Space Ark from When Worlds Collide

[Rhaven Blaack]

I think that you are doing an EXCELLENT JOB on this project.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!

[spaceagent-9]

that's FAN-tastic!

[ShadowCory]

Thanks everyone! Now that I think about it, I could probably upload the design to the downloads section if anyone wants to start building while this thread is still active. Any interest in an early access to the parts pages? Maybe help hone the design to work better for more people?


I am now "skinning" the model with tissue paper and mod podge. Will probably take a few days to dry back out again.

[spaceagent-9]

I think you should do it! Also some instructions on the podging of the skin and painting.

[ShadowCory]

Ok! A mini tute on mid podge skinning! First I pour some podge in a smaller, resealable container. I got 10 of these from the dollar store for, well, a dollar. Next I take plain white tissue paper, the kind you stuff into shirt boxes and gift bags as filler, and tear up the paper into roughly one inch pieces. I try to be as random as I can when tearing.
Then I take a fairly large brush and lay down some podge across an area of 4 or 5 inches. I then pick up a torn tissue piece and lay it in the fresh podged area. Then I get some more podge on the brush and smooth down the tissue paper. I never try to make mine completely smooth, as I like the texture it makes. You just keep repeating this process until you have the whole item skinned.
It dries fairly quickly to the touch, but allow at least an overnight drying before any rough handling, as the paper underneath absorbs a lot of the moisture and will become a little flimsy. So you have to be careful handling it for about 12 or so hours. The surface sometimes looks like it is buckling, but that effect usually goes away once it is fully dried out.
Once it is dry, you can sand it if it has too much texture. Also you should plan on a light sanding of the entire skinned area before spray painting. That will allow the paint to stick better.
Oh yeah, use this technique on your on models at your own risk. Results may vary. So there.

[ShadowCory]

I went ahead and put my SpaceArk files in the download section. What I did was include the pdo file for pepakura fans, and then 10 pages of .svg files that can be opened and edited with InkScape. If anyone gives it a try, let me know.
I am now going to start the metallic finish paintwork...

[rifleman]

big thank you sir

[ShadowCory]

Here, I painted a basic coat of flat black over the entire ark. Next will come the silver paint.

[Revell-Fan]

I can imagine building it with silver / mirror card.

[ShadowCory]

Originally Posted by Revell-Fan

I can imagine building it with silver / mirror card.

That would be cool.

I think I am going to call it done! (for now) I applied a couple of coats of silver paint ontop of the black. And here is the finished model...