Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 1 Resin Stunt Lightsaber Research

[Dewy]

Pretty happy with the results using the paint recommended by E Williams. It’s not an exact match, it’s not the easiest paint to apply, and yellow frog tape doesn’t stick to it very well for masking. On the other hand it has the right look. I don’t have good lighting right now, but here are a couple angles in different lighting conditions:

 

[DRambo87]

Pretty happy with the results using the paint recommended by E Williams. It’s not an exact match, it’s not the easiest paint to apply, and yellow frog tape doesn’t stick to it very well for masking. On the other hand it has the right look. I don’t have good lighting right now, but here are a couple angles in different lighting conditions:

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Hey, you could just paint those buttons, put a green duel stick in it and sell it on the prop store to get a nice return Looks great Drew!!

 

[E Williams]

Pretty happy with the results using the paint recommended by E Williams. It’s not an exact match, it’s not the easiest paint to apply, and yellow frog tape doesn’t stick to it very well for masking. On the other hand it has the right look. I don’t have good lighting right now, but here are a couple angles in different lighting conditions:

I’m glad to see it working out for you! The saber looks great, nice job applying the paint.

I haven’t tried yellow frog tape but Tamiya tape (also yellow) works well with this paint.

 

[Dewy]

Lighting is better and button and knob are painted. The Rustoleum saber on the left, Duplicolor on the right:

 

[DRambo87]

Lighting is better and button and knob are painted. The Rustoleum saber on the left, Duplicolor on the right:

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Looks phenomenal
How does the paint hold up with handling? The chrome from both companies is a nightmare and you can touch them for months (slight exaggeration) for curing.

 

[Dewy]

The Duplicolor acrylic lacquer dries hard and fast. I didn’t see any paint transfer on my masking tape. The silver has been on 12-18 hours, and I cannot scratch it off with my finger nails. Not even a scuff mark. The downside is it smells awful!

I have two more brands of acrylic lacquers coming in the next week to try out. If they don’t work out, then I’m perfectly happy with the Duplicolor. I just need to improve my technique a bit, and maybe see if I can get better spray nozzles for the cans.

 

[13doctorwho]

So awesome... can't wait for the run (hint, hint). It looks so good next to the Aluminum Hero. My favorite lightsaber design!!!

 

[thd9791]

My duplicolor only chipped off where I think oils or residuals from the resin were still there.

I’ve used it on a bunch of things, battle droid blaster, multiple lightsabers and I’m going to use it for a cloud city blaster. mostly prequel stuff for accuracy sake. I’ve got a cast of the rubber Obi wan pommel from Ep 3 that I’ve used this on too and it hasn’t even scuffed. Sets nearly instantly, this paint.

 

[Dewy]

While I’m waiting for paints to arrive, I started prepping the next tester:

 

[Eruonen]

Man, this guy doesn’t quit

 

[Dewy]

Guys, there’s really no comparison… the Tamiya paints are clearly the best. They go on easier, they dry smoother, and to my eye they look more accurate.

From left to right: Hero, Rustoleum Stunt, Duplicolor Stunt, Tamiya Stunt

Left to Right: Duplicolor, Tamiya

Left to Right: Duplicolor, Tamiya

The Tamiya saber has the least amount of surface prep prior to painting since I knew it was going to be a paint tester and a featureless stunt and I still think the paint came out significantly better.

 

[Excelsior]

Guys, there’s really no comparison… the Tamiya paints are clearly the best. They go on easier, they dry smoother, and to my eye they look more accurate.

From left to right: Hero, Rustoleum Stunt, Duplicolor Stunt, Tamiya Stunt
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Left to Right: Duplicolor, Tamiya
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Left to Right: Duplicolor, Tamiya
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The Tamiya saber has the least amount of surface prep prior to painting since I knew it was going to be a paint tester and a featureless stunt and I still think the paint came out significantly better.

Wow that made all the difference!

 

[Dewy]

Almost forgot the “pommel cubes”:

 

[thd9791]

Good lord. Tamiya for the win!!!! Do you have product codes for the black and silver should we use these on other sabers? Good god that’s a beautiful paint job great work

 

[Dewy]

So a couple updates:

• I have one more paint option arriving tomorrow. I really hope it works out. The Tamiya spray paints will only yield 1-3 fully painted sabers, which is not feasible IF I decide to offer a run of these.
• I have caved and purchased a 10 gallon pressure pot and 20 gallon/2HP air compressor. I found an insane deal on both. Plus I was already looking for an excuse to get a compressor for some future home projects.

I do believe that most (if not all) of the resin stunt sabers were cast without a pressure pot. After a lot of experimentation with pouring techniques and strategies, I still was getting enough occasional large bubbles. It would be too time consuming to fill and sand each saber IF I offer a run in the future.

 

[DRambo87]

So a couple updates:

• I have one more paint option arriving tomorrow. I really hope it works out. The Tamiya spray paints will only yield 1-3 fully painted sabers, which is not feasible IF I decide to offer a run of these.
• I have caved and purchased a 10 gallon pressure pot and 20 gallon/2HP air compressor. I found an insane deal on both. Plus I was already looking for an excuse to get a compressor for some future home projects.

I do believe that most (if not all) of the resin stunt sabers were cast without a pressure pot. After a lot of experimentation with pouring techniques and strategies, I still was getting enough occasional large bubbles. It would be too time consuming to fill and sand each saber IF I offer a run in the future.

I'll take that "IF" as a hopeful probability of a run;-D

 

[Dewy]

I'll take that "IF" as a hopeful probability of a run;-D

I would like for that to be the case. I want to make sure I can get consistent results that I’d be willing to deliver to the forum. I also need to figure out what form everything will take.

My original thought was to offer completed (painted) sabers with stunt blades up for sale in small batches as I finished them. If I can’t find a good enough paint, I might just offer raw castings with completed blades. We’ll see. Either way, we are at least a few weeks away from me offering anything up for sale, as I still consider this being in the research phase.

 

[13doctorwho]

I would happily take an unpainted cast.

 

[Dewy]

Update: I wasn’t even able to get 2 sabers out of the Tamiya Black.

 

[DRambo87]

I would like for that to be the case. I want to make sure I can get consistent results that I’d be willing to deliver to the forum. I also need to figure out what form everything will take.

My original thought was to offer completed (painted) sabers with stunt blades up for sale in small batches as I finished them. If I can’t find a good enough paint, I might just offer raw castings with completed blades. We’ll see. Either way, we are at least a few weeks away from me offering anything up for sale, as I still consider this being in the research phase.

Love it either way!! I would be down for some raw castings and just a list of materials/paint to finish them. Nonetheless, I look forward to whatever you offer. Like you, I share an absurd obsession with this hilt Looking forward to the QG very much too.