"Frosting the Blade"

**james3** · 10-18-2006, 10:44 AM

Well, I think my son's blade has taken it's toll with scratches and such so I started sanding the whole blade to get the frosted thing going on. I have been using 1000 grit and it has been working ok but I still have not gotten it the way I like, If any of you guys have seen Tet's beadblasted stuff y'all know what I talkin' about. Anyway, has anyone else played around with this? Have you used different grits? Do you add film? I am still trying to get a little more even look out of this thing.

What say you?

I just realized that he stilll has the old batteries in there too so I will throw some new ones in and see what I get.

**Jedi Ranger** · 10-18-2006, 11:24 AM

I use window frosting spray. MUCH easier to get even, and WAY faster to do. Sure, it can scratch and wear off, but all it needs is a respray.

**Firebird21** · 10-18-2006, 02:04 PM

I used Black Beauty on the inside.

The problem with doing anything to the outside is that as soon as you hit something, you F-up the texture. The inside doesn't get hit with anything.

Even after sandblasting I had to use Tim's defusor to get an evenly lit blade, otherwise it was real bright at the base and no light at the top.

**james3** · 10-18-2006, 02:21 PM

What is black beauty? and how do you put it on the inside?

I have not had any problems with messing up the texture since I already did that by sanding the crap out of it.

I have thought of adding some film or something, I didn't like the standard diffuser in there to much, I think it was doing to much with both maybe it was just me.

I admit I am having fun with this but I personally still like the standard TCSS blade look better, more even across the length.

**Firebird21** · 10-18-2006, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by james3

What is black beauty? and how do you put it on the inside?

It's just a sandblasting medium...

This is the best pic I could find on a not so quick search...

It's one of the more abrasive mediums you can use.

Edit:
Here are some pics...
Please forgive the size, I wanted to show detail.

Left: Sandblasted on the inside w/ BB

Right: Tim's stock setup. (with some use)

**Lord Maul** · 10-18-2006, 03:04 PM

great pics firebird
don't know about you guys but i almost like the sandblasted blade better because there is no poly C line. that always kinda buggs me

**xwingband** · 10-18-2006, 03:22 PM

Krylon matte spray... so much easier. Few light coats applied every few minute. That's what I do on my models and how I touched up my recent aquisition of the dual tube. In a sense that's exactly what this does too. It makes the second layer that catches color better.

**james3** · 10-19-2006, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by xwingband

Krylon matte spray... so much easier. Few light coats applied every few minute. That's what I do on my models and how I touched up my recent aquisition of the dual tube. In a sense that's exactly what this does too. It makes the second layer that catches color better.

You putting that on the outside of the tube?

I was going to give it a try so I am going to run and get some from Home Depot.

Figure WCS is I end up doing some more sanding right? :P

Oh and Firebird, More pics of that blade I like it. And for the new Sig...

**xwingband** · 10-19-2006, 07:14 AM

Yup, on the outside. The key is even and waiting. It's only a few minutes wait though since it's a matte finish. I see it all the time here on models. "Why is my matte spray spotty?"

My responce is always: "How many coats did you use and how long did you wait between coats?" In my experience 3-4 coats is pretty even and looks "frosted".