Custom Masterpiece G2 Grimlock

I'm not the first to do this (and goodness knows why HasTak hasn't already done it), but I thought I'd give it a go so I could practice a new technique with the airbrush - pre-shading. It's a bit more subtle IRL than it appears in the photos. Overall I'm pretty happy with how this is coming out.

I'm a little surprised how easy it's turning out considering it's an MP figure, but Grimlock has few rub points which has helped.

The detailing work is almost done, and then it's up for clear coating and reassembling. I had a mishap with the sword, so I have decided to repaint the whole thing (going for a chrome red look), so the light up feature will only work with the gun unfortunately.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5836/...458cd6c6_c.jpgCustom Masterpiece G2 Grimlock by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/564/2...4c34460f_c.jpgCustom Masterpiece G2 Grimlock by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/725/2...fd909250_c.jpgCustom Masterpiece G2 Grimlock by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5706/...1f0dfdb9_c.jpgCustom Masterpiece G2 Grimlock by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5695/...b3628542_c.jpgCustom Masterpiece G2 Grimlock by M-bot

So awesome!!!! :D

Awww. Can you paint my Hasbro MP Soundwave's eyes chrome red too? :o

That looks pretty good. Can't wait to see it assembled.

that looking good man.... can't wait to see the end result

Sooo nice *drool*

Very cool. I know its been done, but yours is the first one Ive seen with all the parts out like that. Less parts than I thought.

Looking forward to the finished product.

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Originally Posted by ITZTRU

Awww. Can you paint my Hasbro MP Soundwave's eyes chrome red too? :o

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Probably! I have reprolabels on my Hasbro MP Soundwave but it's a bit of an awkward fit, so if the sword works out well, I may give it a go.

With the sword, I'm using a high gloss black lacquer base, then Alclad II Chrome, then trying out Alclad's new (well, new to me anyway) red clear lacquer. We'll see how it comes out.

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Originally Posted by i_amtrunks

Very cool. I know its been done, but yours is the first one Ive seen with all the parts out like that. Less parts than I thought.

Looking forward to the finished product.

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Thanks for the kind words everyone. It's always tricky finding that right balance between disassembling enough against too much. Even though there doesn't seem to many parts, and the transformation sequence is not unlike the original G1 model, there is some absolutely ripping engineering going on in this mould, especially the legs and the body.

Omg that's amazing, I wish I was talented like you and could do that. I do want one!!!!

This looks great M-Bot!

Do you do commissions?
Because when Myer make YotG Soundwave cheaper I want it to be painted like Actual Soundwave.

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Originally Posted by mknell

Omg that's amazing, I wish I was talented like you and could do that. I do want one!!!!

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If I can do it, you can do it. :)

If you REEEEEALLY want one, my tentative plan is for me to Dutch auction this one once he's finished. Watch this space.... ;)

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Originally Posted by UltimateGalvatron

This looks great M-Bot!

Do you do commissions?
Because when Myer make YotG Soundwave cheaper I want it to be painted like Actual Soundwave.

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I do consider commissions, but have enough work to last me well into next year. I've learned some lessons this year about taking on more work than I can handle at one time, and I have some large projects (TFs, MOTU, and Star Wars) I would love to do before taking on more commissions.

nice, is that an ink wash or something on some of those blue parts? it really helps make the sculpted detail stand out :)

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Originally Posted by philby

nice, is that an ink wash or something on some of those blue parts? it really helps make the sculpted detail stand out :)

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Base coat in blue, then pre-shading all the panel lines roughly with the airbrush in black. Then thin coats of blue over the top to soften the black, so it still shows through faintly. Then panel lining with a black wash.

So much detail in the sculpt!

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Originally Posted by M-bot

If I can do it, you can do it. :)

If you REEEEEALLY want one, my tentative plan is for me to Dutch auction this one once he's finished. Watch this space.... ;)

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Oooooooh yes I really want one, he will match my army of G1 & G2 GRIMLOCK

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/r...psilgmmyr6.jpg

That is a very cool custom. :)

Looking good M-bot. Didn't realise the amount of pieces it takes to put Masterpiece Grimlock together.

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Originally Posted by gamblor916

That looks pretty good. Can't wait to see it assembled.

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I was skeptical when I clicked the title, but now I am on the same track! :D

So I did a little more work, on Grimmy's li'l dino arms (which I chromed using Alclad II Chrome (the original had chromed claws but silver arms), and I dolled up the sword, using the Alclad chrome and transparent red and yellow.

