Another MS3 helmt progress thread

[WannaBeBoba]

Greetings all. I just got my bucket in the mail yesterday! (MS3 #12) I can't stop drooling over it! It looks so beautiful. The attention to detail is astounding!

So, now that I have that, I thought it only proper to give you all a thread marking the progress of the bucket. Since I just got it last night, and I was in a pretty rotten mood (thanks to work) I didn't bother working on it. I didn't want to risk taking a chance and making a mistake, that would have put me in an even worse mood!

However, I did manage to snap off a few "Raw" pictures and will post them tomorrow!

As I said the attention to detail is amazing. I thought one of the things I would have to do is drill out the keyholes in the back of the helmet so I could buy an MQ1 circuit board to put in, but no! MS has it already molded in! Even the little round "beauty mark" on the left side is a separate piece!!!

This is an excellent helmet. I will wear it with pride and honor!
THANK YOU MS!!! 8) :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup :thumbup

[superjedi]

Cool!
Now of course we will expect it to be fully painted by the day after tomorrow!

[WannaBeBoba]

You want me to do what? Holy schnikes, are you looking for me to have a heart attack here? hehe...
I can tell you it won't happen. Weather is supposed to suck big time here and I don't have any place to paint EXCEPT outside!!!

Cool!
Now of course we will expect it to be fully painted by the day after tomorrow!

[Excalibur]

Is Marrow numbering these helmets. Might not be a bad idea to keep track of and stop recasting.

[Spideyfett]

Is Marrow numbering these helmets. Might not be a bad idea to keep track of and stop recasting.

He Does...

[Fett prop artist]

yeah...he's a pretty smart guy.

[LionsPride]

<---<<< Just recieved MS3 #7

I can honestly say that I've never ever seen a casted piece with such clean, sharp details, not a hole or bubble anywhere, smooth sharp details such as the forhead arrows, brow, dent, and earcap sockets MS has certainly put his time in and it shows

[SlaveR5]

yes... super detail... cant wait to get started on mine... #3

[fettswatcop]

#8....just started a couple of days ago

[WannaBeBoba]

I seemed to recall mentioning that I would post images of my MS3 on Friday! No, that wasn't an early April Fool's joke on the board...
In all my infinate stupidity, I rushed out of the house without my camera, and consequently, no memory cards to upload the photos from! However, I have brought the camera with me today, uploaded the images to my machine, and now, wish to show you... my, as of yet untouched, MS3 ESB helmet!

(Insert cheesy unvailing music!)

Look at it, isn't it a thing of beauty. Sure, it's not painted, but think of it like this... it's a blank canvas, waiting for a master artist, or in my case, a completely clueless fan, to make it into a masterpiece!

[asok]

I have #5. Is it me or does the fiberglass smell great or what?

[WannaBeBoba]

Ah, yes... the smell of fiberglass and resin...
shudders... it's quite intoxicating!

[SarlaccBits]

Oooohhhh!
Very nice!

[Buckeye_01]

I have #5. Is it me or does the fiberglass smell great or what?

It must be you! It smells like an old locker room IMO. :puke

[stormtrooperguy]

I have #5. Is it me or does the fiberglass smell great or what?

it's just you.



it smelled REALLY bad when i was cutting out the visor.

[Lythas Vex]

Awesome! Mine is due in the post this week (I had to have it shipped to a mate in America who then sent it over to me as MS doesn't ship here). Cost me a wee bit more but I have faith it'll be worth it. Can't wait!

[WannaBeBoba]

Ok, it's been a while since I lost posted on the progress. I could say a lot about what has happened... but a lot of it rests on the fact that I am a lazy guy!

Ok, so it's been raining, had a few things going on here and there... but I am also VERY lazy and just needed to get off my duff and start work.

So, I have cut out the T-Visor of the bucket and sanded all the parts down, getting them ready for paint. I have to tell you that I was really shaking when it came to cutting out the visor. I was so scared that I would do something stupid to knick or cut into an area I didn't want!

So, I spent Monday sanding and stuff. I know, it's not painted or anything like that.. and many may see this as a small step, but for someone like me, this is actually a big step.

Anyway, here's the latest... including a very early test fit of the helmet.

[Predatormv]

So in more then a month you trimmed the visor? Well it's progress, it's not good or fast progress but at least it's progress.

Just to put things in prospective for you I took a raw cast clone trooper helmet and in three days finnished it. (trimmed out visor, teeth and neck, sanded it all down, primered, sanded, painted white, painted colored stripe, and painted all the other details, installed visor and mouth screen.) All in 3 days.

Moral of this story..... Get to work !!


By the way I am just giving you a hard time, it's all in good fun.

[WannaBeBoba]

Lol, what can I say... I am lazy.

Also doesn't help when I have like 5 million things going on at once. I'm not only doing the helmet, but the sidearm, blaster, shin tools, etc.

I promise, I'll get cracking on this helmet in earnest soon. Just need to set a weekend aside and start in on it!!!

[WannaBeBoba]

Another step down.
I started laying down the silver base coat! I don't have picture yet... but I'll try to snap a few off tonight!

