My Life-sized Han Solo in Carbonite Project - 2nd Attempt

Actually, I think I found the combination I am happy with. I decided on Dark Charcoal Gray for the cabinet, the Satin Nickel for the front panel, and aluminum for the control panels. Although not screen accurate, I wanted some color separation from the control panels, the cabinet, and front panel. I have seen many builds where the cabinet is painted the same color as the carbonite. I like to think that the cabinet is a stand alone structure that holds the carbonite, and that the two are completely different substances and look different. At least that's how it is in my crazy head.
 
Hope to see pics of the color separation you decided on. I went through the same thing with my HIC. I ended up going with Metallic charcoal for the carbonite part and then a darker metallic for the cabinet, but I wasn't really jazzed about how it looked. So when you get it painted, definitely post some pics!!
 
I will, and that's funny, for my first build I also used the Dark Metallic Charcoal, and I loved it. I was completely sold on it, and if this does not turn out the way I want, then I'll go back to that color. With this build though, I wanted to try a different color for the panel and stick with a non-metallic for the box. We'll see how it goes.
 
I was able to make some progress today with the panels. I primed them all and started spraying the aluminum. I really like the color, looks sharp against the gray. I drilled the holes for the LEDs and will work on the greeblie covers for the main panel shortly. I also picked up some brushed steel handles from Lowe's for .97 each. I know they are only on the upper right hand panel, but I am going to put them on 4 panels, two on each side.

I also cut out the slot where the green back lit piece will go.

Where the two larger LED holes are, I decided on using two of those metal LED holders to add something extra.

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I also worked on the other detail pieces for the first panel. I was originally going to use Bright Metallic Silver, but it ended up looking too close to the aluminum. So I decided on a Krylon color called Brushed Nickel. Not a whole lot of contrast, but just enough and I like the look. I was going to try Rub n Buff, but never got around to getting any.

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I also got the first two coats of the cabinet sprayed. I am very pleased with color I picked, Dark Charcoal Grey in Gloss. I went back and forth with colors for this part but this is exactly the color I was looking for. It will contrast nicely with the front panel that will be sprayed Satin Metallic Nickel (I may also combine that color with the one I was originally going to use for the front, Charcoal Metallic). I'm glad I did not go with a metallic color for the cabinet.

You can see the right half is sprayed gray compared to the left half which is still primer.

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Here you can see the contrast I was looking for between the cabinet and side panels.

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Here is more progress on the main panel.

I went to Lowe's and bought a roll of metal sheeting. I cut pieces to fit in the 3 spaces and drilled holes in the two that will have LEDs. You won't see the metal too much on this first panel because of the greeblies that go over two of the panels (the primed pieces in the first photo below the panel). However, on all the other panels they will be fully exposed. It looks much better in person, and does not blend in as much as it appears in the photos.

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I started adding the other details and the two metal LED holders. The Satin Nickel does contrast very nicely with the aluminum, but again, hard to tell by the photos.

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Here are two side views that really show off the details. In the last picture I placed the two primed pieces on the panel to give you an idea, they will light up from below.

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I did find some Rub N Buff today, and I used it on one of the "T" details (last picture, lower left hand corner). The stuff is pretty cool, never used it before, but it looks too much like the aluminum, so I probably won't be using it.

Less anyone think otherwise, I am borrowing, or will be borrowing, many ideas and techniques from a few other members on this board and others (Bobamaker, D.Nguyen, etc). Much respect to them.
 
I liked the metallic charcoal for the panel, but like you, I wanted a contrast between the panel and the cabinet. I just couldn't get it right. The non-metallic colors I used were too much of a contrast, but the metallic colors were just too homogenous. So I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what your final color scheme looks like.
 
Trying to finish up this panel and did a little more work. I originally planned on using an electroluminescent panel, but it was going to cost me about $35. Too expensive and too bright.