First, base coats in high gloss black:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5700/...4af2c15a_c.jpgDSC_0083 by M-bot

Then chrome:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/611/2...9084d0a0_c.jpgDSC_0085 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5809/...328a5d66_c.jpgDSC_0084 by M-bot

Then, on the sword, I did the transparent red, with heavier layers over the hilt to darken it:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5718/...424e6753_c.jpgDSC_0087 by M-bot

And then the yellow over the top of that (only on the blade), to highlight:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/778/2...e5a94827_c.jpgDSC_0089 by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/662/2...ff52950d_c.jpgDSC_0090 by M-bot

This was all done over several sittings over a week and a bit. Just clear coating to go and then reassembly.

Loving it, just like all your other work.

it looks like the sword turned out pretty good.

Damn, looks great!

i love the alclad hey ..... looking good man

Nice work. Alclad is finicky stuff but it has a nice chrome finish.

He's done. I finished him off with clear protective coats to the painted areas before reassembly, which was a real mongrel. The mechanisms in the body and back of the figure are ridiculously complex, took a couple of hours to put him back together. I added some G2 symbols I got in the mail as well. Unfortunately, I had to disable the automorph feature that reveals the faction symbol in the robot chest as it was a bit too finicky, so it's glued in place and visible now in both modes.

For the sake of complete disclosure, there are a few scratch marks from unavoidable rub points in a few spots (especially inside the leg), but they are only visible during transformation, not when Grimlock is fully in bot or alt mode.

So here's a gallery I took this afternoon. If you really like what you see, stick around to the end, I have a little surprise for you...;):cool:

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5691/...e5b0a0c9_c.jpgDSC_0152 by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/586/2...a5c2a649_c.jpgDSC_0157 by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/603/2...be014278_c.jpgDSC_0144 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5742/...f11fa7b9_c.jpgDSC_0147 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5711/...5918bbe1_c.jpgDSC_0130 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5672/...8b6e5687_c.jpgDSC_0135 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5821/...55238011_c.jpgDSC_0136 by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/735/2...6c25d781_c.jpgDSC_0132 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5761/...8ee674da_c.jpgDSC_0128 by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/678/2...16c6b260_c.jpgDSC_0121 by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/705/2...f27b62dc_c.jpgDSC_0105 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5826/...314b63a0_c.jpgDSC_0107 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5678/...b102d860_c.jpgDSC_0112 by M-bot

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/695/2...ab8ea6c4_c.jpgDSC_0120 by M-bot

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5792/...99c4fc2b_c.jpgDSC_0116 by M-bot

Overall, I've very proud of this custom, he's come out looking great.

So... here's the stinger. He's going up for sale TONIGHT. I've decided to try out a 'dutch auction' format. For details, head over to the salesyard (if you have access, that is) and you might be able to snare this custom for your own collection!

Fantastic work on him!

Looks awesome

Very nice as always dude

He looks great. Nice work.

Looks really cool M-bot.... Let the bidding begin! :)

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Originally Posted by janda the red

Looks really cool M-bot.... Let the bidding begin! :)

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Hear, hear!! It has indeed begun!:D

Good luck with the auction!

WOW!!:eek: Fantastic work there M-Bot!:cool:

barrels of awesome! I saw your bits pictures on the Twitters, it's impressive that you got him back together. :cool:

The paint has come up looking very nice.

Looking good.

Did you do something to the clear plastic? It looks less smokey in the side by side pics.

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Originally Posted by CBratron

Looking good.

Did you do something to the clear plastic? It looks less smokey in the side by side pics.

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You know, I didn't realise that while doing the custom or when taking the pics. I suspect there's 2 things at play - a very slight reflection of the blue on the custom, and the more likely contributor, a difference in the plastic colour. The base model for the custom was a recent Hasbro release, where as the comparative model is an original Hasbro release from a number of years ago. Another difference I notice (that pisses me off just a little) is the gold chrome claws on the dino legs/robot arms is beautiful on the more recent release, but a poor, slightly dull gold painted on the earlier Grimlock. Other than that, the earlier one has generally better paint apps.

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Originally Posted by M-bot

You know, I didn't realise that while doing the custom or when taking the pics. I suspect there's 2 things at play - a very slight reflection of the blue on the custom, and the more likely contributor, a difference in the plastic colour. The base model for the custom was a recent Hasbro release, where as the comparative model is an original Hasbro release from a number of years ago. Another difference I notice (that pisses me off just a little) is the gold chrome claws on the dino legs/robot arms is beautiful on the more recent release, but a poor, slightly dull gold painted on the earlier Grimlock. Other than that, the earlier one has generally better paint apps.

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Wasn't the first Hasbro release the only one with the tampo'd stripes on the robot mold shoulders too?

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Originally Posted by millhouse

Wasn't the first Hasbro release the only one with the tampo'd stripes on the robot mold shoulders too?

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Could be. They are present on the model I used for the custom, but not coloured.

Dude! WOW! OMG! It looks amazing. Love your customs!

Damn, that's some good work! Man I'd buy a G2 Grimbo in a heart beat. Especially if he had cheesy Big Grim on him somewhere.

cool!!!