Industrial Photo-Op Base

[Dr. Cranky]

I could not help mocking up the building once again. As you can see, I already have the windows and the doors in primer . . . and I will paint them first because I have to get them right before I move on . . .

Also, if you want to know how I built the lights, I will tell ya. Once again I used the backs of craft store earrings, and some left over Scrabble letters I had. The stackable Scrabble game pieces which are plastic . . . and I magnetize them all . . . 12 lights in all.

I initially thought of gluing them down and straight, but then again what's the fun of not being able to put it up and then take it all down and store it away . . . besides I like the look of the lights all out of whack . . . once painted, they should look pretty cool, I think . . .

This is like my favorite shot, and it makes me get excited with the anticipation of taking this same shot outside in sunlight . . .

[Terror]

I was gonna say,whats up Doc?,but I see your as busy as a beaver.I think your all wrong on the light fixtures.Most abandoned buildings don't have an ounce of copper left in them.The locals scrap anything thats worth money. .I'm gonna save my kudos for the end cause I thinks this is gonna be lots of pages to read.

Edited December 8, 2010 by Terror

[Dr. Cranky]

Terry, you are right about the copper . . . heck, most houses in Florida that have been foreclosed on get raided and vandalized for the stuff. It's like gold.

Yes, this place is still functioning, keeping in mind that the good Doctor is constantly working in his Lab-Rat-Ory! If you pronounce that fast it sounds like the word we all know and love!

[Foxer]

I want to know what book Harry is talking about too!

[crazyjim]

Yeah. What book, Harry? I wrote a book and got a copyright but never followed through with a publisher. "The Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Your Questions Answered". It's used by the National Park Service as a training aid, by the Smithsonian and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund as a reference guide.

[Dr. Cranky]

Mike, I think it's some sort of Holy Grail of Rust & Gunk, but you know Harry, not even battery cables to his toes will make him reveal ancient secrets.

[Clay]

Pay no attention to me...

Already dont pay any attention to you, who are you again?

[Dr. Cranky]

Gee, Jim, if that many people are using the book, I hope you are getting some residuals headed your way. Copyright is more important than ever because I whole new generation has grown up believing all content is free and should be shared for free.

[crazyjim]

Well Cranky, I don't do things that way. I wrote the book to be able to help educate people about "The Wall" and to pay tribute to my brothers and sisters whose names are inscribed on The Wall. Of the several hundred copies out there - along with an annual update when more names are added on Memorial Day, I've never asked for or recieved a dime. The copyright is November 10, 1997 - the Marine Corps birthday.

My Scrabble game has wood letters.

[Dr. Cranky]

Jim, it's honorable and generous of you.

[Harry P.]

Scrabble tiles as light fixtures! Only from the mind of Cranky...

It's looking very good. Can't wait to see it weathered and worn.

[Dr. Cranky]

Well, Harry, the weathering and further detailing has begun . . .of the floor, that is . ..

The weathering of the warehouse concrete has begun . . . and while I take little breaks, I've also continued to add details to the structure . . . like this . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

This type of weathering with washes goes very slow, although I'm using the hairdryer . . . but I am doing one panel at a time, beginning with the cracks and panel seams . . .

First I paint clean water over the panel, then I apply the wash . . . like I said, slow work, but it's getting there . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Looks messy and gunked . . . which must be a sign of things to come . . . I've added a bit of color here and there to add interest . . .

Once this stage is done, I will add dirt, dust, trash and scraps of stuff, seal everything with diluted glue, and then come back over it with a bit of airbrushing . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

I don't know what they built in this place, but they sure were messy! LOL!

One of the things I like about this base are the metal panels . . . I think I might do a whole base one day on a metal sheet . . . I love the way it takes on color and rusts . . . .

The brush marks are paying off in terms of giving the whole thing texture . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Stay tuned in for more progress, folks . . . I still have a bit to go on the weathering and finishing of this floor . . . also, I've started to primer the walls and all the other styrene components . . . it's good to have a few areas of progress going on at the same time . . .

[crazyjim]

Cranky, Cranky. I can't stand it anymore. Your dio is looking fantastic! I need to go out to the shop and work on my molds & castings. Keep up the great work. It's so interesting!

[Clay]

Simply amazing Cranky. Just amazing. Going to love to see all of you builds in this building when they are finished. I need to do one once I move.

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks, Jim . . . the comments keep me going, and obviously the work is helping you get CRANKED up too!

Thanks, Clay . . . yes, I am definitely anxious to see what the new builds will look on this photo op base.

[GTMust]

I've been quietly following this topic and I can't stay quiet any longer!!!! WOW!!!!

The work you do is awe inspiring and I've picked up so many tips and ideas that I've put all my car models aside and have started three (count 'em) three seperate diaramas just so I can experiment with some of your ideas. Don't know if I'll ever finish them, though.... probably remain works in progress.... those cars are calling me back.

Thanks for all the inspiration and don't ever stop!! Bye the way... great concrete!

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks, Tony. Yes, there's great fun to be had when you build models and dioramas . . . they both make you grow and thrive as a builder.

[Foxer]

Cranky, Cranky. I can't stand it anymore. Your dio is looking fantastic! I need to go out to the shop and work on my molds & castings. Keep up the great work. It's so interesting!

I know a company that could sand blast that floor and get all that dirty gunk up for you.

[Dr. Cranky]

That would be quite a job!

It might be too late . . .

So after all the washes dried, I brought out both Mig and Bragdon pigments to bring out a little more colors . . .

Using my fingers I mixed some of the powders and rubbed them into each concrete square . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Again, tedious slow work, but the results are more realistic, I think . . . almost like playing with real dirt, which I also used.

Here's a round of pics of the finished floor . . .

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks, Donnie--it's a lot of fun, so keep doing it . . .

I'm also gathering junk materials to spread around the floor . . . some permanent and some temporary . . .

Metal sheets dipped in Radio Shack etchant (wear your mask!!!)

I guess my mind is moving between junked and gunked!!!