Diver - not a success but some useful lessons learned

[Peter Gillson]

Hi Guys

i'm wading through the models-to-be-finished-before-I-start-the-ECW-charge and this is the latest one - a great little figure I got off ebay:



The idea /i had was to embed her in a block of clear resin with a 'coral' background; here area couple of photos of the result:



The amount of bubbles is a real problem - there didn't look like there were than many when
i poured the resin. On the plus side - the 'coral' looks ok, here is a closer look:


i used lichen off of one of the trees in our garden:


As I said at the start - not a great success but i think lessons have been learned, the main one being that pouring deep resin is not straightforward?

Peter

 

[scottie3158]

That's a pity, it was a great idea.

 

[Jim R]

Very ambitious Peter and also very nearly spot on.

 

[Neil Merryweather]

Hi Guys

i'm wading through the models-to-be-finished-before-I-start-the-ECW-charge and this is the latest one - a great little figure I got off ebay:

View attachment 492105

The idea /i had was to embed her in a block of clear resin with a 'coral' background; here area couple of photos of the result:

View attachment 492107
View attachment 492108
The amount of bubbles is a real problem - there didn't look like there were than many when
i poured the resin. On the plus side - the 'coral' looks ok, here is a closer look:

View attachment 492106
i used lichen off of one of the trees in our garden:

View attachment 492110
As I said at the start - not a great success but i think lessons have been learned, the main one being that pouring deep resin is not straightforward?

Peter

Oh dear, absolutely not straightforward Peter.
Many times I was asked at work to do something similar as a gift for a departing colleague, but fortunately there was never enough lead time, as you need a really slow cure because of the exotherm, and it's best done in layers to enable easier bubble removal. Unfortunately your subject matter has an absolute abundance of bubble traps as well.
Probably it could be done well with vacuum degassing, but we never had the kit....
I'm no expert, but I know enough to avoid the idea...
great try though, and the coral is really superb!

 

[Peter Gillson]

Talk about a sucker for punishment - just ordered another figure and I am going to give it another go. Brave or stupid - the jury is out!!!

Peter

 

[Steve Brodie]

Thats still very cool

 

[Gavalaar1980]

I really like this! A sound result despite the self deprecation.

Regards,


Gavin.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Blame all those fish for letting one go, that coral bean shrub has a lot to answer for.... But congrats on a mission completed.

 

[boatman]

Peter in my opinion honestly i think it looks great an yes there may be a few bubbles but as mike said the fish or the correl may let air bubbles go so i think its very good sir
chrisb

 

[Peter Gillson]

Hi guuys

thanks for the support. still thinking about how to approach version 2 - a project for 2024!

Peter

 

[Andy the Sheep]

I like that underwater scene.
I saw on TV that bubbles raising from casted resin could be eliminated using a small gas torch like those used in cooking, heating the resin surface where bubbles are forming, but I guess that with all those "guests" deep into the resin the torch heat probably could cause more damages than benefits.
Just thinking loud: what about pouring a slightly more liquid resin mix and letting it cure on a vibrating surface or shaking it while curing? Bubbles should come to the surface where they can be dealt with the torch
Probably pouring thin layers is still the best solution but I don't know if there's the risk to get "lines" between the layers.

Finally... Mr. Race has nothing to do with the torch solution here suggested...