Paper Clip Trophy Rack Help

[hushrong]

Greetings friends! I was hoping to get a little bit of help with an idea.

 

I have some chaos terminators being built and I want to give them trophy racks but not using the ones that come in the box. I just do not like the way they look. Instead I want to use paper clips as spikes upon which skulls and helms will be skewered. 

 

Example: Look at the bottom right at the black legion terminator.

 

What I am wondering is how I go should about getting one end pointed? I am thinking of filing them down but was looking to see if someone else has done this or if there is another way. Please let me know if you have any information as it would be greatly appreciated.

[Major_Gilbear]

Use brass rod instead of paperclips. You can then file the the spikes as little or as much as you want with a needle file. :)

[hushrong]

Use brass rod instead of paperclips. You can then file the the spikes as little or as much as you want with a needle file.

Thanks for the tip! I think I will order some 1mm diamater brass rod to give it a shot.

 

I am wondering if running of file file along the brass will be a good idea to score it and hope paint sticks to it better and not chip. The smooth surface of the paper clips made me think that paint would chip and flake off easy.

[Major_Gilbear]

I run the file along the brass rod when I use it for pinning, as it helps a lot to key the surface for the glue.

 

For paint adherence though, I just use a little piece of very fine 600+ grit sandpaper to burnish it if I think there's a decent chance of scuffing. Otherwise, the automotive primer I use is designed to bond to clean metal surfaces anyway, and I've had perfect results with just washing the model before priming.