I see a lot of people here doing amazing things with dyes, casting, painting, metal plating, etc, but unfortunately a lot of those things are beyond my resources at the moment because of time and budget concerns. Thus, I've been experimenting with inexpensive, quick methods of post production to spiff up my models (and hopefully start racking up some more sales so I can afford to try more things). Everything I use is stuff I just have lying around the house, instead of having to go out and buy new materials.

First, I figured I'd take advantage of WSF's thirsty nature, so I messed around with some old markers I had lying around. I got a really good result on my wings ring using nothing more than a couple of coats from gold and silver metallic paint pens, then a coat of clear nail polish as a sealant.



Apologies for the quality of the pictures, my camera is on the fritz and I was more focused on just getting the pictures than getting a really good picture.

• Attachment: wingsring.jpg
  (Size: 65.14KB, Downloaded 635 time(s))

I've had good luck with tea dying in the past, so I tried coffee dying on my Tree Earrings in transparent detail. I did a quick sand with 2000 grit sandpaper I had leftover in order to get rid of the print lines then just stuck them in a cup of coffee for a day and a half.



I am hoping to find a way to fill in the trees with a dark color so they stand out more, but if I can't find it, I think it looks pretty good as-is.

If you have any questions, comments, or on-the-cheap techniques to share, please do!

• Attachment: teatreeearrings.JPG
  (Size: 157.33KB, Downloaded 629 time(s))

Quote:

I remember making natural dyes with berries or flowers when I was a kid. Does anyone know if those will hold in Nylon?

Not yet, but I am intend to find out one day, if and when things slow down a bit.

My first attempts will be with "Macleaya" a plant from the garden. It's sap turn really bright orange when exposed to air and it stains like nothing I have ever seen before (also on plastic and stuff)

I was also perhaps thinking beet juice and or Rubus idaeus/Red raspberry would be nice.

And I might just dip some parts in concentrated tomato sauce or mustard

Actually I'm hoping this will work with home printed PLA too, as that would make for 100% natural prints

Cheers.

[Updated on: Sun, 26 June 2011 18:06 UTC]

Yep, tea-dying works great. This White Detail was soaked in tea overnight(?) and then sprayed with an acrylic gloss.

• Attachment: ohm symbol tea-dyed small.jpg
  (Size: 377.50KB, Downloaded 130 time(s))