Lunar Models Resin LIS Robot Kit

[Robot_2500]

Hello, fellow modelers!

I am contemplating building this obscure Lunar Models robot kit. I bought it at least 30 years ago. At the time, it was the most accurate representation of the robot as he appeared in season 1.

The Moebius model is superior, however, since I've got this guy, I figure it's time to assemble him. I attached some photos from the internet of this Lunar Models kit and finished model built by someone else.

The problem is the 30 year old clear plastic parts are yellowed so bad, they're almost brown. I intend to treat them with hydrogen peroxide and a UV lamp to hopefully clear them up.

Just thought I'd ask if anybody else has this kit. Also, has anybody have experience de-yellowing clear parts?

Regardless - I think I'm going to build him, even if I have to use the brown/yellowed parts.

 

[KINGSLUG]

Cool!

 

[Robot_2500]

I attached the wrong robot diagram in the previous post. The sheet below is what came with the kit.

Hey - dig the hand written instructions!

I gotta build this guy! Even if he has yellow parts. If I solve the yellowed parts issue, this could be great. Lunar Models was the only one to make Lost in Space stuff back in the '80s and early '90s. They were based in Dallas and were great to deal with. I wish I knew what happened to them.

 

[BarleyBop]

Very nice... blast from the past, yellowing to prove it! And hand written instructions!
Yup, you gotta build it!! .
I'll be watching.
Unfortunately the only experience I have with aging... is me! And I doubt peroxide would fix me...LOL
Must be someone on here with the experience you're looking for.

 

[Robot_2500]

Very nice... blast from the past, yellowing to prove it! And hand written instructions!
Yup, you gotta build it!! .
I'll be watching.
Unfortunately the only experience I have with aging... is me! And I doubt peroxide would fix me...LOL
Must be someone on here with the experience you're looking for.

Thanks, BarleyBop!

I just finished two Aurora reissue models that I did in October and am taking a rest. Batman and The Wolf Man. Scale modeling can take some time, effort, and problem solving as I'm sure you know! I think the hobby keeps a person young!

I'm not satisfied with how Batman came out and intend to do some paint touch ups. The Wolf Man isn't perfect either but I wanted to finish him for Halloween.

They're done for now, onward to the Robot!

 

[BarleyBop]

Nice!
That's the Halloween spirit (pardon the pun)... looks like you had lots of fun with that trio!

 

[Captain Han Solo]

View attachment 168457

Hello, fellow modelers!

I am contemplating building this obscure Lunar Models robot kit. I bought it at least 30 years ago. At the time, it was the most accurate representation of the robot as he appeared in season 1.

The Moebius model is superior, however, since I've got this guy, I figure it's time to assemble him. I attached some photos from the internet of this Lunar Models kit and finished model built by someone else.

The problem is the 30 year old clear plastic parts are yellowed so bad, they're almost brown. I intend to treat them with hydrogen peroxide and a UV lamp to hopefully clear them up.

Just thought I'd ask if anybody else has this kit. Also, has anybody have experience de-yellowing clear parts?

Regardless - I think I'm going to build him, even if I have to use the brown/yellowed parts.

View attachment 168458

View attachment 168461

View attachment 168457

Hello, fellow modelers!

I am contemplating building this obscure Lunar Models robot kit. I bought it at least 30 years ago. At the time, it was the most accurate representation of the robot as he appeared in season 1.

The Moebius model is superior, however, since I've got this guy, I figure it's time to assemble him. I attached some photos from the internet of this Lunar Models kit and finished model built by someone else.

The problem is the 30 year old clear plastic parts are yellowed so bad, they're almost brown. I intend to treat them with hydrogen peroxide and a UV lamp to hopefully clear them up.

Just thought I'd ask if anybody else has this kit. Also, has anybody have experience de-yellowing clear parts?

Regardless - I think I'm going to build him, even if I have to use the brown/yellowed parts.

View attachment 168458

View attachment 168461

That's my picture of my ROBOT build you posted there...

 

[Captain Han Solo]

Here's the original picture taken on my back deck. This was better than most Lunar Models, however the clear stuff was cast in cheap resin which caused it to yellow. The upper bubble was horrible. Yes, it was the only game in town at that time. I wouldn't touch it with a 10' pole now. Your better off with the Moebius kit.
However, your milage may vary!

