My C3PO / Protocol building adventures (and other props)

[Mulbin]

Update - My latest pic! Scroll down for more details.

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a while and thought it was time I shared some of my progress making my first Star Wars props. I've been focussing on protocol droids, but have started some other bits I'll share later.

Here is my recently completed silver protocol. This is finished using Alclad paint , it's a few days work to get a good finish but it really saves cash (total chroming cost for this helmet about $5).

The head is fiberglass from ebay (possibly from a cast of a Don Post statue?) but I am 3D printing all other parts (including my own eye design...the ones it came with were wrong), as well as a printed head I have been experimenting with in a more wearable size.

Some of the other bits in their current state...

Tinting using Gordon Tarpley's food colouring method - mixed results!

I'll add more pics and updates as things progress!

 

[ABE]

excellent work, congrats

 

[Snowtrooper]

Exactly what color of alclad paint did you use? I've got a 3po head coming and I've been trying to figure out an easy way to get a chrome it without spending a fortune. The finish on yours looks like it turned out great.

 

[Mulbin]

Exactly what color of alclad paint did you use? I've got a 3po head coming and I've been trying to figure out an easy way to get a chrome it without spending a fortune. The finish on yours looks like it turned out great.

It’s ALC-107 Chrome over a base coat of plasticote gloss grey enamel spray can. Alclad is completely dpendant on how reflective the base coat is. Don’t bother with alclads own base coats they are a nightmare to work with.

I recommend watching Gordon Tarpleys tutorials. Happy to answer any questions if you get stuck as Gordon doesn’t quite cover everything.

 

[eethan]

very nice work, I really like your chrome result

 

[Mulbin]

Found that screen scale protocol heads fit very nicely in basketball display cases! Not a bad option for less than $20. This helmet will be living here until I have at least two chromed...then I'll risk tinting one of them!

 

[Trooper_trent]

Wow!! Killer head! That looks amazing!
Can’t wait to see more. Subscribed!

 

[TK-326]

Looking good.

 

[Mulbin]

Nearly finished another head. This is one I completely 3D printed from scratch. Less accurate than the cast heads but good enough for a fun prop build! Wires/ greeblies not canon.

 

[Mulbin]

Eye lenses are now printed and installed in the damaged/junk head. Got another resin cast head to do next once this one is finished then going to look at gold tinting one of them.

 

[Mulbin]

Making progress with tinting the alclad. This is using Gordon Tarpley’s method mixing yellow and red food colouring with gloss artists varnish. The trick seems to be to gradually build up layers. I’m on about 10 thin coats so far, looks a little paler in real life.

 

[thegnome]

Very nice!

 

[Mulbin]

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been working on other projects! I realised I never posted pics of the finished gold tinting. So here they are! I'm hoping to get some more of the body ready for painting very soon.

 

[RoCKo]

Gorgeous result, I would love to try this somewhen.

 

[Mulbin]

Finally have some progress to show on this guy! Still loads to do, but happy with how the prop displays while I work on other bits. Will be sorting the shoulders and belly wires next.

 

[Mulbin]

Some close ups of the first finished hand. I went for the jointed new hope style.

 

[funclips4u]

Did you brush it on like Gordon Tarpley does or did you spray it?

 

[Mulbin]

Did you brush it on like Gordon Tarpley does or did you spray it?

Sorry, just spotted this! I brush it on, in many, many thin layers, letting each dry in between. I've tried spraying before but found that it pooled a little so you get an uneven colour due to the surface tension, edges/grooves stay silver.

 

[Mulbin]

Tiny update I know, but I've added his shoulder rings and made a start on the belly wires.. although I think I've got the scaling wrong on the layout so might re-do.

 

[mrwax]

That finish is seriously good, nicely done!