Optimus Prime Costume

Step 5 Painting the chest piece

It will become invaluable for you to set up an area outside your home where you will perform all your painting. Not only will it find itself being used all the time, but it's a good place to allow things to dry while your working on other parts.

Here I've set up the chest piece and small flashlights for paint. (Apple red of course)

Try to save your paint by knowing ahead of time what will be showing and what will be covered by other parts. As you can see i didn't paint the front slats in the chest piece becuase I knew I would addint windshield pieces later.

Conserving your paint with bring the dollar value on your expenditures down, so don't paint the inside please; that would just be ridiculous.

Comments

[mwoodman]

Primer didnt work for me :( made the spray paint go all wrinkly which is a pity. It must have just been the type of primer I used as everyone else's look brilliant!

[muscleflex]

the front: (windshield area) is it supposed to be flat or is it kinda wedge shape like the above photo?

[andy_thai]

he got it kinda wedge shape. i made mine flat to avoid tears.

[churchap]

What type of spray paint did you use? I can only find acrylic and the color doesn't stay when I spray on the cardboard.

[dannyeurena]

Start with a Primer. This will make the surface ready to accept paint. It really will save you tons in the end. "P r i m e r " Then you can use pretty much any type of paint and it will adhere nicely. Good luck .

[jtigermask13]

Churchap, working on three projects, I've learned the HARD way that without "PRIMER" .....it's pretty much a waste of paint! The only exception to that rule is spraying directly on white foam board, it takes paint well....but too much paint can start to eat away at this material. I picked up my paint at Home Depot, paid way too much on the colors...but generic white & black were cheap at $one dollar per can. The colors are Rustoleum Painters Touch (Ultra coverage)2X ($$$ too much) If anyone can suggest the best place and price for cans of "primer", would greatly appreciate it.

[churchap]

I realized my mistake and got some primer. Usually I just go to Home Depot or WalMart and get the paint that says itll stick to anything. However, I recently moved to Japan so I can't read anything. Buying paint is now an hour long adventure of comparing cans and trying to figure out what each weird squiggle means. I have Optimus 'Primed' (ohh the jokes...) and ready for paint. Thanks for the help.

[blazinmt]

Test fit for upper body...

[dannyeurena]

Dude I love the black socks!!!! Looks like the build is coming out awesome.How does it feel? It looks great! I am totally impressed with the craftsmanship so far. Please build the legs because it would be too sad if this is wher it ends. (lol) Keep the good flow going. Danny!

[blazinmt]

First off, AWESOME work! I am currently working on this costume for myself along with a matching Bumblebee costume for my son. I am a little confused on how you framed out the windshield on the front of the chest piece. I read the comment on the previous step and still am confused.

[blazinmt]

After closer inspection, I get it now. Sorry you didn't get to reply. One more question anyway: How many hours do you have into this?

[dannyeurena]

Mr. Blazinmt, Thanks for the kudos!!! i'm glad you found your way through the build. That's pretty much how I figured everything out: "Trial and error." As for how many hours... I'd have to say at least 40+ all together. Most between the hours of 8pm to 2am in the morning. Once I got started, I kinda lost track of time because it was so much fun putting it together. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE post pics of your progress. They are so invaluable to all the other builders on this site, and they totally give me a high to see an idea come to fruition. Hope it's all going well!!! Godspeed!

[blazinmt]

Pics

[blazinmt]

I have it almost finished now! All I need is to finish paint and some finish details. I owe you a HUGE THANK YOU for this write up! My costume has turned out better than I expected. Here's a picture from last week. Once I finish, I'll post up more pictures.