How do I make icicles?

photoguy · Post by **photoguy** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:51 pm

And I'm not looking for a smart-alek remarks.

I'm working on a mecha that I want to look like it's been left out in the cold for a LONG time. I've got a nice coating of snow over the terrain and the top surfaces of the model, but I want to have icicles dripping off of the body, main gun, and knee joints.

I tried making a glob of contact cement, letting it partially cure and then stretching it downward with a toothpick. It had too much rebound when I let it go, and sorta curled up - looks like crap.

Any ideas?

Rogviler · Post by **Rogviler** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:47 pm

The first thing that I thought of was heat-stretching clear sprue...

-Rog

Richard Baker · Post by **Richard Baker** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:52 pm

How about dipping a needle into Tube model glue, sprinkle a little salt on it and dip again- like the old way of making candles?. When dry you gently twist the pin loose and attach. The salt is to give the texture some randomness and when the pin is removed you get a clear lumpy spike.

Just a thought...

.

Gunnie · Post by **Gunnie** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:08 pm

http://www.guntruck.com/Resources/M41A3 ... pic258.jpg

I did the icicles on the Fenders on this model tank by taking a sliver of clear styrene - like any piece of old clear plastic stock will do as long as it is irregular.

Glue the shard into place with Super Glue.

Next, I coated the outside of the shard with a product called "Ice Coat". It is a clear drying compound similar to Krystal Kleer from Microscale. It's marketed by Small Shop EU, but you can find other products to substitute.

The results are excellent - even for your very first attempt.

Hope this helps some...

photoguy · Post by **photoguy** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:46 pm

Hmmm. I like that. The tank looks really good. Probably a whole lot better than this is going to turn out, but it's my first try with snow, and I'm learning a lot.

Thanks

Lord Darth Beavis · Post by **Lord Darth Beavis** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:00 pm

Did you think about using CA to make the icicles? Put a drop of thick CA, hit with accelerator, repeat until you get the desired length. I did that to give my Halcyon Alien Warrior the proper amount of drool.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:37 am

Woodland Scenics makes a very thick clear acrylic that can be used to make icicles. I'm sure you could get a good clear heavy body or gel acrylic and do the same thing. WS' instructions are to make a line on wax paper using the goop and then, using a toothpick, pull down the icicles. Let dry 24h and peel up. If need be the back side can be treated with more gel for more depth.

photoguy · Post by **photoguy** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:59 pm

Thanks for all the help. Here's what I ended up with:
http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n393 ... G_0610.jpg

I used short pieces of fishing line super-glued to the model, and then coated them with Mod-Poge (sp) decopage medium.

I'm pretty pleased with it. Pretty cool considering it's all paper too!

Richard Baker · Post by **Richard Baker** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:08 pm

Very nice effect- looks cold!

.

Newbie Doobie · Post by **Newbie Doobie** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:17 pm

How about hot glue? You can glue to a piece of wood,or scrap plastic,then remove the hot glue,and superglue it to the model with superglue gel.