- This topic has 17 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 14 years, 1 month ago by .
-
Posts
-
Hey everyone,
I’m a new member here, but I’ve been admiring windstones for quite some time now! As a new member you’ll have to bear with me, but you all seem quite nice from the threads I’ve read so far, so I’m not too worried about being welcomed 🙂 I should get on to the topic though:
Although I recently received a Peacock Mother Dragon second hand (and she’s magnificent!), she got damaged in shipping 🙁 Knowing that broken windstones still deserve just as much love, I wasn’t too heart broken, but I wanted to do a search on repairing her. I stumbled across an old page where Melody had explained to a user on Elfwood that she has done successful repairs with “Epoxy sculpt” before, and she went on to say that some of the best “windstone doctors” reside at the official windstone forum. So here I am, like a hound trailing a scent.
At first I wondered if I was posting this in the correct spot, but after doing a search in addition to seeing that the “unofficial windstone repair-ers list” was in this forum, I figured I was in the right spot. I read the aforementioned thread, and frankly, I found the examples shown both astounding and inspiring. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be looking to outsource the repair work (I’d be worried about shipping the dragon again), but I was looking for some advice. Luckily my girlfriend is a professional artist who did some sculpting, etc. during her fine arts degree at University, so my dragon is in good hands, but I was still looking for some advice concerning repairing the dragon specifically. I don’t want anyone to feel like they are giving away “trade secrets”, but growing up I was always told that conversation was cheap, and that it never hurts to ask. So with that said, let me post a couple of pictures of the damage.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f209/Cthulhu444/Miscellaneous/IMG_5419.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f209/Cthulhu444/Miscellaneous/IMG_5420.jpg
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f209/Cthulhu444/Miscellaneous/IMG_5424.jpg
The last picture linked, is showing a small chip at the very back of the right-hand jawbone. The picture is fuzzy (sorry, the camera would refuse to focus), but it’s white spot that you see. I think it’s mostly just some missing paint, and it’s quite small, so I’m not quite as worried.
The larger chunk is, well, quite large. However, after seeing some of the catastrophes in the repair thread (followed by the miraculous repairs) I’m not so worried about mine anymore. As you can see from the pictures, I still have three of the chips that came out of the chipped area, and some superglue is also pictured. Before I do any repairing though, I wanted to consult others here.
Basically, I guess it boils down to this: how should I affix the main chip back onto the dragon, and what steps should follow to make as seamless a repair as possible? At first I thought that I’d just superglue the chip back in, order some paint (melody said you could drop her an e-mail and buy it from her directly in the elfwood post), and touch up the spots that are still white. However, after seeing some of the repairs done in the other thread, with the epoxy sculpting, etc. I’m wondering if a more extensive repair would be prudent for the dragons welfare. I realize that replacing the chip is far more favorable than sculpting new pieces, but say I piece it together an am missing some tiny spots, should that be filled in with the epoxy compound?
Anyway, thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I’ll make sure to keep you all updated with the status of the dragon in return!
I’m certainly no expert, but sticking the chip back on and then filling in the cracks seems like a good idea to me. I’ve only fixed one thing that I actually had a chip for (as opposed to having to resculpt a missing part), and that’s what I did. Worked pretty well. >.>
Still, I asked Kyrin (our Windstone Doctor) if she’d come and put in her 2 cents. There are also a few others around who I’ve seen do very good repair jobs; I’m sure they’ll be happy to offer their advice as well.
Kyrin is the resident doctor, but I know she has been a bit scarce lately due to her work schedule. drag0nfeathers has done some repairs as well and is quite good, and I know there are a few others on here who have had some very good success in repairing. I’ve done a little on my own pieces and use a product called Apoxie Sculpt (http://www.avesstudio.com/Products/Apoxie_Sculpt/apoxie_sculpt.html – I don’t know of any stores that carry it in stock. One of the smaller containers will do unless you are doing some heavy duty sculpting, as it’s two compounds that you mix together, and it comes in several colors.) . I just attach the piece to the head first and then use the Apoxie Sculpt to fill in the rest of the way and sculpt from there. You might be able to email Windstone Editions to see if you can get a small amount of touch up paint, to get the colors you need. The peacocks used interference paints with a dark base coat. 🙂 I do know that Windstone uses white glue (like Elmer’s). The gold accents is a gold Deco-Art paint pen (Michael’s and ACMoore, etc. stores carry them) and are handy for touching up scuffed up gold spots on older dragons.
Hope this helps and good luck! The damage on her isn’t too bad, compared to dragons who have been repaired with completely missing faces and wings and tail bits back to where you can’t tell the difference. I’m sure she can be made just as beautiful again. 🙂
I emailed Susie myself about touch up paint for the same line (peacock – I have a mother too, with just a few flea bites I’d like to cover, and some gold rubbed off). She said Melody’s been busy lately but those of us looking for touch up paint from the factory might have better luck asking if anyone on the forum has extra they’d be willing to send or sell? ?!?!?
And if you want to get the Deco Art gold pen, Susie told me that’s exactly what they use at the factory (get the FINE point specifically – anything thicker is too broad, and the ultra-fine point has a piece of metal in the nib that will scratch your sculpts!) – but my local Michaels stores have said they’re discontinuing the line as of now – so grab it on clearance if you can (and maybe call your store/s ahead to make sure they still have them in stock).
Awesome! Thanks for all the replies so far guys, it’s really helpful information. Hopefully Kyrin or one of the other repair gurus can drop in soon, but I won’t hold my breath.
