537 but that's ok as long as I can do it.

 

[BajaTym]

I used my 3D printer to modernize alot of flaws as well

Nice painting! Looking good. I’d enjoy reading/seeing more about what you’ve done to modernize the flaws.

 

[Analyzer]

I like the effect. Looking forward to seeing it on your model

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Its a rough paint but the effect is there just needs some cleaning up. I peeled about 50% of the saucer today, once 100% is done ill start adding the other tones

 

[Tarekcryptor]

After much cleaning of the lines and painting, I managed a 5 tone on half so far, with copper flash, iridescent red, violet, blue, and green. Let me know what you think! I still have to peel and clean the other side. Yuck. If your really not careful the mask will take the paint right with it.

 

[Analyzer]

Excellent!

 

[Tarekcryptor]

I finished peeling, cleaning and painting the entire top of the saucer section and it came out great! 5 tones, well 6 if you include the micro pearl over coating. Its as clean as this rough is going to be with the stupid paneling being what it is at the base.

 

[Analyzer]

I love that effect. Kind of a metallized type of look

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Got stardrive fused together today with UV resin which I find better to seal all holes and cracks that cause light leakage because no light can penetrate it when used so I dont have to go back over with sealant. Best part is it sets immediately with UV light and its completely sandable!

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Ok, I havent posted in a little while. Its been a rough few weeks but I got the engines for what they are fitted to the pylons. Naturally they didnt form perfectly due to THE MANY DESIGN FAWS OF THE KIT ITSELF. It is what it is. My kit is now down to the saucer section and the secondary hull. Here are my updates. Alot of tweaking, adjusting, filling and repainting touch ups will be done but Im getting close.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Ok, I haven't posted in almost a week and a half. It has been one mess after another. To start, I got the masking done and painted on lower saucer. The paint job came out beautifully. I was super happy with it. The mess started when we go to put the beast together with the kits MANY design flaws.

 

[Tarekcryptor]

Ok, The nightmare. We are ALL familiar with the spacing issue with the 2 saucer halves when you put even the most compact of electronic lighting in the tight squeeze area. I knew almost immediately I was going to have to extend the gap once I realized its not going to close properly. But as I began to rebuild the rim with metal tape paper mache with CLEAR UV RESIN. It turned out to be a fantastic way to build the rim up a little bit even though I have to redrill windows and thrusters. The night I placed it on my workbench upside down for stability, disaster struck via my basement ghost, because I found the whole model had swan dived into the pavement even though it was at the center of my workbench! I had to reattach 1 engine, and the whole saucer had snapped off. Alot of maneuvering had to be done to get her back together with those defective areas exposed and broken wide open. This is feeling like my last one of this scale for a good long while after this mess.