Helmet Oops and Question

Urami

Hunter

• Jan 29, 2016

• #1

Long Story Short:
Being new to this a year ago, having never air brushed or modeled etc. I bought an Animefan budget lid and finally got down and dirty with it and am just about done. However, in all of the research I didn't realize I was actually painting the AOSW ESB style until I finished adding some of the black scuffs. Man what a noob!!! My plans for this helm are to troop it at conventions and visit hospitals, charities and what not. My question is, am I a scrub for trooping the AOSW version of the helm or should I sell this and start over and do the screen accurate ESB right? I really am a fan of ESB over RoTJ. For me it is not even close. For some reason that flaws (drizzles, finger prints, stains) of the ESB just feel more pure. What do you guys think? I am not pro at all and this paint job is loaded with flaws and inaccuracies to be sure but I just feel like a dummy a bit for not even realizing this until now. Do you guys think it would be worth masking sections off and laying down some new paint, a or should I just keep it as is and chalk it up to a learning experience?


Party 2: A Question on Thickness
In the pictures does the helmet seem a little thick? Does it really throw off the whole look of it? And if it is too thick is it worth it at this point to hog out some of the material and get it thinner? What is the proper measurement it should be if it is too thick? If I sell this to start over I was thinking about getting Animefan's thinner cold cast lid. Thanks in advance for any assistance, it really is a big help.

 

syllander

Active Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #2

The visor areas are pretty thick, but you don't have to buy a new helmet to fix it. Just remove the visor and grind it down to around 1/8" thickness everywhere the visor sits. Take your time and it will come out great.
Even the thinner Glass helmets have to be thinned in this area. I have an FPH2 and it was marked with a line in the upper area, like an indicator line. I was surprised at how much material I took off, but besides looking more correct, it allowed the visor to sit in better.

 

superjedi

Sr Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #3

First off, nice work. That's a very respectable paint job for a self-described "noob."
What you've painted is the ROTJ Special Edition helmet. The helmet is actually the ESB lid with
the addition of "incidental" damage that happened over the years. There are people who enjoy
both versions so it really comes down to personal preference. I've known a few guys who troop
ESB with this style helmet.

As to your second question, as Syllander mentioned, yeah the visor cutout could stand some thinning
down. It's kind of tedious work, but it'll improve the appearance.

 

Urami

Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #4

Thanks superjedi for the compliment. Definitely means a lot since I looked at your painting write up quite a bit. Thanks as well to syllander for the measurements. The visor has really been a bit of a pain in the ass and I agree with you, I think getting the area thinned and shaped will allow it to fit more like an inlay. I will get to grinding. I did what I could before with a file but couldn't quite get my dremel in there (its a bit fat). I am thinking of buying a Dremel Flex Shaft for it. Do you have another recommendation? Is it better to do this by hand with files and sanding blocks? What did you guys do? At this point with it all painted I will really need to approach it a bit different, more care, finesse.

Revelation: Good Lord I should have just dug a tad deeper on TDH, just found this Boba Fett Special Edition and it all make sense now. Literally, the helmet I painted, was only seen in those added re shot scenes in Jedi SE. So I was heading in a direction alot closer then I thought but still off the mark a tad, LOL. I think I can live with that. Thanks peeps, this does make me feel better.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jul 8, 2017

intwenothor

Well-Known Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #5

I do it by hand.

 

syllander

Active Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #6

I sand it down with a 90 degree die grinder(using an air compressor)with 100 grit pads, then finish up with scotch-brite pads, medium coarseness.

 

superjedi

Sr Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #7

I begin with a couple of Dremel grinding bits and finish off using sandpaper by hand.
You're right, it can be tricky to get a Dremel in there. I had a flex shaft for a while, which
worked great until it just quit working! Grumble. . . grumble. . .

 

vaders right hand

Well-Known Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #8

i think it looks great the way it is , but that's just my opinion

 

Urami

Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #9

vaders right hand said:

i think it looks great the way it is , but that's just my opinion

Click to expand...

Thanks man. The trouble for me with the sizing and why I asked the question in the first place was the size difference between each. The range finder mandible sticks out a bit when you look at the helmet from the side because of how much thinker it is. I was just a bit uncomfortable going at it when I first go the helmet and now that it is painted I feel more comfortable getting in there and grinding away.

Next Question: superjedi syllander vaders right hand intwenothor

When I shave this down do I need to round the edges or are they ok with being squared off like they are now? I can't really tell when I watch the movie, it seems thing but the lighting is hiding if it is rounded off or not.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jul 8, 2017

syllander

Active Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #10

I'd maintain the edges provided on the cast. I would deburr the edges, but I wouldn't round over.

 

Urami

Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #11

syllander said:

I'd maintain the edges provided on the cast. I would deburr the edges, but I wouldn't round over.

Click to expand...

Any pictures of your helmet handy?

 

syllander

Active Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #12

Not many, it's out being painted. Lemme see what I can dig up.

 

Urami

Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #13

syllander said:

View attachment 96040View attachment 96041View attachment 96039Not many, it's out being painted. Lemme see what I can dig up.

Click to expand...

Damn dude I am like triple that thickness. I got a 90 degree attachment and flex head on the way. Gonna get this knocked out. I actually have trouble getting the help on because of how thick the walls are. It is fine once my head is in but the visor presses against my nose since I didnt thin it. Thanks for the pics man...gonna definitely use these for reference.

 

syllander

Active Hunter

• Jan 30, 2016

• #14

No problem man! Resin lids are a bit thicker, one of the "how they're made" facts. So if your head is on the large side it doesn't help.

 

Lynn TXP 0369

Well-Known Hunter

• Feb 1, 2016

• #15

That bucket looks really good! Unless your a total accuracy nut or have bad OCD, I'd leave it as is and I wouldn't even bother with it.
Lynn

 

superjedi

Sr Hunter

• Feb 1, 2016

• #16

Urami said:

When I shave this down do I need to round the edges or are they ok with being squared off like they are now? I can't really tell when I watch the movie, it seems thing but the lighting is hiding if it is rounded off or not.

Click to expand...

Keep 'em squared.