{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://www.simoncox.com/post/2024-07-08-resin-printed-figures-for-whitesands-quay/",
  "description": "Resin printed figures for Whitesands Quay, 3D printed and painted with intricate details, using Modelu files and Elegoo Mars 3 Pro printer.",
  "path": "/post/2024-07-08-resin-printed-figures-for-whitesands-quay/",
  "publishedAt": "2024-07-08T08:36:12.969Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:tki7vwlanxbwrz2er67eaeqa/site.standard.publication/3mp4h4md7zv2y",
  "tags": [
    "Modelling",
    "Whitesands"
  ],
  "textContent": "{loading=\"eager\"}\n\nI signed up for the Modelu. Patreon plan last year and pay a small amount each month and in return I receive a zip file of five or six figures on a theme for the month. These files are the .stl files for 3D printing. The downloads are only available for a short time and I missed March and Aprils this year - completely forgot to download them!\n\nFor the June release we had a pack of Sea Workers - men in oilskins, and these will be great for Whitesands Quay.. I had to look up the history of oilskins to ensure they are ok for the era I am modelling, they are, so I downloaded the files for printing.\n\n3D printing\n\nMy Elegoo Mars 3 Pro printer has not been printing out well the last few times I used it - months ago. It put me off trying anything more for a while. After some online reading I realised that the problem was probably the FEP - the clear sheet at the bottom of the resin tank. I emptied the tank and cleaned it - the sheet was no longer clear but had an opaqueness to it. Also it was scratched in a few places and had a few odd lumps. A replacement was needed. I purchased a pack of 5 PFA Release Liner Film sheets. Replacing the sheet involved unscrewing 28 screws from the tank and plate, replacing the film and then replacing the 28 screws.\n\nNew resin\n\nThe Elegoo Water-washable Resin I have is nearly out of date and I discovered they now also produce a new version called 8K Water-washable Resin which some people are suggesting is just a marketing gimmick. It comes in three shades of grey and I chose the darkest - called space grey, just like the Apple products and about the same colour... So yes perhaps a marketing gimmick! However the combination of the 8K resin and the new FEP has produced an excellent set of prints!\n\nI printed 40 figures from the Modelu files I had - many for the first time - in one batch costing me 18p in materials. I will still purchase Modelu figures though as their quality is better than I can print, less brittle and they have figures for sale that have not been made available as files. Having cleaned then and hardened them using UV light I set about painting.\n\nCleaning up the prints means cutting off the supports which are necessary to support the delicate part of the models. This resin is very brittle and I lost a few hands and feet in this process - some of which I was able to superglue back on but it is a delicate part of the process.\n\nFigure painting techniques\n\nI mounted 10 figures onto double sided tape on a block of wood. This tape might be a bit too strong but I am going to cut the figures off their printing support sprues anyway. I airbrushed the figures with Ammo by Mig One Shot Black primer. I then followed up using One Shot White primer only from the top. This will give a subtle shading when painted.\n\nThe first thing to paint that I do is always the flesh. This immediately brings them to life! \n\nThen I work around the figures mixing and adding colours. There is so much detail on these figures that they are hard but a joy to paint.\n\nI will update when I have completed these.",
  "title": "Resin printed figures for Whitesands Quay"
}