Removed Blue, Prepped Parts for Primer

Today I spent a lot of time removing old paint and primer from the parts I dismantled from droid #1 yesterday. This is all in preparation for applying new primer and paint.



I started with the panel that goes around the front vents. I kept applying acetone with a damp paper towel, until all the paint was gone. I left the white primer in place on this piece.



Next up, the LDP.



I went down to the bare aluminum on the LDP, mainly because in removing the paint, some of the aluminum started to show. I figured that since some of the primer had been removed, I might as well remove all of it. I was reminded that I roughed up the aluminum with sand paper long ago, to help the primer stick.



The utility arms came next. I left the primer on, and removed all the blue.



Finally, the dome ring.



Like the LDP, I ended up taking the primer as well as the paint off of the dome ring, for the same reason.



I decided to fill some minor holes in one of the utility arms with Bondo.



After the Bondo had dried, I sanded it down and things look good now.



Finally, I loaded up the dome ring with masking tape.



I had hoped to get to the primer today, but I ran out of time. Everything should be ready for primer tomorrow. If time and conditions permit, I may even try painting tomorrow. We'll see.

Touched Up Front Skin, Started Prepping for Blue Repainting

A little work on droid #2, and getting ready for some work on droid #1.

I mentioned earlier that there was a small drip on the paint job on the front outer skin from my recent painting on droid #2. This morning I lightly sanded the drip out.



After sanding, I applied a couple of light coats of paint in the area. By the evening, the paint had dried and the area looked better.



I will probably give both the front and back outer skins another couple of coats of paint anyway, though.

Turning to droid #1, I can't leave well enough alone. Ever since I repainted the dome panels, the paint job on the dome ring, LDP, utility arms and the panel surrounding the front vents has looked inferior in comparison. Luckily for me, I'm taking the next couple of days off as vacation, so I'm going to take this opportunity to repaint these parts.

First, I had to detach the dome electronics from the dome ring, and remove the dome ring.



Next, I removed the utility arms.



Finally, I removed the Rockler bearing and pried out the Large Data Port, and I also pried off the skin panel that surrounds the front vents.



Tomorrow I plan to use acetone to remove the old paint, and I'll add a new coat of primer.



If the weather stays decent, I'll repaint on Friday.

Started Painting Outer Skins

Today I started painting the outer skins.

Before painting, I lightly sanded the primer from yesterday, to ensure a smooth surface.



Next, I removed the residue. Several moist and dusty paper towels later, and the cleaned skins were ready for paint.



I initially laid the skins so that they were facing up, to get the maximum paint coverage, and so I could paint the top and bottom edges.



After four coats had dried for a while, I set the skins upright and painted the edges that were touching the drop cloth.



Everything turned out pretty well, although there is a minor drip that I will need to sand out and mist-spray later.



Right now, the white coverage looks good. But experience tells me that after some time, I may see a hint of gray primer showing through. If so, I'll add more coats.

Primer for Outer Skins

Today was nice and hot, good weather for applying primer to the outer skins.

First, I needed to clean up the outer skins with acetone.



After that, it was time to start applying Rustoleum Painter's Touch gray primer. As I've mentioned before, I choose gray primer when painting white so that I can tell when the white paint has supplied full coverage.



Four coats later, and the skins are ready for light sanding and painting.

Finished Painting Back Door Panel

This morning I finished painting the back door panel (or so I think).



Next up, the main body of the skins.

Skin Panel Paint Touch-Up, Another Coat for Back Door Panel

There were some minor paint blemishes on a couple of the panels I painted last week, so I lightly sanded those out and gave them a mist-coat. All better.



I also gave the outer back door panel another couple of coats of paint. It's looking better and better, but I'll probably give it another coat or two.

Another Coat of Paint for Skin Panels, Painted Back Door

Yet more paining today.

The skin panels probably could have remained as-is, but I figured one more coat of paint couldn't hurt.



I was able to paint the outer layer of the back door today as well.



The skin panels should be done with painting at this point, although I thought that was the case earlier. I'm sure I'll do a few more coats on the back door panel. And I still need to paint the main body of outer layer of the skins, of course.

Boys & Girls Club Event

This evening R2 helped with a fundraising carnival for the Boys and Girls Club in Fullerton, CA. Several members of the 501st and Rebel Legion were on hand.



Kids and families redeemed tickets for pictures with R2 and the group.








The Cantina Band was also on hand.



As the sun started to set, it was time to go. "Just one more picture, please?" Sure, why not?

Primer for Back Door Outer Panel, Visitors

This evening I applied primer to the outer layer of the back door.



Three coats later, and I think it's ready for light sanding and painting.



Afterwards, Roy Powers dropped by to get some help setting the trim on his transmitter to set the limits on the throw of his droid's utility arms. We adjusted to perfection, and Roy was all smiles.



No sooner did Roy leave, when Matthew Henricks came by to borrow some 3M VHB tape, to tape his dome panels onto the dome. Matthew decided to get a little practice in on my droid first.



No, not in the eye! :P

Top Coat for Front Skin Panels, Cleaned Outer Back Door Panel

Not much going on today. Just a quick topcoat of Rustoleum Satin White, for the front outer skin panels.



I also cleaned the outer back door panel layer, in preparation for primer.

Painted Front Skin Panels

Another scorcher in Southern California today, so I had no choice but to strap on the face mask and paint the front panels.



As was the case yesterday with the rear panels, I split the front panels into two sets.




I also decided to give yesterday's rear panels another coat, for a more saturated white. I think they are done.



I will likely give today's front panels another coat, when time and weather permit. The high was 96 degrees Fahrenheit today, it's supposed to drop to 72 tomorrow. Quite a difference!

Painted Rear Skin Panels

Today was very hot and somewhat breezy, fairly good conditions for painting the back panels for droid #2.

Before painting, I lightly sanded the primer I applied yesterday, and afterward cleaned off the excess.



Then I applied a couple of heavy coats of Rustoleum Satin White.




I may add another coat tomorrow, after the panels have had a chance to dry more completely. I also hope to paint the front panels tomorrow.