Making my Frogman Grail

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sharkfin
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Making my Frogman Grail

Post by sharkfin » Sun Apr 17, 2011 4:56 pm

I decided to make my grail. Sorta. :lol:

Well, as a Gshock fan, especially the Frogman line, the Murakami became a grail as it was announced.
Sadly, I don't have $3800 retail, or $6k on ebay to drop for this Gshock.
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Let me introduce you to my new baby Murakami Frogman.
So after seeing many dye mods done by other guys, finally got around to doing my first gshock dye mod.
my dye mod
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I tried for this.
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But its more like this minus the black lettering.
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I'm a big fan of Murakami's art. So it was easy to really like this one.
I love the whole design for the Murakami Frogman. So I decided I wanted one by way of making one. ;)

I rounded up the supplies necessary to get this project underway.
You can see I started here with my GW200-TC Frogman, aftermarket Glorious Gold band/bezel set.


At first I thought I'd try to remove the black text on bezel with some acetone. That didn't work out too good, just made a mess.
So I abandoned that idea and left it as clean as can be. I'll paint over it later.
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I took apart the buckles and screws and now ready to dye.
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I'm using RIT dyes, mixed in a pot of simmering water. Mixed my color to my choosing.
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I tried to get a close color match, but I'm off as you can see. I should have diluted more and get a lighter cherry red as original.
But I just too eager to begin the dye process.

It didn't take long to dye, maybe 30 seconds, since it was a dark red, I didn't want it to go even deeper red than it already was.
This went fast.
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Then into a bowl of vinegar, I think this sort of neutralized the process and cures it.(my logical guess)
You can see some color does come off a slightly in the vinegar process. Its good, as I wanted it lighter. ;)
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For a minute in there, and into the sink for a water bath.
You can see it looks really sexy all wet in the water there. Very Murakami me thinks. ;)
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Now to to dry them off.
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You can see the dye process did dye the white painted text on bezel. So I will paint the white over.
I used model enamel paint to fill the grooves. let it dry for 20min and then remove extra paint with tissue and acetone.
Starting to look really nice. Coming together nicely.
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The original GG band I'm using in white, is very opaque. so as its dyed, its also opaque and matte.
On the real Murakami, its a clear jelly type, quite a difference between the two.
But my dyed mod gets wet it takes on the clear jelly characteristics.

In conclusion, I really didn't get the color to make perfectly, but I do like the end result still.
Its similar, I might try again to really match it up. But for now, its pretty cool.
I find myself finding any excuse to get the Frogman wet, to see its sexy glow and let the Murakami shine through.

Here's more pics. Enjoy.

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I'm really digging this Murakami mod. ;)

cheers,
Dave.

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CGSshorty
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by CGSshorty » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:02 pm

That came out great Dave.
"It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever."
David St. Hubbins

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moishlashen
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by moishlashen » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:06 pm

:shock:

I started your post thinking what the hell is this crazy dude doing and ended thinking you did a great job and the watch looks cool as hell. Excellent work bud :salute:

If you ever pay that kinda bread for a Murakami though Dave I'm gonna ban your ass on principal :)
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dshap
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by dshap » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:35 pm

Cool!
-David

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hobbit712
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by hobbit712 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:41 pm

Outstanding work!
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fastward
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by fastward » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:49 pm

Nice job!

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andrema
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by andrema » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:17 pm

Very cool! Great job!!!!
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KWIATEK
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by KWIATEK » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:36 pm

Damn good job! :clap:

Turned out :thumbsup:
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aikiman44
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by aikiman44 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:50 pm

That Frog looks great, very nice work!
"We'd better synchronize our watches."

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CesarG
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by CesarG » Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:01 pm

Damn, Dave that's badass! You've got skill, dude. I'm still lusting for a frogman but those prices scare the shit out of me...

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toxicavenger
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by toxicavenger » Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:10 am

Damn Dave I think you watch looks more "manly" compared to that Murakami.


Hey why don't you try and melt down some girls jelly shoes next time to get a real Murakami? :gayumbrella:
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fastward
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by fastward » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:42 am

Damn you, Dave. I really want a G-Shock now. :banghead:

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YOHOHO
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by YOHOHO » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:52 am

wow...very nice work!

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Rambam
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by Rambam » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:55 am

You`re one sick puppy, Dave....
Honey Badger FTW!!!

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rockmastermike
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by rockmastermike » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:13 am

Dave, that is great work. love how it turned out.

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Pasquale
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by Pasquale » Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:31 am

Great work Dave.

3800 for the original? Has Casio lost their minds?
Does it bloyou?
Pasquale

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sharkfin
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by sharkfin » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:01 pm

Thanks guys, really digging the new creation.

Yes, I'm a psycho for G-Shocks.
But I'm not gonna spend thousands for a G.

So, ya, if I ever did, slap me silly and ban my ass. haha.

Thats the cool thing about G's, there are so many mods & styles, sky's the limit.

Glad you like it, I'm happy I pulled it off.

Cheers,
Dave

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rutteger
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by rutteger » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:03 pm

Great looking dye job, looks very 'even'.

That Murakami looks sweet but the retail and ebay price is a killer.
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giosdad
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by giosdad » Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:11 pm

Great work. Thanks for documenting it for us.
Regards
Barry

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gristler
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by gristler » Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:29 pm

Excellent Dave. :cheers:

I learn something new today. :thumbsup:
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Tank
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by Tank » Wed Apr 20, 2011 8:37 pm

Great work man! I sure as hell don't see shelling out 6K for a G-Shock... don't get me wrong, I like 'em, but dayum.... and Toxic, I just about shot a snot rocket laughing at your new sig :roll:
-Shawn

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SuperLeo
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by SuperLeo » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:03 pm

um


holy crap

i had no idea i could die my gshock







































no... i love my white gshock
i might buy someones beater and mess with that one instead
patstarrx wrote:Well, you used a lot of big words, which I don't understand.

giosdad
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by giosdad » Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:53 am

What was the process used to take off the original color or was it clear to begin with?
Regards
Barry

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sharkfin
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by sharkfin » Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:22 pm

giosdad wrote:What was the process used to take off the original color or was it clear to begin with?
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I started from translucent white. I sourced this band/bezel, as its a blank canvas for me to be creative.
You can only dye from light to dark. Doesn't work the other way around.

To remove painted lettering I used acetone, just dip it in a bowl.

Tip, always dye light shade and continue to add dye to get deep/darker color, cause once you go dark you can't go back to lighter colors.

Hope that helps.

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fastward
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Re: Making my Frogman Grail

Post by fastward » Thu Apr 21, 2011 6:35 pm

Where were you able to get the GG bezel and band from?

Looks nice.

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