Voyager prop - metallic liquid that doesn't leave a smear?

[hydin]

I caught an episode of Voyager today, called "Demon".

In said episode, there was a pretty nifty little "tube" of this alien metal living t1000 goop that looked pretty cool.

I originally thought it might be paint, but when you see the Doctor or Janeway slosh it around, it leaves no "film" on the inside of the prop. I was thinking maybe a watered down (slightly) silver acrylic but even that leaves a little "smear" that is very visible in a clear tube.

I know the scene where Harry is being pulled out of the lake of it (pictured above, the lake, not Harry) is CGI but I can't believe they would CGI something as small as a cylinder that's handheld.

So.. Here are the pics of the lake's "sheen", and the tube as Doc and co. slosh it around. It's not chrome shiny, just metallic.

Any ideas?

Chris

 

[darthgordon]

liquid mercury would be my guess. They also used it in T2. The puddle is CGI, but the stuff in the vial could be mercury, or an oil w/ metallic powder in it... or liquid deuterium

 

[misterfusion]

How about silver/chrome Testors model paint?

That stuff usually "swirly" until it's shaken (or stirred )

Steve

 

[hydin]

I didn't think about testors......

I have some weird knockoff cheapy silver paint. that might be why it was leaving that weird film in there.

Cool. Thanks.
Chris

 

[Zev]

I would guess at it being mercury too. Getting hold of a vial of it wouldn't be a chore for a tv show. Plus to the common eye, it looks quite unusual.

 

[MattMunson]

Its' not mercury.

 

[hydin]

Mercury has a pretty high sheen to it.

This stuff is somewhat ... well, lead or pewter shiny.

I really don't think that puddle shot is a CGI shot. The "pulling Harry out" part is, but I think that swirly pattern really is the liquid there.

That and I kinda doubt they would give a mercury prop to actors. Stuff is pretty toxic, not to mention heavy.

Chris

 

[Kylash]

looks alot like pearl acrylic paint

 

[Firefoxm31]

while I may not have the spelling right, I bet this is none other than rayascopic fluid, shop uses it sometimes to get a swirl effect in water. You can tint it different colors too...
Will

 

[Robot Monster]

Could they have just used a different mix of the stuff they used for the STNG "Skin of evil" . I think is was Metamucil and printers ink.


No way is it Mercury, I don't think they would let the actors hold it. Too many stories about actors breaking props out there. Insurance carrier would go nuts on the liability alone if they found out.

I remember the shots for T2 (dvd clips I think ) when they did use mercury and lots of people with all kinds of protective gear were about. It was never on the set with the actors all T2 mercury shots ( from what I remember ) were done under very controlled conditions.

Let's just put in the disclaimer for Mercury..

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/effects.htm

DON'T play with it kids.

Tek

 

[blufive]

They may have used mercury in some shots but I do remember they used the same alloy that was/is used in the optical industry to hold the lenses on special blocks for processing.

The alloy (that's what it's called) is a mixture of lead and mercury. Most optical labs have now moved to wax in light of the safety issues with alloy.

 

[YenChih Lin]

But you could used Gallium instead, it melts at body temperature, is non-toxic to human skin or health and looks like mercury. Unfortunately, it will turn into solid state, when left for a long time at room temperatur.

From the screencaps so far, I can tell it looks like ethersulphat 70% used in shower gels, mix it with water + little salt and you got a gel. You only need some eatable silver coat used for candys and some bakery to mix it in.

But nothing beat the shine of a real metal.

 

[ThermalShock]

How about something alot simpler like clear liquid soap mixed with aluminum powder. You could controll the viscosity and the aluminum would stay suspended in the liquid like swirls. Or you could just call HMS and ask them.

 

[penwiper]

If you made the silver from some oil-based substance, you might try filling the rest of the vial with water instead of air. The water will repel the oil and make it bead up and not stick to the vial.

Gen

 

[hydin]

After thinking about this (not much else to do on a sick day)... I think I have it figured out.

Something like testors silver acrylic... and a light coating of something like vaseline on the inside rim of the cylinder. Something applied with a qtip would be fine (barely visible but enough to keep the water off it).

The only kinda sucktastic thing is trying to get the endcaps made. i might have to go ghetto on this and use rub n buff on some pvc endcaps and have a "close" replica.

Still, should be easy to knock out over the weekend. Years of hardware building lightsabers has given me quite the pvc collection. :lol

Chris

 

[hydin]

UPDATE -

spent 4$ at target, got a vial of "spiderman webbing" goo/slime. It's silver, comes in a test looking vial, and has the metallic look that I was shooting for.

I am still going to try the acrylic paint stuff later, but this makes a great interim display.

Now I just have to figure out a good looking way to make a "vial" that looks less like the toys and more like the one in the show.

Chris

 

[Scapey]

I'm sure I've seen metallic / pearlescent foam/bubble baths.
Will keep an eye out...

 

[antwayne]

I've seen something like this made of corn syrup mixed with eye shadow. You could buy the eye shadow at a dollar store and grind it into a powder.

I've also seen that spider man web goo at Walmart and agree that it would look pretty convincing.

 

[YenChih Lin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Reverend Scapegoat @ Apr 3 2007, 10:06 PM) [snapback]1454608[/snapback]</div>

I'm sure I've seen metallic / pearlescent foam/bubble baths.
Will keep an eye out...
[/b]

That's what I proposed 70% ethersulphate, water and salt are the ingredients of every bubble bath shower gel you name it. You just need the silver color stuff

 

[Scapey]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(YenChih Lin @ Apr 5 2007, 03:42 PM) [snapback]1455914[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Reverend Scapegoat @ Apr 3 2007, 10:06 PM) [snapback]1454608[/snapback]

I'm sure I've seen metallic / pearlescent foam/bubble baths.
Will keep an eye out...
[/b]

That's what I proposed 70% ethersulphate, water and salt are the ingredients of every bubble bath shower gel you name it. You just need the silver color stuff
[/b][/quote]


That was what I meant - I'm sure I've seen bubble baths that are already metallic... No need to add anything.