I used Krylon Fusion Nickle Shimmer, and I think I'll hit it with a bit of Rustoleum silver to give it that metalic look. Right now, I am happy with the results. I also took the time to shoot the all the part of the helmet as well as the barrel of the sidearm and even the shin tools.

Again, I'll try to remember to get pictures tonight!

[WannaBeBoba]

First, I apologize for the double post. However, I have pictures of my progress that I wanted to share with you.

As you can see in the images, I now have the silver base coat on the bucket. I used Krylon Fusion and then hit it with Rustoleum Silver Metalic

I think it came out pretty good. I did notice a run line on the back which I'll lightly sand and deal with as I go on.

comments/critiques are appriciated.

[WannaBeBoba]

Well, I have some progress to report. I've started making off the areas for the silver to show through. No pictures as of yet... but I am doing this completely freehand. I have been looking at a lot of reference shots of different helmets as well as making a few custom "splotches" here and there. In the end, it's going to be my interpretation of Boba.

As soon as I get more work done, I'll post pictures... so please stay tuned.

[Hammer of Might]

cool, keep us posted, I love these bucket progress threads.

[WannaBeBoba]

Well, as promised, another update.

I've started the process of making and painting. I just laid down the dark gray layer last night and then started to mask it off. The images attached are when I remembered to take pictures.

The Gray is the Lark Dark Gray that was reccommended by Rogue Studios' post. The other blue/white material is liquid masking film. I'm not using any templates or stencils on this. Instead I am going completely by eye, and putting marks close to what I see and what I think looks good!

I finished masking everything off last night and plan to hit the helmet with some more paint (either the maroon for the band and mandibles or earth for the back.

More images will come as I progress on this helmet. So far, I am liking how it's looking, but until it's completely painted, I won't be able to make a full opinion of my skills. Sure, it may not be 100% screen accurate, or look as good as many of your helmet's here.... but I do have to say that I am rather proud that I am even attempting to do this!

[Ronin677]

did you not mask the silver off first before laying down the grey?

[zombierepellent]

no if you look closely you can see that he did

[WannaBeBoba]

The silver was masked off and then I painted the entire helmet with the dark gray. I didn't do too much last night because I ran out of airbrush propellant and all the stores I went to didn't have a compressor that would work with my airbrush! (grumble, grumble).

I finally got my hands on a can of propellant this morning, so now I can actually work on hitting the back with the Earth color and the brow with the Maroon!

I hope to do that tonight!

[WannaBeBoba]

I'm glad the boards are back up and running. I have been wanting to post more pictures of my progress over the weekend!

And now that things are up and running again, here they are!

I know the painting so far is a bit... off. However, I will clean this up and make sure that it looks good. Since this is preliminary paint... it will all be covered up with the final paint colors!

[Hammer of Might]

dang, you really masked thick! looks good!

[WannaBeBoba]

Yeah... I did. I just wanted to make sure that I had more than enough masking fluid on there. It is probably too much, but being that this really is my first time doing a helmet like this... I'm still learning.

Who knows, maybe after the stencils come out, I'll repaint my helmet again and this time do a better job of masking if off so it's not so thick!

[WannaBeBoba]

I am about to cry!
I finished painting last night... carefully removed the masking tape and it looked perfect. I got ready to removed the liquid masking material... and everything.. I mean EVERYTHING... came off! It went down to the silver base coat, and in some areas, even that was removed!

All my hard work... wasted! I am actually really peeved, and upset this happened. I have no idea what the deal is/was but as of now, I have to start from scratch! The only things that didn't get messed up were the ears! Everything else is a complete loss!!!

[Hammer of Might]

I am about to cry!
I finished painting last night... carefully removed the masking tape and it looked perfect. I got ready to removed the liquid masking material... and everything.. I mean EVERYTHING... came off! It went down to the silver base coat, and in some areas, even that was removed!

All my hard work... wasted! I am actually really peeved, and upset this happened. I have no idea what the deal is/was but as of now, I have to start from scratch! The only things that didn't get messed up were the ears! Everything else is a complete loss!!!

Yikes, how did that happen?

[AFettFullofDollars]

I had that same thing happen when I started Shabads MS 3. There may be some residue from the mold realease agent that needs to be washed off the helmet before painting. Kinda like what you have to do with plastic model airplane kits. Liquid dishsoap should work, then go over it with some really fine grit sand paper, like an 800 grit. That's what I did and never had the problem again.
Also, that very problem is why I am a proponent of 'Mustard' as a liquid mask. It holds shape, but doesn't grab hold of the paint underneath it.

[Delta-9]

Topical paintjobs rule.

[zombierepellent]

Topical paintjobs rule.

yes they do.On a side note, some types of liquid masking have a "lift off time" where they will cleanley let go for a certain amount of time. Like painters tape even though I have a hard enough time keeping it on when you look at the store you'll notice they have 14 day and 7 day tape and what not.

[Desert_Beagle]

I keep hearing all of this talk of 'Mustard' as a mask. Do you literally mean mustard? Like I can eat a hot dog with it mustard?

