Sideshow 1/6 R2-D2

[Kamandi]

Slice its belly open and stick the Joker in there.

 

[LOPIE]

awesome job lopie what did you use for the weathering I would like to try. I have never weathered anything

Preach it brother.
That turned out perfect. It looks like you did some sponge application on the tall doors and I'm really digging it.
I can't wait to get c3po and do the same.

Yup, I used the sponge application on both figures.

 

[third3ye]

Canceled my PO for this lil guy way back but was able to use an employee discount to get him for $100 shipped brand new No way I could pass up a deal like that.

 

[dan350zr]

Like the probe droid this is built pretty cheaply... all the panels on the front flap open if you tilt him forward just a little.... Paint job is ok but overall I'm not that impressed...

 

[TaliBane]

I wonder if the rapid battery wearing out issue will be solved by using branded batteries instead of the cheapo ones SSC used - or if it's the way the wiring system is set up and will deplete even branded batteries if that under-the-dome switch is left on.

 

[Pixelpiper]

I wonder if the rapid battery wearing out issue will be solved by using branded batteries instead of the cheapo ones SSC used - or if it's the way the wiring system is set up and will deplete even branded batteries if that under-the-dome switch is left on.

There's only one way to find out. By posting about how cheaply made this product is.

Did you grab some name-brand cells? Do a test, inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Anthrapoid]

GOOD NEWS:
I've read a lot of complaints here about the stock paint on the dome. Now that I have my R2 in-hand, I agree with them.
My own main complaints would be these:
1) The silver paint with its metallic granules looks 'sparkly', not at all like polished aluminum.
2) The blue panels are matte with a rough surface texture, instead of being smooth and shiny.
3) The stock weathering looks bad.

I've seen some very good custom re-dos of the weathering, which I applaud.
However: Here's what I am doing to improve all three of these issues, using one mind-numbingly simple technique.
POLISHING THE DOME with a micro-fiber cloth.
The results I'm getting are blowing me away. Firstly, the polishing took off the bad weathering, no alcohol required. Next I focused on the blue panels. The more I polished, the shinier they became. It's that simple. (The three blue panels on the top that open or pop up are tricky; I needed to pass the cloth over them using very light pressure as not to push them down. This translates into more polishing time for them, with a lighter touch.) To make it easier, I took the dome off and gripped it underneath with one hand, while polishing with the other; works very well.

What REALLY surprised me, is what happened to the silver paint. The fake appearance that the silver paint has due to its metallic granules has begun to fade dramatically; the more I polish, the better it looks. I suspect it is a result of the paint being made smooth. If you looked at the stock paint under strong magnification, you would see how textured the surface is with micro-lumps and bumps. The more I polish it, the more it looks like real aluminum. I wouldn't be typing all of this unless the results were startling- and they are. For me, this is a much better option than re-painting and/or coating the blue panels with a gloss coat. This way, I can handle the dome all I want without worrying about damaging a fragile repaint. I know the color is off; it should be a slightly brighter more saturated cobalt blue, but I can live with that.

The type of cloth used is all-important I believe; I'm using a small 6" square micro-fiber cloth, intended to clean LCD screens. It has just the right nap to polish extremely well (dry) with extended 'elbow grease'. I'm going to continue this process until it's as shiny as possible, (this is taking several hours) THEN I'll add my custom weathering. I'll post pics of the high shine before I add the custom dirt and grime.

Note: As the silver paint gets more and more shiny, it also shows physical defects better; small ripples and dents are easier to see. I'll compensate for this by strategically placing my weathering effects to cover them.

 

[Lejuan]

Might have to give my dome a good polishing tomorrow.

 

[DeadLeaves]

Grip dome with one hand, polish with the other. Amazing results. Deal.

 

[Anthrapoid]

Amazing results, yes- instant, no. I've been polishing for four hours, and I'll do it again tomorrow. The blue panels are tough; I reached a sort of 'eggshell' shine in the first three hours, (to all panels) then the shining became more gradual. It's definitely improving though, and I'm sure it will get even better.
By the way- the large blue frame around the big black eye looks SO much better now.

 

[Rorywan]

Might have to give my dome a good polishing tomorrow.

I read the entire post thinking, some smart *** is gonna post something funny below. I scroll down and low and behold it's Lejuan.
I needed a good laugh.

 

[Rorywan]

Amazing results, yes- instant, no. I've been polishing for four hours, and I'll do it again tomorrow.

That's a lot of dome polishing, You will go blind from that?

 

[Anthrapoid]

Only from the blinding shininess of the dome itself...

 

[Pixelpiper]

in the first three hours

I'm not sure what's more scary, the "three hours" part or "the first." This sounds like a job for a power tool with a polishing head.

 

[Kamandi]

I'd feel weird if my wife saw me polishing my dome

 

[Rambler]

Wait, we ARE talking about polishing R2, right?

 

[Pixelpiper]

Wait, we ARE talking about polishing R2, right?

But just the tip, errrr, dome.

 

[Lejuan]

I read the entire post thinking, some smart *** is gonna post something funny below. I scroll down and low and behold it's Lejuan.
I needed a good laugh.

Resistance was futile

But hours of dome polishing? Whew. Might have to get some assistance with that, as usual.

 

[McFly]

Just got an email from SS after chasing up my replacement dome – they're out of stock now and apparently it could be 4-7 weeks. Port strike etc. etc.

 

[Anthrapoid]

I'm not sure what's more scary, the "three hours" part or "the first." This sounds like a job for a power tool with a polishing head.

I have a Dremel and polishing bits, but it's an older model with limited speed variation control. I've used it before on surfaces that I absolutely did NOT want to mar, and sure enough... when you least expect it, the bit grabs a little traction and starts to dig in. Ouch... Just one mistake, and you'd have a nice scar to deal with. No, I'm just doing it the old-fashioned way while watching a movie or two, listening to internet radio, etc...
I'm enjoying the jokes- I'll play the straight man for humorous counter-balance.