Mandalore697's Mystery Helmet Progress

mandalore697

Active Hunter
Well I've finally gotten around to making some progress on my Sgt Fang helmet. It's been lying around for so long just waiting to be worked on I thought it was about time I pulled my finger out!

After all the basic prep work I gave it a good coat of silver. I've always preferred the layered effect when it comes to painting, even though it does take a lot more time and effort.

After the base coat of silver had dried properly after a day or two I got out the old liquid mask. Using a wealth of reference material and the templates created by Count Dookie I started to mask off the silver areas. I found the templates really useful but couldn't get them to print out to the right size so just decided to use them as an additional point of reference.

After the mask had cured - and with a nice new airbrush in tow! - I sprayed on a couple of coats of humbrol 79 lightened with 64 enamels. I sprayed it all over the dome and cheeks and allowed to dry for a day or two.
P1010077.jpg


Next step was to remove the mask and then reapply the next layer. After this I started applying the main green colour. (Humbrol 73) Again I left it to dry for a couple of days before coming back to remove the mask.
P1010082-1.jpg



Disaster struck! As I picked up the helmet the texture of the paint didn't feel right and as I started to remove the mask my fears were confirmed. The green had gone on too thick and was lifting the grey as the mask was removed. I also realised that I had used a base coat of ACRYLIC silver and then had put enamel on top.
P1010086.jpg


So I sanded down the dome and cheeks. Most of the green had come off and brought the grey with it already but I gave it a sand to remove any excess and went back down to the primer. I then re-primered the helmet and have now ordered some ENAMEL silver for the base instead. I've also re-ordered the grey and green but this time in acrylic to see if acrylic over enamel will work better than the other way round.

Fortunately I had already painted the rear of the helmet and that had come out fine so no need to go back to that, as it had already taken me ages! I'd also already got the ears pretty much done and dusted so only a bit of weathering required on those now.
P1010078-1.jpg


So right now I'm waiting for the new paints to arrive before I can get back on track. Please post your comments and I'll keep you guys updated. I should hopefully have some more updates next weekend.
 
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What Humbrol silver are you going to use for the base coat? I've found no. 11 works better as opposed to the metal cote alternatives which can leave a powdery finish and subsequent layers can lift...:)
 
Its interesting to see how your helmet's progressing as i'm doing exactly the same thing as well! I've started with the light "flint" grey as the base colour then the silver then dark grey(no.79) etc...Its proving to be a nightmare as each layer dictates the next and there's little room for error...
 
Its interesting to see how your helmet's progressing as i'm doing exactly the same thing as well! I've started with the light "flint" grey as the base colour then the silver then dark grey(no.79) etc...Its proving to be a nightmare as each layer dictates the next and there's little room for error...

It is a nightmare I agree! But I'm hoping it will be well worth it eventually!
 
Spring must be in the air Dan. I have literally just started painting my TF :lol:

Yours looks great and i admire you for going totally layered. I bottled this time and am ging 50/50 layered and topical.

Keep us updated mate :)
 
Hi.
Do you guys have a complete list for the Humbrol enamels that you use on the helmet? I have a difficult time getting a hold on testors model masters for my helmet.
-Morten-
 
Hi.
Do you guys have a complete list for the Humbrol enamels that you use on the helmet? I have a difficult time getting a hold on testors model masters for my helmet.
-Morten-

here you go (Terminal Fettler list :) )

ESB HUMBROL COLOUR LIST

-Base grey all over helmet: 79
-Upper cheeks: Black 33
-Dome and cheeks: Green 78
-Red on mandibles and trim: 73
-Purple on mand. and trim: 73+104
-Back of helmet: Cream/Green: 28+103 / 76+96
-L/H ear: Red/ Grey/ Green: 60/ 28/ 78+159
-Kill stripes: Yellow 154, fade to Orange 82 on
back.(very slight fade)
-Black marks by kill stripes:62+33 mixed whilst
painting on with 00 brush.
-R/H ear: Sand 94
-Light blue/Grey all over helmet: 23
-Weathering: Splatters/misting, very thin mix applied
with airbrush with low pressure and flicked from
cotton bud: Black 33/Grey 79/Beige 103/ Brown 72.
-Glue blobs(applied in layers) and general
discolouration all over helmet using brush and cotton
bud depending on required effect: Windsor and Newton
ink: Sunshine Yellow.
-Scuffs: Black 33/ white 34: use 00 dry brush on.
-Putty crack repair: 28 + 94 mixed while painting on
-L/H cheek grey area near L/H ear slightly green:
79+(76+96: back of helmet colour)
-sand coloured grime on top of brow and in arrows:
94 thinned with spirit applied with small crappy
brush, dabbed with rag
 
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