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Game Gear Custom Paint Job

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  • Member since
    October 2021
Game Gear Custom Paint Job
Posted by PhoenixG on Friday, July 21, 2023 3:38 PM

I may be stretching the idea of "Misc." for this particular forum but I thought it would be fun to share this project as it was done using what I have learned from scale modeling.

The project in question was to take an old Sega Game Gear (portable video game system from the 90s) that I had refurbished and gotten working again and give it a custom paint job.  This system is intended as a surprise gift for my son.

The inspiration of the paint scheme is from the Halo video game series.  I tried to grab colors from the palette used for the main character, Master Chief (a space marine. No, not the Warharmmer kind Smile).

The system comes as a pretty basic black on black color scheme. 

basic black

Masked it and applied the base army soldier green in preparation of applying a little silly putty to create a camo effect.

putty

Initial application of silly putty required some refinement. ;)

putty coverage

Did a tiger stripe like pattern.

striping

The Master Chief's helmet has a gold colored visor as part of the faceplate so I thought it would be cool to frame the screen in gold.  I enjoy the subtlety of the camo pattern.

gold

Final product with a satin clear coat.  I printed the decals using images found online, screen captures, and scans from game materials. The buttons and front glass were replaced with aftermarket products.

final front

Apologies as I couldn't get the white balance corrected so the colors are slightly off.

Final back

Was an uber fun project to do and rewarding to be able to use the knowledge gained from scale modeling to create this project. Smile

This project was made in possible in part with help from everyone on the forums and the tips and tricks they post.  Thank you!

 

On the Bench:

Bandai 1/72 Defender Destroid

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Saturday, July 22, 2023 3:53 AM

Hello!

Looks very sharp! One thing that worries me a little is if that SEGA is going to get some use, how to prevent the paint from being rubbed off? It would probably take some really tough clear coat to do that. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    October 2021
Posted by PhoenixG on Saturday, July 22, 2023 1:26 PM

Pawel

Hello!

Looks very sharp! One thing that worries me a little is if that SEGA is going to get some use, how to prevent the paint from being rubbed off? It would probably take some really tough clear coat to do that. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day

Paweł

 

Thanks Pawel!

I also do not know how well the paint will hold up, but did what I could.  Such as "baking" each layer of paint and clear coat.  I found the durability of the Vallejo acrylics  jumps significantly when the paint is cured in a dryer. They actually harden.

The initial clear coat is Pledge Floor Gloss.  I tried to subtly build up thicker coats of the Pledge around the most likely wear spots.  It was then finished with Vallejo Satin.

One thing not captured with photos is the high wear spots were given an initial coat of steel.  I never tested this, but my theory was the paint will wear in layers.  The hope being that once the top colors are worn it will reveal the metallic paint below creating a different illusion.

My son is in his twenties so I figure there's a fair to middlin' chance that at least some of the paint will survice.  As a backup plan I could give him some of the non-alcohol based Gundam  markers for field repair. ;)

Fingers crossed the above will provide a decent amount of longevity to the paint job.

 

 

On the Bench:

Bandai 1/72 Defender Destroid

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Saturday, July 22, 2023 1:42 PM

Nice job on a pretty fun project.

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Saturday, July 22, 2023 3:53 PM

NIce job! I did this very thing with an Xbox controller for my son. He wanted a Winter camo scheme because the controller is in white plastic. The custom .45 cal shell casings for the buttons and 12g shotgun shells for the sticks were a really nice touch and he loves it. 

Projects like this are super fun.

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, July 23, 2023 7:38 PM

Oh that's cool! I'd thought about painting flames on my PC case but never got around to it. 

Nice camo, I like how it's a little subtle, you don't really see it until you take a second glance at it. 

 

Whoa Mike,  now that sounds cool too! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    October 2021
Posted by PhoenixG on Monday, July 24, 2023 9:34 PM

keavdog

Nice job on a pretty fun project.

 

Thanks! Smile

On the Bench:

Bandai 1/72 Defender Destroid

  • Member since
    October 2021
Posted by PhoenixG on Monday, July 24, 2023 9:38 PM

M. Brindos

NIce job! I did this very thing with an Xbox controller for my son. He wanted a Winter camo scheme because the controller is in white plastic. The custom .45 cal shell casings for the buttons and 12g shotgun shells for the sticks were a really nice touch and he loves it. 

Projects like this are super fun.

 

Thanks and that Xbox controller sounds amazing! Wouldn't happen to have a pic to share?

It's always fun to branch out and try something different.  Smile

On the Bench:

Bandai 1/72 Defender Destroid

  • Member since
    October 2021
Posted by PhoenixG on Monday, July 24, 2023 9:39 PM

Gamera
Oh that's cool! I'd thought about painting flames on my PC case but never got around to it. Nice camo, I like how it's a little subtle, you don't really see it until you take a second glance at it.

Thanks!  If you ever do get around to painting your PC case post pics!

On the Bench:

Bandai 1/72 Defender Destroid

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