Frank DeCandia’s Polar Lights Robby

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Though the Polar Lights Robby the Robot kit isn’t perfect, it is far easier than some of the others. I like the optional claw hands these kits include, though I never put them on my complete model. Some pre-chromed parts makes life a little easier. Paint over the chrome as needed. The optional Robotoid chest plate is nice, but I like my Robby’s authentic.

Each foot comes in two pieces leaving a vertical seam down the middle. Seams are also noticeable on the legs, torso, arms and hands. I sanded most pieces to get a relatively seamless look, and polished it with a finer grit to smooth it over. It helps the paint stick as well. As you can see in the pics, the completed Robby on the base is about the same size as the 24.5″ Platinum Robby’s head. Platinum Robby is limited to only 200 pieces. When building take notice that Robby’s bottom right foot has a different pin hole.

Over the months several people asked for my secret Robby color. The answer is, “You’ll know it when you see it.” It’s standard model paint off the shelf. Besides, you may find a better color than mine. Hands are painted my usual (secret) rubber look. (Same color I use on the B9 Robot legs.) The top row of glow lights are glow orange, and the larger side bulb lights are glow red. When you are painting glow paint over a dark area, prime it with a couple of coats of flat white. Glow paint goes on rather thin.

I found painting around the clear fins to be annoying. They should have been separate parts. Though the mouth plate broke on me, I painted under it my secret blue. Used the same for the tips of the head blasters. Except for some flat black in the head vents, I left the main face one color. Research seems to indicate it is one color. The head could have been designed a little easier.

I felt I made a mistake on my Polar Lights B9 Robot base. The glossy paints give it a wet look. Like it just rained. Following my instinct I used a flat earth color with a type of sand stone color for a nice contrast. Apply two base coats, and with the stone color sweep lightly over the rocks. Sweep over rock cracks sideways when possible. This leaves a natural sense of dirt encrusted rocks. This takes a LOT of time, patience, and touch ups. But the look is well worth it.

Frank P. DeCandia