I'm getting near the end of this Dio-Display, and even though I've had some of these photos in my joeroom updates thread, I thought I would compile them here, and see if anyone has any suggestions before I make my final push -










thoughts?

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Very cool indeed. Also, what ever happened to your castle?

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Love what you did here.

I've been meaning to put together some kind of arctic dio for my seasonal shelf, but the complete lack of winter-like weather so far this year has left me uninspired.

This just fixed that.

Yeah, this is the best. No ideas on how to improve it - it's perfect as-is.

I've been using regular foam for my rocks and it always just looks like painted foam. Definitely stealing the hell out of this idea. How did you detail up the foam prior to painting? Hot iron? Blade?

Also - what kind of insulation foam is that?

I intend to copy your technique for my Oa dio/playset and my new Batcave project. Your method for creating rocky surfaces is just my gauge

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The 5th photo down looks too busy (the photo with the two HISS tanks). I like how this looks, you did a great job. What paint are you using on the foam?

Thanks everybody -

to answer some questions:

1. I'm still working on the castle. Hope to have exterior by 1/1/13

2. I'm using a foam hot knife (from amazon) to detail up the foam before painting, the insulation is pink house insulation, the kind that comes in 4' x 8' sheets, both 1/2" & 1.5" thickness. I can try to find a brand name, if you're interested, but I know I bought it at Menards (like a cheaper Home Depot)

3. The initial spray paint on the foam is an acrylic primer. I learned that regular primer just tends to eat the foam. Even the acrylic will degrade the foam, if held too close (must be something in the propellent that interacts) -- followed by just a regular spray paint, and in this case, it was light blue, followed by ivory, then a thin dark brown wash, with some white dry brushing at the end

4. I melted the hole for the satellite piece to sit in, and then just shot at that with some black paint to simulate scorch marks

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Awesome! I've been thinking about building some dios as well and this is very inspiring. I'm stealing some of your ideas.

OB

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simply outstanding. I had been toying how to use that foam to make ice. You nailed it. I would not have thought to stack it the way you did to achieve a perfect representation of years old ice. Brilliant work bro.

Dow makes that foam as well as a few other companies. Can be found at Home depot and lowes as well (lowes its blue/green) It is my choice of material as well. It is made from polystyrene so any companies polystyrene foam board will work. It does react to contact cements and glues like regular styrofoam does (melts so to speak). That can be used to create textures for rocks and such.

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