I decided to use one solid green LED (thus saving about $34). I was going to use one of my flashing LEDs, but it blinked too fast compared to the screen version and I didn't like it.

To finish the panel I printed a grid pattern on some transparent film (I know, it's not screen accurate). I then cut out a piece of Plexiglas and mounted the grid to the front. On the other side of the glass I added a sheet of frosted velum-like paper.

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I then bought one of those plastic capsules you see in the coin machines.

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I partially filled it with hot glue, trimmed it, and placed the LED behind it. I did this to help diffuse and spread the light.

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To give you an idea of how well it works, here is a shot of the panel with the LED alone directly behind the glass. It is very focused and bright, and the light is way too strong in the middle of the glass.
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And here is how it looks after putting the LED behind the glued capsule. It has a softer glow and a more evenly distributed effect.
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I think it came out nice.
 
Got a little side tracked with the panels today. After seeing this photo.....

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I wanted to try something.

Took a quick trip to Lowe's, spent a couple bucks on some insulation couplers and axle caps, and here is what I came up with. I'll make 8, 4 for the bottom and 4 for the top. I am sure someone will eventually post a picture, but I didn't want to wait, so this will have to do. I am sure it's way off.

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I also bought a plastic corrugated "For Sale" sign which I will use for those vent like pieces.
 
Here's the corrugated plastic "For Sale" sign I bought. I cut it into several pieces and did a test fit with the those vent details. I like it, it will look much better once I add the other pieces and paint. It was a bit difficult to fit these because of the shape of that area.

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I also painted the last two detail parts for the main panel and put the switch in. I stole this idea from another member. Drilled out one of the knobs and it slides right over the switch.

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I tried to upload an MPG of the working panel, but YouTube said there was an error when I tried, not sure why. So you can see the video here.

hicpanel

or you can go to:

http://www.apbcollectibles.com/hicpanel
 
Mounted and primed, top and bottom. Spacing is off a little, looks much better in person. Once I mount this to the wall you'll never even see it anyway. So glad I added this though, I love how it turned out.

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Looks awesome man. You need to mess it up a bit. Because your getting me slammed with people wanting these thigns now that they see how cool they can be:)

all kidding aside, your doing a tremendous job.
 
Looks awesome man. You need to mess it up a bit. Because your getting me slammed with people wanting these thigns now that they see how cool they can be:)

all kidding aside, your doing a tremendous job.

Thanks brother, glad to send business your way. No worries, my referral fee is only 10% :D. It's amazing how many people ask about it.

On another note, I was looking at this thing and I had a great idea. What if I took out the vents, built a wall behind that opening about 4 inches deep, then added a piece of an old radiator and some copper tubing, then illuminated it with some hidden blue LEDs, put the vents back on, but made them partially open. Then, add a hidden red LED to each port and added a small speaker to the bottom that had some cool exhaust venting noise.

The idea would be that the radiator piece and copper tubing acted as a refrigerant system for the carbonite keeping it frozen, and the exhaust ports pushed out the hot air from the compressors inside.

I would make it so the vents were open allowing you to see the radiator, blue back lit LEDs, and tubing.

Here is a rude interpretation (very rude).

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Man, you have no idea how much I want to rip those vents out and try this!
 
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Fully taped and primed, ready for first coat.

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Base coat is Dark Metallic Charcoal. This is what I painted my first HIC panel with, but I think it was a bit too dark. Very nice color though.

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Then dusted two coats of Satin Nickel Metallic. Looks a bit too metallic in these pictures, but it's not that overpowering in person.

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I am going to do a very light acrylic wash in black, blotted, then a few coats of clear gloss.
 
I did my light acrylic wash in black and a coat of clear gloss. I tried to take some close-up photos, they suck, but you get the idea.

I'll put another coat of gloss on then start mounting the panels.

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can you explain your process for acrylic wash?

I hit the high points on mine w/Rub n Buff, but I'd love to add a little more depth to it.
 
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