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...