How do I use helmet stencils?

BFQ

New Hunter
I got one of ASOK's cold cast Boba helmets (Which is amazing BTW) and I am doing research on how to paint it.

I've downloaded the RAF stencils, but I do not really understand how to use them.

I've never done anything like this, so any info you could give to a first timer like me would be awesome.

Do I just print each stencil on paper and tape it to the helmet and spray paint it?

Oh!!! Also, does anyone have a list of paint colors to get? the RAF Stencils have names like caboose and unweathered caboose. Are those all the actual names of colors?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!
 
I think most size them appropriate to their particular helmet scale and the print them off. Then place them on the helmet in the appropriate place and slip a piece of trace down paper underneath. Then trace out the shape of the stencil to give a rough guide as to where the masking is applied.

So take the back panels for example.
1). Mask off helmet so only back panels show.
2). Apply first colour layer (in this case lets say we do silver).
3). Wait to dry. Both square back panels are now silver.
4). Print off silver damage stencil to correct scale and trace out shape on back panels using the trace down paper. This will leave a rough guide to the silver damage.
5). Now apply masking fluid to inside the outline of the silver area you just did with the trace down paper.
6). Apply next colour layer (lets say the beige/concrete).
7). Wait to dry. Now both panels appear beige but peel off the masking fluid and underneath will be the silver sections bordered by the beige covering the rest of the panel.
8). Now repeat for the beige colour - Print off beige stencil to correct size and again outline using trace down paper.
9). Now mask the new beige sections as per the stencil with fluid.
10). Now mask the silver sections you already did earlier.
11). Now spray with next colour (say the main blue - green).
12). Wait to dry.
13). Peel off the masking fluid to reveal the silver section you did before with the beige section added, all covered by the main blue - green.

Obviously this is a simplified example as there are other colours on those panels but these are the main three!

Remember that you will alway be working one colour behind.

This is an excellent WIP thread from Jayvee and it also contains the (modified) terminal fettler Humbrol paint list that most people use. There are several excellent paint up threads in the sticky section at the top of the helmet section; all you need to know.

http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f23/update-complete-5-3-12-jayvees-deluxe-esb-paint-up-awesome-bghunter-lid-43353/

Tracedown Tracing Paper, Art Supplies and Art materials, SAA

Good luck!

Andy
 
Me too! My first thought was just to freehand all the detail on with a brush. Glad I didn't do that. I also found some great videos on Youtube Welsh Warrior made explaining this technique.
 
Intwenothor described pretty well the steps for the layered method and Jayvee's ESB (and ROTJ) paint thread is one of the best here on TDH.

Oh!!! Also, does anyone have a list of paint colors to get? the RAF Stencils have names like caboose and unweathered caboose. Are those all the actual names of colors?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

The weathered/un-weathered colors are actually the same; in this case the caboose and the un-weathered caboose is the same color , but it means that the un-weathered caboose is a slightly lighter and cleaner red than the base color (see the example on the left upper mandible near the physical gash). At the back plate the reefer gray and the weathered reefer gray is the same color, but the weathered is darker, possibly the base color is painted on top of that color.
 
Me too! My first thought was just to freehand all the detail on with a brush. Glad I didn't do that. I also found some great videos on Youtube Welsh Warrior made explaining this technique.


I think it's a good idea to keep your options open and to keep a brush handy. As I've gone through I've learned a lot and mixed and matched where I've seen fit. I don't necessarily use the stencil with tracedown on every area. Sometimes I do it by eye with the stencil as a guide and the gallery too; some of the colours in some of the areas are so small that to mask of the whole section to apply a tiny area of paint makes little sense to me. That said the stencils are a godsend and I think i'd have be all at sea without them. I'm still only doing my first helmet but each new section teaches a lot and the old adage about learning more from mistakes rings true. This first time around I'm practicing but I have a GMH to paint when I'm done on my first and should produce a far better job!
 
This thread is more than 10 years old.

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

  1. This thread hasn't been active in some time. A new post in this thread might not contribute constructively to this discussion after so long.
If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.
Back
Top