Lume Practice

[hanski]

I was graciously donated a couple of dials to continue practicing lume work - a 1680 and 6538.

The 1680 is a standard Cartel dial, relumed with a creamy offwhite tone. Of particular note, studying gen dials, it appears the lume should be fairly flat with only a slight pillowing. I’ve tried to capture that aesthetic here. In addition the hands were aged in Pacific Ocean saltwater with a touch of organic apple cider vinegar.

The 6538 is a faux gilt dial. Again, studying dial examples, the lume pillows but isn’t overly chunky. In this instance I experimented with a two tone line process. First applying a thin layer of lighter lume then adding a dollop of darker shade in the middle. Unfortunately I didn’t contrast quite enough. Next go around I’ll sharpen the difference. Like the first, the hands were aged in a custom crafted solution of Pacific saltwater and organic ACV.

Enjoy!

 

[jimcon11]

Nice job, they both look really accurate to me.

I've been having the opposite problem where I do the first thin layer and then when I try to build it up, the lume just concentrates in the center and darkens it, while none will go to the almost-transparent perimeter without messing up the fine edges I had made.

Mind sharing your recipe and technique ?

 

[hanski]

I use Noctilumina - http://www.noctilumina.com/

I usually mix some combination of G15F with AG40F, AG44F, TG45F, and AN98F. Then I add Binder 3 until the mix is like brownie batter - kind of thick but with some viscous properties.

The light creamy tone was 1/3 of G15F, AG40F and TG45F.

The dark yellow tone was 1/3 G15F, AG44F, TG45F with a dash of AN98F.

I try to get the lume done in one pass. With the brownie batter consistency, I use a medium Oiler to place a droplet in the middle of the plot. The droplet should hold its form and not ooze outwards. I clean my Oiler then “float” the lume to the outer edges. By “float” I mean that I tap up and down as I guide the lume. Once spread I check for flatness and pillowing. I add/remove accordingly. Once satisfied with the amount I float the middle of the lume droplet to form the slight pillowing.

My attempt to blend colors was done at this last stage of luming. I added a small droplet of the second color to the middle/top and blended a little bit. Like I mentioned, I could have been more contrasting.

 

[gunsmoke16610]

mzinski Great job on both of those dials. Thanks for the directions.

 

[ADINVA]

Wow, this looks so natural. Love the colours!

 

[hanski]

Continuing with my lume practice and experimenting, tonite I have a sterile faux-gilt submariner dial from RT. For this one I tried a different technique. I applied the lume as I would normally but once the plot was done I “dry brushed” some dark brown lume pigment onto the top of the wet lume. By dry brush, I mean I took the oiler fresh and still with some wet lume on it, dipped it into a pile of dry pigment, then carefully applied the dry pigment granules to the plot.

I think it’s a fairly successful attempt at aging tritium that has turned inconsistently dark and pebbled on the top of the plot.

Because it takes a little extra time, I had to mix a second batch of lume half way through.

 

[jimcon11]

Your lume skills are pretty good, thanks for the overview of your process. I need to work on getting the same smoothness you do. I should probably just buy the Noctilumina kit instead of the 7 dollar Amazon stuff

 

[Bart Cordell]

Nicely done !

 

[ADINVA]

Incredible work! Great job!

 

[hanski]

Because I have no life, another dial:

Sterile 5513 RT dial with a faux, dark aged tritium.

 

[Dizzy]

I like that color on the last one. Nice work.

 

[Dizzy]

What was you mix for the last dial? I’m thinking of ordering a small kit from them. I want that last color you did.

 

[hanski]

Dizzy I’ve been so many I did this last one without noting the mix. I’m pretty sure it was 1/2 AN98F and 1/2 TG45F. I will do another dial tomorrow and try that to confirm. I’ll get back to you.

 

[Raddave]

some of the guys actually mix flour in the lume to make it more puffy

 

[hanski]

Dizzy Correction, the mix was 50/50 AN98F and AG44F.

 

[hanski]

This is th unfortunate story of a Yuki Red 1680 dial. Purchased M2M but discovered the paint was not properly adhered when the dial started to flake apart. Super disappointed, I promptly did my best to repair it. It was okay but never to my liking. Decided it would be a fun dial to experiment on - so I bring to you The Ocean Found Dial.

I can imagine the story of a chap always in search of a bargain. Excited to find a vintage 1680 Red submariner on Craigslist, he buys it. But after bringing it to his local AD for authentication is told it’s a fake! He promptly tosses it into the ocean. After years of tumbling around it washes up to shore, to be found by me! Yay!

Enjoy!

 

[Dizzy]

Thanks man! Much appreciated.

 

[jimcon11]

Ocean Found Dial? I'm sorry, that's actually the Brown Delicious :abnormal:

 

[hanski]

Continuing the lume work - this time it’s a 5513 meters first with a burnt ochre lume repsenting an dark aged tritium.

(Excuse the dust on the dial)

 

[Superdome]

Hi guys,
I wanted to catch upd on this great thread! Thanks a lot for posting the great information so far, i learned a lot!

Any tips on how to remove lume without damaging the dial?
Also, where do you buy the "practice dials"? Seems like a yuki migth be a bit costly to mess it up.