opinion/suggestions needed.

[BlackOps]

I'm starting a new project and I'd like to put a little more umph! into it than I usually do, so I'm soliciting advice.

First off the project is going to be a 21st Century Toys 1/32 scale JU-87 Stuka. I am going to give it the "Steam Punk" treatment, meaning that I'd like to do it up in a metal finish bronze, copper, brass or whatever gives it that "Victorian Era" look. Also going to add lots of pipes valves, boiler and such as to represent the steam power.

Now for the part I need advice on. I'm thinking on the major seams of adding large rivets (like the ones modelers usually sand off and redo because they aren't to scale ) and on the minor seams using weld beads.

I experimented using some fabric paint for my welded seams on a bit of scrap I had in the parts bin and I'm wondering if you guys think this would look the part after painting it.


If this is feasible the next question is, what color would the weld be on a bright metal? Would it be polished to match or should I leave the tarnish you see around a fresh weld? And I suppose this depends a bit on how weathered I should go on this build, highly polished or stained witrh a bit of patina here and there? Any suggestions?

[DaFROG]

As a bonafide steampunk metallurgist to the gentry I feel uniquely qualified to answer your questions

strictly speaking victorian era technology is incapable of the weld look your pic shows (it requires the use of that there newfangled electricity) brazing is a possibility in which case all welds would need to be brass coloured, brazing isn't that strong mind.

new fangled electric type welds will have varying appearance depending on the process and the material being welded.

stainless or titanium look wold be sweet; metalizer the whole shebang light black wash of the welds for contrast then a thin blue glaze and a thin gold glaze applied with a small brush either side of the weld.

unfortunately most stainless welds are chemically cleaned and loose the funky colours (victorian era metallurgy is unfortunately incapable of stainless steel to or the thin sheet materials required for aircrafts)

aluminium welds are alwayse boing aluminium colour

[sotoolslinger]

The weld seams look extremely cool and Dafrogs coloring suggestions are also nifty. Don't worry about what would be possible period wise just punk it up as much as possible My suggestion for colors would be just as many metalizer colors as you can afford  in distinct panels all over it

[B777LR]

Having seen a few steam locomotives, id say the welds are painted and polished like the rest, but they always seem to rust and peel off paint faster.

[nev]

You wanna be asking this on an armour forum - I think those guys like to use liquid glue to soften the plastic, then use a knife blade to get that serrated look on welds.

As for rivets, I think you can buy them AM, but most guys just round or hexagonal plastic strip (thin ones, obviously).

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Actually welding could be accomplished during the Victorian era by using welding powder.  Most often referred to as Thermite.  The Wikipedia entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermite) has a good description and I can attest to the abilities of this material since I have used a version called Cadweld which is designed for welding cable and railroad iron.  Great stuff for causing all kinds of hate and discontent. 

[Aircav]

Archer Decals do a few sets of rivet on a decal sheet and weld seams I think.