I wanted to try something new and see if we could create better windows for our Enterprise model. Using resin for the first time in my life, I wanted to share what I learned and how it all worked out. See the adventure yourself!
I wanted to try something new and see if we could create better windows for our Enterprise model. Using resin for the first time in my life, I wanted to share what I learned and how it all worked out. See the adventure yourself!
Really cool test. Are you able to scrape out the bad tests and redo them with the better technique?
I didn’t even try to remove them, so I gave it a go and added a new section to this page to show my results.
I had thought about casting windows in using Envirotex, but was worried about pulling off the Aztek paint from the panels when I masked. Of course, the Envirotex is a LONG cure time compared to the UV, like 18 hours I believe. But I’m ok with that. Maybe I’ll give it a try.
Since I’ve only received two boxes so far (and issue 10 is STILL on backorder), it wouldn’t be too much for me to go back and re-do just a couple sections.
Well, you inspired me, I went back and will be doing resin windows for my entire build. My success is hit and miss so far. First couple of panels had some bubble issues, and I had to knock out the windows and try again. Since I have bottles of the stuff, I’ll be using the Envirotex Lite instead of UV resin. Though I’m NOT going to attempt it on the first sections around the bridge. Just too complex of an area to mask and I don’t want to take the risk.
I’ve also had one instance of resin leaking through the masking. I was able to catch it before the resin cured, but I did end up with a slight sheen around a few windows. Hopefully I don’t do that too often and it doesn’t affect the overall appearance too much. Otherwise I may hit the whole thing with a matte clear when all is said and done.
Good luck! I tried masking off a spare bridge section I had, but the curved windows proved to not have enough surface to adhere to and the resin leaked. So, I won’t be doing that. As for the rest of them, we shall see!
I found your page through a mention on the YouTube channel World of Wayne, who is also building the model and is trying to replace the window pieces with resin. From what I’ve seen in his video and your post, this seems to be a good way to go about the less curved parts of the ship, with sanding the windows at the more complex parts.
Thanks for sharing detailed photos and descriptions of how you were doing it. It led me to purchase UV resin myself, and I’ll try to do this modification too.
I’d love to see a follow-up post if you do go back and do it for the rest of the ship. Lucky (?) for me, I haven’t started putting everything together, so I don’t have to pull anything apart to do the mod.