I need dirt - Prometheus Ampule Display

Art Andrews · Nov 28, 2012

So, I got in one of the screen used ampules from Prometheus from the guys at Prop Store:

http://www.therpf.com/f45/prometheus-screen-used-prop-engineer-ampule-168868/

I want to make a display for it that makes it look like it is sitting in a pool on the black goo... like this:

View attachment 129306

So, there are two things I need; 1) the dirt and 2) the goo.

1) Looking at the dirt, it is almost more of a crushed black rock than actual dirt. Went to Home Depot and found nothing that looks like that. Any suggestions on what to use and where to get it? Everything out here in the desert is a light color, so it is no good.

2) I was initially thinking of wrapping the bottom of the ampule in saran wrap , pushing it slightly into the dirt, and then pouring black plastidip around it and letting it dry. Someone else suggested using pigmented epoxy instead. Any thoughts on that?

Any help would be appreciated. You can see more reference of the dirt and goo in the photos below.

Alan Castillo · Nov 28, 2012

Two words for the dirt / rocks - crushed charcoal. Position as desired, and cover with a sealant.

For the goo - black colour mixed with wood-glue or similar (like the HIC builds).

Might work

... and cheap as hell too :lol

You could also build the 'diorama' on a simple sheet of wood the size you want, with a low border/edge to keep the 'goo' in till it hardens.

Zombie Killer · Nov 28, 2012

You could try to find some dark lava stone and crush it up to whatever grade you need. For the goop i would use Smooth on black onyx. I would cut a wood blank or plug the same size as the amuples though rather then take the risk of a leak messing up your prop. Use the plug and wrap it like you say and push it into the onyx. I think they make a slower cure onyx now.

Scapey · Nov 28, 2012

Absorbent cat litter, black ink, and seal with PVA glue?

Alan Castillo · Nov 28, 2012

Zombie Killer said:
dark lava stone and crush it up to whatever grade you need.

This nails it better than charcoal for the bigger more porous looking bits !

All seems to indicate you have to get to a BBQ supply store :lol

Zombie Killer · Nov 28, 2012

you can get lava in the garden section of home improvement stores too. It's used for drainage and decor.

luke moonwalker · Nov 28, 2012

Maybe some black aquarium gravel mixed in?

Art Andrews · Nov 28, 2012

Liking that black aquarium gravel!

Art Andrews · Nov 28, 2012

Playing off the aquarium idea, someone sent me this... looks VERY good to me.

View attachment 129333

Wes R · Nov 28, 2012

I was going to say see if we have members in hawaii who would send you a bag of black volcanic sand.

superjedi · Nov 28, 2012

Maybe model railroad ballast? It usually comes in a few different grades.

Here's a link to Woodland Scenics' ballast page.
Ballast and Coal - Woodland Scenics - Model Layouts, Scenery, Buildings and Figures

Tobot · Nov 28, 2012

For the black goo have you considered 'ferro fluid' with perhaps a moving magnet underneath? It would look and move just like the go in the film

amfx74 · Nov 28, 2012

Black pigmented silicone for the goo. Almost any translucent silicone, pigmented with black silicone pigment or even black oil paint will do the trick.

cavx · Nov 28, 2012

You can paint the stone too laying it out thin and using a spray can of dark grey or black. I've done this to make the pretty colored stones for a fish tank and I am sure that is exactly what the manufactures of said stone supply to pet stores.

SludgeMunkey · Nov 28, 2012

Why not try the "cinders ballast" for HO scale model railroading?

I know Woodland Scenics makes it. And you can get much smaller amounts than the aquarium gravel. Also, it is significantly less weight.

Cinders Ballast - Ballast and Coal - Woodland Scenics - Model Layouts, Scenery, Buildings and Figures

Art Andrews · Nov 28, 2012

Here is my first quick attempt. I picked up a deep 9"X9" shadow box from Wal-Mart and also picked up the easily crushable green foam used with fake plants. I put those in the frame and crushed in a basic shape. I then added a plastic pipe to the center and put the ampule on the pipe. From there, I added activated charcoal and a couple of plastic worms.

Don't think I like the worms, and I think I need to crush some of the charcoal so I can get a more dirt like look among the larger pebbles, but overall, I am pretty happy.

Thoughts?

View attachment 129458

Goodwolf · Nov 28, 2012

luke moonwalker said:
Maybe some black aquarium gravel mixed in?

That was gonna be my suggestion, but it may be a mixture of more than one of these suggestions...

luke moonwalker · Nov 28, 2012

I think that looks teriffic! Agreed on crushing some of the charcoal and the deep shadowbox/turned display pedestal was an awesome idea :thumbsup

Art Andrews · Nov 28, 2012

luke moonwalker said:
I think that looks teriffic! Agreed on crushing some of the charcoal and the deep shadowbox/turned display pedestal was an awesome idea :thumbsup

What I'd really like to figure out is a way to make a bit of a rock/dust slurry with an adhesive so I can repour it and make it permanent (it is just loose right now).

In looking at the size of this base, I really don't think I can effectively add in the black good without it looking forced and tight.

Alan Castillo · Nov 28, 2012

Wouldn't you consider a larger base ?

I need dirt - Prometheus Ampule Display

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