[WannaBeBoba]

Yes sir. Just your average, plain jane "French's" (or should that be Fett's) yellow mustard!

Thanks for the words of support everyone. I took today aside to kinda gather myself together, get some of the items I'll need and tomorrow morning, I am going to set out stripping the helmet down to the bare skin, and then start this process all over again. However, this time, I am going to be using mustard!

If there is a good thing to come out of this... at least I know that I now can do this... after my last helmet (modding only) I swore I would never ever do another helmet again. I am the type of guy that expects things to go perfect the first time around... so this is a good lesson for me.

Again... I'll keep you all updated!!!

[WannaBeBoba]

Greetings all...
Just wanted to give you all an update as to my helmet progress. I am done with all under layers of paint. (silver, dark gray, maroon, earth). I just need to add more mustard to the earth and maroon layers (did that last night) and I can start laying down the final colors, again.

Using the mustard is actually really entertaining. Of course, the entire house smells of mustard now, and it makes me want to make a few hot dogs. The biggest drawback is watching my dog go nuts because she smells the mustard and wants to lick it off the helmet.

However, last night, as I was working on the earth color, my airbrush died. So a moment of silence for it. (pauses) Ok, moment's done! Now, I get to do the final masking and then... final colors!

[HeadlessHunter]

Yeah most masking fluids will have a maximum release time, I used Humbrol maskol which your not supposed to leave on for more than 4 hours, it can make it hard to peel it off if your paints not cured enough though, I look forward to seeing more pics, those MS3's sure are pretty, and is the MQ-1 circuit now cast into the back of the helmet? I didnt notice that before?

[WannaBeBoba]

Yes it is! Of course, as soon as I hit the area with the burgandy paint tonight, I'll snap some pictures and post them as soon as I get in Monday Morning!

[WannaBeBoba]

*MAJOR HAPPY DANCE*

The bucket is done! I am now in the process of scraping off the mustard, currently using a toothpick. Let me tell you I am loving how things are turning out so far. There are a few areas that I am not too pleased with, namely the back area... it's a bit bluer that I wanted, but after all is said and done, I love how it looks.

I got pictures and will post tomorrow.

BTW - anyone have a suggestion as to what to use to scrape off the mustard? Toothpicks are way too small and flimsy and I dare not use a hobby/x-acto knife for fear of gouging the helmet or ruining the paint!

THX

[WannaBeBoba]

Pictures!!!!!!

Mind you all I still have a lot more to take off as well as do some minor clean up, but... this really is my first attempt at a bucket from start to finish!!!!

BTW - anyone have a suggestion as to what to use to scrape off the mustard? Toothpicks are way too small and flimsy and I dare not use a hobby/x-acto knife for fear of gouging the helmet or ruining the paint!

[WannaBeBoba]

I again approach you all for some sage advice. I am in the midst of removing the mustard from my helmet and would like to know what you all used at this point. Right now, I am using cuticle sticks, but I can't help thinking there has to be a better way.

Can someone please give me a bit of advice as to what I can use? Thanks a lot!

[stormtrooperguy]

when i've used the latex masking method, i usually use my fingers to pull the paint off. i scrape the paint with my fingernail and then rub it off with my fingers.

i found that gave me better control than the rubber cement eraser usually recommended.

[Ripcode]

I again approach you all for some sage advice. I am in the midst of removing the mustard from my helmet and would like to know what you all used at this point. Right now, I am using cuticle sticks, but I can't help thinking there has to be a better way.

Can someone please give me a bit of advice as to what I can use? Thanks a lot!

This thread may help:

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/showt...hlight=mustard

[WannaBeBoba]

Hey, thanks for the help there RipCode. I'll try that tonight!

[Boba Fett]

Looking good man, keep the progress pics coming.

[WannaBeBoba]

It's getting closer to being done. I painted the kill stripes last night...
Now, I get the dirty the sucker up and then I plan to seal it.

However, I am fery proud of myself.

[WannaBeBoba]

I am just a step or two away from completing this helmet. I just need to install the visor and make an adjustment on the RF/Stalk area so the cap/cover sits flush and that will be it.

This helmet has really been a trial for me. I've learned a lot from it about what to do as well as what not to do. I have also learned a great deal from all you fine folks out there that have given me advice and help along the way. I owe you all a debt of gratitude.

This, by far, has been the most detailed helmet I have ever undertaken. The first helmet I ever worked on was modding a rubies Scout into something I can use for my costume. This helmet (Fett) has shown me just how much talent and devotion you all have. Not just to the character we all know and love, but also to the art of costuming as well as fandom.

It has been a dream of mine, since I was a kid, to dress as Boba Fett, and now, I get to realize that dream! Thank you all so much for letting me share a small piece of it with you. This is no way means I am leaving TDH. I'm here to stay! I just wanted to thank you all for your help!

Respectfully,
Chris
(WannaBeBoba)

[WannaBeBoba]

FINAL IMAGES! The helmet is 100% completed. I'm sure there are a few things I could have done better, but considering this is my first attempt ever at getting a raw helmet, painting, distressing and everything, I am very pleased with my work!

I now present... MS3 #12 - ESB