AtomicDeadlock Survivor Carter-ish-type Build

[AtomicDeadlock]

As I'm entering the endgame, I'm going to try to give some daily updates as I feel like I haven't put many pictures of my progress here.

Today I did more DAP-ing but I also did a quick test fit of my ab wrap. Overall it fits well. I do need to trim some areas as the waist piece kind of squishes it. Problem was I needed to go wider for my gut, but then that meant the lower portion was too big. Basically what I was expecting.
After I add some Yaya Han 4-way stretch pleather(?) over the top of the ab wrap foam, I'll just elastic strap it together. I'm too lazy to sew at this point. The project burnout is real.

As a side note of the having a gut issue, I did want to report some happy news. In my first post I mentioned putting my dimensions into my Armorsmith model made me want to get back to weight loss. As of start of January to now, I've lost ~20lbs which feels awesome.

 

[Randomname52]

Loved seeing the progress on this, can’t wait for more! Know exactly how you feel when talking about being motivated to lose weight after looking at your avatar in armor smith, congrats on the loss!

Don’t let the burnout get you. Keep striving to make cool things!

 

[AtomicDeadlock]

Loved seeing the progress on this, can’t wait for more! Know exactly how you feel when talking about being motivated to lose weight after looking at your avatar in armor smith, congrats on the loss!

Thanks! Not sure how healthy it was to kind of shame myself into doing it. I guess whatever works. lol

Oh! Also wanted to give a weapon update. 3D printer has been running non-stop and my shotgun is almost done. I didn't realize how large the shotgun was going to be until I had it laid out on my kitchen table. I'm definitely not giving this the Bondo spot putty treatment as it would take 37 years.

 

[sir howard]

Thanks! Not sure how healthy it was to kind of shame myself into doing it. I guess whatever works. lol

Oh! Also wanted to give a weapon update. 3D printer has been running non-stop and my shotgun is almost done. I didn't realize how large the shotgun was going to be until I had it laid out on my kitchen table. I'm definitely not giving this the Bondo spot putty treatment as it would take 37 years.

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shaming oneself into stuff is great lol gets you motivated..

 

[AtomicDeadlock]

Outside of continuing to Plastidip, I glued my boots together today. I also found some rubber soles one amazon and glued those on as well to keep from tearing through the foam while walking. Doesn't look accurate at all but is more for longevity. I expect to have everything expect the chest and waist Plastidipped tomorrow.

Edit: grammar

 

[N8TEBB]

Ran into a series of issues that kind of disheartened me today.

I did a test run on one of the boots with Kwik Seal and Plastidip to see what would happen. I watched a ton of Youtube videos but something is just not right. I used water to even it out as you're supposed to. Issue is you can clearly see the difference in texture between foam and silicone. Pre-plastidip looked similar to the calve on the right (I stopped the calve to post here but did finish a bunch of parts like it).
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I don't remember where, but I saw someone say to use the Kwik Seal similar to Mod Podge to account for the texture difference and make it all the same.
On the left is the Commando pauldron where I brushed it on with some water. On the right is a Plastidipped ODST pauldron where I used this method. Looks pretty rubbery and you can see foam brush lines so I don't know how to feel about that.

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Final issue is I did the Kwik Seal but you can still clearly see the lines. Makes me question my eyesight for sure. I'll probably hit it with more Kwik Seal and add another layer of Plastidip.

Overall just disappointed I guess. Learning point is that I maybe should've used paper towel to wipe the excess water/silicone but I don't remember seeing anyone do that.

I probably should've went with something like foam clay instead of kwik seal but now its way too late.

I think I am going to stay my course with putting a coat of water down Kwik Seal on everything to even it out. And then also hit everything with a coat of filler primer before I plastidip. Maybe that will help somewhat but I don't know.

As for my schedule I'm not hopeful there either. Basically have two week to wrap up and there's a ton to do. Don't have my helmet either yet.

