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Post by The Space Giant on Nov 21, 2012 3:33:44 GMT -5
Hey guys -- I'm working on a restoration/custom project, turning a Mattel Dragun into a Jumbo Getter Robo G, and I'm hoping the outcome will look as 'vintage' as possible.
To that end, I'm hoping to incorporate metallic silver decals on his arms and legs; decals that look similar to the ones on Reideen's arms, or on the Popy or (UniFive) Gaiking's arms.
Anybody know of a good product with the same 'shiny but not glossy' finish as the original decals? There must be something out there that would look accurate. Thoughts?
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Post by willohio on Nov 21, 2012 7:39:32 GMT -5
If you find something similar but it's too glossy you
could always spray it with a satin or matte spray to remove
the gloss look.
That light satin foil look is a tough one. I know the guy selling decal sets
on eBay uses a vinyl. And it's a pretty good approximation.
Will
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Post by 1oldrobot on Nov 21, 2012 8:20:49 GMT -5
you could spray a flat silver on contact paper and cut it out.
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Post by willohio on Nov 21, 2012 10:31:11 GMT -5
you could spray a flat silver on contact paper and cut it out. That's not a bad idea. Make sure it's a smooth grain Will |
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Post by The Space Giant on Nov 21, 2012 10:54:48 GMT -5
Both sound like good options to me, assuming there isn't a more ready-made item on the market. I'd swear I've seen some sort of tape out there that looks really close to the decals on the Jumbos...
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Post by willohio on Nov 21, 2012 17:55:29 GMT -5
Let us know if you find it & what it is.
There are quite a few different chrome tapes.
Will
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Post by 1oldrobot on Nov 21, 2012 21:56:56 GMT -5
a lot of my art is covered in colored duct tape. i bought a giant box of metallic finish tape about a year ago and it had some dull finish silver in it, but it is vinyl and needs to be accurately cut or stamped, which is the hard part. ive also seen actual foil tape with a dull finish on ebay, as well. you dont even really need to use contact paper or anything with an adhesive backing. just paper sprayed, then use spray adhesive. cut out the shape before painting it. i know valspar makes a spraypaint in the color youre looking for. silver acrylic paint is good, too.
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Post by The Space Giant on Nov 21, 2012 23:05:13 GMT -5
willohio -- yeah, I've been digging around for some time now, and despite my conviction that there's a good match out there in tape form, I must admit that so far I've come up snakeyes on the hunt. One day! 1oldrobot -- If i wind up using vinyl tape, I figure I'll make a template in advance of cutting it. I'm an artist by trade and I've worked with tempermental materials many times, so I'm not too worried about the feasibility of making a successful decal in those circumstances. And while I certainly considered using paint instead, I decided that the goal here was to come as close as possible to a toy that might've been made by Popy in the '70s, and that seems to dictate that I use decals similar to Reideen's or Gaiking's. Though I think for my next custom Jumbo I'll shoot for something a little simpler!
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Post by 1oldrobot on Nov 22, 2012 0:51:05 GMT -5
its funny, that "cheapo" silver is pretty darn hard to match. i used foil tape on my dragun and it looked cool, but sure did give off an unrealistic shine. im looking at my best match tapes i have on hand right now and the maxell #8065 aluminum matte is pretty close. im an artist, too, so i also know how 95% there still sucks.
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Post by The Space Giant on Nov 22, 2012 4:20:21 GMT -5
Yeah, it seems like Jumbo customization is fraught with issues regarding materials -- polyethylene is probably the worst plastic there is for painting or patching, original paint colors are often difficult to match, decals can sometimes be hard to replace for various reasons, and god help you if you Jumbo is missing a limb or a weapon. But I really love the "hunt" for a means to make it all work. As it is now I've had a disassembled, sanded, partly-patched Dragun hanging out on a shelf in my studio for three or four months, awaiting the day when I can properly finish the project, which is the important part to me -- that it gets done properly, so I don't have any pangs of guilt over wrecking a 35-year-old toy.  Heck, once I work out the silver decals for the arms and legs, I still need to manufacture my own version of Dragun's... er... crotch decals, since Getter Robo G has inverted reds and golds in that... area. Then there's the question of his cape, and whether I leave the original one, or attempt to create a larger/longer one more accurate to the anime. So much to do! And I just love it. |
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