 

[Robot_2500]

Here's the original picture taken on my back deck. This was better than most Lunar Models, however the clear stuff was cast in cheap resin which caused it to yellow. The upper bubble was horrible. Yes, it was the only game in town at that time. I wouldn't touch it with a 10' pole now. Your better off with the Moebius kit.
However, your milage may vary!View attachment 168578

WOW!!!!

Hah! You did a great job on him, Captain Han Solo!

Yes, the parts that were supposed to be clear are all brown/yellow now. And they do appear to be made out of the same resin material. Every kit I see on eBay from this era has that problem.

I came to the conclusion you did about why build this thing when the Moebius kit is superior? Well - as I recall it was expensive, and it's just a shame not to give it a shot. It's been in a closet in a box for decades which is sad.

I also have Bill Mummy's Innovation comic book robot variant that looks interesting but also has brown yellow parts and is a topic for a different thread, I guess. I bought them both at the same time and never built them.

I want to build it for no logical reason, lol!!!

 

[Captain Han Solo]

WOW!!!!

Hah! You did a great job on him, Captain Han Solo!

Yes, the parts that were supposed to be clear are all brown/yellow now. And they do appear to be made out of the same resin material. Every kit I see on eBay from this era has that problem.

I came to the conclusion you did about why build this thing when the Moebius kit is superior? Well - as I recall it was expensive, and it's just a shame not to give it a shot. It's been in a closet in a box for decades which is sad.

I also have Bill Mummy's Innovation comic book robot variant that looks interesting but also has brown yellow parts and is a topic for a different thread, I guess. I bought them both at the same time and never built them.

I want to build it for no logical reason, lol!!!

ENJOY! Enjoy your build!

 

[Robot_2500]

Hello Fellow Modelers!

I'm plotting, planning, and scheming my Lunar Models resin robot build. I'm not going to start on it until after the holidays.

Phase I - treat the yellowed clear parts with concentrated hydrogen peroxide and a UV lamp. Wash all parts with dish soap and a tooth brush and let air dry.

Phase II - glue and sand (wearing a respirator because resin is toxic) the major components.

Phase III - primer the model with special resin primer.

Phase IV - rattle can Rustoleum metallic for the body and feet and brush paint Tamiya and Testors paint for the details of the model.

FUN FACT: I found the receipt for this kit in the bottom of the box! I paid over $100.00 for this kit back in 1994! My kids were born the following year which must be why I didn't build it.

Yeah - I did NOT get my moneys worth! It's time to make it!

I'll post pics of the build in a separate post.

 

[BarleyBop]

I'll be watching! Sounds like a plan!

 

[Robot_2500]

I'll be watching! Sounds like a plan!

Thanks for the support! I bought the special peroxide crème and UV lamp but I'm going to wait until I'm ready to build before I attempt to "retrobrite " those parts. I am doubtful it'll work but am going to try.

I hate unfinished projects and this is one that's been lingering.

As I recall, Lunar Models sent me a catalog every quarter and this kit was listed as "first season robot". The leg bellows are wrinkled and the claws should be gray. That alone makes this a unique kit.

I'll try to do it justice with my limited skills and even more limited attention span, lol!!

 

[Robot_2500]

I'll start a new thread on the build part. I'm getting motivated! I just couldn't help but do an inventory of the parts tonight. What an interesting kit! Lunar Models put out a substandard vacuformed robot kit years before and I think this one was to make up for that.

Man - I am sad about the yellowed parts. I'll bleach them but I'm not really expecting it to work. Maybe 3D print new ones? I am open to suggestions.

 

[BarleyBop]

What an interesting kit!

Pretty awesome for sure!
Looking forward to the build!

 

[BOATMAN]

HI well why worry about the yellowed kit as in my opinion when you have spray painted it the yellow wont be seen but yes the glass bubble will need treatment but to me all the rest of the kit looks good so in my
opinion just build it an most important just enjoy the fun of the build an i'll be following along as well sir
chrisb

 

[Robot_2500]

Vacuum Forming Demo

After racking my brain trying to solve this problem, it finally came to me.

It's 2025, almost 2026! Surely somebody makes a vacuum former that I can buy and use to reproduce parts like my yellowed clear parts!

They do! On Amazon for around $100.00!

I might vacuuform the whole kit, and build it that way, keeping the original parts.

Not sure what I'll do next. Maybe build as planned with new repro clear parts. This device has lots of possibilities. I think a vacuuformed 12" GI Joe would be a cool model to build, for example.

More to come….

 

[BarleyBop]

Wow, you just gotta show us how that works out!