Revell release schedule

The surface details in general look better on the R2, and the recessed areas will certainly have more depth if they are separate insert pieces.

Considering Round2's version is a print, I would say that Revell done good, for a change. Only time will tell how Round2's actual sprues come out.
 
I would think each company would have given been copies of the same stl files used to print the master that they made the filming model for

So each should have comparable details available. The difference will be in the molding process used and what compromises had to made to accommodate that
 
In every photo and video I've seen of the Revell Razor Crest, the plastic looks horribly textured. I don't know if that's how it is in person, or if the camera is exaggerating the problem visually.

Here's a shot from Twitter:

FHJyd6lWUA8ot98.jpg


Looks textured to me... :confused:

SB
 
I'm no expert on chrome or metalizer paints like Alclad, so maybe someone else can chime in on what that kind of texture will do when trying to get a nice chrome finish on the RC. Will it matter?
 
Andy's build will be a good benchmark if his build history is anything to go by
As for the textured surface, maybe a microfilling primer will help alleviate that. Tamiya's TS61 silver would be a good alternative to Alclad and hardier waring for weathering.
 
I'm no expert on chrome or metalizer paints like Alclad, so maybe someone else can chime in on what that kind of texture will do when trying to get a nice chrome finish on the RC. Will it matter?
Those texture will become flat once you applied a glossy black primer. But dam. Those details looks really sharp.
 
I'm not sure that will even out totally even with glossy black applied. It might need a few coats to fill in all that texture. Unfortunately more coats will start obscuring detail depending on the properties of the paint you use. I understand that a texture helps non-solvent paint adhere better, but knowing that this ship has a chrome like finish, I'm wondering why Revell would do this.

I guess we'll have to wait until someone tries to do a chrome finish to see the results.
 
Round 2 Star Trek kits sometimes have some texture, but not this bad. The way I take care of it is spray the model in with Tamiya primer, or Stynylrez primer, and then polish the primer sanding sponges, or in this case with nooks and crannies, 00 steel wool.
 
If only someone had a completed build already...

 
If only someone had a completed build already...


That's kinda why I'm curious why people are concerned about the texture. It didn't seem to be a factor in that build, but maybe its a bigger issue with other types of chrome finishes that people use. What's the reason for the texture concern?
 
That's kinda why I'm curious why people are concerned about the texture. It didn't seem to be a factor in that build, but maybe its a bigger issue with other types of chrome finishes that people use. What's the reason for the texture concern?

Because a paint finish can only be as smooth as the base. Without body work to fix the texture, it's gonna look bad.
 
Because a paint finish can only be as smooth as the base. Without body work to fix the texture, it's gonna look bad.

Not that I'm defending Revell for using the texture, but the build Edge references shows a pretty nice metallic paint finish. Unless I'm going for a complete mirror surface, does the textured surface really require fixing? How is the finish in that test build bad?
 
Not that I'm defending Revell for using the texture, but the build Edge references shows a pretty nice metallic paint finish. Unless I'm going for a complete mirror surface, does the textured surface really require fixing? How is the finish in that test build bad?

Maybe he used a filler primer to correct some of the texture, I don't know. But filler primer is a trade off of eliminating the texturing and obscuring other details. The point is, we shouldn't have to make that kind of compromise. I have kits from the 90s, and their plastic is butter smooth. This kind of surface texture is simply unacceptable on an officially licensed product from a major manufacturer. ESEPCIALLY on a subject that is intended to have a high polish metal finish.
 
Maybe he used a filler primer to correct some of the texture, I don't know. But filler primer is a trade off of eliminating the texturing and obscuring other details. The point is, we shouldn't have to make that kind of compromise. I have kits from the 90s, and their plastic is butter smooth. This kind of surface texture is simply unacceptable on an officially licensed product from a major manufacturer. ESEPCIALLY on a subject that is intended to have a high polish metal finish.
Not saying you're wrong (and I'm asking these questions for my own education and as a Devil's advocate), but the build-up shows a decent metallic finish and the other details still seem crisp (especially with a wash added). If the texture created a compromise in some way, it doesn't seem to be a very big one. If he used a filler primer, it didn't affect the crispness of the detail and if he didn't use filler primer the finish turned out pretty good regardless of the texture. In either case, it doesn't seem like texture is an issue. Why would I need the plastic butter smooth if the finish will turn out nicely metallic and I'm going to be weathering the hell out of it anyway? Nobody intends to keep the model bare plastic, right? So, as mentioned above, wouldn't the texture serve to help the primer and paint stick better to the model? If the paint sticks better, and it doesn't significantly affect the quality of the finish, then is it even an issue?
 
Not saying you're wrong (and I'm asking these questions for my own education and as a Devil's advocate), but the build-up shows a decent metallic finish and the other details still seem crisp (especially with a wash added). If the texture created a compromise in some way, it doesn't seem to be a very big one. If he used a filler primer, it didn't affect the crispness of the detail and if he didn't use filler primer the finish turned out pretty good regardless of the texture. In either case, it doesn't seem like texture is an issue. Why would I need the plastic butter smooth if the finish will turn out nicely metallic and I'm going to be weathering the hell out of it anyway? Nobody intends to keep the model bare plastic, right? So, as mentioned above, wouldn't the texture serve to help the primer and paint stick better to the model? If the paint sticks better, and it doesn't significantly affect the quality of the finish, then is it even an issue?

At this point, your apologia for subpar standards is just perplexing. I don't even know what to respond at this point. I'm glad it's a non issue for you and hope you enjoy it.
 
I'm not familiar with how machines can make this sort of texture. I know that Tamiya and other manufacturers spend time making moulds that are almost perfect, right down to anti-skid textures, cast metal, and weld marks. Was this intentional to hide the tooling marks? Other revel kits are so smooth, you need to sand them down a bit so that paint will stick.

Can someone illuminate me on details of the finishing process or provide a link to a video?

TazMan2000
 
At this point, your apologia for subpar standards is just perplexing. I don't even know what to respond at this point. I'm glad it's a non issue for you and hope you enjoy it.

Honestly not trying to apologize or pick a fight. I have no dog in this hunt. My decision on buying this kit vs. R2's will likely be based on other factors. I'm just curious about why the texture evokes such a negative reaction if, based on the build we've seen so far, it doesn't seem to be much of a factor. Is it a case of subpar standards (which Revell has been guilty of in many other Star Wars kits) or just a choice that could actually help a finish stick better to the plastic? I can see where having a texture on the plastic would be a huge deal on, say, a car or plane model, but this is a heavily weathered fantasy spaceship. I'm not a master painter, especially when it comes to replicating a metallic surface. Either the texture is a problem, or it isn't.
 
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