If anyone else has any helpful information or encouraging comments feel free to post. And thanks for the warm welcome 🙂
I do a good amount of repairs and made a small tutorial thread a while back, Maybe it will help you 🙂 Apoxie Sculpt is great stuff! It works marvelous on Windstones. Good luck with your repair and welcome to the forum!
http://www.windstoneeditions.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10127&hilit=repair
Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs**SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry DragonsThe best way to repaint a peacock is to simply get the blue and purple interference paints, and some basic black paint, and the satin brush on sealer.
First do your repairs, fill in and resculpt. Then paint repaired area black, let dry. Then dry brush on the blue interference paint blending in purple if there happens to be any in the area you are repairing. Once that dries, seal with the satin sealer, and there ya go, done.
Windstone uses Golden brand interference paints, you can usually find them at Michaels, they aren’t cheap, but they are very cool and if you plan any PYO projects, they are worth the expense for future projects.
Good luck on your repair, sounds like she’s in good hands.
As for the Declo, I admit it, I hate them. What ever you do, seal your piece with sealer, then run the gold pen over it. If you try to seal after you put the gold on, it turns this sick army green color. The Declo does not like sealer on top of it. (Don’t tell, but I prefer Krylon 18kt gold leafing pens)
Kyrin
Kyrin wrote:The best way to repaint a peacock is to simply get the blue and purple interference paints, and some basic black paint, and the satin brush on sealer.
First do your repairs, fill in and resculpt. Then paint repaired area black, let dry. Then dry brush on the blue interference paint blending in purple if there happens to be any in the area you are repairing. Once that dries, seal with the satin sealer, and there ya go, done.
Windstone uses Golden brand interference paints, you can usually find them at Michaels, they aren’t cheap, but they are very cool and if you plan any PYO projects, they are worth the expense for future projects.
Good luck on your repair, sounds like she’s in good hands.
As for the Declo, I admit it, I hate them. What ever you do, seal your piece with sealer, then run the gold pen over it. If you try to seal after you put the gold on, it turns this sick army green color. The Declo does not like sealer on top of it. (Don’t tell, but I prefer Krylon 18kt gold leafing pens)
Kyrin
This is great information.I have a question.How is the back bone painted?It looks copper purple from the one I saw.How do you get that effect?I am new too Thanks.Kalandra does a fantastic job also.I believe she may have time to fix yours.PM her 😀
Every act matters.No matter how small💞
(Wanted......Brimstone Lap)
Male Hearth....one day🤞Dream on.I have some bottles of touch up paint that Melody sent me a long time ago. It was more than I needed for my repair, and Id be happy to pass them along if someone needs them 🙂 Ive got the black base coat, the champagne, blue, violet, green and the gloss. Just PM me with your details. If you are out of the country and want to contribute a few $ for shipping, thats cool but not required 😉
A big thanks (yet again) to everyone, especially towards drag0nfeathers and Kyrin for the REALLY helpful information.
Also a big thanks to Wolfenmachine who I just messaged about the touch up paint. As soon as I get some paint (and some courage 😳 ) I’ll start attempting the repair (or have it attempted by more capable hands, if necessary).
When I get to that, I’ll ask more specifically about repairing her (but the tutorials posted so far have assuaged many of my burning questions), but I do have one specific question about what you posted, Kyrin. When you say “paint the repaired area black”, do you mean that I should also paint over the already painted parts to blend it all? Or should I just paint where the paint is missing (meaning where the white plaster is showing) and try to blend that as seamlessly as I can with the existing paint?
I took your post to mean the latter, but I just wanted to clarify. Thanks again for all the help, guys!
Kyrin wrote:The best way to repaint a peacock is to simply get the blue and purple interference paints, and some basic black paint, and the satin brush on sealer.
First do your repairs, fill in and resculpt. Then paint repaired area black, let dry. Then dry brush on the blue interference paint blending in purple if there happens to be any in the area you are repairing. Once that dries, seal with the satin sealer, and there ya go, done.
Windstone uses Golden brand interference paints, you can usually find them at Michaels, they aren’t cheap, but they are very cool and if you plan any PYO projects, they are worth the expense for future projects.
Good luck on your repair, sounds like she’s in good hands.
As for the Declo, I admit it, I hate them. What ever you do, seal your piece with sealer, then run the gold pen over it. If you try to seal after you put the gold on, it turns this sick army green color. The Declo does not like sealer on top of it. (Don’t tell, but I prefer Krylon 18kt gold leafing pens)
Kyrin
I have the same question – how do you get the coppery color along the spine and wing edges of these guys? What colors do you mix to match it?
And that’s interesting info about the sealer turning the gold pen paint green! I wonder if that’s why it seems to be the first thing to go on an older sculpt – because they don’t seal it on?
Also, the dragons look glossier than a satin sealer to me. Is it just because the underlying paints (interference) are so shiny, they gleam through the satin finish and keep a glossier look?
This is me soaking up info like a dried out sponge! :yum: Thanks all!!
No problem 🙂 Happy to help!
Got a busted Windstone?
drag0nfeathersdesign@gmail.com
*OPEN for repairs**SEEKING GRAILS*
Arc-en-ciel Emperor
Siphlophis Male Dragon
Calypso Hatching Empress
Ivory Moss Sitting Baby Kirin
Tattoo Mother Kirin
Emerald Tabby Male Griffin
Tie Dye + Orion Hatching Royalty
Indigo Rockfish + Flame Tabby Little Rock Dragons
Dragon Quail + Obsidian Frost Old Warriors
Betta Sun Dragon + Male Dragon
Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry Dragons
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
