Build Photos: Shinkai 6500 Seabed Diorama Set
...and it begins...
Silver over black. First, paint the silver (4 coats thinned Vallejo Silver). Second, apply 3 coats of Pledge. Third, paint black into the recesses using a 5/0 brush wicking away accidentally-overpainted silver with a saliva-moistened micro brush or sharpened toothpick. I like these micro brushes: amazon.com/gp/product/B075MXFPTT
Various internal work done (hard to see from this angle), thruster attached, and now sealing up the top and bottom. They didn't quite fit together flush. The top bowed away from the bottom by perhaps 1mm max. Nothing some cement, rubber bands, and time can't solve.
Gluing complete. View from the back thruster.
Top sonar (in orange) installed with front cameras, windows, and baskets.
Pieces prepped for silver painting
Lots of little bits on top (and bottom) need to be painted with tiny spots of black
Detailing grabber arms with black
Three decals fit on top but can't lie flat because of tiny bumps (rivets) on the surface. I Mark Fit the bottom and top of the thick decals but it might take several coats. If I've learned one thing from Mark Fit it is to wait at least 6 hours before passing any judgment.
Top ornamentation
These side panels have been painted white (Vallejo Model Color 70.951). Can you tell? I can't! The instructions would have me paint all the white plastic parts this color white. No thanks.
Final decals and painted details complete. Decals need to set and then it's time for some weathering.
Model varnished in three coats of thinned Vallejo Matt Varnish (70.520) and set into the weathering bowl. It will get several thin washes of brown acrylic to represent the dirtiness that would occur after diving to the bottom of the ocean multiple times. Note that after this picture I flipped out the ramiken with a tuna fish can. Seemed more appropriate.
Multiple thin layers of acrylic wash (mostly brown (dirt) and some green (algae)) to give it an appropriately exploratory look.
...what lurks beneath...
Comments
16 30 July 2021, 00:43
Peter GEasy and straightforward build since most things snap or snug fit making glue sometimes unnecessary. The challenge, I suppose, is in painting tiny details but it's not that hard with a small brush, patience, and a toothpick to rub away mistakes.
2 August 2021, 02:14
JohnHopefully it comes with all the interesting sea creatures that are on the box top.
2 August 2021, 02:16
Peter GTolerances are very high on this model which makes for stress-free assembly. The top decals are extraordinarily well designed to match the surface perfectly.
2 August 2021, 18:22
JohnYou're right, those decals look well made, but thick. I have often struggled with Hasegawa and Tamiya decals, even with the strongest setting solutions, they sometimes refuse to conform to surface details.
3 August 2021, 03:23
Peter GYes, @John G, I'm on my 5th application of Mark Fit and I think I've reached max decal relaxation which isn't quite enough to conform to the surface details. I'll accept the situation soon enough and take this model on the home stretch.
3 August 2021, 11:59
TreehuggerThe propeller looks very nice and sharp, is the propeller piece an original kit part?
3 August 2021, 13:52
Peter GThanks for watching, folks. I hope you enjoyed yourselves. I certainly did. Very happy with how this turned out. If you liked what you saw please add me as a mate and follow my next build. PEACE!
4 August 2021, 03:31
Robert PodkońskiVery realistic, Peter, congrats! ...and what about these sea monsters you mentioned once? 😉
4 August 2021, 06:23
Peter GThanks for watching. Please follow my next build here: 1977 Ford Pinto | Project by grabius (1:25)
4 August 2021, 13:35
