Re: Enterprise NX-01 Refit

Getting back to the impulse engines on the saucer I drilled a few holes in the round bit at the edge and inserted a 3 inch length of fiber. More detail on top of detail ya know. On the starboard round bit, I was off center with the drill so cut it off and replaced it before drilling again. That's why it is unpainted in this pic:

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IMG_6474 by trekriffic, on Flickr

After retouching the paint I now have a tiny white light on the outboard of each exhaust vent. Kinda cool.

Started in and finished the weathering yesterday. Took about an hour and a half. First I gave her two shots of Dullcote. Then I used sponge tipped makeup applicators to apply the pastels starting with silver. For smaller hard to reach areas I used a microbrush:

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IMG_6477 by trekriffic, on Flickr

Then I rubbed the chalk into the finish using a cotton cloth. If I went a little overboard I removed the chalk by wetting the cloth or using a moist cotton swab to wipe it off:

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IMG_6479 by trekriffic, on Flickr

After sealing the silver with more Dullcote I went at it with Gunmetal powder. Here's a shot of the upper saucer after a rub using the makeup applicator and before her rub down with the cloth:

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IMG_6480 by trekriffic, on Flickr

After weathering and sealing with Dullcote:

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IMG_6484 by trekriffic, on Flickr

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IMG_6485 by trekriffic, on Flickr

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IMG_6486 by trekriffic, on Flickr

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IMG_6492 by trekriffic, on Flickr

Pastels are like fairy dust I think. Really quite miraculous the level of realism they impart.

It's pretty neat to see something go from a toylike finish to something that looks like it's been in space for 7 years with a wave of the pastel magic wand.

Next step is Glosscoting before I apply decals!