Yes, you can see a difference in texture when you look it it up close... but when you're 5-10 feet away from the viewer in a fully painted suit, those differences in texture become invisible. You could perhaps be extra careful to keep the seams as clean as possible, but there are some places where the texture will just have to be different.

Hopefully to give you some reassurance, here are some pictures of my foam suit before plasti-dip and after plasti dip.

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Even with these blurry screenshots from 720p viseo, you can see the differences in texture. But after paint, weathering, standing in a cool pose, you will never even notice it. Even if you get closer pictures, unless I pointed it out to you, you wouldn't even be able to tell.

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[N8TEBB]

As a side note of the having a gut issue, I did want to report some happy news. In my first post I mentioned putting my dimensions into my Armorsmith model made me want to get back to weight loss. As of start of January to now, I've lost ~20lbs which feels awesome.

Congratulations! That's wonderful news!

 

[AtomicDeadlock]

Big update time. Finally started painting. Everything is looking awesome so far and I look forward to weathering.
The boots I think are supposed to be a darker gray on the toe but I may have to either skip that and keep them the same color or super super weather them. I think either is fine. I doubt anyone would really look at my feet.

However, I still have a lot to do.
Ab wrap is no where close to being done. Chest still isn't Dapped yet and waist is un-primed.
Biceps and commando shoulder are half painted.
Shotgun is 99% printed but still needs to be glued.

Back to the brightside. Seller of my helmet sent update pics and it looks sick. Just need to match the weathering style on it which won't be easy but I have faith! Seller sent me the colors they used so at least it will be color matched.

Countdown - 5.5 days until Comic Con. Add in Mother's day and work time and its not looking great but I will keep trucking along and continue to slowly lose my sanity.

 

[AtomicDeadlock]

Well I think its safe to say I've failed...but it isn't my fault! I do not see a way to completing this project by tomorrow for Motor City Comic Con.

Yes, I still have to paint my chest piece is still swinging on my balcony and I have to glue my ab wrap together.

However, I've been taking it slow the past few days because the guy who was making my helmet has not delivered. I was promised it would be here by today. Considering I don't have a tracking number and the guy hasn't replied when I asked for one, I don't have any idea whether it shipped or not. I intended the purchase as a way to save myself energy buy that clearly didn't work out. Additionally can't really weather-match something that isn't here. This is basically why I haven't posted when I said I was going to give daily updates. I slowed my production once I realize I was working towards a goal that was out of my hands.

That isn't to say I'm unhappy with what I've achieved. I mean the shotgun and the detail I've put into these pieces makes me feel glad I've taken on this task. If anything it is going to give me some time to make adjustments and get things right. I've been rushing so I kind of settled on my bicep pieces, but I want to completely redo them. Also the chest piece under arm bits make me feel like I'm doing a T-pose. Like my arms aren't really at my sides. Not sure if that's normal.

Instead, today I plan on having some me time. I've been working constantly all day and into the night the past few weeks. I've got a Gundam set to build and some ramen lined up. I'm going to throw on a movie and target a different comic con event as a secondary objective. Not sure what's around but it might be fun to travel.

 

[N8TEBB]

Aweh that's too bad about the helmet not arriving.

Like you said, there's always another con out there!
You could always come to Fan Expo in Toronto in August! I know that's a bit far for you so I'm just kidding of course... UNLESS??

Seriously though, there will be folks at Origins Game Fair in Columbus, Ohio mid June and I'm sure there will be people at the Cleveland Gaming Classic in September and other cons near Michigan in the future. Perhaps I'll even get to meet you at one of them! I went to the Motor City Comic Con last year, but I don't plan on going this year.

 

[AtomicDeadlock]

Like you said, there's always another con out there!
You could always come to Fan Expo in Toronto in August! I know that's a bit far for you so I'm just kidding of course... UNLESS??

I always wanted to go to Toronto so maybe this is good option! I'll keep it in mind. A couple extra months is probably perfect!