First Mods - Dominix, Aeon, Dark Initiate (progress / mini-tutorial)

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

Going along with the blade plugs that I've made (THREAD HERE), I've also started working on my first mods to any of my UltraSabers. All pictures open up bigger if you click on 'em.

All three of these started life as grab bag sabers. An Aeon (AS) v2, Dominix (BR) v2, and a Dark Initiate (VA) v2


My plan is to have the Aeon and Dominix be opposites of one another (they already look the part, I just wanna fancy 'em up), and to have the DI as a partner to the Dominix. To that end, I plan on painting the grooves of the Aeon black and polishing the grooves on the Dominix and DI (similar to the LE versions). Additionally, I'll be painting a portion of the Aeon's emitter black, and polishing part of the Dominix and DI emitters silver.

Step one: Mask the daylights out of the sabers (by far the most tedious step). Masking the inside of the emitters was a pain.


Here's the Aeon ready for paint. I'm using Rust-oleum oil based gloss black paint. I've used the stuff on metal before, and it comes out pretty nicely and is relatively durable. ( I will admit to having pondered black nail polish as well )


A short while later, painted. This is why masking is important.


You have to unmask before the paint dries, or you risk one of two problems: 1) Peeling the paint off (if it's "dry" but not set) -or- 2) The tape gets stuck (paint has cured). On the plus side, you get pretty instant gratification.


I need to touch up / clean up a few of the stripes, as well as the emitter (it's /ever/ so slightly uneven, and it'll just end up driving me bonkers if I don't).

I've started testing polishing on the inside of the pommel cap before I go nuts on the ridges. As that progress happens, I'll post updates.

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

Incidentally, it'll likely be a few days before I get anything up for the Dominix or the DI. Having a four month old (and a darling wife who works her ass off so I can stay home with the baby and go to school at night) means strategically planning workshop time. Painting with the baby in the garage is easy. Using the dremel tool for an extended period? Not so much. Just cause I know sign language doesn't mean I want a Deaf apprentice , and I haven't found four-month-old-friendly hearing protection (that is so say, something that won't drive him batty).

[Darth Wraith]

Very Impressive Work !!!

This Has Inspired Me To Go See What Some High Quality Metallic Tape Can Pull Off !!!  (In Regards To Mod's To My Sabers)

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

Very Impressive Work !!!

This Has Inspired Me To Go See What Some High Quality Metallic Tape Can Pull Off !!!  (In Regards To Mod's To My Sabers)

I pondered going the metallic tape route, as it would be a lot less work, but I worry about the durability of it on a saber that will be used to duel with.

After I'm done painting and polishing, I suspect there will be other tweaks, but I haven't decided on what, just yet. Leather, baubles, a way to carry on a belt, most likely.

[Darth Wraith]

I pondered going the metallic tape route, as it would be a lot less work, but I worry about the durability of it on a saber that will be used to duel with.

After I'm done painting and polishing, I suspect there will be other tweaks, but I haven't decided on what, just yet. Leather, baubles, a way to carry on a belt, most likely.

Well, Hey When I Get Around To It !!! I'll Post A Video and Let Everybody See How Well... or How Terribly It All Worked Out !!!

At Some Point, I'm Going To Get The New Prophecy V3 With Sound (and If They Don't Release A Dark Version, or LE Version of The New Prophecy V3, I'll Use Metallic Tape and Give It Some Custom Work !!!)

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

Stage one is done. The Aeon is painted:


And the Dominix and Dark Initiate are polished:


They aren't quite to a mirror finish, but I'm planning on something a little... different for these. Incidentally, anyone who wonders why UltraSabers anodizes their hilts should know that the stuff resilient as hell. I killed several dremel bits polishing these stripes up.

[Darth Wraith]

Stage one is done. The Aeon is painted:


And the Dominix and Dark Initiate are polished:


They aren't quite to a mirror finish, but I'm planning on something a little... different for these. Incidentally, anyone who wonders why UltraSabers anodizes their hilts should know that the stuff resilient as hell. I killed several dremel bits polishing these stripes up.

Nice Job My Dark Brother !!!

Coming From Someone That Has Done This Kind of Work Before, I Can Appreciate How Much Patience and Skill That Is Required To Get The Job Done !!!

[Qui-Tom Helms]

I like the Aeon with the black stripes!  I feel for your masking efforts, I have never had any good luck getting the painters tape to stick long enough to even spray paint something.

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

I like the Aeon with the black stripes!  I feel for your masking efforts, I have never had any good luck getting the painters tape to stick long enough to even spray paint something.

Thanks!

Earlier this year (prior to the birth of my son) I completed a 2.5 year restoration project on a Neo Geo arcade cabinet. I got a lot of masking practice with it, hehe. Also, for spray, I don't recommend the Blue tape, there's a removable Gorilla tape that works better, but it's notable more expensive.

[Qui-Tom Helms]

And thank you for the tip on the gorilla tape, haven't seen it before.  I really like their glue products over the other brands.

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

Home Depot seems to reliably carry it, over in the paint section. I don't know that I've actually seen it anyplace else. The other trick with masking seems to be timing. There's a sweet spot. Too soon, and it won't have stuck well, and too long, and it may have unstuck (or worse yet, stuck too well and torn up whatever it was covering).

[Vex]

I really like the black grooves on the Aeon , I will have to do that on my BR Aeon!! Vrey nice!

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

Tried something out on the Dark Initiate that I'm really digging.



Thoughts?

It's nail polish, by the by. The stuff's durable, cheap, readily available in a MOUNTAIN of colors, and if you don't like it, super easy to clean up, since the nail polish remover won't harm the anodizing one bit.

I'm debating whether I want to do the same to the Dominix or not. I'm also pondering how much of a pain in the tuckus it would be to give the entire Aeon a coat in the stuff. Now, unfortunately, I need to crank out a paper for tonight, so no more tinkering for the day.

[jccomedy]

The red and black are a cool combo.

[jedi hound]

Nice!  Really like the Aeon.  Black/silver combo at the neck is a nice 'homage' to the Archonv2/ROTJ type neck.
Hmmm, I'm thinking Obi/Luke themed colors like copper/black/gold on just the upper 'neck' parts of my(& the wife's) GB & CG Initiate v2's... arrggghhhh I miss having photoshop!